Need suggestions for a knife to use while at sea?

Kingknives

Kingknives

Joined
Mar 14, 1999
Messages
691
My future son-in-law is in the Merchant Marine Academy and will be going to sea for a few months. Right now he carries a Delica I gave him, but I think he could probably use something more substantial or more "job specific". Any suggestions from the Forums would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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"May you live in interesting times"

AKTI - A000389


 
If he is prone to seasickness I'd offer him something suitable for hara-kiri. OTOH, he'd probably be fine with a folding knife tough enough to cut at least a 3 inch mooring line with as little effort as possible. In the marine environment I think one hand opening is an absolute must as he might be hanging on to something with the other hand. The toughest Spyderco he could find would be a good choice.

This topic as far as corrosion resistance and all that just came up recently as well, and you might want to take a look into the archives.

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Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of the tyrant; it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt, 1783

 
Kingknives,

I'm a retired naval officer and am aware of the ravages of the salt sea environment. There have been some tremendous advances in materials in recent years including some with phenomenal edge holding characteristics coupled with total corrosion resistance. I'm referring to Talonite which is a cobalt alloy. Check http://simonichknives.com and take a look at his Signature Series. You can get your future son-in-law a very function short fixed blade for as little as $200 with the aforementioned characteristics.

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-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since day one
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member


 
How much are you willing to spend and fixed or folder.

The above suggestion are great. Check out Mission Knives as well. Titanium blades hold up really well under maritime conditions.
www.missionknives.com

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
Well... here's a shot in the dark.
smile.gif


How about a Spyderco Mariner?

It's about as job specific as you can get in a knife!

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If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid.


 
I wasn't sure how much I'd be spending. Probably not over $100 (he's not my son-in-law "yet"). My first thoughts were the Mariner or Harpy too. I don't like the Mariners all stainless handle though and wondered if the Harpy blade was really useful. I like to get input from others that know. I don't spend much time on the water. Yea, I know, I'm in Florida. But I'm a landlubber.

And thanks Mike, I thought about Mission Knives and Titanium too! How well does it sharpen by the way? Glad to see your up and around!

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"May you live in interesting times"

AKTI - A000389




[This message has been edited by Kingknives (edited 30 September 1999).]
 
OK, how about the C14Bk, the Rescue model?
It's the Zytel variation of the Mariner.
A sheepsfoot blade can be real handy on a boat that is rolling on the waves.
Sorry, I'll be getting a Harpy this week and can't help with that one yet.
Good Luck with the search!

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If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid.


 
Kingknives
I carry a small gerber 200 and/or 400 folders. They do not get "scarry sharp" but have a little "tooth" to the edge if you stop short of using a really fine grit diamond stone. Cuts well but probibly not as well as a toothy spyderco on lines. He'll need somthing to cut small lines and 3 to 4" or larger mooring ropes. Fixed blade would be my choice now, a kydex sheath in the right place is probibly faster in an emergency but to each his own.

Dwight

"Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum, minutus carborata descendum pantorum."


(A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.)
 
Boye Dendritic Cobalt (cast stellite) knives retail in the plain vanilla version for $129.

That seems to be in the ballpark and is impervious to saltwater corrosion.

They come highly recommended. It would be my choice for that environment in the price range stated.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

 
I have to second Blues. The Cobalt Boye would be my choice. I`d be real concerned about corrosion around salt water. Until Spyderco starts using dendritic cobalt (and there has been noises about this!), I`d stick to a Boye.

P.S. I been carrying a Boye now for a couple of months now, and I`m really happy with it.
 
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