Newbie Question

Man am I glad to find a forum like this !
Ok..I am planning on traveling around the world for awhile.. Africa, South America and ALOT of sailing in between and alot of camping.
How should I equip myself when it comes to knives ? Do I need a special knife on extended sailboat trips ? 3-4 weeks. Will salt mess most blades up ?

As a side note. The guy at the local gear store recomended a Gerber Gator for a foldable knife..

Thanks for anyhelp you guys can give me

jimmy
 
Talonite might be applicable here. Do a search on Talonite and see what turns up.

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Glenn
 
J

Johan

Joined
Oct 12, 1999
Messages
631
Welcome to the forum Jimmy! If you're going to be doing some sailing I'd look for something with a black blade coating and a lanyard ring. Some good choices might be the Benchmade 710 Axis, or the BM 750 (titanium handles don't corrode), the BM AFCK is another good choice. If you don't want a black coating (BTW, BM coated knives are rated for 1000 hours of salt water submersion) go for a Spyderco Endura and pick up some Marine Tuff Cloth from Sentry Solutions. The Tuff cloth with prevnet corrosion VERY well. Hope this helps.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
 
Welcome to BladeForums Jimmy! You might also want to post your question in the Wilderness and Survival skills forum (tactics and training at the top of this page).

Very nice saltwater impervious folding knives are made by David Boye from a non-ferrous material known as dendritic cobalt. Check it out at www.knifeart.com

David Boye's knives are at: http://store.yahoo.com/knifeart/davidboye.html

You can see more at:
http://www.knifeoutlet.com/boye.htm

And
http://premiumcutlery.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/Boye_Denderatic_and_Cobalt_Steel_Knives.html

Paracelsus
 
Welcome...

Don't get the Gerber Gator: bad lock, bad edge... you don't want high-maintenance on the field.

Get two blades: Delica/Endura (Tuff-cloth will keep 'em nice) for everyday stuff and get a serrated hawkbill (CRKT makes a decent one, or Spyderco) for marine applications. When you need to cut, you want to make sure it gets done.

Just a few thoughts.

Good luck and have fun.

RLR
 
Welcome.
I know if it was me I would want a Marlin Spike. You can buy them seperate or as a second blade on a folder. You might want a small fixed blade while on the boat that way you won't have to ever worry about opening it in an emergency. The spyderCo's are a good idea it will give you an extra serrated back up blade for rope or line cutting.
Bob

[This message has been edited by Strider (edited 02-09-2000).]
 
I'd go for a small fixed blade like the Buck Vanguard model with rubber handle
(http://www.buckknives.com) and then a Leatherman Wave to stash away in your bag.
 
OK I got a Leatherman Wave..A Victorinox SwissChamp and a Utica Cutlery Boaters Knife with a Marlin Spike (what is a Marlin Spike for ? LOL)

I think I will get the Spyderco Endura and a Spyderco Merlin or Harpy (which one should I get ?) Also which handle is best ? Stainless Steel, Zytel or G-10.. Cost versus Durability.

Damn I am quickly getting too many knives !

So do I need any more ? LOL

A machette type or a K-bar type maybe ?

Is this overkill ?
 
One thing I've learned in my travels: less is usually more. You do not want to have to lug around more than you really need. Why carry a Leatherman Wave AND a SwissChamp? And you mentioned having a Utica Cutlery Boaters Knife with a Marlin Spike but in the same breath ask what a Marlin Spike is for. Well, that question tells me you just might want to think about leaving it back on shore.
I think a Spyderco Endura with lightweight Zytel handle would be a good bet and will likely be your most used knife. The trick is to bring what you'll really need and use, but to pack as light as possible. You'll be damn glad you did.
 
Welcome to the forums!

Too many? Heck, you aren't even approaching "enough"!

I would definitely add something in a fixed blade. Talonite for the corrosion resistance and general good things. A lopping blade may or may not be overkill, but in any case, I'd want a nice sized fixed blade on my hip.

Also, don't forget to pack a way to sharpen all of these knives!

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AKTI Member #A000832

"That which does not kill me just postpones the inevitable."
 
No matter what knife you get definitely get the tuff cloth it can be of great help.....

And plus it stays on for a long time.......
 
Also..........

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS
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My Email is - Hero47@juno.com -
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[This message has been edited by MICKEY77 (edited 02-09-2000).]
 
TOO MANY KNIVES!?

Whenever you think you may have too many knives just repeat these words:

There is no such thing as too many knives.
There is no such thing as too many knives.
There is no such thing as too many knives.

Keep repeating this until the feeling goes away or until you can get online and buy another knife.

You've got just enough when you can't carry any more.

smile.gif


Brian_T
brianthornburg@home.com
 
Can anyone help me with this question ?

I think I will get the Spyderco Endura and a Spyderco Merlin or Harpy (which one should I get ?)

Also which handle is best ? Stainless Steel, Zytel or G-10.. Cost versus Durability.

 
I've got to give the nod to the G10. Lighter than SS, stronger than zytel, and IMHO the best looking of the three. And I'd go with the Harpy-seems like it was made to slice rope.
 
Plain edge Endura, concensus has it that G10 is best due to strength and light weight. Make sure the Merlin/Harpy is serrated. Get a good sharpener that doesn't weigh a ton. I would recommend a Fine DMT serratd sharpener (the one that folds), as you can sharpen both knives with it. Buy a Sentry Solutions Marine Tuff Cloth and Tuff-Glide (at the BFC store
wink.gif
) Have fun!

On second thought, buy a serrated Spyderco Military (G10, CPM440V blade, tough as nails)
and forget carrying two knives.

Later,
Chris

[This message has been edited by CPR (edited 02-09-2000).]

[This message has been edited by CPR (edited 02-09-2000).]
 
Not to complicate this..Oh well LOL

I already put in a bid on a harpy on Ebay..
So I'll have to get a second knife..*shucks*

The Spyderco Endura is ATS-55 with a Zytel handle.
The Spderco Wegner is ATS-34 with a G-10 handle.

Could someone educate me on these metals ?
Would I be better off with the Wegner ?

Thanks once again
Jimmy
 
ATS34 and ATS55 are closely related stainless steels. ATS34 was brought from over seas and considered to be probably the best stainless(then, now there are some serious contenders-CPM440V and so on)ATS55 is ATS34 modified its one of the only steels you'll find that is intended solely for cutlery.ATS34 has enough carbon and a low enough amount of chrome that it will rust in a saltwater or corrosive enviroment. ATS55 has a little more chrome and about .1% less carbon. It won't rust quite so easily but I would still invest in some tough cloth.Both make very high quality knives if heat treated right.And spyderco does heat treat them right. Benchmade's ATS34 has been known to be brittle and chip easily, not somehting I'd want to worry about with limited sharpening equipment on hand. spyderco doesn't have any complaints about theirs that I have heard. Both ATS 34 and 55 are tough steels that won't chip or break very easily(with proper heat treat, with spyderco not a problem) and they also take a good edge, and hold it pretty well. If you go to www.spyderco.com you can look at a chart of steels and their make up, along with a glossary to explain what each element is used for. Thats if you want to get really detailed. My vote goes for the Endura in ATS55. Its a really solid knife that will hold up very well, especially if you give it a little maintnance like some tough cloth.And its cheaper than the wenger.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Jimmy,It must be stainless,better with a black ti type coating.With no non stainless steel anywhere.G-10 or titanium are good for handles, liners,etc.One handed opening and closing is very nice safety wise.I prefer nonserrated blades even for rope and such for ease of sharpening.I am no knife expert but three+ weeks at a time on the ocean in a fishing boat is what I do for a living.That sure sounds like a fun trip!Regards,mad cow
 
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