real survival knives

Why start a pissing match Tom? If you thought the question beneath you, why not simply ignore it? Not everyone knows their way around a boat like you do Tom, thats why these forums are so great, there's so much knowledge to be shared. Educate, not alienate.:)
 
OK Tommie enough is enough.I thought I could help you choose a good survival knife but after being flamed I have decided not to. In Texas, children are to have a life preserver on at all times while on a boat.Making a weapon available to a child is a felony in our state.I couldn't tell what state you are from since your profile has no information on it.I will say that calling your fellow forumnites stupid morons is not very courteous.
 
How about both of you quit insulting each other and let's get to the brass tacks of the issue.

Doug Ritter @ equipped.org has put together several recommended packing lists for people who would like to survive their "extreme" experience, be it crashing or sinking. Since you want something that will clip to a vest, two or three knives come to my mind immediately -

1. The Spyderco Snap-It
2. The Spyderco Rescue or Rescue Jr with some sort of tether
3. The Buck Tiburon
4. The Buck Crosslock Solitaire River Rafter
5. The Buck Approach
6. The Benchmade Rescue Stryker

and some sort of tether device like the Hammerhead Gear Keeper with a pin screw mount that is semi-permenantly attached to the PFD.

These are all pretty low cost knives that for the most part have rounded or sheepsfoot tips (less likely to puncture a raft) and you only really need it to last for a short while - hopefully your EDC knife will bear the brunt of your survival tasks afterward.

Kevin
 
You know, this is all really irrevelant, just buy a wohole set of Ginsu knives and you are good to go! :D
 
Something by Boker with X-15 steel would do nicely. Their Orka FB is supposed to be hot, and they make some folders as well.
 
Originally posted by Spark
Since you want something that will clip to a vest, two or three knives come to my mind immediately -

1. The Spyderco Snap-It
2. The Spyderco Rescue or Rescue Jr with some sort of tether
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No reason not to get the best of both worlds: Spyderco Snap-It EMT -- a Snap-It with a Rescue Blade. $40 at 1sks.

I like the idea of the Mora knife, but I don't know how to attach it in a way I would trust. Has anyone done this (fix a Mora knife securely to a PFD)?
 
Originally posted by johnniet

I like the idea of the Mora knife, but I don't know how to attach it in a way I would trust. Has anyone done this (fix a Mora knife securely to a PFD)?
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How about Zip Ties and Inner tube rubber bands?
 
I don't know zip ties really.
You're saying you tie the sheath directly to one of the squares, and put the handle on a lanyard? (Do any of them have lanyard holes, or would you need to tie the cord/tube around the handle?)

Last year there was a thread about knives for shark attacks. I think Torz Johnson answered
Get the dullest blade you can find, so it will hurt less when he shoves it up your ass
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or words to that effect.
I liked that answer better than Tom's answer this time around. Also sarcastic, but funnier and more informative.
 
are cable ties... the little black (sometimes white, or assorted flourescent colors) one use... one way plastic zipping things.

The Mora's come with a lanyard hole.
 
TomW:
Jeez, I get nervous when folks start recommending pointy pig-stickers with razor edges for in and around the water.

Rigging knives, boat knives, bosun knives, and the like have been around for ages for just the need you describe. Prices range from $13 up to $99 for a stainless steel boat knife with a rope blade, spike, screwdriver, and shackle key. The stainless steel Allied knife below sells for $12.95 at most marine chandlers or online boating supply houses. I have had my Currey Ltd. Bosun's knife ($18), for about 22 years and have used it extensively on sailing and motor boats, for both work and pleasure boating.

If you have people in the drink, especially if it is cold water, don't put a pointy razor sharp knife in their hands! Cold water deadens your touch and dexterity, so stick with a straight blade (no belly) and a conservative point (Sheepfoot). In a boating emergency, if you need to cut something, it is usually clothing or line (rope). The boat knife blade is just right for this.

Someone mentioned sharks?? No folder is going to save you from a shark. You're better off keeping an oar with you to bang them in the snout.

TT2Toes
 

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Originally posted by Spark
How about both of you quit insulting each other and let's get to the brass tacks of the issue.

Doug Ritter @ equipped.org has put together several recommended packing lists for people who would like to survive their "extreme" experience, be it crashing or sinking. Since you want something that will clip to a vest, two or three knives come to my mind immediately -

1. The Spyderco Snap-It
2. The Spyderco Rescue or Rescue Jr with some sort of tether
3. The Buck Tiburon
4. The Buck Crosslock Solitaire River Rafter
5. The Buck Approach
6. The Benchmade Rescue Stryker

and some sort of tether device like the Hammerhead Gear Keeper with a pin screw mount that is semi-permenantly attached to the PFD.

These are all pretty low cost knives that for the most part have rounded or sheepsfoot tips (less likely to puncture a raft) and you only really need it to last for a short while - hopefully your EDC knife will bear the brunt of your survival tasks afterward.

Kevin
Click to expand...

That about sums it up. Do yourself a favor and check out www.equipped.org

-SB
 
This is the first time I tried a what knife should I buy post.
It's very interesting and I appreciate the suggestions.
It quite simply brought up knives I would never have thought of.
my thanks go to everybody.
I've decided to sew a velcro closing pocket on them to broaden the variety of knives I can choose from and eliminate something dangling to become a problem.
I want them on life jackets because they will be worn and a knife will be available to anybody on board for any number of reasons.
No matter where I go in life and what I do I'm usually the only person that has a knife. Something a lot of us probably experience.
 
Originally posted by TomW

No matter where I go in life and what I do I'm usually the only person that has a knife.
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Hey Tom, long time no see, how the heck are you doin'?

I bet if you come down to NY show next month you won't be the only one carrying. :D
 
The flames are kind of odd, but, to answer the original question, commercial fisherman all over tend to use the good old Frosts stainless knives, plastic sheath, 7 bucks. I like the blue handled ones rather than the green military handles, but they are the same dude. The carbon steel ones rust remarkably quickly in a boat, and the stainless ones hold a pretty good edge but still sharpen easily. My friends and I have used them for years on land and sea. Duct tape and cable ties nicely keep them from falling into the water.
 
TomW:
Let us know what you decide on for a blade. Clearly, from my earlier post, I'm hoping you'll choose a folding boat knife.

There are aftermarket nylon sheaths that attach vertically or horizontally to a belt or strap. Not sure how your lifejackets are designed, but you may be able to attached a nylon sheath horizontally to a waist belt. You could further secure it to the waist belt using a brass rivet. If you do sew a pocket to the jacket for a knife, consider sewing it on the inside of the jacket (against the wearer's chest). This helps keep the surface of the jackets snag free. I have had more close calls with boat crewmembers entangling lifejacket buckles, tabs, clips, etc., in running lines and nets.

As you know, surviving boating emergencies usually means staying alive long enough for a rescue. This means that you'll need to stay with the boat, if afloat, and stabilize this floating platform until assistance arrives. If your sailboat rolls, turtles, or snaps a mast, you'll need to clear rigging to stabilize the floating platform. A pointy Spyderco folder or Mora fixed blade won't do squat to open a shroud/stay shackle, remove a clevis pin, or clear a knot out of wet dacron line (rope). This is why I suggest the boat knife or Bosun's knife, which is made to perform all these tasks.

Lastly, you don't have to spend a fortune to outfit the jackets with boat knives. As far as lasting power, I purchased my Currey Ltd. Bosun's knife (below) in 1980 for $18 and it has seen rigorous service on three oceans.

Cheers,
TT2Toes
 

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I would go with the swiss army knife, but a mora is a good choice also. I would also suggest sealing each one in a small ziplock bag, after oiling the blades.
I worked in survival equipment (in the AF) for 8yrs and have had much experience with working with survival items used in planes, boats, ect. a little reventive maintenence can go a long way!!! and save money!!!
we would seal the gi utility pocket knives, and hook blade raft knives, individually in ziplock bags and place them in the survival kits. As long as I was in the AF it worked then, and I imagine it still does, and if anyone is wondering, yes they were used sometimes and it proved very effective.
sewing the sheath to the jacket is a good idea.

hope this helps!!

(sheaths) rivets are ok, bu they should be sewn on also for durability
 
Somehow I don't think inflatable lifevests, rafts and sharp instruments go well together, especially in a panic situation.
 
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