recommendation pls: short fixed blade and most rust proof

J

jbinbi

Joined
Mar 18, 2011
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I am looking for recommendations for a knife to keep on my sailboat. I have some 'marine' folding knives but they are crap. I keep a leatherman as well.

Ideally, I want a fixed blade, $30-$50, 4-5" but as rust proof as possible as it will be left on board.

It needs to keep it's edge, be pretty strong, and not rust, or at least very quickly. It is not that it will in water, but in a humid environment. I need something for emergencies if i need to cut thru a line. I would assume that in a critical situation, the line would be under huge load, so the cheap marine folders and leatherman won't do the job.

I have read too many posts and am now too confused.

SOG seal pup, dajo survival , bucklite? My head is spinning.

Your recommendations and reasons are appreciated
 
The SOG Seal knives are supposed to be great as far as corrosion. The kydex sheath and that hard ass handle would do well for you, I never lived at sea with mine! I would think that any coated stainless would be pretty good. Or, if just for cutting rope, get whatever and coat the blade in wax, or a grease. It will stay protected that way. Lots of coated carbon steel blades come with grease on the edge.
Dajo is okay, I gave one to my Brother. I liked my SEAL okay, sturdy knife, the serrations would come in nice for cutting ropes.
Depending on size of the rope, the longer edge knives would do it in one fast slice.
Have you considered a big Ka-Bar, Cutlass machete? 9.5" blade, rubber type handle, you could fight pirates, chop wood on a beach, and cut rope, all for $40. It's the Ka-Bar in the pic, bottom knife. I've been chopping hard woods with mine, still very sharp, holds it's edge well.
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Pendleton Hunter ( Cold steel) Short,great grip,plastic sheath,not too expensive.
Master Hunter...same as above with larger,flat-ground blade.
Sog Seal pup elite ...good slicer,sharp tip,waterproof sheath,impervious handle.(good line ripper with serrations)
Bucklite Max...Alcryn rubber has great grip,nice ergos, inexpensive but well made.
cordura sheath ok with water,although slight rattle.
All the above had fair edges but improved substantially with some sharpening/re-profiling.

I personally use the Seal pup Elite/kydex sheath on the water.Just my choice.
 
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The spyderco salt has a steel specifically designed not to rust. seems to be pretty decent. don't have one, but it has been recommended enough for me to without being flamed too hard ;)
 
A Busse SAR-4 would do the trick for the most part - INFI isn't impervious to rust, but its pretty resilient to it - and a coated knife means that only the edge is exposed (so oil it well) but its higher than $50 for sure. The problem is that you want all 3:

1. Rust Proof
2. $40-$50
3. Needs to hold an edge / be pretty strong

From what I know of knives, you can pick two, but not all three. Either spend some more money, or invest in some serious oil and an air-tight enclosure (like a pelican case).

You might be able to find a Caspian or Caspian2 for a little more than $60 used, but they typically go for $75 new and that to my knowledge is Spyderco's cheapest fixed-blade Salt knife.
 
You might be able to find a Spyderco Aqua Salt on closeout for around that price, but it would likely be a bit more. If you ever watch Deadliest Catch on Discovery, the crew of the Northwestern are using them for deck knives. When they first got them, they were taking bets on how long the "plastic" handles would last. Everyone lost the bets. The only one that became unusable the first two seasons was the one that went over the side. The "plastic" handles are injection molded Fiber Reinforced Nylon that take sub-zero temperatures in stride. The H-1 steel won't rust, and the serrated models hold an edge quite well.
 
I'd suggest a Mora. I can't count how many times I've seen an old, abused Mora lying in the bottom of a boat.
 
Spyderco Salt line of knives. The H1 steel uses nitrogen instead of carbon and cannot rust. I'll repeat this part, they cannot rust.

You can get a folder version for $40-50 if you search, and a fixed blade for $70-80. Slightly out of you range, but you won't be needing to baby them in the water.
 
Thanks for all the advice. Went to look up Spyderco Salt on their website. Seems like it is discontinued. Is this right. I don't mind spending more for something that actually works. If I spend 50 and need to do that again in 3 years, might as well spend the 100 once...
 
jbinbi said:
Thanks for all the advice. Went to look up Spyderco Salt on their website. Seems like it is discontinued. Is this right. I don't mind spending more for something that actually works. If I spend 50 and need to do that again in 3 years, might as well spend the 100 once...
Click to expand...

It has recently been discontinued, but is still fairly available from vendors, or are on ebay. I have a Tasman salt folder on my PFD. It sees a lot of rope and H1 steel is great, I recommend it with a Serrated edge.
 
Again, Thanks. I purchased 2 spydercos, a pacific salt folder (serrated) and the caspian salt straight. Looking forward to weather getting warm, my boat getting in the water and trying these out.
 
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