Sailing Knife Review

D

darrencatterall

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
2
Hi

I am looking for reviews on sailing knives. I need something folding and locking (sheepsfoot blade) with marlin spike and shackle key that is sharp, easy to use and open and rust free :)

any thought appreciated

D
 
While you're waiting for other responses, you can try a forum search for "marlin spike". You'll find some previous discussion, like this thread.
 
My vote would go to the Boye Cobalt folder also - if for no other reason that the #1 rating by Practical Sailor. I have always held a lot of respect for The Practical Sailor magazine as they employ a realistic and no-nonsense test methodology in their reviews. And, not accepting advertising gives them even more credibility.
 
Boye Folder. Period. You could go for one of the H1 Spydercos, but you'd still have to get the Marlin Spike and key. This folder has it all in one- AND as was put forward before, real world testing has found this to be a good knife for sailing. Cobalt DOES NOT rust. Any other Stainless folder will rust- eventually.
 
Boye comes from a family of sailors, so he knows the kind of knife that's required for deck and dock work. Boye folders are very ergonomically friendly. Get one just for the good design. Boye has been perfecting his boat knife for about 25 years. He started out with cast 440C blades and now uses cast cobalt. His boat knife is in many ways the culmination of the man's career now that he's discontinued most of his other knives. People who buy them, hold onto them, I've never seen one in the for sale forums or used at a knife show, unlike sebenzas :)
 
If you're going to be doing any ropework while sitting around your living room and/or saloon, I would recommend getting a stand-alone marlin spike in addition to the folding knife you're asking about. I've really enjoyed my Myerchin spike, and it's not too terribly expensive.

http://www.myerchin.com/A008A009.html

If you could combine that with a Graham Wharncliffe, you'd have a really classy pair.
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Another suggestion, if you can see your way clear to a fixed blade with a separate marlinspike, is the Grohmann Boat Knife with the marlinspike and 3M sheath:

http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/r3s.html

I would strongly recommend this route. There is nothing like a fixed blade when the chips are down and you really need it now. The Grohmann sheaths are great. They dangle naturally beside your leg but swing up comfortably if you're sitting in a boat or on a vehicle seat. No digging into your side and always ready for use. This is the gold standard for professional seamen in the Canadian Navy.
 
I'd second the Grohmann #3 if you would be willing to have a fixed blade/marlin spike combo. I had one when I was in the Navy Reserve and thought it was a great knife. The spike is well made as well. The serrated version you can get are not very deep like Spyderco. They are more like Victorinox. I really like that pattern as it doesn't get caught up in loose fibre line , but can still bite well in harder material. Good knife.:thumbup:
 
Myerchin makes an excellent knife. I'm a professional traditional wooden boat builder in the Pacific Northwest and occasionally sail tall ships as crew. Myerchins are seen a lot with professionals (i.e. delivery crews,fishing boats,charters etc..) as well as being issue to U.S.C.G crews. I've also seen them frequently in Alaska. I prefer a fixed blade for rigging knives myself but the myerchin folders are extremely strong. As regards stainless...if you plan on being anywhere near saltwater, I'm not sure if you would want to consider anything else.
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Dawg, you have my envy.

Did you take a course to learn this, or learn on the job?

(To remain on topic...) I have one of the Myerchin fixed blades, and it is a nice knife. The scales could be more grippy (smooth micarta), but it's a good knife.
 
get a separate knife and marlinespike. I find the blade gets a lot more use than the spike, and I only use a spike when I splice large diameter line that is too tightly laid to open with just my hands.

I prefer plain edge. serrated works good on modern synthetic lines when there is a strain on the line, but for plain push and pull cutting, plain edge is safer. I prefer a point, but a lot of people are afraid of points on a pitching deck.

depending on what you are wearing (shorts, foul weather gear, all bundled up, etc...) should determine the knife. I found the Myerchin large folder to be too heavy (heaver than a 110) for shorts. a sheath knife is good, and most sailor's sheath knives come with a separate marlinespike/shackle opener.
I like a folder with a clip personally. it goes with anything, and if they are light enough, you can carry several. I like one IWB, one in my pullover or oilskin jacket pocket or clipped to the bib of my oilskins, and a fixed blade, or open folder on top of the lobster tank or in a lobster tray.

most stainless steels will remain relatively rust free if given a minimal amount of care. 440C (myerchin) VG-10 (spyderco Salt series) H-1 (Spyderco, Benchmade 100H2O) all have high corrosion resistance.

I don't know about the boye folders, since I havent gotten around to getting one yet, but myerchin and spyderco would top my list.

I keep a pacific salt iwb in case i go overboard, and my main using knife is still on deck.

but if you are looking for a stain free locking folder, get an atlantic salt, or even a spyderco rescue will stay relatively stain free in vg-10. A separate marlinespike can be had for about twelve bucks, and a screwdriver suffices in a pinch.

Pete
 
I'll second that comment on the big Myerchin folder. It's a really heavy piece of knife. I just checked, and it's 9oz. Compare that to 2.2oz for the Boye knives, or 3oz for the Pacific Salt, or for that matter 6.84 for the Benchmade Skirmish. Definitely not one you want to stick in your pocket.
 
FoxholeAtheist-I went through the Northwest School of Wooden boatbuilding in Port Townsend,WA. I also carry a Spyderco Rescue when I open ocean row or sea kayak. I've found them to be an extremely nice knife for the money. Keep in mind that rigging knives are lost during use occasionaly so one doesn't want to take out a mortage to own something. Also, a shackle hole on your marlingspike is invaluable.
 
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