Sheaths that attach to PFD. How do YOU do it?

H

HJK

Moderator
Joined
Jun 30, 1999
Messages
28,984
When I canoe or kayak and wear a Personal Flotation Device, usually the most convenient way to carry a knife and have it accessible is to lash it to the PFD. [Sometimes I use a neck knife instead, and I usually have a larger knife nearby, but that's another story]
The usual way to lash the knife to the PFD is by snapping a sheath into the lash tab, which is a 4 slotted plastic square attached to the PFD. Most river sheaths are designed to snap on.
How do you lash your river knife to your PFD, if you do? Do you snap on or lash some other way? What's best?
 
I am relatively new to Kayaking but I found that if the knife that I have has a nylon sheath I can run the straps for the pfd through the belt loop and when the pfd is pulled tight it makes the knife pretty stable.

What kind of blade style do you recommend for canoeing anf kayaking?

------------------
Jason Cadden
jc.gif

Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
jcadden@smkw.com
 
I prefer to use cable ties or 550 cord for attaching a sheath. For years I used a Spyderco Rescue in a Mike Sastre/River City Security sheath. Just a few months ago I went to a Harpy, again with a River City sheath. He also makes a real nice replacement sheath for the POS factory sheath supplied with a Gerber River Shorty. Mike is an avid Kayaker and working with the US Whitewater team for 10+ years has given him some insight into the needs of paddlers.
Regards,
Clyde
 
Cable Ties - Great Idea I am going to try that on the Occoee this weekend. Right now I am lashing mine with para-cord to the PFD tab.

I just do like like clips and in whitewater I would have a hard time trusting one.

Neil - get back in the shop
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif
.

 
I use a Spyderco Merlin or G-10 Harpy in one of my sheaths, and attach it horizontally to the side chest adjustment straps of my PFD, using para cord tied with a Fisherman's knot. This keeps the knife from interfering with any movement I make, is accessible to either hand, and is low profile (you don't look like "Rambo on the River"). I've been using one sheath (plastic clip Merlin) and the same piece of cord for about 10 years and 3 PFDs without any failure. Some people like to use the cable ties for a little bit of "failsafe", but the para cord is softer, more user friendly, and just as secure with proper knotting.

Clyde,

Thanks for the plug! Missed you at the Ocoee Games (U.S.Team Trials/Ocoee Rodeo)!! Had fun playing with Water Rescue for a week - fishin' was REAL GOOD in "Humungous".

SYOTR
Mike
 
I carry a Spyderco Remote Release with the barrel clip attached to a mid-sized beener, which is attached to the lash tab. A nylon paracord through the lanyard hole and I've not lost it yet!

Mike Sastre's system works fantastically well too.

Hi Mike glad to see you're getting lots of water time this year!

Joyce
 
Hiya Joyce!

I was actually too busy pulling people and equipment out of the hydraulic to do any boating, but am making a concerted effort to get more water time this year. My attitude suffers when I don't get wet. My offer to bring an extra boat for you to Atlanta still stands if you have the time.

TC,
Mike
 
Find a velcro piece about the width of your lash tab and wrap thru the lash tab and the tabs on the knife holder. Works great. Have Gerber currently on my rescue vest and will shortly be changing to SARK when holder arrives. Dick
 

I use zip ties to attach my Talonite Talon to my PFD. It is the sturdiest method available, IMHO.

View


View


------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------

"only the paranoid will survive"
 
These are all very cool ideas.
Personally, I like to have the sheath on the PFD attached relatively permanently with the clip and have a second sheath available for carrying the knife because with cold fingers it can get pretty tough to lash and unlash. Plus, I'm all thumbs anyways.

How about your favourite knives?
I have to tell you up front that ever since I got Neil Blackwood to make me a talonite neck knife, [primarily for ocean kayaking and for use with a survival suit], I've wanted one for my PFD. No production river knife can compare to Dr. Lathe's work, obviously. I hope soon to have another Blackwood with serrated top edge, exposed tang and in stellite 6k. I got a look at apicture and it's beautiful.
What do you look for: in the sheath and the knife.
 
In addition to the knife on my PFD, I used to carry an inexpensive Cold Steel neck knife. However, after ending up with it hanging outside the PFD one time, I have some reservations. A lot of the rivers I run have a significant number of branches in the water. I am concerned about the cord of the neck knife getting caught and causing strangulation. If I use it in the future, I'll go with either a very short nylon cord or a lightweight break-away chain.

Unless I had a pretty short cord/chain, I'd be reluctant to wear a really expensive neck knife. While getting thrown around in serious "washing machine" turbulence, a neck knife could be lost.

DPD.
 
How about an AG Russell Bird and trout knife? It's an excellent fishing knife and comes with a quick release push button zytel case with a swiveling clip so you can just clip it to one of your vest's rings. I really like this knife for kayaking and fishing!

------------------
Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com
 
Thanks folks. HJK and I both got together with Neil and came up with some good ideas.
I did not know we had so many white-water addicts on the forums.

I think I will stick with the flat sheath and the zip ties. I am just an old amature, but I have been paddling for 20 years maybe we will meeet on one of the rivers around here, if we don't at a knife show
smile.gif


Clyde if you ever need a place to camp on the Little River Canyon email me. (Of course we have not had any water up there in a couple of years, but when it is running it is beautiful.)
 
Here is HJK's "Rafter"
rafter2.jpg

This is the first one based on ideas from both Howard and Gus. Once this one's had some field testing, some changes might be made.
Gus, I have the notes for you knife, it will be slightly different as discussed.
This one is Stellite and blue G10 with blue and white spacers. It features grip serrations on the spine as well as the top and bottom of the exposed tang. The top edge IS sharp AND serrated. At this point the knife has already bloodletted it's maker
eek.gif
TWICE.... so the main edge will remain unsharpened until the sheath is finished!!

Neil

------------------
Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Neil,
WOW, a real sweet lookin' blade, thanks for the pic!

Mike,
Hated to miss the Ocoee games. Course I was more looking forward to a lesson with the new Sandbar Bowie!! Had visions of backcuts by the campfire 'ya know. Hope you can get down before the Blade Show and paddle. Got a duckie, Shredder, and a 10.5' self-bailer in the garage if we need 'em.

Gus,
Yes, with the drought been a few years since I've been over to Little River. Seems like the only rivers I've been on lately are dam controled and crowded (Ocoee, Pigeon, or Nantahala). I'll give you a shout about paddlin'.
Regards,
Clyde

 
Same here (as far as dam controled water), it would be great to get a gang together and hit the Ocoee. We could handle a decent size group. I have a pretty nice duckie and a couple of sb 10 footers and an old but faithfull 14 footer that made it douwn the Gaulee a couple of years ago. Not sure if I have the nerve to do that again. First time I have ever put watter into a boat for weight to make it through a couple of rapids
biggrin.gif
. If you ever see some old men on the Ocoee in nice duckies (outsurfing a lot of kayaks or R-Oneing blue N. West River Supply 10 footers. Pull us over it would be great to meet.

------------------
" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
Clyde,

Give me a call - will have a window on both sides of Blade and be bringin' a boat with me. May have to stop by NOC. Vince can't make it and haven't hooked up with Jeff R. yet to give him lessons. Waitin on my Sandbar.

Great to see the number of WW addicts here! Interesting mix of knife choices and carries. Whatever/however you choose to carry, will have to ensure that the knife is still there after a Class V swim and yet be instantly accessible in an emergency. Tethers, leashes, etc., while good for keeping the knife with you, offer opportunities to have the cord caught and the knife pulled out inadvertantly. Don't think I'd like being in a hydraulic with a blade following me around and around. Just my .02.

Shaded Dude,

You out there? How's your river knife project coming along. Liked your design!!!

Mike Sastre
River City Sheaths
 
I agree about thethering the blade. I don't do it. You don't have to be in Class V or even out of the boat for that to pose a potential problem. At least, when you are a klutz like me
smile.gif
 
I heard a story, or maybe should call it an urban river legend, about carrying fixed blades on the river. Seems a group of paddlers had stopped along the river (I heard Chattooga) and few of them got to trying to push/throw each other in the water. As one guy was going in the water he grabbed out to try and pull the other person in with him. Story goes that in the grappling a fixed blade was accidently snatched from its sheath and slashed down across the inner forearm. Caused a deep nasty gash a considerable distance from any kind of medical help. After this story circulated you saw all the guides in the southeast with a "Chattooga Loop" affixed to the release mechanism to keep a particular river knife more secure. Like I said it may have just been a river story but it made it into some of the whitewater newsletters.
See 'Ya On The River,
Clyde

Mike,
Thurs at the NOC would be great! I'll call you.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top