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

I'm in the process of planning a 4-5 day canoe trip (my first of significant duration) in the general area of Cloyne, Ont, and so am finding this thread very interesting.

Of course, we're all sissy whitewater virgins, so we'll be portaging around pretty much all the interesting water.

Got a number of choices for knives to take along (don't we all??), and have pretty much settled on my Ka-Bar and all-stainless Harpy, but hadn't really given a whole lot of thought as to how to keep them secure and accessible.

------------------
What's that? A bag of tricks?
No, it's a bag of knives!
 
I'm not a rafter but I use a Blade-Tec, Tek-Loc for many rigorous outdoor activities.

They also sell a little clip that goes in to the Tek-Loc that prevents it from being opened accidentally. This seems like it would be ideal on a Kydex sheath attached almost anywhere.

------------------
Banner.JPG
 
Clyde,

Could you describe the "Chattooga loop" in more detail? I'm very curious about it. My guess is that it is a breakable tie of some sort that holds the knife in the sheath...strong enough to prevent unintended seperation but weak enough to break when you really need the knife. Thanks, Alan
 
I agree with the teather. I need to count on the sheath to hold the knife. It it does not I do not want the knife anywhere around me. Especially on secion IV of the Chattooga or LRC in AL. Not to mention when I take a few friends in a raft t-grips on those paddles sometimes are not connected to hands
biggrin.gif


To me a fixed blade is a must. I want to be able to get to it fast if I am in a hole and caught on a rope or vine. I can stay pretty cool, but I am not real sure about opening a folder in a good class iv or v hydraulic. As far as a neck knife I do not think I would try it in rough water.
 
The "Chatooga Loop" was used to lock the release mechanism of the first production Gerber Cliploc Series. Spring that locks into the hole in the sheath on initial offerings was weak and tended to let go. A small loop of para cord was wedged between the spring and handle blocking movement, and could be pulled down with your thumb before pressing the spring for releasing the knife. This was later fixed.

Walking around a rapid is ALWAYS an honorable option. Sometimes a smart one too.

Mike
 
The position of the "lash tabs" on my PFDs did not suit me so I cored out two holes in the middle of the foam chamber and inserted aquarium tubing. I then ran "zip ties" though and attached the Kydex scabbards. I have several PFDs for different water and have scabbards for each one so I do not have to change. This allowed me to position the handles where it is convenient for me not some predetermined location by the factory.

Cheers,

ts

------------------
Guns are for show. Knifes are for Pros.
 
For you experienced paddlers, would it be appropriate/acceptable to take along a small fixed blade or neck knife as a customer on a guided raft trip?

I've done the Kennebec several times, and friends have done the Cheat & Gauley, all on guided inflatable rafts. I've seen the guides with river knives lashed/duct taped to the breast of the simple life jacket (no hi-tech PFD's). They say it's mostly to pucture the raft in event of being pinned up against a rock while outside the boat. For my own safety I would like to carry something, but I wouldn't want to be seen as "Rambo on the River" (is that guide-talk?).
 
RH,

Your question is an interesting one and one I have never given any thought to before. While I carry a fixed blade on my PFD when I have boated on non-commercial trips I have never had my persoanl PFD (or knife) on the few commercial trips I have been on. This is not the result however of any deliberate thought process on my part but rather can about because most of my trips as a customer on a commercial trip have been impromptu trips when I was vacationing away from home. They have also been trips that lasted for no more than a day.

If I were a commercial outfitter I might be more concerned about the risks and liability of a customer carrying a knife than the value added given that the guides should have suitable training and equipment. It would also could be a pain to rig up a carry arrangements on their PFD before putting in. I'd check with the particular outfitter beforehand and see what they say. Cheers! -Alan
 
RH. Take the knife. I can't imagine any guide objecting to a river knife on a pfd or a neck knife. However a Battlemistress might raise a few eyebrows
smile.gif
 
As Alan stated it could be a liablity concern on the outfitters part. Course a small discrete neck knife will probably not get anyone tweaked and more than likely won't be noticed under a t-shirt. As far as attaching something to a commercial PFD I dunno how they would react to that...plus those things are huge. Have fun on the river!!
Keep the Open End Up,
Clyde
 
Hey Guys..

I know for a fact that if you do Antything to a Mustang PFD it will Void the warrenty...

The reflective tape on my Mustang survival suit was damaged and I wanted to do some of the repairs myself..
I was told in no uncertain terms that if I did Any mods on the suit, they wouldn't cover it...

The suit was sent back and the tape was replaced,,but the modifications I requested were denied...

ttyle

Eric...

------------------
On/Scene Tactical
Leading The Way In Quality Synthetic Sheathing
 
Structurally modifying any piece of safety gear will void any warranty, but doesn't need to be done to attach a knife to a PFD. Sheaths can be attached to the lash tabs, shoulder straps, and adjustment webbing all without any modifications. "Rambo on the River" refers more to the attitude of some (definitely not all) of the young buck macho river guides who tend to strut around with too much crap on their PFDs.The most prominent of them being a front or shoulder mounted fixed blade of varying sizes. I've had the same horror story related to me from different guides in different places - reaching into the water to pull a swimmer back into the raft, and the first thing they grab onto is the handle of the knife, and now you have a panicy person with a knife in their hands. Not a good scenario. That's one of the reasons I prefer a folder and/or mounting the knife on the side of your PFD.

Eric,

You still interested in getting in a kayak? Any time bro', just give me a call.

Mike Sastre
River City Sheaths
 
Mike, I hadn't thought of that: a panicky swimmer/drowner in the water with a knife in his hands... Good point.
 
Mike,

Your post raised some interesting points, especially with respect to fixed blade vs. folder for paddling. I've generally carried a fixed blade on my PFD (hopefully without the Rambo attitude though) because I was always concerned that if pinned upside down in a kayak (in cold water)I might not be able to instinctively open a folder. This would not be much of a concern to me in an open canoe or a raft.

Thankfully, I've never had to use my knife in an emergency situation and I've always been able to roll or wet exit. In the old days of break-away cockpit in glass boats a knife might of helped extricate one from a boat but I have my doubts that I could do much cutting on a tupperware boat to make a difference. Good thing cockpits are larger. Perhaps I should switch to a folder (with a River City Sheath of course!).

-Alan
 
One of my friends was going to school in Boulder, CO and a bunch of fellow students would regularly go whitewater kayaking. One of them went over and was pinned in his boat under some branches only a foot or so below the surface. The others rushed to his assistance but, tragically, were unable to extricate him from the boat and branches before he drowned.

My friend believes that if they had a good folding saw, they would have been able to cut into the opening in the boat a few inches and create the small amount of extra room that they would have needed to pry their friend out while he was still alive. As a result, all those guys now carry small (roughly 6 inch blade) rescue saws. Although their situation was pretty unusual, it's probably not a bad idea.

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