Snowboarding knife

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simioh

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Jan 12, 2012
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I'm going snowboarding at the end of this month, and I just started thinking what knife I should take with me to the mountain. First off, I guess I have to find out about the local laws in Colorado. Other factors I should think about are how to carry (clipped, belt sheath, neck), and rust resistance.

What would you take skiing/snowboarding, and why?

Here's a list of knives I have thought about taking:

Spyderco:
Pacific Salt
Manix 2, XL, Lightweight
Paramilitary 2

Benchmade:
710 D2
Griptilian
Large Bone Collector
Contego
860

Becker
BK 11
 
simioh said:
I'm going snowboarding at the end of this month, and I just started thinking what knife I should take with me to the mountain. First off, I guess I have to find out about the local laws in Colorado. Other factors I should think about are how to carry (clipped, belt sheath, neck), and rust resistance.

What would you take skiing/snowboarding, and why?

Here's a list of knives I have thought about taking:

Spyderco:
Pacific Salt
Manix 2, XL, Lightweight
Paramilitary 2

Benchmade:
710 D2
Griptilian
Large Bone Collector
Contego
860

Becker
BK 11
Click to expand...

I wouldn't take D2, M4, or any non stainless.

Also, it depends on what you plan on needing it for.
 
Make sure you have a brightly colored handle on it and some kind of lanyard in case you drop it, it will be easy to find. Syderco Salt series might be. Good choice, fully serrated
 
I used to take a Spyderco Delica when I snowboarded years ago. I'd take something that won't make you cry if you lose it. Think of how hard you fall sometimes, better be a good pocket clip or inside a zippered pocket. No AO's for same reason. Have fun!
 
NeverDie36: That's what I was thinking (about D2 and M4).

I plan on using it just like I would here in Texas. I'm not going to camp, and I don't plan on spending the night stranded in the woods. I will probably only go snowboarding 2 or 3 days, so for the rest of the time I will probably just carry the PM2 or Manix 2 lightweight since apparently there's a 3.5 inch limit on blade length for concealed carry (from what I've read, clipped in your pocket is concealed carry).

While on the mountain I will probably have the knife in a zippered pocket.
 
FYI on D2 and M4: don't worry so much about corrosion with these, especially D2.
 
crom said:
I used to take a Spyderco Delica when I snowboarded years ago. I'd take something that won't make you cry if you lose it. Think of how hard you fall sometimes, better be a good pocket clip or inside a zippered pocket. No AO's for same reason. Have fun!
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Good point about not taking something I would cry about if I lost it. I did think about that at first and contemplated just taking a Sanrenmu or Bee knife, but I decided not to worry about that and carry something I really like and would be dependable.

And an even greater point about not taking AO's.

Thanks.
 
I was thinking a bright colored Griptilian 550 or 915 Triage would be pretty good. Look into some smaller fixed blades, no worrying about taking the gloves off to open and small, another thing I thought of was it would be good to add a paracord lanyard with a monkey fist at the end so if you drop it the lanyard and the monkey fist will be easy to find and get your knife back. In fresh powder a knife could sink pretty deep if dropped. and the lanyard would be easy to get the knife out of a pocket with gloves on. Good idea. I never carried a knife while snowboarding and now that you mention it I'll be carrying a knife when I snowboard next
 
no suggestions on a knife here as i'm a newbie, but have worked on a mountain for a number of years, having a knife easily accessible to you while snowboarding is a big deal, back in the days of when i worked as a lift attendant it was required that you have a knife on you for quick access because at least 2~3 times a year someone falls off a lift and gets caught by their pack and starts strangling to death by the chest strap, i've personally had to cut 2 people down, one of whom was turning blue and not from the cold...if the guy in the booth hadn't hit the button sooner i probably wouldn't have been able to reach him to cut him down and then he'd be in a whole world of hurt...anyways i digress, get something with a very very good clip,bright and colorful and keep it accessible oh and something SS would be advised as well....sorry i can't/don't want to suggest a particular blade, i'm just sorting all of this out myself atm....just be careful out there and take your pack off when you get on the lift!
 
I would also want something to hold the blade closed in case of a wild tumble. That could be something as extravagant as a kydex sheath or something as simple as a ranger band. I also agree about the bright color.
 
I go snowboarding all the time and I take a Spyderco Endura 4 ffg in vg10. Ive never has it rust and the big thumb hole makes opening it really easy. Id go with a Spyderco.
 
My suggestion would be...

2012-07-08031836.jpg
 
Styg said:
Probably the salt. High visibility and no rust worries.
Click to expand...

That was gonna be my choice at first, but I just don't like it that much anymore since it developed some blade play which I can't adjust because it's riveted.

I think I'm gonna take my Manix 2 since it's pink and easily handled with gloves, and I shouldn't worry about carrying it concealed since it's under 3.5 inches in blade length.
 
I'm going Snowboarding (in CO) over Spring Break. I plan on taking a couple of knives, but while on the board, I'll probably either go with the Orange Delica or my H20 Griptilian (just because it's the only Orange Grip I have).

I wouldn't really worry about blade-steel and corrosion unless it's going to be up against you while you sweat a lot - then you can ruin a good knife very quickly depending on what your body's PH-balance is at the time. The amount of moisture from just melted snow isn't going to mean much in an uber-dry climate like the Rockies.

A lot of newer folks to Snowboarding over-dress which results in sweating a lot - keep that in mind if you plan on having the knife in your pocket or up against you when wearing wicking clothing.
 
I usually go with a fixed blade. I had a folder open in my pocket once, bloody mess that was. It was probably my fault but when I go skiing I have a fixed blade on my belt at the 4 o'clock. When I carry a folder skiing I put it in the pouch that came with my Benchmade Adamas and throw that in a pocket. I've also had no problems with rust even on 5160 with a layer of oil.

Have fun
 
I have been stuck upsidedown in a tree well, where I could reach the laces of the boot, but had a very hard time getting to the buckles on the bindings. I ended up, after some real work, getting the buckles undone (though it was a near thing).

I have been 'lost' out of bounds, and had a few other things happen that mean I always carry a knife.

I have even taken a shovel in my pack before (when I knew I was going out of bounds that day).

It is a trade off on ease of opening, and accessibility, offset with the safety issue. I have also taken a small fire kit in my bag, just in case I get lost out of bounds and end up having to spend the night!
 
Whatever the knife, I'd put a really long bright orange paracord on it and maybe even attach the other end to the pants or something; if it falls in the snow the whole knife will likely get buried under the surface and you won't even see the handle.
 
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