Swimming

[Chronovore]

Thank you.
I am intending a smaller knife maybe 3 inch blade to clip on the inside of my suits waist band. I don't want to go to a pool/lake with kids and families with a obvious fixed blade strapped on me.

I always have a knife with me yet I don't have one on me while swimming. That's what I want to change.

I am guilty of some foriegn products ( rat, ruick, ) yet ... I'm trying to be better and purchase home grown knives.

Any other h1 folders come to mind other than the salt ?
I'll look at your suggestions and weigh in if I think they may fit in.
Appreciate the help.

I get what you mean. When I was young, I used to go cliff diving with a full-sized diving knife strapped to my calf. It came in handy, from random cutting to popping bottle caps for refreshment. However, it did draw some looks from tourists and families at the lower pool.

The Brevis and some of the other fixed blades I was thinking of here are smaller. They might not meet your blade length requirement. Of course, they can be pocketed in the right kind of bathing suit. They can also be fitted with various clips. The comment about loss value dovetails with an earlier comment about retaining a clipped folder during aquatic activities. How exactly were you going to wear it with the clip?

 

[MBG]

I regularly swim in the ocean (3-4 times a week) with my VG-10 Endura. I think VG-10 has similar corrosion resistance to 14c28. The only rust I get is near the tang of the blade under the scales and even that is minimal without any functional effect. I have taken it apart once since I started using it in the summer of 2018. I think the edge slowly corrodes, you cant see it, but it loses its edge faster than usual, it stays sharp enough for most tasks, just not shaving sharp.

I don't swim all day, maybe 30-45 minutes then it sits in my waistband for an hour or two. When I get home I rinse it out in the shower and leave it in the shower to air dry.

I would experiment with the Ruike for the first few times. Once it is dry, inspect for rust. I have an SRM that is similar to the Ruike in construction. I haven't used it for swimming, but it was my primary food prep knife for about six weeks last summer (I washed it once or twice every day and let it air dry). The blade is 12c27 and the frame is stainless. The only rust that developed was on the detent ball. It cleaned up just fine, but might eventually become an issue.

 

[Skar]

I get what you mean. When I was young, I used to go cliff diving with a full-sized diving knife strapped to my calf. It came in handy, from random cutting to popping bottle caps for refreshment. However, it did draw some looks from tourists and families at the lower pool.

The Brevis and some of the other fixed blades I was thinking of here are smaller. They might not meet your blade length requirement. Of course, they can be pocketed in the right kind of bathing suit. They can also be fitted with various clips. The comment about loss value dovetails with an earlier comment about retaining a clipped folder during aquatic activities. How exactly were you going to wear it with the clip?

To your question about wearing it. Kinda like you normally would wear a knife in your pocket... just instead clip it on the inside of my waistband knife rides against the skin.

Does that make sense ?

 

[Chronovore]

To your question about wearing it. Kinda like you normally would wear a knife in your pocket... just instead clip it on the inside of my waistband knife rides against the skin.

Does that make sense ?

Yes. In other parts of the EDC community, we call that "IWB". It's commonly used in context with the concealed carry of firearms and fixed blades inside the waistband using specialized sheaths or holsters. With kydex, that's usually as simple as fitting a deep-carry clip at the right height.

Usually, the sheath or holster is smooth and there is a garment between it and your skin. There can be comfort and wear issues with having a tool pressed against bare skin for extended periods of time. If you go this route with a folder, scale texture could end up mattering. You'll also want to be sure that the detent is strong enough to keep closed against jostling in the water. Whatever the case, I'd recommend some practice wear before your outing.

 

[craytab]

I will be getting a h1 salt after this next purchase I do.
Thanks guys.

That is the best option. Doesn't have to be H1 though. Spyderco makes several Salts with LC200N which has much better plain edge retention. The Native 5 Salt looks like a fantastic option.

If you haven't yet, check out this thread: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ean-stories-pics-and-all-things-salt.1098269/

It is old and long but still current! Go closer to the end to see what we are posting about now, but really the whole thing is a good read.

For those concerned about retaining the knife and the blade staying closed, I've carried a salt knife IWB for years under various types of activities without issues. Tubing, body surfing, water slides, sledding, biking, vigorous gym exercise, lots of swimming. No issues. I do tighten the clip down a bit if I feel it is needed but most salts come with great retention. I am not concerned with a Spyderco backlock coming open under duress unlike most other locks (axis, frame, liner, compression, etc...).

There really is no reason to over think what type of knife to get for around water. A salt knife in your preferred flavor is a no brainer.

 

[Gilbert G]

I regularly swim in the ocean (3-4 times a week) with my VG-10 Endura. I think VG-10 has similar corrosion resistance to 14c28. The only rust I get is near the tang of the blade under the scales and even that is minimal without any functional effect. I have taken it apart once since I started using it in the summer of 2018. I think the edge slowly corrodes, you cant see it, but it loses its edge faster than usual, it stays sharp enough for most tasks, just not shaving sharp.

I don't swim all day, maybe 30-45 minutes then it sits in my waistband for an hour or two. When I get home I rinse it out in the shower and leave it in the shower to air dry.

I would experiment with the Ruike for the first few times. Once it is dry, inspect for rust. I have an SRM that is similar to the Ruike in construction. I haven't used it for swimming, but it was my primary food prep knife for about six weeks last summer (I washed it once or twice every day and let it air dry). The blade is 12c27 and the frame is stainless. The only rust that developed was on the detent ball. It cleaned up just fine, but might eventually become an issue.

Props for swimming in the ocean. I used to surf often and always talked about carrying a knife but a wetsuit makes it a tougher option. Not a huge fan of having a big fixed blade strapped to my calf for the reasons other guys mentioned above. Still if I was swimming that could be another story. I would think a fixed blade clipped to your hip or something would be the better choice than an Endura folder. If The Man in The Grey Suit stops by to say hello, you might want something quick and ready without having to fumble in opening.