whitewater

arden.ferris

arden.ferris

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Joined
Dec 7, 2006
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any one know if any of these knives/sheaths would be appropriate to attach to a PFD for whitewater rafting and kayaking?
 
These knives have a multitude of carry options. You can check out ESEE's website for all of their sheath systems. But if all else fails, you can rig it up with paracord.

About the stainless steal knife: Check out the Spyderco H1 blades.
 
Stainless would be my preference for this application, but you could attach any ESEE to a PFD with one attachment method or another. Tek-Lok, paracord, molle lock, etc.
 
a bravo necker or necker two would likely make decent knives for whitewater and if i am not mistaken they come with kydex sheaths that can be attached to molle clips
 
I have used both my 4 and 5 for whitewater kayaking, I just put paracord through the hole in the handle, attach the sheath to my pfd, and attach the extra paracord to a secure spot in my pfd. If you are planning on being a whitewater guide though I wouldn't recommend a esee knife, they work fine for occasional whitewater use though.
 
Wouldn't the water be a problem? I mean, yeah it's ok if your blade is oiled, but you would alway have to recheck your coating?

Not that giving a lot of attention to my blade is something i don't like to do!
 
they won't melt if you get 'em wet. the edge might rust some if you never use it, but a little rust never hurt nobody... i don't do a lot of whitewater rafting, so my opinion is pretty well meaningless:p
 
I know I used to baby my rc-4 and it still looks brand new lol, but the second I got my RC-5 I started beating the sh$t out of it, and the coolest thing is the coating looked brand new for the longest time, even though I bashed it all the time:)
 
Go for it. At the very least you'll just have to get a scotch brite pad and get a little surface rust off.
 
I used a carbon steel, non-coated mora clipepr last year in the boundary waters. I did okay. I just coated it with oil. When I go back to the BWCA I'll strap my HEST (or possible esee4) to my life jacket. If you are really concerned about rust I'd get one of those titanium dive knives. They have multiple attaching points. And, you can always 550 cord it your gear.
 
Billbo66 said:
I think you want a stainless knife for that application.
Click to expand...

Ballogna Sandwich, first class, Sir. 1095 knives work fine on the water, I pack a high carbon tomahawk, my HEST, my RC5 and a 1095 Ontario Camp Machete on our whitewater trips. As far as sheath retention underwater....well, I lost a 70 dollar Zero Tolerance shroud cutter to the river gods (I was hammered, on flat water on the Snake River, flipped by two eddies pushing against each other to make matters worse). I have yet to discover the perfect 100% safe retention system for a knife on a PFD. I'd recommend running parachord through the kydex sheath eyelets though, and coming up with a very good knot that won't come undone. This will keep the sheath more secure than any fancy clip river knives nowadays use. I guess your biggest problem is knife retention in the sheath itself.
 
Definitly check out the Spyderco Aqua Salt if you want a water knife. Some of the crews on deadliest catch are using them now if that gives you any indication.
 
s12.aaxtell said:
Definitly check out the Spyderco Aqua Salt if you want a water knife. Some of the crews on deadliest catch are using them now if that gives you any indication.
Click to expand...

Kinda makes me wonder if they weren't all given to the crews or if the show were paid to use them to sponsor Spyderco... I'm warry of all the gear I see on TV, there's money and politics behind all of it.
 
In my experience spyderco's H1 to is nice if you go for the serrated models. Keeps a functional edge much longer than their plain edged versions, and makes for a handy no maintenance water knife.

1095 is a better all around steel IMO, you just have to be mindful of taking care of it.

Depending on your PFD, i'd imagine you could work out something with just about any of the ESEEs, I find their sheaths to be very reliable and versatile
 
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