Rescue Knives

[JRRousseau]

I've been looking for a new kayaking knife to attach to my PFD. The REI special dive knife didn't last more than a few weeks after being exposed to salt water.

The Ocean Master Titanium dive knives (http://www.oceanmaster.com/Knives.htm) look pretty well made. I was going to get the "server" (the folding model) but there are supply issues with it right now.

My second choice is the Ocean Master tactical model (I don't want a double-sided blade for a rescue knife).

Anyone have preferences for rescue knives? Any preferred web sites to order one from?

Thanks

-John

[djlewis]

Anyone have preferences for rescue knives? Any preferred web sites to order one from?

Many paddlers -- including a number of prominent ones -- have switched to heavy duty scissors -- Sea Snips in particular -- because of the danger that knives present for injury, and also because Sea Snips can cut an untensioned line.

A few years back the NH AMC paddling chapter (mainly whitewater) had everyone bring their knife to a meeting. None of them was able to cut a line under a simulation of realistic conditions.

As for the danger of a knife, John Carmody (BCU Coach 4) relates the actual story of a friend who was trying to assist a panicked novice. The victim clutched at the rescuer's PFD and dislodged the knife, which then grazed the rescuer's throat.

--David.

[Suz]

Anyone have preferences for rescue knives? Any preferred web sites to order one from?

Thanks

-John

I just bought a Spyderco Knife at the Outdoor Retailler show. It is one of their salt series. I think they run about 80 retail. Popped off the clip and put it in my pocket on a tether. I'm not a big fan of having the knife hanging off my pfd.

I bought one the year before for Werner and still not rusty and he never rinses.

You can buy from them directly. Here is a link to the salt series:

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/list.php?blade=H-1

Suz

[gyork]

John, you'll find archived threads on this topic by typing in "knives" in the keyword box, after selecting the search button on the main page.

Gary

[jason]

I've been looking for a new kayaking knife to attach to my PFD. The REI special dive knife didn't last more than a few weeks after being exposed to salt water.

The Ocean Master Titanium dive knives (http://www.oceanmaster.com/Knives.htm) look pretty well made. I was going to get the "server" (the folding model) but there are supply issues with it right now.

My second choice is the Ocean Master tactical model (I don't want a double-sided blade for a rescue knife).

Anyone have preferences for rescue knives? Any preferred web sites to order one from?

Thanks

-John

John,

I have the following knife, Kayak Rescue Knife, if I was to get another one I would get the same knife.

-Jason

[rcohn]

I carry this one,

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_...QTKE.html?Hit=1

Simple, cheap, with a very secure grip.

The Ocean Master knives are pretty large for a rescue knife (with a large sheath), I've used a steel one for diving for 9 years until til it disappeared last Sunday.

Ralph

[alcoons]

After reading a similar thread a few years ago about rescue knives and a good discussion about whether they should be attached by a tether to your PFD I bought my first rescue knife. What was missing in the discussion is the importance of how easily it is to remove the knife from its sheath. I have to pinch two small plastic protrusions to unlock my knife. I have trouble doing it standing on dry land with my PFD on a workbench. So I would suggest that along with the scissors/knife question, the ease of getting whatever you select in your hand in realistic conditions be considered.

Al

[wilsoj2]

John,

I have the following knife, Kayak Rescue Knife, if I was to get another one I would get the same knife.

-Jason

I HAD that knife until it went missing during Canoe Safety Test last September at Downeast. It seems any knife worn so as to be grabbed quicky may be grabbed or removed when you do not expect it. I now have sea snips where I can grab them quickly and a knife inside my pfd.

[rick stoehrer]

I've been looking for a new kayaking knife to attach to my PFD. The REI special dive knife didn't last more than a few weeks after being exposed to salt water.

The Ocean Master Titanium dive knives (http://www.oceanmaster.com/Knives.htm) look pretty well made. I was going to get the "server" (the folding model) but there are supply issues with it right now.

My second choice is the Ocean Master tactical model (I don't want a double-sided blade for a rescue knife).

Anyone have preferences for rescue knives? Any preferred web sites to order one from?

Thanks

-John

for those interested, i will bring an extra length of line to the lake tonight and what we can do (in the shallows with me standing there in case things go awry) is attach that line to you, have you roll over and then have you cut that line with a pair of scissors i give you and then try the same thing with a knife. we can try that with and without tension on the line and then you can decide for yourself what you feel was a better tool for the exercise.

personally i like scissors for a # of reasons - don't need tension on the line, one handed use, they've a rounded blunt tip so i can't accidentally stab myself or anyone else and they're cheap @ $15.

in my experience the # of times i could use a cutting tool on <in> the water, scissors would have been superior to a knife....and so i now carry scissors and the knife is stowed away in the kit. ultimately, gear is a personal choice and the decision should be based on your experiences and needs and not just on what you've seen other people do.

[EEL]

It seems any knife worn so as to be grabbed quicky may be grabbed or removed when you do not expect it.

Not something to be underestimated nor the potential consequences. My opinion on this issue is based on how one arranges the carrying/storage of hand grenades. It may seem irrelevant, but the same principles apply. You need access with deliberate speed, but unintended releases due to placement for easy/immediate access can make for a bad day.

Ed Lawson

[ccarlson]

based on how one arranges the carrying/storage of hand grenades.

I recommend this pouch for the grenades. Can be clipped to pfd straps with a little creativity and also have the safey clips for the grenade pins to boot!

http://www.redsoldier.com/Russian-Hand-Grenade-Pouch

[jwhipple]

A couple of thoughts to add, in case someone has light to shed ...

A few questions regarding scissors that've worried me are (1) the relative motor skill difficulty of getting the fingers into two separate holes in an emergency, (2) whether grip strength might be an issue, depending on what needs to be cut, compared with a knife which involves much larger muscle groups, and (3) whether scissors can really do the job single-handed, without needing to use the other hand to hold what's being cut.

And one alternative to knife and scissors -- the rescue hook -- hasn't been mentioned. Besides the safety issue, would seem to be simpler to grab than scissors (just one hole), only require one hand for use, and involve the larger muscle groups. Are there drawbacks beyond the fact they're less versatile (not too not at slicing pepperoni)?

Actually practicing with these different tools underwater (well, duh!) would most likely answer my questions ... but in the meanwhile, any thoughts or experience on any of these? Thanks.

Judy

[jason]

You might take a survey but every rescue hook I have seen has been so rusted as to be of no value. If you do get one you might think if keeping at least the cutting blade lathered in silicone grease.

I optied for the titanium knife as it doesn't have the rusting issues of the harder SS. As the titanium will dull with use I don't use it as a day to day knife IE I don't cut my lunch with it etc.

-Jason

[bob budd]

I have also seen rescue hooks rust to the point where they were unseemly looking but somehow the cutting surface was always shiny and new looking, go figyah. The rustiness does give one pause as regards inadvertent laceration when lashed to the PFD. Dee has a hook that hasn't rusted much in quite a period of time, alas, mine was most likely lost doing a cowboy reentry (at least I didn't lose a bite valve THAT time). I used it this weekend to tie an old nun to a rock on Kettle Island until the harbourmaster could come for it. I considered towing the nun in the water for a while, but heard of an old story involving a scuba diver and one of our distinguished members where progress was not easily made.

P.S. - If you didn't know I was talking about a buoy, yes nun's can be buoys or rather buoys can be nuns, your seamanship is in doubt.

[EEL]

P.S. - If you didn't know I was talking about a buoy, yes nun's can be buoys or rather buoys can be nuns, your seamanship is in doubt.

I rather prefer the image of you trying to get the coronette to plane across the surface to the pedestrian chore of towing a buoy.

Ed Lawson

[Pintail]

I presume that Mr. Rousseau meant his knife was rusted badly when he wrote that it "was finished" (were those his words?); but Jason is perfectly correct when he writes about keeping the blade lathered in silicone grease (expensive -- vaseline is just as efficacious).

What's so big a deal about <that>? It is really a simple task to keep your knife or "rescue hook" looking new, if you prefer that to (alloy) scissors.

[Brian Nystrom]

I have also seen rescue hooks rust to the point where they were unseemly looking but somehow the cutting surface was always shiny and new looking, go figyah.

There's a good reason for that. The finer the polish on the surface, the less surface area and the fewer places for water and salt to hide on the surface.

The Benchmade Model 6 H20 rescue hook is made from steel that doesn't rust, even in salt water (that's not true of the original, smaller version). I've had mine for a few years now and all it exhibits is a few light stains on the handle. It's also large enough to grap easily with a gloved hand and doesn't require sticking one's finger into a hole. It doesn't require the dexterity of shears, either.

IMO, knives are far more likely to injure the wearer than they are to be of any real utility in an emergency. Any sheath that will allow you to extract the knife in a hurry when you need it will also be subject to losing the knife when you're flopping around during a rescue. If the knife is tethered, it's a hazard, if it's not tethered, it may still be a hazard and you'll lose it to boot. To me, it's not worth the risk or the cost. I can keep the hook tethered without any danger to myself or anyone assisting me should it come loose.