A good knife as a gift?
Posted by battletactics@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 85 comments
A dear friend of mine has taken up sailing. He's been at it for over a year and he had mentioned wanting a knife to keep on his person while sailing just in case. He's always been generous to me and I'd like to surprise him. Could you all recommend a decent knife for a beginner sailor? I'd like to keep it under 100 dollars.
Thanks!
SorryButterfly4207@reddit
Spyderco offers some high quality marine knives.
For a safety knife worn on the person, I a prefer folding (single hand operable), with blunt end, and a serrated blade. The Manbug - https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/MYL/Manbug-reg-Salt-reg-FRN-Yellow-Sheepfoot/1034 - fits your budget.
If you could spend a bit more, I think that the Atlantic Salt - https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C89YL/Atlantic-Salt-trade-Yellow-FRN/172 - is the perfect knife for that use case.
SailingSpark@reddit
for a safety knife, I prefer a straight blade. I carry a stainless dive knife. I do not want to waste previous moments trying to open a knife with wet and cold hands.
SorryButterfly4207@reddit
My issue with a fixed blade knife is that you need the sheath to be fixed to something (to operate it one handed). When I'm sailing, I'm often adding and removing layers (bib, foul weather jacket, PFD) depending on the conditions, which means I need to keep moving the knife around.
I carry the Spyderco Salt, and keep it fastened with a lanyard. This allows me to quickly move it from a belt loop, to a bib suspender, to the PDF.
I have two fixed blades (Wichard Offshore Rescue - https://marine.wichard.com/en/knives/offshore-rescue-range/fixed-blade-model/part-10192) where the sheath is permanently fixed to the boat - one on the wheel pedestal, the other on the companionway ladder.
These are also blunt end, serrated knives. I feel that these are much safer if I'm trying to cut a line in an emergency.
horchatalubber@reddit
Serrated blades for cutting ropes if anyone disagrees they have no idea what they are talking about!
horstenegger@reddit
Which is why I always buy a few bread knives at the start of a season. Cheap, long cerrated blade and best line cutter out there
CulpablyRedundant@reddit
I second the Salt.
Sal and Eric Glesser, who started Spyderco, are sailors themselves.
ovideos@reddit
Curious to understand this knife. It's serrated? You use that to cut lines?
CulpablyRedundant@reddit
That would be it's primary function, at least in a pinch. I've got the non-serrated one. I've used it to cut lines, halyard covers, sail ties, sandwiches, zip ties, etc.
SorryButterfly4207@reddit
I really distinguish between my rescue knives and the other knives I carry or that are on the boat.
I've had that Spyderco for 8 years or so, and I've used it exactly once, to cut away an achor rode.
I use other blades for everything else.
CulpablyRedundant@reddit
That's smart! My plain blade was one I won off of r/KnifeRaffle for like $5. I've been meaning to get the rescue salt with the serrated blade, or maybe something fixed I can carry in a sheath. Problem is, where to keep it..? I usually don't wear a belt.
PoppaBear1981@reddit
You can have trouble especially underwater trying to cut without the serration.
swampopawaho@reddit
Wet or dry, rope is easier to cut with a serrated blade, in my humble experience
cuisinart-hatrack@reddit
I have had to dive to free lines and nets from props and rudders too many times (only once on my boat). Serrated blades are the way to go in this use case.
PoppaBear1981@reddit
Not actually my experience, I was taught that by a Bosun on my Basic Seamanship course at Warsash (naval college). Never had reason to doubt the man.
blownout2657@reddit
A leather man. Don’t go nuts. It’s going overboard in a few seasons or getting taken by TSa.
SgtMarv@reddit
And in the mean time 99.99% of its use is cutting salami slices.
Aargau@reddit
Damn you! I had suppressed the memory of losing my knife/marlinspike to TSA...
blownout2657@reddit
Hahah. They got my whole crew going to Charleston one year.
saltwaterjournal@reddit
Agreed. And super handy off the boat — love my Leatherman Signal
sailingallover@reddit
Bethany and rigging knife with a marlin spike and shackle key. You can get them in stainless and have them engraved. I wouldn't go crazy on the price, by the nature of their use they often end up in the drink.
diekthx-@reddit
https://myerchin.com/product/bf300p-gen-2-black-g10-handle-captain-pro/
horchatalubber@reddit
I second this or a spyderco pacific salt 2
Usual-Address6831@reddit
Yes, glad to see someone beat me to this. I rarely leave home without my Myerchin. Fantastic tool.
Key_Bison_2067@reddit
Great knife, I would not go sailing without a marlin spike, and I rarely leave my house without this knife.
Agentcoyote@reddit
+1 this knife. Is my trusted companion on every sailing regatta I participate in
PoppaBear1981@reddit
I followed the link and yes, the first one looks beautiful but don't consider the others. You need the serrated part of the blade too.
Candelent@reddit
I’d avoid the sharp tip
str8dwn@reddit
Excellent call with the spike.
Strenue@reddit
Myerchin.
obiwan_two@reddit
Great thread thanks everyone for your knowledge, I have some to look at
Serrated , lanyard , blunt tip , annnnd I have no clue what a “ Marlins spike “ is but I think it’s important sailing ha ha ha
battletactics@reddit (OP)
It appears to be the spike on some of the tools, I assume for jamming into a stick knot to help unravel it. But I'm a computer guy and this is all speculation.
obiwan_two@reddit
Awwww ya , I see I see , soooo it’s for people that don’t know how to tie knots fair enough fair enough
V1ld0r_@reddit
Not really. Some knots are supposed to be "jammed shut".
However, a marlin spike is also used for other things such as aiding in splices (but for doing and undoing them) and also useful in finishing freshly caught fish.
obiwan_two@reddit
Right on , multiple uses , I like
Reasonable-Pension30@reddit
Spyderco salt ( serrated). No brainer.
SVLibertine@reddit
#1. Victorinox Skipper:
#2. Davis Deluxe Rigging Knife:
#3. Gill Marine Tool:
The better knives are the Davis and Gill Marine ones. I got the Victorinox as a gift, but I will likely replace it with a Davis/Gill knife for simplicity's sake.
TheVoiceOfEurope@reddit
-1 for the victorinox. Sailing knives should have a serrated edge. Try cutting a rope that has twisted around a prop with a smooth blade.
chunklight@reddit
My Victorinox has a very sharp serrated edge. There are two vic sailing knives and I guess one has a serrated edge and the other doesn't.
SVLibertine@reddit
My Spyderco knife (attached via lanyard to my helm) has a serrated edge, and is excellent for cutting rope. I agree the Victorinox is more of a multitool and less of a dedicated "sailing" knife. I keep it on the boat for sentimental reasons (it was a gift from my BFF). But I went ahead and ordered the Gill knife yesterday after mentioning the knives.
Also, if you're like me, you keep a sailing/boat knife in more than one area of your boat. That goes for LED flashlights (I like O-Lights) and so on. #SemperParatus
BlackStumpFarm@reddit
Circumnavigated with the Davis on the Whitbread ‘77-’78. Still going strong! Blade, shackle key, marlin spike and slot screw driver. Always keep it on a lanyard around my neck, long enough to work with and slip in a pocket. Meanwhile my son has lost two expensive Leatherman tools in the last two years.
SVLibertine@reddit
THAT is some hardcore sailing. As much as I'd like to think I could do an Ocean Race like that, I'm kind of past my prime for such an adventure. But wow, the stories and books I've read! Good on ya', mate!
millijuna@reddit
+1 For the Davis. It’s simple and rugged, and thankfully I’ve only ever had to use it for the shackle key and markinspike, but I’m sure the blade would work well too.
sailbrew@reddit
+1 for the Victorinox Skipper. Always had it close by and agree the knife is sharp! Survivors a year now with salt spray and no rust.
Second one is the Gill Harness Rescue Tool. We had some strange line wrapped around our anchor. Couldn't cut it with scissors and then tried this knife and sliced it off immediately.
betelgeuse63110@reddit
Check out the Leatherman Wave model. I love it and it’s just under $100
FGQuinto@reddit
I have this with the stock leather sheath. Carries a flashlight with it but there is a sheath with two flashlight sides and a second pocket intended for the bits. Im going to get it. I dont need to carry two flashlights but i have a little pill bottle that fits perfectly. The good thing about the wave and sailing is the hidden lanyard holder. Tie some paracord into a wrist strap so while you’re on deck it wont drop in the water.
Telekomiker69@reddit
Leatherman with slim bit is good
ratczar@reddit
I love this guy. No point to accidentally stab anything with, the back is wide and flat so you can use a mallet to cut through thick lines, and it looks classic.
diekthx-@reddit
A mallet huh. Backed against what exactly? And how’s that working out for you with dyneema ?
SVLibertine@reddit
LOL! Yeah, Dyneema is not really designed to be cut. But they do make a lovely pair of scissors! I have Dyneema rope on my main and jib halyards (installed last month), and they're working out great. I'm also considering Dyneema for lifelines, but my current ones are in great shape, so there's no need to change out.
ratczar@reddit
When you sail real boats with real lines, sometimes the line is too thick to cut by hand so you place the blade on the line and hammer the back.
Have fun with your sex toy rope tho
Agreeable_Honeydew76@reddit
Remember to ask for a coin before gifting the blade. Superstition says that gifting blades are meant to cut ties or relations.
Although silly, can be a nice way to start a conversation.
battletactics@reddit (OP)
So I'm asking him for a coin, any coin, before giving the blade?
MischaBurns@reddit
Any coin of valid currency is fine, or a bill, doesn't really matter.
The superstition is that gifting a knife is bad juju, and by exchanging a coin to you when you hand it over it's now technically a purchase...and therefore safe. The actual value is irrelevant, it's just a token of payment.
TL:DR - Rules lawyering your way out of potential bad luck.
Agreeable_Honeydew76@reddit
Any money actually. Superstitions are more like guidelines…
mwnvtx@reddit
Yes that way you're not gifting it you're selling/ trading it.
Plane_Control_6218@reddit
Came here to say this. Sailing is all about respecting the superstition…
Sendy_Ben-Ami@reddit
I got a Myerchin W100P for my birthday this year. I absolutely love it! It’s strictly a maritime knife, but it will serve its owner well.
Myerchin W100P
AntelopeExisting5283@reddit
Grohmann No 3 serrated Yachtsman https://www.grohmannknives.com/index.php/products/outdoor/3-boat,-army-or-yachtsman-detail
good_oleboi@reddit
I carry and have carried a Kershaw Blur for more than 15 years, its been through saltwater sailing/fishing, hunting trips, daily use at work, etc for that time. It's got the partially serrated blade, it is an assisted open locking blade but it's not spring assisted so it's legal most places. If it ever breaks I will 100% get another
I also keep a Leatherman OHT in the car or boat. It's of course got pliers and a variety of knives and tools and such but what i really like is it has a blade that is safe to use on a slick deck, a rocking boat etc. It has a tab that folds out that can fit paracord sized line and smaller and cuts it with ease. I bought this maybe 10 years ago and it too has seen its fair share of use, when on the boat I use the pouch it comes with, when I raced dingys in college I strapped it to my life jacket
cuisinart-hatrack@reddit
Myerchin or Spyderco. I have both and one or the other is almost always in my pocket. The Spyderco is light weight and compact, the Myerchin more robust and includes a marlinspike, I have the one with the whalebone handle, it’s beautiful.
Whatever you decide be sure to get a coin from the recipient in exchange.
geogear@reddit
Question: how/where would you carry this on yourself? In a pocket under the life vest I cannot reach so maybe pant pockets? But what if I chance clothing- do you make this a routine to keep it with you at all costs. I guess i should learn this..
battletactics@reddit (OP)
Got me! I carry a multi tool and it follows me from pants to pants as I have a holster for it.
He mentioned getting a knife to have handy for necessary situations.
conflan06@reddit
I'm a fan of this: https://www.victorinox.com/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Large-Pocket-Knives/Skipper/p/0.8593.2W
CharacterEqual8461@reddit
I have a Leatherman Wave, which I love! While not especially made for mariners, it has proven very useful in my sailing adventures. Highly recommend!
Uncle_Bill@reddit
Something like this to undo knots or cut a line if needed.
PSharsCadre@reddit
Depends on which "just in case" they have in mind. If it's self-rescue while tangled in something, consider a rescue knife like these: https://www.nrs.com/knives-tools/c5524 or https://marine.wichard.com/en/knives/offshore-rescue-range/fixed-blade-model/part-10192 They are designed to safely be slid between flesh and rope or webbing, so you can get free of a tangle. I have one permanently mounted to my lifejacket.
For general use at the boat yard, on and off the water, I carry a Morakniv, either a Basic or a Pro (S). Mora makes very tough, very durable knives, at prices that won't make you cry if you lose one overboard (like, $20 on Amazon). I wouldn't be without mine. The Pro (Stainless) has a very stout blade more like a rigging knife and can take a real beating. https://morakniv.se/en/product/pro-s-blue/ They also have a floating version of the Basic, with a cork handle, but it's in a day-glow green color... https://morakniv.se/en/product/floating-knife-s-lime-green/ You used to be able to get them all on Amazon, but the selection has decreased recently for some reason.
Folks make a big deal out of very heavy, stout rigging knives with sheepsfoot blades, and I've carried those before, but frankly, you are rarely pounding your knife through a two-inch hawser. More often, you actually DO want a pointy end on your knife, and a nimble knife that is comfortable for slicing up salami and cheese, whittling a small plug, enlarging a small hole in soft material, paring away a hangnail, and cutting a line. Such is small boat life, the knife you have is the knife you use. Mine does half a dozen different tasks every day.
IF you want something sexy that just feels good in the hand and looks great, those wood-handled Myerchin knives are lovely, but I found mine too pretty to use and went back to the Morakniv.
gg562ggud485@reddit
Marbles 405 - does the job and easily replaceable.
soCalForFunDude@reddit
Leatherman Wave, but prone to rust if you don’t stay on top of it, otherwise a great knife. Or go over the top and get a Boye knife, has a cobalt blade, mine has been around saltwater for the last four years, zero rust, will cut any size line. Don’t let the size fool you, plus has a titanium spike. I have the sheepsfoot blade.
2airishuman@reddit
Many, many good choices out there. I like the Kershaw Blur in 14C28N steel, I prefer the non-threatening bright blue over the tacticool camouflage. You can get them for under $100:
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KS1670NBSW/kershaw-1670nbsw-ken-onion-blur-folding-knife-assisted-folding-knife-stonewash-plain-blade-blue-aluminum-handles
Ok-Combination5138@reddit
Ok here's a bit of a hot take. I have been using a simple West Marine rigging knife. They're about $25. They hold an edge very nicely, the blade itself is rugged enough for what we sailors typically use them for. Another nice feature is the handle and the clip that holds it on your pocket are a smooth plastic with rounded edges. My expensive knives have rugged stainless steel clips but they raise hell with any painted or varnished surface you might brush against. The plastic is much more forgiving. Best part is that if your friend is like me, it WILL go over the side. So just get another one. Hell for your $100 price limit, buy him four!
oldgrayfox00@reddit
I sailed for years with a Boy Scout knife on a lanyard. Then I got a “sailor’s knife”. It has a large blade and a marlin spike. I’ve carried that for 20+ years. No idea the brand, but a knife on a lanyard is an essential tool for a sailor. Make sure the lanyard is long enough for the knife to be useful in either hand
maladmin@reddit
Morakniv duty 511
Not-A-Blue-Falcon@reddit
We have these on the workboat. They’re good for steak & just about everything else out on deck. I have sheaths for these on my bow & stern stanchions. https://www.globeequipment.com/victorinox-5-0833-s-4-5-steak-knife-round-tip-poly-handle/
Proof-Astronomer7733@reddit
Victorinox or a multool maybe🤔
Tesseractcubed@reddit
I’d recommend a fixed blade knife with an easy to use holster that retains the blade. A blunted tip is also “more safe” in that it can’t accidentally stab someone (as badly).
CulpablyRedundant@reddit
Or go through a sail!
papa_higgins@reddit
I got a Myerchin Crew 2 as a gift. It’s pretty but I doubt a new sailor is going to need a marlin spike. It’s clipped to my jeans most days.
My Gill personal rescue knife never leaves my PFD. It will easily cut every rope on my boat which is what I need in a safety knife. Also the design makes it less hard to cut oneself.
I’d get the Gill with a note to always have it strapped to their vest.
https://www.gillmarine.com/personal-rescue-knife-orange/
tchitch@reddit
This is an intersection of two of my hobbies. I'm nuts about sailing small boats, and I secretly collect knives and tell myself I'm using them as tools when its really a vice. In addition to boating-specific suggestions others made, I'll add that you could get a better all-around knife that would also do well on a boat. Something like an Esee Izula in s35vn or a Petrified Fish Beluga in n690 would be a very useful all-around tool on and off a boat while being made of better materials than a sailing specific option. Whatever you do, shop from kinfecenter or bladehq to avoid buying something on Amazon pretending to be name brand.
empireofjade@reddit
Knife and marlinspike are in my opinion best as separate tools. Below are my favorites for yachting in each category.
https://us.helle.com/products/helle-nying-1?_pos=5&_sid=06e6ceb58&_ss=r
http://www.briontoss.com/catalog/product75.html
Hand_Soloist_@reddit
Spyderco Knives
Candelent@reddit
Features to look for: Serrated blade Blunt tip Marlin spike Can be opened/closed with one hand
CaptainTabor@reddit
I have been using the Spyderco Jumpmaster in H1 steel for the past decade and it is the best knife I've ever owned.
gaymaster-@reddit
Leatherman Bolster. Has a knife, pliers, flat and phillips head screwdriver and some other features. Basically everything you will ever need. $70
zagnut007@reddit
I either sail with a Myerchin Crew Pro (gen 2) or a Leatherman Skeletool CX. I did take the Skeletool to a slow grinder to give it a sheepsfoot to make it safer. I use the pliers more than I use the blade on the boats I race on.
sailphish@reddit
Myerchin makes some traditional rigging knives in that price range. Spyderco has their Salt Series with a few options around $100. They are very good utility style knives. Benchmade just came out with the Water Series that look awesome but are $200+. You also can’t go wrong with a Leatherman Wave, on sale now for $95, but make sure it’s the stainless one and not the black coating.