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team karst · 08-09-2021, 06:10

Shockingly, no hits with the search function.

Is there a favorite out there? I'm going to assume that a serrated knife is better than a plain edge for cutting line.
Maybe a good question to ask is if a multi-tool is favored or a simple blade is better. I suppose we should include fishing/trolling uses too.

**StuM** · 08-09-2021, 06:17

Use the Google Custom Search box rather than the top search box.
Just a few of the many results for "best knife" (without the quotes).
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...tml#post951166
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post1759949
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post1953713
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post2694209

**skipmac** · 08-09-2021, 06:22

I have taken to wearing a Leatherman Wave in a belt sheath. Keep the main blade razor sharp and it cuts a line quite easily although I haven't tried it on Dyneema which I hear can be tough to cut.

Like a multitool better than just a knife as it has a lot more uses. Pliers work to open tight shackle pins, screwdrivers save a trip below to dig out a toolbox for small jobs.

The Wave is good but not perfect. My biggest complaint is that the pliers will pinch your finger and I mean draw serious blood if you aren't very careful in how you hold them. The Gerber multitool is much better made and designed (no pinching) but all the blades and tools are a good bit smaller than the Wave which seems to be just the right size.

Joh.Ghurt · 08-09-2021, 06:34

After losing or breaking a few specialised ones, I now use cheap folding knives or multitools. I keep them quite sharp and don't really regret when they break or go over board. You usually can find one located in strategic places around the boat.

The included shackle-opener on most dedicated sailing-knives is garbage and breaks easily. Pliers work a lot better. Pliers have also the advantage to be useful in many other situations too, for example to open very tight knots.

The one dedicated sailing knife which survived was the one from the German navy:

Nicholson58 · 08-09-2021, 06:40

Cabelas has a nice $6.00 folding mini multi tool. Knife, screwdriver, scissors, pliers, saw. I keep a few spares at this price.

**newhaul** · 08-09-2021, 06:41

I carry my cold steel dive knife with a neoprene composite handle and full tang it has good weight and holds an edge good . I use it for just about anything my rigging knife does. Just hope I never actually need it .

flightlead404 · 08-09-2021, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by team karst

Shockingly, no hits with the search function.

Is there a favorite out there? I'm going to assume that a serrated knife is better than a plain edge for cutting line.
Maybe a good question to ask is if a multi-tool is favored or a simple blade is better. I suppose we should include fishing/trolling uses too.

I carry one of these Barlow shackle knife. Its dead sharp, but I agree a serrated blade would be better.

**newhaul** · 08-09-2021, 07:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by flightlead404

I carry one of these Barlow shackle knife. Its dead sharp, but I agree a serrated blade would be better.

That is my go to rigging knife works wonders on a summer afternoon on a public dock braiding eyes for a few beer bucks.

goboatingnow · 08-09-2021, 07:14

I have an osculati knife , both serrated and a plain composite blade and a marlin spike. Reasonable at €17

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Breaking Waves · 08-09-2021, 07:31

I have a whole lot of knives and multi-tools - inexpensive ones and expensive ones. Probably too many.

When I'm wearing a belt and it is accessible (eg like not under foul weather gear) I mostly use two options - a leatherman wave or a myerchin (pro marine - straight blade). They can both handle whatever I expect a belt tool to be able to handle. I do not like serrated blades for everyday use and the streight blades can cut Dyneema just fine if they are kept sharp (as a knife should always be).

In the tropics, I am often not wearing much (or anything

) and it is hard to carry a tool - if I do it is usually a ceramic blade Boye on a neck lanyard (and yes I know there are potential issues with neck lanyards). The Boye is reasonable light while still having an excellent blade and a workable spike.

In dry suit or weather gear">foul weather gear I have an assortment of Spyderco 'rescue' style knives in pockets - these are the circumstances I see most likely losing a knife (although I think in 20 years I have never actually lost one).

We have two fixed blade knives in sheaves - one just inside the companionway and one on the steering pedestal - SOG seal team knives. These have mostly been used when I have to dive and cut something off the prop.

brazenarticle · 08-09-2021, 07:38

Having tried a half dozen "sailing/sailor's knives" over the years the one I carry and find a use for every day is the Leatherman Skeletool.

When I lost one a couple years ago I immediately ordered the exact replacement, if (when) I lose another I'll do the same again.

**Jammer** · 08-09-2021, 08:01

I have switched to soft shackles for nearly all purposes on my boat and am not going back. As such I have no need for a shackle opener.

I use a variety of folding knives. The important thing is that they be sharp. I have started purchasing large, folding fillet knives as an alternative to standard kitchen knives, for safer storage.

Probably my favorite knife for utility work is my Kershaw Blur, which I've had for many years. I bought it when you could still get red ones, now all they have are tacticool black, cameo, and olive drab. Good shape and design, and the steel has a good balance of corrosion resistance, toughness, and ability to take and hold an edge.

I also have Gerber 600 multi-tool that I like, good quality components, comfortable to use, has hardened wire cutters for cutting steel wire, wish the primary knife on it weren't serrated.

Lake-Effect · 08-09-2021, 08:05

I think there's two essential 'types' of sailing knife:

the useful tool that is ready to hand for most small boat jobs, including a corkscrew and bottle-opener
the emergency tool for cutting away lines, sails etc if disaster strikes

For #2, we have knife sheaths on our inflatable PFDs with a basic but sharp rigging knife inside. if money was no object, I would upgrade those to Spyderco marine knives.

For #1... I confess I'm a multitool junkie, and have several... but I'm too self-conscious to always be wearing the case on my belt, and they're usually too bulky for pants pockets, so they mostly sit in drawers or toolboxes. The Leatherman Wave is awesome, a few of my friends love theirs, but I haven't (yet) sprung for one. Of the multitools, I probably carry and use my Gerber MP600 the most, because it's simple, robust and durable.

But there's still lots to be said in praise of the humble pocket-knife. I almost always have a Swiss Army "Officer" knife with me, in pocket or knapsack.

Mike OReilly · 08-09-2021, 08:06

I'm with Skip. My knife, that goes everywhere with me, is my Leatherman Charge. It has two blades (one serrated, one straight), both of which can be opened and closed with one hand. But it is also a small toolbox of useful items. I use this far more than ANY other tool on board.

Personally, I find the pliers (needle nose) to be the single most useful tool to have on hand on the boat. I use this way more than my knife. But a quickly-accessible knife is an essential safety tool, so I have both in one package.