The Mariner
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Location: Adelaide, Australia
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The importance of carrying a sharp knife
Hi Everyone,
I read a post today over at Texas Kayak Fisherman from Joel @ Wilderness Systems about an incident he found out about last weekend..
quote:
he dropped an anchor in the channel during a strong ebb tide. What happend is the anchor stopped his boat in the current and held fast. The water pushed his boat under the surface and he held on tight, not wanting to lose his gear. His partner ended up cutting the anchor line and he resurfaced and all's well.
Now swift water is something I know alot about. It doesn't take much. A tidal rip is plenty. I just saw a thread about paddleleashes today as well and their pros and cons. Now just for a minute imagine this gentlemen had fallen off his boat and the paddle with leash was on the downstream side of the boat. He could easily get wrapped up in the leash and get pulled under just like his boat did. Then ONLY HIS OWN KNIFE could save him.
Whitewater boaters that have it together never go on the river without a riverknife on their PFD. I personally have known one guy who died because he got caught up in rope on the river and no one could get to him. He did not have a knife on him. Another guy I know spent ten minutes under water wrapped up in rope before they could extricate him. They did and he was revived but he's just not the same dude he was before the incident.
Please consider carrying a suitable sharp knife easily accessible on your PFD. They aren't expensive (I carry them in my store) & can be life-savers.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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25/May/2005, 10:21 am
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yaker
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Location: Brisbane
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Re: The importance of carrying a sharp knife
If I may add to Phil's comments:
The key words there are "suitable", "sharp", and "accessible".
Look at some of the blunt-tip rescue knives designed for cutting things (like seatbelts) which are close to things you don't want to cut (like people). There was an incident in the US some time ago where an experienced white-water kayaker got stuck against a rock and needed to be cut from his spray-skirt to get free. An inexperienced person went to his aid with a pointed knife and severed a major artery with fatal results.
Can your knife cut braided ropes?, bungee?, natural fibres? Does it have a serrated edge and do the serrations slice through some kinds of rope, but get caught up in others?
Test your knife so you know how it performs BEFORE you need it.
Tony
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25/May/2005, 3:27 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: The importance of carrying a sharp knife
Excellent post-script Tony !
Before settling on a knife I was happy with for personal use (and therefore was comfortable to stock in my shop) I tested quite a few on different rope, bungee, webbing etc. & found that a plain blade worked much better than a serrated blade.
When purchasing a safety knife it's ability to cut the sorts of things you may encounter is certainly something you must check into.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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25/May/2005, 5:24 pm
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NoosaNic
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Re: The importance of carrying a sharp knife
Phil,
Two questions if I may:
(1) Which knife do you recommend? I see you have a fold-out knife on your site. Cost?
(2) I have a Viking Fisherman. Heavy and ackward. I also drive a Pajero. What carrying racks can I use? I see you have the side-racks. Can these be used on a Pajero? If so, are they easily installed? Cost?
---
__________
Yak - Viking Tempo Fisherman
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31/May/2005, 7:13 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: The importance of carrying a sharp knife
Hi Nick,
I have received your e-mail & will reply to your questions there.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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31/May/2005, 11:34 pm
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Yak Man
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Re: The importance of carrying a sharp knife
Phil,
I use a divers knife and strap it to my leg.
I do not like the idea of housing a sharp knife on my torso ie on your PFD for the following reasons;
1. Imagine being upside down getting worked in a 4ft shore break,the last thing you want to happen is for the knife to become loose around the chest area.
2.Removal and placement of the knife into its sheath represents a hazard when straped to your PFD.
Having this weapon straped to your leg I feel gets it out of harms way yet makes it very accessible and always in view when removing and returning it to the sheath.
Most Dawn Prawners after alot of debate over the years now share this view.
Last edited by Yak Man, 2/Jun/2005, 5:13 pm
---
Regards, Phil (O.K. Prowler).
**************************
Dawn Prawn Kayak Fishing Club.
Mona Vale Beach.
**************************
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1/Jun/2005, 6:50 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: The importance of carrying a sharp knife
Hi Phil,
Good comments, mate. I agree that keeping a sharp object close to the chest area could cause injury in the circumstances you describe, so common sense (which sometimes isn't that common) should be shown.
I don't favour using a seperate knife & scabbard because of the potential for injury if the knife slips out or you miss the target putting it back. I favour the folding variety as the likelyhood of it accidentally opening is very low, you can't loose the scabbard & it's easily sheathed when finished with.
Most PFD's have pockets at the front & while my knife & whistle are leashed to my PDF by a carabiner they are stored in a pocket to minimise the accidental opening scenario, especially if you are being tossed in the surf.
Strapping knife to your leg or ankle is a perfectly acceptable way to do it in my opinion too... there's lots of ways to skin cats. I prefer to keep it up in front of me but if you & others prefer keeping it on your leg then that's fine too.
The main thing is to be sure you carry one !
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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1/Jun/2005, 8:33 pm
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Ben 30
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Registered: 07-2005
Location: Hurstville NSW
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 Re: The importance of carrying a sharp knife
I have just recieved one of Phils Knives wich he stocks and am very happy with it.It is light feels durable. And a comfy fit in my hand and even better i can open it with one hand wich i think is important with a folding knife I would recommend it if you are looking for a good Knife for a good price
Cheers Ben
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Ecobehzhig Perception
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23/Aug/2005, 6:09 pm
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