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Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
By:Brian Nystrom
Date: 8/29/2007, 7:23 am
In Response To: Off Topic: standard equipment or not? (Acors)

Although I carry at least one knife IN the kayak for camp duties, I gave up on carrying one on my PFD, as I came to the conclusion that I'm more likely to hurt myself with it than to actually need it. I've tried a few small-medium sized sheath knives and the problem they all suffer is that during rescues and other vigorous activities, they have a nasty habit of falling out of their sheath and flailing around on their lanyard (an unsecured knife is a lost knife). I've come close enough to getting cut that I'm no longer willing to take that risk.

I now carry a rescue hook, which is all that's necessary for dealing with emergency entanglements while sea kayaking. The one I like is the Model 6 H20 by Benchmade. It's an ideal size for easy handling (even with gloves on), it won't rust, it comes razor sharp from the factory (REALLY!) and you can't hurt yourself with it unintentionally. There are many other rescue hooks on the market that will do the job equally well.

If you're paddling rivers and you think there's actually a possibility of having to cut something more substantial than a tow rope, perhaps carrying a knife is justified, but otherwise, it's more of a liability than an asset, IMO. I can't think of any good reason to choose a knife over a hook for use on open water.

Messages In This Thread

Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Acors -- 8/28/2007, 7:51 pm
do you look like Rambo?
LeeG -- 9/1/2007, 11:46 am
Sheath strapped to side of thigh
Robert N Pruden -- 8/30/2007, 7:34 pm
Re: Sheath strapped to side of thigh
Bill Hamm -- 8/31/2007, 1:15 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
HenkA -- 8/30/2007, 10:08 am
Off Topic: Consider Scissors Too
Carl H -- 8/29/2007, 1:31 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Kent LeBoutillier -- 8/29/2007, 11:54 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Acors -- 8/29/2007, 12:57 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Bryan Hansel -- 8/29/2007, 9:44 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Acors -- 8/29/2007, 12:53 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Mike Savage -- 8/29/2007, 8:16 am
I ALWAYS CARRY A KNIFE
Andrew Sommer -- 8/29/2007, 8:12 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Brian Nystrom -- 8/29/2007, 7:23 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Acors -- 8/29/2007, 12:41 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Bill Hamm -- 8/29/2007, 11:33 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not? *Pic*
John Monroe -- 8/29/2007, 5:37 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Acors -- 8/29/2007, 12:27 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
John Eberly -- 8/29/2007, 4:41 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not? *Pic*
Aaron -- 8/29/2007, 7:13 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Robert N Pruden -- 8/30/2007, 7:24 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Mike Savage -- 8/29/2007, 8:05 am
tow? no thanks.... *NM*
Acors -- 8/29/2007, 12:25 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Andy Waddington -- 8/29/2007, 4:11 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Daryl Starnes -- 8/29/2007, 2:41 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Bill Hamm -- 8/29/2007, 1:04 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Bill Hamm -- 8/29/2007, 12:58 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Dave ( of Calif.) -- 8/28/2007, 11:31 pm
Standard but not visible.
Reg Lake -- 8/28/2007, 11:29 pm
Link to hook knife *NM* *LINK*
Reg Lake -- 8/29/2007, 1:08 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Rob Macks / Laughing Loon -- 8/28/2007, 11:10 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Stephen P -- 8/28/2007, 11:50 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Mike Braun -- 8/28/2007, 9:55 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Charlie -- 8/28/2007, 9:31 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Jim Hegg -- 8/28/2007, 9:06 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not? *LINK* *Pic*
Robert N Pruden -- 8/28/2007, 8:05 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Jesper -- 8/30/2007, 2:55 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Robert N Pruden -- 8/30/2007, 7:22 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Jesper -- 8/31/2007, 4:52 am
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Acors -- 8/29/2007, 12:49 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Rob Macks / Laughing Loon -- 8/28/2007, 11:36 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Robert N Pruden -- 8/28/2007, 11:41 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not? *Pic*
Rob Macks / Laughing Loon -- 8/28/2007, 11:26 pm
Re: Off Topic: standard equipment or not?
Robert N Pruden -- 8/28/2007, 11:37 pm