Pocket knife for boating?

[Mark42]

Are there pocket knives made just for boating? Maybe something stainless that won't corrode in the salt water environment? Floating would be a nice feature too.

 

[AaronG]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

There is a blue swiss army knife with some boating type stuff on it. I have it, its pretty nice. Doesn't float, costs about $30.<br /><br />A better alternitive might be a leatherman type tool. They have a nice set of plyers built in. I like the swiss army version of the leatherman better than the origional leatherman.

 

[sergioy]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

I use the Gerber brand of multi-tools. They are absolutely great for boating and everything else. I've owned 3 leatherman tools and only 1 gerber, I still have the gerber.

 

[milkyway]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

I have 2 Gerbers that I bought from Cabelas many years ago for hunting purposes. One is folding, blade is 4 inches long, grip handle is wide, and came with belt pouch. Has not rusted at all. I wear this regularly when boating and good for all around use. To do fillets, you need fillet knives.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

I just keep a stainless Kitchen Devil type knife on the boat. It has a scalloped(?) blade, which I've found better than anything else for cutting rope entwined round props. <br /><br />I've drilled the handle and fitted a lanyard, so that it hooks around my wrist if I'm cutting underwater. Had it years, and boat in salt.<br /><br />So far, so good. Wife keeps wondering why her set is incomplete.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

Well, Gerber does make a tool specifically for fishing, and it's made of SS.<br /><br /> http://www.gerbergear.com/products/view.php?model=7572

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

I like the regular leatherman tool with the serated blade. Don't get anything with a straight blade, it won't cut double braided nylon.

 

[KilroyJC]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

I'd say it also depends on the type of boating you do. For instance, if you are into sailing, yach knife that has a shackle tool would come in handy. <br /><br />I have a Leatherman Wave, and a Grohman knife & Marlinspike set. I have that primarily for doing fancy knotwork, but it is still great to have around. <br /><br />The Leatherman is for all the nasty stuff, & IMHO the Wave is the best one they put out - the rolled edges on the handle don't dig in like on thre original model, so you can really crank down on the pliers.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

Thanks for all the suggestions. <br /><br />Now to put together a took kit to leave in the boat. Every time I put some tools in a plastic bag they come out rusted. Thinking of buying a set of inexpensive tools and storing them in a rectangular tupperware container. Anyone else do this?

 

[AJ168]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

You don't want something airtight. Moisture will get in there and cause them to rust. On our boat, we just leave a truck box filled with old tools. So far nothing has rusted beyond just some minor surface rust. Saved us a tow many times.<br /><br />Back to the knife, I feel that it's important to have a knife that comes out quick in order to quickly cut a line in case of an emergency. I carry a folding Winchester that I can open with one hand that I got from Wal-Mart for next to nothing. Put a coat of WD-40 on it and you'll be fine.

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

For a knife I carry my fillet knife, leatherman and a utility knife in the box. <br /> I keep a breakdown box on board as well. Full set of sockets,wrenches,duct tape,elect.tape, spare filters,ignition parts, and also an assortment of other tools you think you'd never need. You couldn't imagine how many times my buddy has harrassed me about my box, until we needed it and it got us in from very choppy 6 footers on a nasty day.

 

[monoshock]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

I just use cheap knifes on the boat, most of mine get lost, broke, bent, it's just a waste to use an expensive one.<br />Some times it would be nice to have one that would pierce the hull of a jet ski - <br /> just kidding.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

I carry a $1.50 box knife in every vehicle, including my boat. Cheap, sharp, disposeable, and I can just flip the blade around if it gets dull/broken.

 

[KilroyJC]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

Several years ago Craftsman had stainless ratchet sets. I wish they still had them. . .<br /><br />They still have stainless screwdrivers, though.<br /><br />One of the fun things to do is take your regular "rustable" tools & coat them in olive oil and let them bake in the sun for a while - it's turn into a rust-resistant coating. just remember that you'll have to reapply every now & then, especially after use.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

Good tools are expensive because they last and do the job. They are also like PFDs, unimportant until you need them they they are worth their weight in gold.<br /><br />I needed to cut a line in a hurry the other day. Here I am on a Doc's boat and he throws me a cheap Chinese knife that couldn't cut through rope if your life depended on it! I almost got pulled overboard! Maybe the next time he goes in the OR I'll have the nurse hand him a butter knife when he asks for a scalpel!<br /><br />Don't skimp on your tools or you may come to really regret it when it really counts.<br /><br />You can buy CrV tools that won't rust. Some sawdust or other descant in the box will also help prevent rusting as will WD40 and other available aerosols sold for exactly that purpose.<br /><br />If you want a good paocket knife buy a Gerber, Buck, Boker, Swiss Army, etc. and it will do the job when you really need it. If money's tight and you're a bargain hunter kepp your eye on eBay for a deal.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but keeping rust off tools is part of it really.<br /><br />It's always a pain, because the tools you collect that fit the main bits of your boat/motor will not always be new and high grade stainles. Mine are a real motley collection. I haven't found a rustfree way of keeping them yet. <br /><br />The best I can do so far is put them in a heavy duty plastic bag, liberally oil the inside of the bag and every tool, and tie it up as a bundle. it still breathes a bit, and when you need a tool they're coated in oil which needs wiping off, but it works. Keeps them reasonable for a whole season.<br /><br />My knife I keep loose, tucked into a spare fishing rod holder, along with a wooden club.

 

[noydb]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

The best knife is one that you have at hand to use. Do you wear a belt? Then something that fits in a sheath. Use pockets? Then a folding knife that you can open with one hand. <br /><br />If you are going to own a tool then maintain it. That means sharpening it as needed and cleaning an oiling after every trip.<br /><br />I recommend several spares stashed around the boat and tow vehicle.

 

[dmonwai]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

Spyderco makes several knives for marine use.<br /><br />None of them are cheap but especially with knives, you get what you pay for.<br /><br /> Spyderco marine knives

 

[JB]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

When I was still boating I carried a Swiss Army mariner and a Leatherman standard, both on lanyards. Only other thing I ever needed was a crescent wrench.

 

[Linc33]

Re: Pocket knife for boating?

It ain't cheap, but seems like it'd get a lot done on a boat.<br /><br /> http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...ves/folding_knives/a_g_russell_seamaster.html <br /><br />

<br /><br />I have one of their 'standard' pocket locking folders that I like a lot.<br /><br />--Linc33