yachting knife with marlin spike

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The World's Finest Seabags & Ditty Bags.

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Sailing & Rigging Knife Collection

Currey Lockspike Bosun Knife

2-Piece Rigging Knife & Marlinspike Kit with Leather Sheath

Made in England.

$48.88 $43.88

3-Piece Rigging Knife Kit w/ Marlinspike + Leather Sheath

$64.88 $59.88

5-Piece Rigging Knife + Tool Kit w/ Leather Sheath

$92.80 $87.80

Victorinox® Skipper Rigging Knife w/ Marlinspike

made in Switzerland

Victorinox® Skipper PRO Rigging Knife w/ Marlinspike

Currey Lockspike 'Captain' Rigging Knife

$78.95 $73.95

Sheffield Bowie Knife w/ Marlinspike + Leather Sheath

hardened stainless

$62.88 $57.88

Currey Knife Lanyard

sliding turks head knot

Rangergrip Boatsman® Rigging Knife

Victorinox A.G. - Switzerland

4-Piece Rigging Knife Kit w/ Marlinspike + Leather Sheath

Genuine US Navy Mark 1 Deck Knife

Rigging Knife with Leather Sheath

Sharpening Stone / Kit

Made in USA

$13.95 From $8.95

Currey Marlinspike / Fid

Genuine Currey Ltd. Made in England.

From $17.88

#15 Black Seizing Twine

for whipping, seizing & lashing!...

Sheffield Bowie Knife w/ Leather Sheath

Captain Currey "Deckhand" Sailing Knife

Currey's MK-1 Deck Knife

hi-carbon British steel

Snapshackle Key Ring FOB

#316L stainless steel

Waxed Sail Twine / Sewing & Whipping Thread

1/4 lb. bulk spool

Rigging Knife Sheath

options available

Deluxe M-724 Paratrooper Switchblade Kit

genuine US government issue

MX-991/U Anglehead Flashlight ("Moonbeam')

US Government Issue

From $24.95

1/8" New England Vintage 3-Strand Rope

DIY lanyards, ropework, etc...

Canvas Water / Tool Bucket

available in 2 sizes

From $19.00

Classic ZIPPO Lighter - Solid Brass

100% pure organic

Sail Needle

M&B SHIPCANVAS CO.

Ashley's #1322 Rope Bracelet

1.25" wide - genuine New England rope

A/O Sailor Ditty Bag

with storm flap + cargo pocket

$229.00 From $179.00

1/8" New England Braided Dacron Cord

high strength lashings, etc.

'Chunky Monkey' Heaving Line Knot

1/3 pound x 11" length

$44.95 $38.95

Spun Dacron Heaving Line w/ Monkey's Fist

available in 60' or 100'

From $79.25

Rum Runner Seabag

leather bottom + shoulder pad

$329.00 From $277.00

550 Paracord

available in 8 colors

Nantucket Sailor's Bracelet

1" wide - genuine New England rope

M-2205 Military Issue Pocket Knife

$74.95 From $69.95

  Photo by Ed Morris / M&B SHIPCANVAS

Rigging Knife F.A.Q.'s

What is a "sheepsfoot" blade?

Throughout history, sailors, riggers and shipwrights have relied upon the traditional  "sheepsfoot blade" for everyday use aboard the ship. It is named after its blunt, rounded tip and flat bottom edge which closely resemble the profile of a sheep's foot. It is not a fighting blade or weapon, but in the application of a rigging knife, it is understood to be one of the best blade designs for cutting rope.

Unlike a sharp-tipped hunting blade (drop point; clip, Bowie, etc.), the idea is to reduce the possibility of getting accidentally jabbed while working and moving around aboard the ship. The other advantage is that a true sheepsfoot blade carries a perfectly straight cutting edge. This enables the rigger to place a line on a cutting block or flat surface... then set the blade on the line exactly where he wants it... and then strike the top of the blade with a mallet. With a little bit of practice, this produces an extra-clean cut without sawing and damaging the line.

Centuries later, the "Sheepsfoot Blade" is probably still one of the best for cutting rope & lines. Notice how the handle has been drilled to attach a lanyard. Perfect!

What is the marlinspike used for?

The marlinspike is the primary tool for everything rope-related. It should be tapered to a fine point, but not quite so sharp as to damage or cut the individual fibers of the line or rope. It is often used to help free up jammed knots in a hurry, particularly if the knot has been repeatedly soaked and strained over the course of time. The other use is for rope-splicing, where the spike will be inserted between strands to loosen things up and create working room for the tucks while completing the splice.

A proper rigging knife will also have a "lanyard bail" (or a ring, or sometimes a drilled hole) for attaching a light line or pull loop. With a lanyard, the knife can be tied to its owner and is always ready for action without risk of getting dropped overboard.

What about serrated blades, or combination straight/serrated blades?

Serrated blades have a very specific range of cutting applications in which they excel. The serrated blade cuts quickly and is ideal for high-tech rope materials such as Dyneema, Kevlar, and Spectra. It also does well as a safety knife for fast cutting in emergencies. However serrations work by "sawing rather than slicing," and so the fibers of the rope react differently, especially with smaller diameters, or when rigging and splicing. 

So depending on how the knife will be used, there is a case to be made for both straight-edge and serrated type blades. The combination of both  is also a possibility. 

What is your advice on getting a folding knife vs. a sheath knife?

It really depends on the application because they both have their place. Personal preference is also a major factor here, as well as the size (diameter) of line that you might be expecting to cut. Of course a folding knife offers superior portability and convenience because it can be easily slipped into a pocket or pouch. And as long as its kept sharp, a good folding knife can do just about anything that a sheath knife can do.

However a sheath knife offers the quickest, one-handed operation, which can be an important safety consideration. Also the sheath knife, due to its usually greater length and mass, is able to cut larger diameters of line faster , and with fewer strokes . I also like the fact that a sheath knife can be combined into a tool kit... holding real and proper full-size tools that are durable enough for everyday use aboard the ship.

In nautical terms, what is the difference between a rope and a line?

Technically speaking, "rope" is synonymous with the term "cordage", and is the most correct, general term to describe the finished material itself, i.e. "a spool of rope." Rope becomes "line" once it has been assigned a specific purpose, such as a dockline, anchor line, heaving line, jackline, etc. Running rigging and sail controls are 'lines' as well, including halyards, sheets, reefing lines, topping lifts, downhauls, outhauls, cunninghams, preventers, and most boom vangs (except hydraulic). The list is far from complete.

Of course there are just enough exceptions to keep things interesting, because we also have bolt ropes, foot ropes, luff ropes, bell ropes, rope lanyards, etc... some of which are really, of course, lines! :)

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10 Best Sailing Knives Available in the Market

A sailing knife on board can help you cut ropes, undo knots, and much more. When the tool serves many purposes, choosing a reliable one is a good idea. This post helps you with the same by listing the ten best sailing knife options you can buy. Not only that, the guide below helps you understand how to compare these knives.

Table of Contents

What should you know when buying a sailing knife?

Once you know the parameters to compare these sailing knives, choosing among them becomes easy.

Knife type:

A sailing knife can be a fixed, foldable, or multipurpose tool. The option you choose is dependent on personal preference. The sturdiness of the fixed knife makes it easy to cut ropes. The versatility of the multipurpose tool is what helps it stand out. In case you need an option between the two, choose a foldable blade knife with a long blade.

Blade material:

Ultimately it is the blade that will cut ropes and untangle knots. The shape and material of the blade matter a lot. Serrated blades are preferred over plain ones. The material should be stainless steel, carbon steel, or other metal alloys. Simultaneously ensure that the blade material isn’t susceptible to rust.

Blade length:

To cut rope easily, ensure the blade is at least 2.5 inches long. A longer blade is undoubtedly beneficial, but it also makes the knife challenging to store. Keep that in mind and choose the knife accordingly.

Go with a knife that offers a slip-resistant or easy-to-hold handle. By applying minimum pressure, you can cut the rope to untangle knots.

The knife should either come with a sheath or be foldable and come with a lanyard or carrying loop. It must be easy to store so that you can keep it with yourself at all times.

While comparing the sailing knives below, judge them on these parameters to pick the best.

1. Customized Sailing Gift Knife

• A thoughtful gift with your unique message. Makes a great birthday gift or Father's Day Gift.
• A handsome laser engraved rosewood handle and durable bead blasted stainless steel create a lasting design that can handle any job you tackle. Because every piece of wood is unique, the final engraved product may be slightly lighter or darker than pictured.
• Strong 3" stainless steel blade with partially serrated edge. Closed length is 5", open length is 8-1/4".
• This custom gift is made to your exact specifications. Engraving color may vary slightly, as each piece of wood is unique.
• Includes a practical nylon pouch with belt loop so your knife will always be at your side.

This knife ticks many boxes like a customised, stainless steel blade and foldable. The ability to engrave your vessel/boat’s name certainly makes it special. Stainless steel blade along with a serrated edge makes cutting rope easy.

Whether you prefer a gift item or for personal use, this sailor’s knife is a good buy. Using it with an open length of 8.25 inches and a rosewood handle is easy. It has a nylon pouch and a belt loop, allowing you to keep it handy.

• Custom engraving possible
• Sturdy blade
• Foldable design
• Rosewood handle
• Appropriate length
• Includes accessories
• The pouch can be better designed

2. Maxam 8.5″ Rigging Knife

• Get The Job Done - This sailing knife features a full-tang blade for optimum balance and leverage even under extreme conditions. Cut cordage and thick bushes easily with this fixed blade marine knife.
• Undo Knots & Shackles - This knife with sheath includes a marlin spike for splicing lines, loosening tight knots, and unlaying ropes. The shackle key in the knife blade is great for sailing/camping.
• Durable German Fixed Blade Knife - The knife tool and spike are made of German stainless steel that won’t break easily. It also features a solid teak wood knife handle that's sturdy and comfortable.
• Carry It With You Anywhere - This boat knife kit comes with a bonded leather sheath to protect both the blade and spike. The leather knife pouch is designed with a belt loop for added convenience.
• Secure, Non-Slip Grip - The wood grip knife is fixed with a solid teak wood handle that's sturdy and securely screwed on the tang. Its contoured design ensures you have a steady, comfortable grip.

Prefer a fixed-blade knife instead? If so, this full-tang stainless steel blade knife is a good choice. The handle provides you with a proper grip and makes it sturdy. Couple that with the leather sheath, and it is easy to carry this knife around.

The nonslip grip makes cutting rope easy. The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the blade length is 3.8 inches. The polished spike helps you undo knots. Sturdiness and grip are what help this knife stand out.

• Teakwood handle
• Extremely sturdy
• Heavy-duty stainless steel blade
• Comparatively heavy

3. PHAETHORNIS GUY Sailor’s Survival Knife

• 【Superior Quality】 All stainless steel construction for the main part of this sailor's survival knife, which features ultra-tough with high hardness and rust resistance for durability and great performance.
• 【Survival Multi Tool】 EDC multi tool will give you various options like screwdriver, can opener, knife, ruler, key ring and more when you need it, it can be used for home repair or outdoor survival need to ensure safety.
• 【Portable and Compact】 Compact hand-held pocket size emergency rigging tool get a contoured and compact shape which enables you to take it anywhere you wish without taking up a lot of space.
• 【Sailing-Specific Tool】 Embedded with a variety of practical tools, combining typical functionality with sailing-specific tools, perfect for knots that mock you and shackles that refuse to let go during boating and sailing outdoor adventure.
• 【Special Gift】 Our mariner navy knife will be a special gift for your father, husband, boyfriend who do boating or sailing, or other outdoor activity like exploring, hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, etc.

When on-board, multipurpose tool always serves well. This tool offers you a sailor’s knife, can opener, wire stripper, and screwdriver.

The versatility is what helps it stand out. The stainless steel blade and the compact design make it easier to use. The foldable design ensures you can keep it in your pocket when not in use. The embedded key ring helps you in hanging it.

• Multiple tools on offer
• Stainless steel construction
• Extremely compact
• The keyring can be bigger

4. Maxam 3 3/4 Inch Sailor’s Tool

• A DYNAMIC NAUTICAL KNIFE: The Maxam Sailor’s Tool is a powerfully-effective multi-sailing, -fishing, -camping and -hunting tool that’s designed for fast/easy cutting access—and is efficiently-packed in a sleek ruggedly compact stainless-steel body.
• THE PERFECT ECONOMY SAILING KNIFE: Featuring a honed blade, marlinspike, shackle key, bottle opener and stainless-steel handle with a 2”-ruler on one side, 5-cm on the other, our functional sailor’s knife measures 6.125” long when opened and 3.75” closed.
• A PRACTICAL RIGGING KNIFE: With a durably robust marlinspike running along the spine and a lanyard ring for secure storage, our affordable sailor’s tool can easily be utilized to pick lines as well as loosen all kinds of difficult-to-untie knots.
• AN IDEAL GIFT FOR ANY OCCASION: Elegantly sleek, affordably stylish and packaged in a nice gift box, Maxam’s Sailor’s Tool makes for a thoughtfully memorable as well as economical gift that’ll show any outdoor enthusiast just how much they mean to you.
• CUTTING-EDGE ADVENTURE GEAR: Maxam creates high-powered multi-use sporting knives and reliable survival tools that are dependable, low-cost and come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

When sailing, a multipurpose tool always comes in handy. This one works as a nautical knife, shackle key, bottle opener, marlinspike, and honed blade. Couple this with a stainless steel handle, and it is easy to hold and use, with an overall length of 6.125 inches.

Since all the tools hold back into the knife and you get a clearing along with the knife, it is relatively easy to store. Stainless steel construction and its multipurpose design make it a worthy and reliable option.

• Multipurpose design
• Extremely versatile
• Easy to grip
• The knife length is a bit smaller

5. Myerchin Sailors Tool Linerlock

• Crafted from the highest quality materials
• Built for performance and durability
• Made in China

The combination of aluminium and stainless steel makes this knife stand out. The aluminium handle provides proper grip and durability. Cutting ropes is easy because of the stainless steel blade. The serrated design makes the blade more effective.

Knife is compact as it measures only 5 inches. The nylon sheath included with the knife enables easy storage. Sturdy construction and excellent grip give you no reason to complain.

• Extremely durable
• Excellent grip
• Comes with a nylon sheath
• Compact design
• Finishing can be better

6. BW German army mariner navy knife

• This is a army style knife from the German military bundeswehr marines. PREMIUM QUALITY
• The Marlin spike has a security lock system and lanyard loop
• This tool can be used for loosen difficult knots, the knife is especially popular with sailors
• The length of the blade is 3.15 inch, total length 7.48 inch
• The weight is: 120 g

Need an army-styled sailor’s knife?

The military-grade quality of the sailor’s knife makes it reliable. It comes with a locking system and a lanyard loop. Cutting ropes and untangling difficult knots gets done efficiently with this knife.

A blade length of 3.15 inches and a total length of 7.48 inches makes it easy to use. The blade and handle are metal-made, making it more durable than other knives. On the flip side, this increases the knife’s weight to 120 g. In terms of reliability, this best sailing knife is second to none.

• Military-grade quality
• Includes a locking system
• Sturdy metal construction
• It consists of a lanyard loop for easy storage
• Comparatively bulky

7. DULEES Marlin Spike Rigging Knife

• ⛵【Multifunctional Use】 One end of the rigging knife is a sheepsfoot blade, which is convenient for sailors, assemblers and shipbuilders to use daily on the ship, and is equipped with a shackle opener to open and tighten the screw pin shackles used on offshore rigging. A flat screwdriver bit is also arranged at the end of the knife.
• ⛵【Marlin spike knife】 The other end of the rigging knife is the marlin spike, which is the main tool for all ropes. It can quickly untie the rope for splicing and unknotting, particularly if the knot has been repeatedly soaked and strained over the course of time. There is also a lanyard loop for safe storage, which is flexible and convenient to use.
• ⛵【Selected material】 DULEES Sailor knife blade and marlin spike are made of 58-60C hardness stainless steel. With the correct precision, it will improve the hardness and wear resistance of Sailing Knife, corrosion resistance and durability. The non-slip scale patterned handle and comfortable grip make this rigging knife easy and safe to use. It is recommended to wash with water after use.
• ⛵【Convenient storage】 Rigging knife is equipped with a storage bag with a ring. When the operation is over or is not needed temporarily, the marlin spike knife can be easily stored on the belt to free your hands or other sailing activities when participating in boating, fishing or sailing.
• ⛵【Best Gift】 This is a great holiday gift, Christmas present, surprise for your husband, father, men and for women also who like to get the work done by themselves. Marlin spike knife is great for things like boating, sailing, fishing, camping. would make a great addition to your camping gear, boating gear, go-bag.

The multipurpose design of this knife ensures that you get a marlin spike, sailor’s knife, and sheep foot blade all in one. This makes this knife suitable for sailors, shipbuilders, and assemblers. A screwdriver bit further makes it versatile. A unique feature is the 58-60C hardened stainless steel blade. Even when dealing with thick ropes, the hardened blade comes in handy.

Since it comes with a storage bag, it is easier to take it with you on a sailing trip. The ring further helps you in keeping it close to you. With all the necessary features present, this versatile sailing knife is sure to grab your attention.

• Comes with a case
• Hardened stainless steel blade
• Lanyard loop available for safe storage
• Grip design can be better

8. Brass Binnacle Nautical Marine Sailor’s Bowie Knife

Many sailors prefer a more durable blade. The tempered carbon steel blade (rust-resistant) of this knife fulfils that requirement. The thickness of 0.210 inches and overall knife length of 16-3/4 inches makes it suitable for numerous applications. Razor sharp edge can be sharpened easily to cut ropes and untangle knots.

It comes with a leather sheath which makes storage easy. Excellent durability is why this life is on our list.

• Tempered carbon steel (rust-resistant) blade
• Easy to sharpen
• Comes with a sheath
• Bulky at 754 g

9. DULEES Multi-Function Sailor Knife

• ⛵【Navigation Helper】Do you like to drive your own boat out to sea during holidays? DULEES marlin spike knife is specially designed for professional sailors, sailing enthusiasts, sailing hunters and campers. If you want to experience a better sailing experience, you must bring a rigging knife, it will be a good helper for your sailing adventure.
• ⛵【Marlin spike】Marlin spike is the most important and practical function of marlin spike knife. It can quickly untie and splice the ropes on the ship, especially when we go to sea for a long time and the knots are repeatedly soaked and tightened by sea water, use both hands Unable to untie, the Marlin nail can easily help us untie all the ropes.
• ⛵【Multifunctional use】 The rigging knife is mainly designed for complex marine environment. ①Marlin spike quickly untie the tight rope. ②The serrated sheep's hoof knife cuts the rope safely. ③The shackle wrench can easily release the D-ring rigging shackle. ④A flat-blade screwdriver is designed on the end of the knife to facilitate daily screwing.
• ⛵【[Selected material】 The DULEES Sailor knife blade is made of 58-60 C hardness stainless steel, and the surface is treated with vacuum ion plating titanium to improve the surface hardness and wear resistance of the rigging knife, corrosion resistance, and improve service life.
• ⛵【[Best gift】 The surface of Sailing Knife is titanium-plated and presents starry sky gray, and the color and shape are more fashionable and beautiful.. Make it a great holiday gift. If your husband, father or friends around you like boating, sailing, fishing, camping, etc., this will be the most suitable gift for you.

The next one is a multipurpose Marlin Spike rigging knife. The titanium handle and stainless steel blade help this knife stand out. The overall blade length of 2.56 inches and serrated blade design cut through the ropes quickly.

Along with the knife, you get a shackled range, flat-blade screwdriver, and Marlin Spike.You get a hang buckle which makes storage easy. A titanium handle with a hardened blade gives it an edge over other options.

• Durable construction
• Hardened blade
• Multipurpose tool
• Inbuilt hang buckle
• Sharpness retention of the blade can be better

10. Davis Deluxe Rigging Knife for Sailing

Precision blade construction helps this sailing knife stand out. It includes a rigging knife blade, Marlin Spike, screwdriver, and shackled key. Of course, there is a clearing for easy storage. All these tools fold into the knife and make it compact.

Sturdy stainless steel construction keeps it rust-free and doesn’t give you a reason to complain. When looking for a pocket knife that can be used for cutting rope, this one fulfils all the requirements.

• Rust resistant
• Blade edge can be better designed.

The right sailing knife can make your job easier when on water. Refer to the buying guide to compare these ten best sailing knife options. Choose between these, and you won’t have to worry about tangled knots or cutting ropes.

You might also like to read-

• 10 Best Inflatable Life Jackets
• 10 Best Sailing Watches
• 10 Famous Yacht Marinas In The World
• What are Hydrofoil Boats?
• Main Types of Catamarans Used in the Shipping World

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About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

Read More Articles By This Author >

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Deluxe Rigging Knife - SKU 1551

The Davis Instruments’ Deluxe Rigging Knife is specially designed to cut heavy dock lines and ropes. It is a sailing knife with dura-edged blades and is made from stainless steel. It includes a marlin spike, shackle key, and screwdriver.

The Deluxe Rigging Knife has a lanyard loop that makes it easy to secure the knife where you need it. The rigging knife is 6 × 4.5 × 0.5 inches and folds into a compact footprint—only weighing 1.76 ounces. The rigging knife does not have a locking blade, but a spring is built into the tool to keep the blade from folding during use. The marlin spike does lock open, however.

The sailor’s knife is a multi-tool that is essential when it comes to operating any type of watercraft. In fact, many boats choose to lanyard one to every line station so that it is there when you need it.

The rigging knife is an excellent personal knife to have for many other purposes, too. The tool is useful in any job where you need to work with heavy ropes, such as installing the guide wires on a weather station pole. It can also be used for any agricultural work that requires splicing ropes and tying knots.

• Made entirely of top quality stainless steel with dura-edged blades. Rigging knives are tools that yachtsmen will be proud to own, yet are affordable.
• Deluxe Rigging Knife comes with a marlin spike, shackle key, and screwdriver.

What Is a Rigging Knife Used For?

The rigging knife is used to cut large ropes. You can drive the knife into the rope to sever it. This type of knife is often called a rescue knife and is considered an essential part of emergency gear. The handles of the rescue knife are easy to grip when your hands are cold and wet or you are wearing gloves.

You can use the shackle key to unscrew threaded shackles. It is also used for turning deck plates. The flathead screwdriver is always handy, too. One thing to keep in mind is that even though the knife is made of stainless steel, it can still be damaged by exposure to saltwater. For this reason, it is suggested that you coat it with lubricating oil at least a few times a year.

What is a Marlin Spike Used For?

The marlin spike knife is used by sailors to tie knots, splice rope ends together, and for sewing. It can be used for opening the strands of rope when creating eyes or inserting objects into it. It is also used to pry open knots that have tightened with use.

In addition, It can be used as a lever to help tighten rope when you are creating the marlin spike hitch. This method allows you to make the knot much tighter than by using only your hands.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best boat knife – 11 options tried and tested

• June 12, 2024

The marine group Tech Editor, Fox Morgan gives their essential buyers guide advise on the best boat knife for a variety of uses around your boat

The best boat knife will be a life saver and a constant sailing companion for years to come. Make sure you find the right one that suits you and what you want from it.

A blade that can slice through lifejacket harness webbing may not be suitable for severing a 12mm mooring warp that has become stuck around a bollard as you descend a lock.

A knife that can saw through a polypropylene fishing line wrapped around your prop may fare less well faced with a Dyneema halyard jammed in a riding turn.

Almost every cruising yacht has a knife or three rattling around in a chart table drawer. Some skippers have a knife in a sheath attached to a point in the companionway or somewhere else easily reached. Many sailors also carry a knife in the pocket of their foul-weather gear. We sailors really do need a multitude of knives.

The decision making process behind each one though can take time and we don’t always get the chance to test a knife in a shop as they’re locked away for safety.

As an offshore sailor I have a boat load of knives that I have tested and plenty more that have been loaned to me on friends and customers boats in moments of urgent need. Here’s my top choices  of best boat knife for a variety or purposes.

Editors choices: At a glance

Best boat knife.

Gerber EZ-Out Rescue knife

Best boat knife in test

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, easy to open, very powerful cutting blade

Reasons to Avoid: some may find the blade a little too aggressive

This is a single blade with a rounded tip and no other tools or features. Although the blade remains safely sprung closed, it is easy and safe to open one-handed.

The 7.8cm-long blade is serrated, but not so heavily that the knife grips a rope when it should be cutting it. We found the EZ-Out Rescue the most effective cutter in our test. Whether faced with the tough Dyneema halyard, the webbing or the awkward polypropylene line, this blade scythed through in a few seconds at most.

The blade locks well and is easily returned via a push point on the rear. At 73.7g, the EZ-Out Rescue is very light and there is a lanyard point as well as a pocket clip.

That bright yellow, reinforced thermoplastic handle is mottled for grip and Gerber has boosted this with a raised black rubber lip on each side. The overall unit is relatively thin but perfectly comfortable to use.

This knife comes with a lifetime warranty.

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Victorinox Skipper Pro Swiss Army Pocket Knife

Best boat knife with onboard tools

read the review :  Best sailing knife tested- Victorinox Skipper Pro

Reasons to Buy: every tool is useful to a skipper, high build quality, excellent marlin spike

Reasons to Avoid: heavier than a basic knife, the pliers are small

The best boat knife is the one you always carry with you. This Victorinox has been by my side for years and got me out of some scrapes as well as helped me to fix a few things on the go.

The built in additional tools make this more than just a knife. So yes, it’s a bit heavier and fatter than a knife that s solely a knife.

Probably the best knife I ever used on a boat.

Wichard offshore knife

Reasons to Buy: glow in the dark options make finding in the dark easy, solid tools, well built

Reasons to Avoid: the knife can be stiff to pull out so requires two hands to open

I love this knife. It given to me as a gift over 10 years ago and it’s still sharp and still a reliable tool that I keep by my chart table.

It features a marline spike, bottle opener and shackle key as additional tools to the 7.5cm-long blade. The body glows in the dark which can make it easy to find or a fun way to have a potentially lethal glow stick party if you’re an old school raver like me with a black light. Anyway I digress.

The chunky plastic handle is utilitarian rather than showy It’s clearly tough, but unlike some knives on test, has no sharp or jutting edges that might mark chart or saloon tables. There is a lanyard hole for this 132g model. I made my own lanyard out of a bit of cord.

It’s quite a tight opening which can mean gripping it to open with cold hands is a bit difficult. To close the knife you have to half pull out one of the other tools.

The knife is pretty good, though as it’s serrated it is trickier to sharpen.

Wichard have updated this knife to integrate the shackle key with marlin spike which lightens the tool by having a bit less metal on it.

Gerber Dual Force

Best for powering through tough jobs

Specifications:  Make: Gerber | Model: Dual Force | Weight: 310g | Blade length: 74mm | Closed length: 115mm | Locking blade: Yes | Features: 12 | Singlehanded use: Yes

Reasons to Buy : Powerful adjustable hex pliers | Useful array of tools | Good quality build Reasons to Avoid : A little heavy | The pliers aren’t designed for dainty tasks

This multitool has four swivel out tools: a sharp smooth blade, a wood saw blade, a file and a centre drive screw driver. The main tool is the multi grip powerful pliers/jaws that can be butterfly revealed.

These are the biggest and most powerful pliers available in a multitool that we know of.

The centre drive screwdriver takes standard bits and with it’s central position, you can really get some force behind it. Obviously you wouldn’t want to be doing a massive job with this as you’re hand would become sore after a while but the balance and position of tools offered make this a really useful bit of kit to have in your inventory.

It comes with a decent belt holster too.

Gerber River shorty

Best boat knife for emergency use

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, safety tip, really strong handle

Reasons to Avoid: may be a little short for some tasks

The Gerber River shorty has a blunted tip and is a fixed blade with a sheath ptotector. This knife is ideally suited for being a reach for in case of emergency kind of boat knife.

You’d strap this to the binnacle leg or attach it to a safe point within reach of the helm or alternatively keep it in a grab bag or emergency pack.

The handle is grippy with extra lips to gain purchase when sawing away at something urgently.

The holes in the handle lend themselves perfectly for attaching a lanyard to avoid this being lost over the side.

A big thumbs up from me on this knife as it’s visible and easy to use with or without gloves on.

Gerber Strap Cutter

Best boat knife for webbing

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, very easy to grip, has built in glass hammer

Reasons to Avoid: very specific use, hard to sharpen

The Gerber strap cutter and glass breaker is a neat but powerful tool that can get you out of trouble fast.

Ideally worn about the person, either stowed on or near your lifejacket or for use in a liferaft or other emergency grab bag.

It has a really sturdy grip and fits well in the hand, whether you have gloves on or not.

A great bit of kit, especially if you find yourself needing to cut webbing in a hurry, or smash glass for any reason.

Spinlock S-Cutter

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, easy to use, fits in a pocket easily

Reasons to Avoid: might be hard to grip with very cold hands

This is a tool designed specifically for slashing through a safety tether in a hurry, if the tether is under load and can’t be released. Spinlock says that ‘by providing a means of disconnection, anyone wearing the Cutter satisfies ISAF and ORC recommendations’.

If that sounds unlikely, remember cases where the victim has been held under a capsized boat by a tether, or a tethered MOB has drowned while being dragged through the water. The S-Cutter comes in a protective sheath and a pouch and is small and light enough to keep in a foul-weather jacket pocket. There is also a lanyard hole if you want to keep it on your lifejacket full-time.

The tool features serrated edges for added grip in the wet. On test, we found the tool uncomfortable and difficult to get a useful purchase on. The device performed poorly in our cutting test, needing a significant amount of concerted sawing before it severed our safety tether webbing.

Gill Harness Rescue Tool

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, comes with a lanyard, fits in a pocket easily

Reasons to Avoid: the cutting jaw might be a bit on the small side

This is another device designed for cutting safety tether webbing in a hurry. The blade lies on the inner corner of a U-shape in the design, which is too narrow to accommodate all but tether webbing or thin dinghy line.

The Gill model incorporates a shackle key which gives it a slightly more substantial body and makes it more comfortable to use than the Spinlock. The design includes a finger hole opposite the U-shaped blade so that cold, wet hands do not have trouble gripping the implement.

There is a lanyard hole and the tool is small enough, at 90mm long, to keep in a pocket or attached to your lifejacket belt. Gill has coated the stainless steel in titanium which is said to impede corrosion.

On test, the Harness Rescue Tool needed just one stroke to sever our tether, whether the webbing was stretched taut or held in a loop in one hand. On our guardrail lashing, it was equally effective, but too narrow for the ropes.

Gill Personal Rescue Knife

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, excellent knife blade, slips easily into a secure pocket

Reasons to Avoid: the blade folding clip can be fiddly with cold hands

This boat knife is a single folding blade that is easily opened with one hand due to a thumb stud on both sides. The jet black aluminium handle has an integrated tether-cutter, but curiously, given the success of the Gill Harness Rescue Tool, we found this to have very poor cutting power on our test tether.

The 7.8cm-long knife blade itself – titanium- coated stainless steel for corrosion resistance – is rounded at its tip and has an unusual, almost childlike, bobbly serration.

In terms of cutting power, however, it was far from childlike, and proved the second most effective on test, slicing through all of our materials in a few strokes at most, equal to the Wichard.

The blade locks out securely and is folded back only once you’ve pushed in a clip within the blade slot, an idea we’ve not seen on other models but which works well ergonomically.

The Personal Rescue Knife is fitted with a clip to attach to a lifejacket or belt, and has small lanyard holes within the clip.

Gerber Obsidian Folding Knife

Reasons to Buy: great locking mechanism, easy to open one handed, fits in a pocket easily

Reasons to Avoid: small blade requires more effort to cut

The biggest plus point of this model is its locking mechanism. A thumb-operated clip locks the blade shut or open, while an additional thumb-button is pressed before it can be closed.

It sounds picky, but it’s not and with the thumb studs, the blade can be opened one-handed. Once halfway open, our test model could be flicked open all the way.

This 7.8cm-long blade has a 2.8cm-long serration at its base. The rest of the blade is smooth. We found the serration was not long enough to saw effectively at our lines and was prone to sticking.

On the guardrail lashing, the Obsidian performed well, but overall, we found it required more strokes than the other knives on test to cut through our thicker lines and tether webbing.

There are four other tools kept in the back of the handle – two screwdrivers, a bottle opener and a small file. A lanyard and pocket clip should ensure this knife does not go overboard.

The glass-filled nylon handle is smart and very comfortable to use but felt quite slippery compared to other models on test. It was also relatively heavy, at 130g.

The Obsidian comes with a lifetime warranty.

Leatherman Fuse

Reasons to Buy: well built, excellent pliers, 25 year warranty

Reasons to Avoid: knife fells like secondary tool onboard, heavier than a plain knife, two handed opening

Although the Leatherman Wave has become popular with sailors for its wide and well-judged array of tools, for price reasons we chose a relatively conservative multi-tool, the Leatherman Fuse, with only 12 features additional to the knife.

It has a lanyard that needs to be deployed from within the body, but the 170g weight of the Fuse means you would not want it dangling too loosely around your person – better in a pocket.

The 6.8cm locking blade was extremely effective and easily deployed from within the Fuse’s body, not from the outside as on some other Leatherman models.

It sliced through all our ropes and the webbing without any problem. With pliers, wire stripper, three screwdrivers, scissors and a bottler opener, this multi-tool would cater for a lot of jobs on board with aplomb.

With none of the tools on the outside, you need both hands to use the Fuse, perhaps not ideal at sea, but the design was straightforward and all the tools easily accessible. The stainless steel body looks slippery but the Fuse fits nicely in the palm and even when wet offers solid grip. It comes with a 25-year warranty.

Enjoyed reading Best boat knife – 10 options tried and tested?

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Key features

18 functions

Shackle opener with marlin spike

Product Details

Large pocket knife for sailing.

The only thing more beautiful than a perfect day on the water is knowing you're ready for any imperfections. The Skipper pocket knife is like a crew in your hand, combining typical Victorinox functionality with sailing-specific tools like a shackle opener and a marlin spike. So you're always ready for knots that mock you and shackles that refuse to let go.

Blade, large with wavy edge / Corkscrew / Can opener | Screwdriver 3 mm / Bottle opener, lockable | Screwdriver 7 mm | Wire stripper / Reamer, punch / Phillips screwdriver 1/2 / Combination pliers | Wire cutters | Wire crimper / Shackle opener | Marlin spike / Key ring / Tweezers / Toothpick / Lanyard / Bottle opener, lockable / Shackle opener / Can opener / Combination pliers

Height: 0.9 in

Length: 4.4 in

Width: 1.2 in

Weight: 6.5 oz

Item number: 0.8593.2W

Material: Polyamide

Blade lockable: Yes

One hand blade: No

No. of features: 18

Color: Blue

This product is covered by Victorinox Lifetime warranty

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best sailing knives: 12 of the best safety knives for emergency use

• July 19, 2023

Tech Editor and specialist in safety gear, Fox Morgan takes a look through some of the best safety knives available for use in emergencies onboard or overboard.

The safety knife is an often neglected tool, typically languishing strapped to a binnacle leg or stowed inside a lifejacket or a belt pouch. until that is, the moment comes to use one in an emergency.

It’s at this point you’ll be eternally grateful that you opted for one of the best safety knives, a good quality bit of kit rather than a cheap, flimsy piece of rubbish that is rusted and brittle and leaves you still in danger or worse, injured as a result.

There’s three styles of safety knife: strap cutters, blunt tipped fixed blades and folding blades.

I recommend you have one of each, at least. Ideally more. Alongside these I also recommend a general purpose sailing knife and multitool. 

12 of the best safety knives available today…

A word of warning though: Whichever type of knife you decide upon, do make sure the one you choose is legal, otherwise you could face a fine of up to £5,000.

It’s also illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason, (such as transporting it to or from your boat), unless it has a folding blade with a cutting edge of 3″ or less. For full guidance on knives and the law, visit the relevant section of the gov.uk website .

At a glance:

Best strap cutter: Gerber Strap Cutter UK deal USA deal Best Fixed blade safety knife: NRS Neko blunt knife UK deal USA deal Best folding blade safety knife: Gerber EZ-Out Rescue knife UK dea l USA deal

Best safety knives: Strap cutters

Gill harness rescue tool

Reasons to Buy: Compact, finger guard, additional shackle key built in

Reasons to Avoid: not intended for use as a regular sailing knife for general purpose.

Specifications: Titanium coated 420 stainless steel, total Length 127mm, shackle key, Supplied with a nylon sheath

This rescue tool fits into a small sleeve to attach to a belt or within a safe area of your lifejacket stowage,

Fitting neatly into the category of life-saving sailing knives is this basic harness rescue tool from Gill. Its 420 stainless steel grade blade is titanium-coated for even greater resistance to corrosion. Just 127mm long, it’s a low-profile tool designed to be slipped into any convenient pocket on your sailing suit or buoyancy aid.

The tool’s shackle key will fit many small to medium size shackles and a protective nylon sheath is included. The G10 composite handle gives a good grip regardless of whether the tool is wet or dry, and the blade itself is serrated to provide an efficient cutting edge for emergency use.

Buy it now on Amazon (UK)

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Crewsaver ErgoFit safety knife

Reasons to Buy: light weight, comes with a nicely made sheath, high visibility colour

Reasons to Avoid: for other tools and cutting options you will need other blade options or knives, this is a single purpose item.

Specifications: Bright orange plastic coated stainless steel blade,

The ErgoFit safety knife carries the highly respected Crewsaver brand name, which means it has to be well worth considering. As an item of kit specifically made for mariners, the ErgoFit has been designed with safety as its top priority.

Intended to be carried at all times when you’re on the water, this sailing knife is small, unobtrusive but highly effective as a rope or webbing cutter should an emergency situation arise.

There’s no doubt it’s a neat design and as it’s constructed from durable nylon plastic, there’s no chance of it corroding over time. The blade itself is ergonomically-shaped for fast efficient cutting, and a smart carry pouch designed to attach to your lifejacket is included in the purchase price.

Buy it now on eBay

Gerber Strap Cutter

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, very easy to grip, has built in glass hammer

Reasons to Avoid: very specific use, hard to sharpen

Specifications: One piece stainless steel blade with black oxide coating, injection moulded plastic sheath, glass breaker, lanyard hole, Length: 4.3″ | 10.9cm, Weight: 2.2oz | 62.3g

The Gerber strap cutter and glass breaker is a neat but powerful tool that can get you out of trouble fast.

Ideally worn about the person, either stowed on or near your lifejacket or for use in a liferaft or other emergency grab bag.

It has a really sturdy grip and fits well in the hand, whether you have gloves on or not.

A great bit of kit, especially if you find yourself needing to cut webbing in a hurry, or smash glass for any reason.

C-SHARK Safety Knife

Reasons to Buy: carbon fibre body, titanium blade, rubber rip cord

Specifications:  Cuts up to 6mm rope. titanium cutting blades designed specifically to cope with Dyneema, Carbon fibre body/handle, Inbuilt shackle key, 2 Year warranty

This back-cut knife has been designed withy a titatnium blade to swiftly slice through webbing and in particular dyneema lines (up to 6mm)

A bright rubber rip cord is fastened to the finger loop and makes it easier to pull out of a pocket.

C-Tech are best known for their construction of state-of-the-art carbon masts and sail battens in skiffs and America’s Cup boats but also work on a great number of side projects delivering trickle-down innovations to benefit watersport enthusiasts (sailors, kite surfers etc) all over the world. This fancy little safety knife is a nice bit of kit to keep stowed within your lifejacket pocket or belt pocket.

Buy it now from wetsuit outlet

Spinlock Safety cutter

Reasons to Buy: very lightweight, comes with a nice little pouch, ergonomic

Reasons to Avoid: the handle is a bit on the spindly side

Specifications: Stainless steel blade, wax covered for protection,

With a guarded razor edge and stowed in a simple pouch worn on a lifejacket harness, the cutter is designed for severing safety lines under load Provides the best protection against the risk of a safety line becoming un-releasable under load By providing a reliable ‘means of disconnection’ anyone wearing the cutter satisfies ISAF and ORC recommendations, for all types of safety lines and all clips

Best safety knives: Fixed blade blunt tip emergency knives

Gerber river shorty.

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, safety tip, really strong handle

Reasons to Avoid : may be a little short for some tasks

specifications: 

The Gerber River shorty has a blunted tip and is a fixed blade with a sheath ptotector. This knife is ideally suited for being a reach for in case of emergency kind of boat knife.

You’d strap this to the binnacle leg or attach it to a safe point within reach of the helm or alternatively keep it in a grab bag or emergency pack.

The handle is grippy with extra lips to gain purchase when sawing away at something urgently.

The holes in the handle lend themselves perfectly for attaching a lanyard to avoid this being lost over the side.

A big thumbs up from me on this knife as it’s visible and easy to use with or without gloves on.

NRS Neko blunt knife

Reasons to Buy: blunt tip for safety, built in bottle opener, single handed operation,

Reasons to Avoid: the bottle opener might be a bit of a novelty

Specifications: length ‎25.4 x 7.37 x 2.03 cm; weight 117.93 Grams, features a bottle opener, stainless steel blade, rubber sheath

It might sound daft, but a blunt knife – blunt at the tip, that is – makes a lot of sense for a product primarily intended to be mounted onto a lifejacket’s accessory tab or for weilding in the cockpit of a boat when it’s luching around and you need to cut a line in an emergency. This makes this style of knife as essential must-have on any boat and if you have space for it, on a belt or within your lifejacket knife pocket.

The Neko features a friction release sheath which is designed for single hand release – simply grip the handle, pull, and off it comes.

The hybrid blade includes a serrated section for quickly cutting webbing and rope, and there’s a sharp smooth section for finer cutting.

The blade’s contoured handle has a rubberised grip for maximum control and there’s an integrated bottle opener which is bound to come in handy!

Buy NRS rescue knife from Amazon.co.uk

Buy it now on OutdoorPlay.com

Mac Rescue Knife with Hook Tip

Reasons to Buy: combined blade for webbing and flat blade, includes shackle key, strong sheath

Reasons to Avoid: lanyard hole is quite small,

Specifications: Blade: Stainless steel – W 1.4116, Weight: 140 g – 4.94 oz, Handle material: PP with TPE overmold, Knife length: 21 cm – 8.26″, Blade length:10,5 cm – 4.13″, Sheath: ABS, 66 g – 2.33 oz

The Mac Coltellerie Tekno Rescue X Dive Knife is specifically developed to meet the requirements of divers but it will also serve more than adequately as a rescue knife too.

The hook is useful for pulling a cut line through webbing, while the serrated section is good for slicing through a rope or other fabric. The yellow handle gives high visibility and the rubber textured handle gives good grip in wet conditions or with gloves on.

The blade is idroglider-coated 4116 stainless steel. It is supplied with a locking plastic sheath with additional safeguard and leg straps which can be used around a binnacle column.

Buy it now from Ocean Leisure

Buy it now from Andark

Wichard Rescue Knife

Reasons to Buy: high reputation of Wichard branded gear, High visbility, Good quality sturdy sheath

Reasons to Avoid: high price point

Specifications: Blade Length: 72mm. Weight: 119g. Shackle key. Stainless steel blade

Wichard’s Rescue Knife with Fixed Serrated Blade has been specially developed for rescue operations and extreme sports such as offshore racing, catamaran and white water sports. As the blade is stainless steel and resistant to corrosion.

The sheath can be secured to the binnacle to the deck or just about anywhere where you can strap it in place in easy to reach places like the cockpit, steering wheel, mast foot, trampoline and catamaran cross beams.

This premium branded knife is pricey but you do get a quality bit of kit.

Buy it now from Pirates cave

Best safety knives- Best folding safety knives

Gill Folding Personal Rescue Knife

Reasons to Buy: single handed use, good grip, non-snag blade

Reasons to Avoid: hard to use on a flat surface

Specifications: Folded Length 95mm. Open Length 165mm. Blade Length 70mm. Liner lock to prevent accidental closure. Thumb stud for one-handed opening. G10 Composite handle for wet and dry grip. Serrated blade edge for quick and effective rope cutting. Comes with moulded nylon pouch.

The Gill personal recue knife has a rounded serrated blade with a  curve to aide line cutting

It slices through webbing and rope easily, but isn’t easy to use against a cutting mat due to its shape.  When not in use, the blade folds away into the handle leaving you with a compact, safe knife to clip to your belt or buoyancy aid.

The handle has been designed to provide excellent grip in the dry and the wet and its bright orange colour ensures this knife will be easy to spot even in low visibility conditions.

Gerber EZ-Out Rescue knife

Reasons to Buy: Light weight, easy to open, very powerful cutting blade

Reasons to Avoid: some may find the blade a little too aggressive

Specifications: Textured handle with SoftGrip, One-hand opening, Full serration with blunt tip, Overall Length: 7.91″, Length Closed: 4.51″, Length of Blade: 3.51/8.9cm”, Weight: 2.6 oz., Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless, Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon with Softgrip Inserts

This is a single blade with a rounded tip and no other tools or features. Although the blade remains safely sprung closed, it is easy and safe to open one-handed.

The 7.8cm-long blade is serrated, but not so heavily that the knife grips a rope when it should be cutting it. We found the EZ-Out Rescue the most effective cutter in our test. Whether faced with the tough Dyneema halyard, the webbing or the awkward polypropylene line, this blade scythed through in a few seconds at most.

The blade locks well and is easily returned via a push point on the rear. At 73.7g, the EZ-Out Rescue is very light and there is a lanyard point as well as a pocket clip.

That bright yellow, reinforced thermoplastic handle is mottled for grip and Gerber has boosted this with a raised black rubber lip on each side. The overall unit is relatively thin but perfectly comfortable to use.

This knife comes with a lifetime warranty.

Palm River Folding Knife

Reasons to Buy: bite grip to help open this knife single handed, comes with a lanyard, locking mechanism is easy to operate.

Reasons to Avoid: a basic blade with one main function. for shackle keys and more you’ll need additional tools

Specifications: 70mm blade,

This Palm branded 70 mm locking blade has a serrated rope-cutting edge and a safely rounded tip.

Its low profile knurled handle fits neatly in a PFD knife pocket, and the bite pull-tab will make you feel like Rambo deploying a grenade, or just make life a bit easier and enable you to open this knife one-handed.

Given this small sized knife and it’s budget price, it’s an ideal knife to have knocking about in the chart table.

If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy further reading

Eight multitools tested

Tested –  Wichard Rescue Knife

Tested – Palm folding knife

If you enjoyed this….

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I Luv Knives

The ultimate knife resource, the ultimate sailing knife with a folding marlin spike tool, august 22, 2017 iluvknives, the best boating knife with a marlin spike.

I always have wanted to have a sailing knife with a marlin spike attached to it so I finally decided to pull the trigger on the Camillus boating knife. They have two versions, but I am glad that I went with the bamboo version, because I heard that the other model has a slippery grip.

You definitely don’t want to have a slippery grip with a boating knife because… well… you are on a boat surrounded by water. Water tends to make boat knives that are slippery even more slippery. Also, the last thing that you want is to cut yourself while you are in the middle of the ocean miles away from medical help. The Camillus Ti Marlin Spike has a dual locking system that allows for both the blade and spike to be locked into place.

Marlin Spike Boat Knife Cutting Area

The cutting area is only 7cm long, but it is plenty for cutting rope and lines, as long as they are under an inch in diameter. If you are worried about your blade rusting while out at sea, then don’t worry, this blade has a very tough coating that will keep it from rusting even after hard use. The only other blade I have seen with such a tough resistance to rusting can be found in my Cold Steel Finn Wolf review . The Finn Wolf seems to never rust, even when I bury it with snow.

Before we received the knife here at I Luv Knives , I was worried that the marlin spike would be flimsy and break on me because I have never seen a folding version before. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how sturdy this sailing knife marlin spike was in practice.

Small Folding Marlin Spike Tool Market

Unfortunately, the boating knife market is a very small niche inside of the very large knife community. It is especially rare to find knife manufacturers making blades with a folding marlin spike tool attached. While it may be a great nautical knife, definitely don’t use it as a throwing knife because it won’t work very well. It has a clear and defined purpose and it is only good for that purpose, nothing else.

I have a feeling that they aren’t a hot ticket item that will be around for too long. So, if you are looking for a boat knife, then I suggest you pick this one up before it becomes discontinued.

• Water Sports
• Accessories

Best Sailing Knives That Make You Confident On Board

Sailing comes with handy work like tackling stubborn shackles, and knotty ropes. A sailing knife is an essential tool that a sailor should own to help in their duties. In most cases, These knives are multi-functional. The best sailing knives are more than a water-resistant cutting blade.

Best Sailing knives

This guide provides some of the knives available in the market today and things you should look out for when selecting one for you.

Fast Answer: The Best Sailing Knife

Camillus G10 Handle Folding Knife is my choice out of the selected best sailing knives. I like 2 more knives from Camillus and Old Timer for me. These 2 are Camillus Ti Marlin Spike Pocket Knife (bamboo handle)   and Old Timer Folding Pocket Knife .

Brief Comparison For The Best Sailing Knives 2021

Features Of The Best Selected Sailing Knives

1) camillus g10 handle folding knife.

This effective knife with a lifetime warranty comes with a marlinspike. The G10 handle and the VG10 Japanese steel make the knife a super working tool. The blade has a Carbonitride Titanium coating that protects from rust and corrosion.

Camillus G10 Handle Marlin Spike Folding Knife

The steel is ten times harder than normal non-treated steel and that’s why the VG10 is known as a super steel.

• Does not lose sharpness easily
• Safe lock system
• Great for nautical works
• Super hard and durable
• No disadvantage is observed

2) Camillus Ti Marlin Spike Pocket Knife, Bamboo Handle

This is another knife by Camillus with a limited lifetime warranty. The beautiful handmade bamboo handle makes the knife an attractive one. It comes with a necessary rigid marlinspike.

Camillus Ti Marlin Spike Pocket Knife

The blade is made of AUS-8, high-quality Japanese steel that keeps the blade sharp, hard, and rust-resistant. The Carbonitrite Titanium treatment makes the blade more perfect and durable.

• Lifetime warranty
• Beautiful handle with a great gripping surface
• I do not see any problem with the knife

3) Victorinox  Swiss Multitool

This beautiful provides full capabilities in your hand. Measuring (1 x 6 x 9) in, Victorinox combines a lockable marlinespike and a lock blade for a nautical adventure. This model has a lustrous orange lanyard for visibility in stormy weather. The design also has a 3mm screwdriver, tweezers, keyring, can opener, marlinspike, lockable wire stripper, and a toothpick.

Victorinox Swiss Army Skipper Pro Multitool

• Contains shackle opener and other useful tools
• Has a lanyard
•  Prone to rust if not well rinsed and oiled after use

4) Maxam Sailor’s Knife

This powerfully effective knife features an easy/fast cutting access and thus suitable for hunting, fishing, and camping. It measures(3.8 x 1.8 x 0.8) in.  It comes with a bottle opener, shackle key, honed blade, stainless-steel handle, and a marlinspike and is excellent for rigging.

Maxam Sailor’s Knife

• Maintains a lustrous look
• It may be too small in the hands of some users
• The marlinspike might develop rough edges

5) Five Oceans Rigging Knife

Made entirely of weather-resistant stainless steel, this rigging knife from Five Oceans is very useful and durable for many years of service. It also comes with a bottle opener, a sharp blade, a shackle key, a loop for lanyard attachment, and a marlinspike.

Five Oceans Rigging Knife

• Stainless steel
• Some users found the flat blade unusable

6) Davis Instruments Standard Rigging Knife

If a blunted blade is your preference, this rigging knife from Davis Instruments is an excellent choice. It is entirely made of stainless steel and includes a marlin spike, shackle key, and a screwdriver. It is also very affordable for sailors on a budget.

Davis Instruments Standard Rigging Knife

• Blunted blade
• The blade is pretty thin

7) Meyerco Sailor’s Knife | Best Rigging Knife

Even with the marlinspike and blades adapted for marine rigging, this sailor’s knife is versatile for use on land. The design has a stainless steel handle featuring an engraved ruler. It also comes with a bottle opener, honed blade, spike, and shackle key.

Meyerco Sailor’s Knife

• Inexpensive
• Blunt blades
• Rusty with long exposure to salty water

8) Myerchin Generation 2 Rigging Knife Review

This rigging knife comes with a serrated blade for easier rope cutting. It has a belt clip for accessibility outside your pocket. It is made from high-quality materials: Stainless pocket clip, and titanium handles. The design also features a marlinspike, a thumb slot, and a patented double lock.

Myerchin Generation 2 Rigging Knife

• Hang packaged
• Sturdy blades and spike
• Some users found it less heft and not tight enough

9) Spyderco Atlantic Serrated Knife Review

Made from H-1 Japanese steel, the Spyderco Atlantic knife gets tougher with use. It is rust-resistant and is tested for durability and quality. It has a hollow-ground serrated edge for safe and secure blade lock up.

Its handle yellow fiberglass for high visibility with a texturized pattern for better grip. This knife also has a titanium pocket clip to support right or left-side tip-up carry.

Spyderco Atlantic Salt Rust Free Serrated Edge Knife

• Great gripping
• No multi-tools
• Too sharp for some users

10) Sea Dog Rigging Knife

Ground from 304 stainless steel, this handy knife from Sea Dog includes a shackle key, bottle opener, sharp blade, a loop for lanyard attachment, and a marlinspike.

Sea Dog Rigging Knife

• Multiple usable tools
• Prone to rust if not well oiled after use

11) Phoenix Finds Treasures Rigging Knife

This vintage rigging knife from Phoenix Finds Treasures features one sharp blade and a substantial marlinspike to tie and untie stubborn knots. The blade is made of stainless steel.

PHOENIX FINDS TREASURES Kabar Rigging Knife

• Easy to pop with one hand
• Needs oil application to avoid staining

12) Old Timer Folding Pocket Mariner Knife

This elegant mariner knife is ground from 7Cr17 high-carbon stainless steel marlinspike and blade with nail pull. It features a saw cut handle with nickel and silver bolsters for an improved grip. This Old Timer knife also has brass pins, and it’s back springs are heat treated.

Old Timer Mariner Pocket Knife

• Great quality for the price
• Marlinspike may need filing to be efficient

13) Mil-Tec German Navy Deck Knife

The Mil-Tec Navy Deck Knife has a sharp stainless steel blade and a black plastic handle. It features an eyelet for attachment to equipment or clothing. It also includes a marlinspike which has a safety catch to protect the user from injuries.

Mil-Tec German Navy Deck Knife

• Solid construction
• The spike and blade lock tightly
• Tight and well-rounded pins for durability
• Some users reported flaws in the plastic handle

14) Navy Knife with Marlinspike made in England

The Ibberson, a reputable cutlery firm, makes this Navy knife, which is incredible for rope work. This knife is all-steel construction. The blade design is exceptionally strong. It has a steel shackle and a hooked blade suitable for ripping. The handle is engraved “British Army.” The knife also features rugged tools.

Navy Knife with Marlinspike made in England

• Strong handle
• Rugged tools
• No lanyard hole included
• To some users, the engraving takes away from function

15) Marbles Black Sailing Knife With Marlinspike

This unique knife is made from high-quality durable material. The blade made from stainless steel has more carbon for extra edge retention and hardness.

It also has additional alloys to stand unfavorable conditions and prevent corrosion. It is compact and safe to carry around. It has a strong marlinspike and is beautifully crafted. It has a loop to help with attachment.

MARBLES Black Folding Pocket Knife

• The package comes with a free eBook
• Sharp blade
• The blade opens easily, so be cautious

16) Antonini Nauta Blue Handle Knife

The Antonini brand has been manufacturing quality knives since the 19th century. This blue handle Marine Search and Rescue knife is no exception. Its handle is made of blue anodized aluminum. The blade is partially serrated and has a slot for easy opening. It also features dual locks. Other features include a lanyard hole, ¼ magnetized hex bit holder, bottle opener, and a marlinspike.

ANTONINI NAUTA BS Pro Marine Search & Rescue Knife Combo

• Easy to use
• Long-lasting
• Some users found it too small

17) Rough Rider Yellow Sailor’s Knife

This stylish sailing premium pocket knife is ideal for self-defense, outdoor adventure, fishing, and camping. For excellent edge retention and hardness, the stainless steel blade contains more carbon. It has a marlinspike for roping and convenient usage. The yellow handle has a lanyard for easier spotting. It is great for emergencies and onboard maintenance. Every purchase comes with a free eBook.

ROUGH RIDER Folding Boat Rope Sailing Pocket Knife

• Beautiful design
• Limited usable tools

How to Select a Sailing Knife

What makes a quality sailing knife? Here are tips to help you buy the right knife for sailing. Those who don’t know even the basics of sailing , also like to have a sailing knife sometimes. This guide is for all.

There are blunt and pointed blade tips. It depends on your style preference. Pointed blade tips could be dangerous on slippery occasions, but their puncture power is useful during an emergency. Blunted blades are safer but have less puncturing ability.

Blade Material

The weather at sea can be harsh, not to forget the salty water. It is crucial to buy a knife that can withstand these conditions. Cobalt, titanium, and stainless steel are the best corrosion-resistant materials.

The blade lock holds the knife in a closed or open position. A proper lock keeps the blade in position to prevent accidental closing and thus injuries.  Sailing knives with lever locks are safer and easier to operate.

Blade Operation

À quality sailing knife has a pin, notched surface, or hole to open the blade singlehandedly. Without this, the knife might not be as efficient during emergencies

The blade edges can be serrated, straight, or a combination of both. A straight edge allows even pressure throughout with less work. Serrated edges are ideal for quick cuts. Go for straight edges if you need clean cuts.

Belt Clip/ Knife Sheath

Some knives are not equipped with a belt clip or sheath. Those that do may have sheaths and belt clips that are not convenient and comfortable to wear. Belt clips are mostly attached to the hip, and the sheath is strapped to wet weather gear. It all depends on how you carry your knife.

Knife Grip/ Design

A proper sailing knife should be comfortable for holding. A handle that has a surface or texture offers additional comfort for a good grip. A good grip is crucial for use, mainly in wet conditions.

Ability to Cut

Can the blade cut through rope? This determines whether a sailing knife passes the test. The cutting ability is highly influenced by the blade design, the grip, and the sharpness, which is dependent on personal preference.

Extra Features

Some sailing tools come with additional tools for more versatility, such as shackle key, marlinspikes, corkscrews, and magnifying lenses. Ensure you check that the multi-tools are made of quality metals to avoid a jack-of-all-trades but a master-of-none tool.

Beauty & Style

If you have a stylish and effective knife you will feel proud and comfortable with your knife. It is always less recommended to work with an ugly tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a knife a requirement in a boat.

To operate or sail any boat, a lot of ropes and rigging is involved. For easier rope management and cutting, a knife comes in handy in case of emergencies.

How do I determine the blade’s sharpness?

This can only be determined by testing. If you struggle to cut a rope, the blade is not sharp enough. It needs sharpening to perform effectively.  Customer reviews on the seller’s website are also a good guide.

How do I clean my sailing knife?

For most knives, cleaning only takes rinsing with fresh water. Check out the brand’s instructions for any special directions for caution.

The best sailing knife should be easy to use and reliable when its performance is required. This guide takes away the confusion and mystery associated with sailing knives. Paying attention to the knowledge provided above will help you buy the right sailing knife for your satisfaction.

A sailing knife is related to sailing, boating safety , and possible emergencies. Review your safety system and keep some of the boating distress signals with you. The best way to enjoy safe sailing is by having proper sailing education. The proper education will make you ready to face any sailing danger . The ASA ( American Sailing Association ) can make it easy for you. Have fun in the water!

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Sailing Knives

The classic Sailing Knife is characterized by two special functions. The marlin spike helps with untying knots in ropes or lines and the shackle opener is essential for all nautical adventures. Many sailing knives are made from highly corrosion-resistant materials. Many models are equipped with a serrated sheepsfoot blade to make cutting rope easier.

•   Magnum
•   Pocket Knives
•   440A
•   Stainless Steel
•   Slipjoint
•   Silver
•   Uncoated
•   Asia

Available soon

• Pocket Knives
• Stainless Steel

Folding Boating and Rescue Sheepsfoot with Titanium Marlinspike

Boye Knives

Regular price $239.00 Sale

A traditional blunt tip shape for safety and a consummate rigging knife, the Boye Sheepsfoot Folder is perfect for everyday jobs or in white knuckle situations when you're being slammed around on boat.  Indispensable for sea rescue or for first responders when a line or a seat belt needs to be severed quickly. This knife is easy to carry and deploy and can be opened and closed with either hand. It will cut virtually any line - quickly, cleanly, and safely. It can be used for hours on end and still cut effectively and repeatedly, will never rust in salt water (blade or fittings), and is non magnetic, so it won't affect a compass or electronics. 

The Boye Sheepsfoot Folder was rated #1 Boat Knife by Practical Sailor, top scoring in criteria such as cutting, portability, deployment, magnetic interference, corrosion resistance, and affordability. Not included in this test was the all-important category of long term edge holding. In our opinion, that's one of the essential features of a good boat knife, and that's where Boye Dendritic Cobalt knives really excel.

The Boye Sheepsfoot folder has a 3" blade, is 7" in length overall, and weighs just 2.5 oz.

  The As-Cast Finish

The "field grade" as-cast blade bears the markings of its fiery birth. The blade takes on metal flow lines and the natural grain markings of the porcelain mold, giving it an "organic" look. The irregularities and patterns are superficial and make each knife unique.  The blade is tumble polished and has a smooth-to-the-touch lustre.

  Titanium Marlinspike/Shackle Key/Multitool

The Marlinspike/Shackle Key/Multitool (the "spike") greatly expands the usefulness of the knife.  The flat sides and edge do the work of prying large and small knots open. A round spike can slide sideways, and doesn’t have the same ability to grip and unlock a really tight knot. It also separates strands for splicing, pries up boards, opens and closes shackles, and works hard at the many tasks that the blade should not be called on to do.

The spike lies flat on the handle, doesn't hang up in the pocket, feels smooth against the hand in use, and improves the grip.  It swivels open under moderate finger pressure to a strong anchor stop pin, facing in the correct direction to unscrew shackle keys that are stuck closed. The handle of the knife doubles as the handle of the spike, providing plenty of leverage when the spike is open to maneuver, press into hard knots, or loosen tight shackles. It rotates to a closed position stop pin and stays firmly in place until the next use. 

The spike will pry up to 200 lb (be careful) and can serve as a digging tool when you really need one. The shackle key is a wrench for anything that will fit in it

Read the review of the Boye Sheepsfoot Folder by Practical Sailor

BOYE FOLDER FEATURES AT A GLANCE

• Blade and rocker arm made of Boye Dendritic Cobalt
• Extreme cutting and edge holding; out cuts any steel
• All parts - blade and fittings - will never rust in salt water
• Non-magnetic, so won't affect a compass or sensitive electronics, including MRI!
• Fast sharpening on a soft or medium whetstone
• Minimalist, lightweight, only 2.5 oz
• Flat profile eliminates bulges and bulk
• 3" blade; 4" handle
• Blade locks open and snaps closed under spring tension

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For sale 1 Bedroom, EKATERINBURG, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russian Federation, Sherbaova 77

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For sale - Cod. 29133

• Tipology: 1 Bedroom
• Area: 43 m²
• Rooms No.: 1
• Publication date announcement: 26/08/2016

Hello, we are the owners, Irina and Oleg. We sell a bright, comfortable and very beautiful flat, designed in a Scandinavian style. The flat created "for himself", but forced to sell due to moving to Moscow. ( We bought and renovated this flat for us but we have time sell it due to ...) The flat is located in a picturesque location near the Uktus mountains. The residential complex Stony Brook. In the flat: - All necessary equipment. (Dishwasher, washing machine, oven, refrigerator, range hood, stove, TV, microwave, coffee machine) - 2 wardrobes - Ennobled balcony where you can enjoy beautiful views of the forest and mountains, and dream about the most valuable. - Cable TV, wireless internet. - Increased size of window openings make the flat extremely bright. - All items and accessories are in the flat. In building: - High-speed elevator otis, which descends directly into the underground parking. - Concierge. - Courtyard complex located on the podium, which is located at 3 floors. House territory developed according to modern requirements - as a sport, and a playground with a safe finish. - On the first floor there is a trading gallery with a large grocery store, pharmacy, children's and sports goods, cafés and restaurants. The complex has a fitness club. Area: - In walking distance from the complex there is a shopping center "Globus" Waterpark "Limpopo", sports complex, "Planet IGRIK" (children's entertainment center), ICE (fitness center), the ski slopes and ski resorts, subway Botanica. - 8 km to the center. - 100 m bus stop

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