Marine Locking Knife?
Discussion
I want a locking knife to take out to sea. I have a jetski and a boat and realised recently that if we got a rope caught round the prop, not having a knife onboard could be quite dangerous.
However, I am quite confused by the law regarding this now.
I feel the knife needs to be locking for safety reasons, but I have read that these are illegal. However it also says if you are carrying a knife for a good reason, then thats ok. I wouldn't be carrying the knife around with me, this is obviously to keep on the boat or in the storage compartment on the jetski.
Does anyone have any recommendations on this?
However, I am quite confused by the law regarding this now.
I feel the knife needs to be locking for safety reasons, but I have read that these are illegal. However it also says if you are carrying a knife for a good reason, then thats ok. I wouldn't be carrying the knife around with me, this is obviously to keep on the boat or in the storage compartment on the jetski.
Does anyone have any recommendations on this?
A locking knife is not in itself illegal.
"Lock knives (knives with blades that can be locked when unfolded) are not folding knives, and are illegal to carry in public without good reason."
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
Without getting into what constitutes 'in public' it comes down to 'good reason'. The onus would be on you to prove the 'good reason'.
Your proposed usage should be fine. Going to & from the vessel in possession should also be fine.
Stopping off at the pub or going to the local nightclub with it won't be!
I'd suggest one that floats.
"Lock knives (knives with blades that can be locked when unfolded) are not folding knives, and are illegal to carry in public without good reason."
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
Without getting into what constitutes 'in public' it comes down to 'good reason'. The onus would be on you to prove the 'good reason'.
Your proposed usage should be fine. Going to & from the vessel in possession should also be fine.
Stopping off at the pub or going to the local nightclub with it won't be!
I'd suggest one that floats.
Edited by paintman on Sunday 29th November 10:16
Well, that sounds sensible.
I was looking at something like this http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/gerber-stl-2-5-fold...
I was looking at something like this http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/gerber-stl-2-5-fold...
Doesn't float & sod's law says that you'll drop it when you need it.
Solved by using a lanyard but don't forget to fix/keep hold of the loose end!
I carry a couple of kitchen knives on my boat but they are used primarily for cutting bait & fish cleaning/filleting. Tried various folding & fixed blade knives over the years but eventually decided the local professional fishermen might know something I didn't
Solved by using a lanyard but don't forget to fix/keep hold of the loose end!
I carry a couple of kitchen knives on my boat but they are used primarily for cutting bait & fish cleaning/filleting. Tried various folding & fixed blade knives over the years but eventually decided the local professional fishermen might know something I didn't
Edited by paintman on Sunday 29th November 10:28
A Quick look at the Hennie Haynes site throws up a number of possible candidates. Some are "rustproof", some have rounded ends so you don't puncture a boat (or yourself). You might stand more chance of claiming a legitimate reason for carrying one of these that that Gerber.
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-saver-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-dragonfly-2-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-dragonfly-2-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-pacific-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-rescue-black-spyde...
That's just a few of the Spyderco ones.
I'm not an expert but I'd suggest a serrated edge is going to be better for cutting rope than a smooth one.
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-saver-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-dragonfly-2-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-dragonfly-2-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-pacific-salt
http://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-rescue-black-spyde...
That's just a few of the Spyderco ones.
I'm not an expert but I'd suggest a serrated edge is going to be better for cutting rope than a smooth one.
ex gf of mine was well into diving... standard practice seems to be a fairly serious knife at the belt and a small backup knife elsewhere (ankle maybe) such is the seriousness at which being caught up in old lines and nets is taken, so it shouldn't be an issue... although that doesn't mean some jobsworth copper won't think otherwise, so I'd just get something decent but cheap enough + backups that if it gets "confiscated" by some dumb flatfoot you won't be in tears.
hairyben said:
ex gf of mine was well into diving... standard practice seems to be a fairly serious knife at the belt and a small backup knife elsewhere (ankle maybe) such is the seriousness at which being caught up in old lines and nets is taken, so it shouldn't be an issue... although that doesn't mean some jobsworth copper won't think otherwise, so I'd just get something decent but cheap enough + backups that if it gets "confiscated" by some dumb flatfoot you won't be in tears.
any evidence to support this supposition rather than those who take to carrying their dive knives in thehr handbag / manbag or put it in the door pocket ... (the advice with regard to baseball bats and cricket bats is to ensure you have a ball to hand as well )
Tape & a pole of some sort is a valid comment for a boat.
Acquaintance of mine is a commercial fisherman & some years ago had just shot a string of crab pots from an outboard powered boat. Unfortunately as the rope attached to the dahn went over the stern it got caught round the prop. Strong tide running. Engine stopped, boat now stern to tide & couldn't reach or get at the rope to cut it. As the stern of the boat got lower & more water was coming in than he could bail the realisation dawned that he was going to be in the water. Mayday with 'This is my last transmission' & he went into the water as the boat went down under him. Unlike a lot of fishermen was wearing a lifejacket. Picked up within a few minutes by another boat. None the worse for the encounter & the boat was subsequently winch recovered by a big trawler.
IME the scalloped type edge is quicker at rope cutting BUT the important thing to remember is that whatever knife you decide on you need keep them sharp.
Acquaintance of mine is a commercial fisherman & some years ago had just shot a string of crab pots from an outboard powered boat. Unfortunately as the rope attached to the dahn went over the stern it got caught round the prop. Strong tide running. Engine stopped, boat now stern to tide & couldn't reach or get at the rope to cut it. As the stern of the boat got lower & more water was coming in than he could bail the realisation dawned that he was going to be in the water. Mayday with 'This is my last transmission' & he went into the water as the boat went down under him. Unlike a lot of fishermen was wearing a lifejacket. Picked up within a few minutes by another boat. None the worse for the encounter & the boat was subsequently winch recovered by a big trawler.
IME the scalloped type edge is quicker at rope cutting BUT the important thing to remember is that whatever knife you decide on you need keep them sharp.
Edited by paintman on Sunday 29th November 18:59
Lockable serrated knife is standard kit for any/all sailing instructors and Safety boat operators, if you're worried abiut dropping it either buy a cheaper one or do as a colleage (PBI) of mine does which it tie it on with a piece of string about 6" long..... When i asked what the point of it was why have the string the lenght of his arm his reasoning was that that long gets tangled so is never long enough and if he needs it he cuts the 6" string.
No issues with the legality of carrying it as it will always be in your BA.
Personally mine isn't tied on as i sharpen my pencil on the way to the start line.
No issues with the legality of carrying it as it will always be in your BA.
Personally mine isn't tied on as i sharpen my pencil on the way to the start line.
Me and a few of our lifeboat crew use these, http://www.rapidkayaks.co.uk/nrs-pilot-kayak-rescu... fixed to a lashtab on our PFDs, one handed release, you can get a titanium version for saltwater use. They're razor sharp, and blunt tip to avoid puncturing a RIB, or a person's clothing if you need to get it off them in a hurry. The clip is very secure, I've been down flooded rivers, and done aggressive rescue swimming without it coming undone. That's your jetski covered.
For use on a boat with a lifejacket I'd have a look at one of the rescue hooks, like Benchmade do, ideal for cutting yourself free and small enough to tuck in. Couple that with something like this http://marinestore.co.uk/Rescue_Knife_with_Hook_Cu..._Locking_Red.html on a length of 550 paracord tucked into a pocket and you're set.
For use on a boat with a lifejacket I'd have a look at one of the rescue hooks, like Benchmade do, ideal for cutting yourself free and small enough to tuck in. Couple that with something like this http://marinestore.co.uk/Rescue_Knife_with_Hook_Cu..._Locking_Red.html on a length of 550 paracord tucked into a pocket and you're set.
Basically the law states you cant have a knife with a fixed blade in public without good reason, due to a test case iirc locking knives are classed as fixed blade.
As to the situation you are going to be using the knife for id say you'd want a fixed blade, serrated edge, flat point. Like a bread knife but shorter.
Something like http://www.heinnie.com/schrade-water-rat perhaps or http://www.heinnie.com/kershaw-sea-hunter
As to the situation you are going to be using the knife for id say you'd want a fixed blade, serrated edge, flat point. Like a bread knife but shorter.
Something like http://www.heinnie.com/schrade-water-rat perhaps or http://www.heinnie.com/kershaw-sea-hunter
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