Kite knife recommendation request

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

A couple of years back I bought an NRS Co-Pilot River Knife.

http://www.rei.com/product/801862/nrs-co-pilot-river-knife

The knife holder fell off of my harness recently.

I liked the way the knife released but I expected it to be a bit more rust resistant. It was about 2 years old. No, I did not coat it with anything. It just sat on my harness and was rusty in a couple of years of salt and fresh water kiting

1, Are my expectations regarding rust resistance too high?
2. Should I just maintain it better? If yes, how?
3. What works for you?

Have you check you knife lately?? I found this one in a very old harness.

Manos · Since 03 Jun 2010 13 Posts New Member

This one hasn't corroded in 4 seasons and fits in the knife pocket that Slingshot built into my harness.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/7

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

expectations on rust issue are too high....I have rusted through several high quality whiter water kayak knifes when used for kite surfing. (even though my salt water exposure is limited). Though like you, I do not care to clean the knife properly after each use.

I suspect that claims of rust proof knifes are coming from kiters who are in salt water rarely if ever.

Aeolus · Fri Jul 03, 15 1:46 pm

trilobite
Bad. ass.
I kite in the salt 102% of the time year around. Going on year two with the set-up.
$30 (comes with a pack of replacement blades, and pouch)
Replaceable blades (3-pack $8.50)

I have two of them and round robin them to keep a piece of mind and keep an eye on them.

Get the flexi-pouch, the regular dead-end pouch holds sand. I pack the groove with some dielectric grease (to help keep sand from continual flowing around the blade...ok results...I think it helps) and just holster the mofo and pray I never have to deploy.

I just unpacked mine from my harness (thanks Slayer)
....after no attention to it since March (sickest stretch of wind ever Alien

)
and cut up a bunch of webbing for some launch tethers. Shred town Cool

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

I don't think corrosion is an issue unless it is compromising the integrity of the blades. A V double blade is the most important and one you can get to and will use easily if need be. I know nothing about knife science LOL but I am always hesitant to test my knife, which is stupid, for fear of dulling it. But at times I have, and you should too, pull out some old kite lines and test your knife with slack lines as well as taught and insure it goes through like butter. It shouldn't take much strength to do so.

TravisBickleRex · Since 30 Jun 2005 340 Posts Taxi Driver

Whomever is better at searching the forum, please search and post the thread regarding the best kite knives here. Or, add your updated comments here.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

TravisBickleRex · Since 30 Jun 2005 340 Posts Taxi Driver

Sasquatch - Thank you for the reverential greeting and addressing the issue. Is this the thread? - http://nwkite.com/forums/t-32665.html&highlight=knife

Also, the Metal God has some advice for all of you; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf5UG_wPU5o&feature=youtu.be

1surfer · Sat Mar 21, 20 9:54 am **Knife**

The Bench Made hooks are good. Also consider a NRS river safety knife. We also double up and I order used folding knifes on Ebay from the TSA auctions. Cheap ones like Kershaw for $12 are good for one season then jus throw it away. i like to carry 2. A hook and a super sharp folding knife. My wife and son do the same.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1871 Posts XTreme Poster

I use the nrs river with the blunt tip. Good knife

Ho-Toe · Sat Mar 21, 20 8:48 pm **Spyderco Atlantic Salt**

I use a number of knives...

As Gman mentions, my qualifier for a good knife is "can I cut a crab pot line with it?"

On one harness I have a nice DaKine SS hook knife that seems to be holding up to lots of salty abuse and zero maintenance. I like the looks of that Benchmade, though. Smile

Depending upon my harness, I either rock a NRS Ti River Pilot or a nice SS squeeze lock blunt tipped dive knife (there's a series out there that's all the same, with different dive mfrs' logos; I think mine's Aqualung?).

My secret weapon, the one that I use to cut crab pot lines, seatbelts, trawl wire, and spread peanut butter with, is the Spyderco Atlantic Salt knife. I just clip it into the tensioning lanyard for the entry panel of my hooded 5/4/3 and tuck it into that little fold in the suit above my sternum. It's right there if I ever need it. And it's still just as shiny as it was on day 1. Just as vicious as the ubiquitous victorinox used by mariners the world over, but not as flimsy and folds neatly.

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=172

Digression: goddamn that 5' on 23 second swell was fun today!. It's a shame Team Can't Stay Upwind showed up at [spot name redacted] and didn't practice better social distancing. It's waaay too early in the season for the kook brigade. Spring break is cancelled.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1871 Posts XTreme Poster

I use this bad boy. Fits in chest pocket of dry suit. I use about 4’ of kite line as a lanyard. When I switch to a wetsuit I wear it around my neck. I also have a hook knife on my Rideengine harness. It’s a mystic knife.

https://www.nrs.com/product/47303.02/nrs-co-pilot-knife

I think I got it for $28 on sale last year. No rust but I’m fresh water only and it dries out every session

My thinking on the blunt tip is good to wedge under line that’s tightly wrapped around a body part without stabbing yourself. Hopefully I’ll never have to test that out.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Ho-Toe · Mon Jun 08, 20 8:20 pm **But of course**

Sasquatch—here you go:

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

If you want to avoid rust. This pure titanium knife has worked great for me.

https://www.diveseekers.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10.060.008