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How to Buy a Rigging Knife for Sailing

Rigging knives help sailors work with lines and other rigging. Every sailor needs a knife, but not all knives fit all sailors.

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    Difficulty:
    Easy

    Instructions

    Things You'll Need

    • Sailing Gloves
    • Sailing Magazines
    • Boating Ropes
    • Seaman's Knives
      • 1

        Decide between a fixed blade and folding blade.

      • 2

        Make sure the knife is made of high-quality stainless steel.

      • 3

        Choose a knife with a marlin spike. Some lower-priced knives might not have a spike, but they're usefulness is limited as a result.

      • 4

        Consider a locking-blade option if you're buying a folding blade knife. A blade that doesn't lock in place is dangerous.

      • 5

        Select a rigging knife with a shackle breaker.

    Tips & Warnings

    • You should expect a quality rigging knife to come with a sheath.

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    Comments

    • onewebfoot Aug 23, 2008
      If we consolidate the combined counsel above with some additional articles (easily available on the Web), the following components must be present for a rigging knife to be considered complete, without being excessive. These few criteria for a folding rigging (sea/marine/yachtsmen) knife are as follows: -- Blade characteristics: Single-handed locking blade of quality steel, perhaps half-serrated, and definitely not pointed on its tip -- Marlinspike: Locking, stout, and dedicated marlinspike (not a marlinspike that doubles as a ruler nor as a shackle breaker nor as a leather punch) -- Shacklebreaker: The shackebreaker must NOT be a component of the blade nor of the marlinspike (both should be closed in shacklebreaking mode, should they not?). The key may or may not be a component of the handle, presuming the knife is folding. -- Bottle opener: A bottle opener can be integrate
    • onewebfoot Aug 23, 2008
      If we consolidate the combined counsel above with some additional articles (easily available on the Web), the following components must be present for a rigging knife to be considered complete, without being excessive. These few criteria for a folding rigging (sea/marine/yachtsmen) knife are as follows: -- Blade characteristics: Single-handed locking blade of quality steel, perhaps half-serrated, and definitely not pointed on its tip -- Marlinspike: Locking, stout, and dedicated marlinspike (not a marlinspike that doubles as a ruler nor as a shackle breaker nor as a leather punch) -- Shacklebreaker: The shackebreaker must NOT be a component of the blade nor of the marlinspike (both should be closed in shacklebreaking mode, should they not?). The key may or may not be a component of the handle, presuming the knife is folding. -- Bottle opener: A bottle opener can be integrate
    • gdavis May 07, 2007
      Folding vs. straight: Folding is compact, but harder to open. If you keep "one hand for the ship and one for yourself," a folder might be problematic. A knife you can whip out with one hand in an emergency could save your life. Go with a straight knife if you can afford it and have enough room. On the other hand, folders have a marlin spike that is integrated into the handle--very handy, and it does not get lost (unless you loose the knife!). I personally carry a straight knife with marlin spike attached to my harness (its a Myerchin B001 offshore system), and a leatherman in my pocket. It works great!
    • gdavis May 07, 2007
      Folding vs. straight: Folding is compact, but harder to open. If you keep "one hand for the ship and one for yourself," a folder might be problematic. A knife you can whip out with one hand in an emergency could save your life. Go with a straight knife if you can afford it and have enough room. On the other hand, folders have a marlin spike that is integrated into the handle--very handy, and it does not get lost (unless you loose the knife!). I personally carry a straight knife with marlin spike attached to my harness (its a Myerchin B001 offshore system), and a leatherman in my pocket. It works great!
    • Jun 30, 2006
      Also, you may want to choose a knife without a point, since knife points are generally unnecessary for sailing/rigging and can be dangerous on a rolling vessel or in the air. Bread-knife style round-ended knives are much better.

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