Re: [Paddlewise] Re: Knives

From: Nil9000000 <Nil9000000_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 13:01:47 EST
 On 3/25/98 11:04AM, Anders.Marklund_at_uab.ericsson.se wrote:

>The cutting edges reside inside a hook, hence the name hook knife. The
>design makes it impossible to cut yourself. I don't know of any hook
>knives with button opening. 

I also have a hook knife with a locking button opening (aka switchblade). 
I understand this is standard isssue for paratroopers, at least that's 
what the ex-US Army Ranger told me who gave this knife to me.  The knife 
is international orange, but unfortunately the switchblade is the long 
blade, not the hook blade which one has to open as per a normal folding 
knife.  Since the blade is a switchblade, this design is not commercially 
available in the US as spring loaded knives are considered illegal (at 
least that;s my understanding). Still you may be able to find one at an 
army surplus store.

I tried carrying this for a while, but because the hook blade had to be 
opened with both hands, I was afraid of getting into a situation where I 
needed the blade 'right now' and having to fiddle around getting the 
knife out and hook blade open. I also had one incident where the spring 
blade opened on it's own in my pocket while loading a boat (I had 
forgotten to lock the button).  While the blade did no damage, I decided 
carrying a spring-loaded knife was not a good idea. 

I now prefer my Kershaw Amphibian (I got mine at REI) knife which lives 
on the cinch straps on the left hand side (so I can access with my right 
hand)  of my Lotus Rio Grande PFD.  It is out of the way and almost out 
of sight, thereby avoiding the  "Rambo" look.  I like this knife a 
lot...is the same size as a gerber river shorty, but has a serrated edge 
on one side, a sharp straight edge on the other and a sharp rather than 
blunt point.

As a minimalist gear-head, I prefer to carry one knife which does several 
duties, such as spreading peanut butter and cutting entanglements, hence 
the point and double edge.  



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                    Neil Harrison-Houston, Texas
          email: nil_at_nol.net   (_at_ _at_)  web: www.nol.net/~nil/   
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Received on Wed Mar 25 1998 - 09:57:43 PST

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