In a message dated 10/19/99 9:55:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes: > Moreover, make certain it is a knife that will not slice > your hand or pierce you were you to drop it (while on its tether) and > then reach for it blindly and wind up grabbing the blade; or > alternatively wind up on the point while dragging it on its tether and > climbing back onboard. I have elected to *not* use a tether on my knife due to the points you mention (no pun intended). I like a knife with a point so I can easily puncture a boat or other item if needed. But such a tool presents a hazard when swinging about on a tether. So, I installed a loop of cord on the end of my knife handle. It is long enough to insert my hand through during use and to handle the knife properly, but short enough that it will not slide off my hand unless I bunch my fingers and thumb together in a point. When released, the knife hangs from my wrist on a very short tether and could cause some damage, but not as much as a long-tethered knife; *and* it is highly unlikely to become tangled or snagged. With a wrist loop, the knife must be secured to the PFD in a manner that will prevent it from getting loose without being deliberately released. The means of doing this have changed as I have moved from one PFD to another. BTW, I prefer a folding knife so that I can close (sheath) it while it is dangling from my wrist. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Regarding knife tethers Ralph Diaz contributes: > Moreover, make certain it is a knife that will not slice > your hand or pierce you were you to drop it (while on its tether) and > then reach for it blindly and wind up grabbing the blade; or > alternatively wind up on the point while dragging it on its tether and > climbing back onboard. All good points to consider if you have dropped your knife, which, if it's not tethered and lands outside of the boat won't matter much. Harold wrote: >But such a tool presents a hazard when swinging about on a tether. So, I installed a loop of cord on the end of my knife handle. It is long enough to insert my hand through during use and to handle the knife properly, but short enough that it will not slide off my hand unless I bunch my fingers and thumb together in a point.> When do attach the tether to your wrist? When you need the knife or when you leave the shore? A wrist tether for a knife is fine, if you are working with the knife, but would be inconvenient to say the least as a precautionary system. Bruce WEO www.wholeearthoutfitters.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 10/19/99 12:56:39 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Outfit3029 (Bruce) writes: > Harold wrote: > >But such a tool presents a hazard when swinging about on a tether. So, I > installed a loop of cord on the end of my knife handle. It is long enough to > insert my hand through during use and to handle the knife properly, but short > enough that it will not slide off my hand unless I bunch my fingers and thumb > together in a point.> > > When do attach the tether to your wrist? When you need the knife or when > you leave the shore? A wrist tether for a knife is fine, if you are working > with the knife, but would be inconvenient to say the least as a precautionary > system. Bruce Right you are, and sorry for my imprecise description. The loop (tether) is around my wrist only when I use the knife. I slide my hand through the loop and spread my fingers to work it onto my wrist before removing it from my jacket. I remove my wrist from the loop after the knife is remounted on the jacket. But again, I use a folder so that I can close the knife and leave it dangling on my wrist until it is convenient / safe to put it away. I know this is a whole other issue for WW and cold-water paddlers since folders don't work well with numb hands. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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