Re: [Paddlewise] Nice Knife, I think.

Derek wrote: I am looking for a solution to prevent knife loss while on
the water. 



I have had Gerber River Shorty knives attached to my lifejackets for
many years.  I have two lifejackets that I use and both have a shorty
clipped to the lash tab.  Through Grand Canyon, Gauley and Upper Yock
whitewater the knives have never come loose unless I wanted them to.  I
have considered putting some utility cord on them to save them if I
should drop them, but I haven't done so.

I have used the knives a number of times in whitewater for cutting loose
various things and use them more than anything doing bird rescues.  It
is not unusual for birds to get terribly tangled in fishing line.  Last
Friday I rescued a juvenile ring-billed gull that was hanging upside
down over water from a tree limb for almost eight hours beofre I got the
call.  It had monofilament wrapped around its foot, wing and neck.  The
good part was that the three points of contact took the stress off any
one.  After I cut it down and got the line off, which took a while, the
bird seemed quite happy.  It has been in rehab since and they say as
soon as it is fully able to feed itself it will be released.

Sorry for the story, but knives are really handy to have in a kayak and
I'll use any excuse to tell a story.

When I use a saw to cut trees off my slalom course, which is under a
bridge where trees sometimes get snagged on the pilings, I always put a
line from the saw handle to my wrist.  Saved my saw more than once.  I
think a light cord from knife to lifejacket would be safe, especially
since the knife will be at hand to cut its own cord if need be.  To be
really safe I would have the cord be a biteable size.

Jim Tibensky
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