[Amy is] looking to minimize bulkiness and maximize functionality. I've had a few times where I have caught the edge of my knife while doing other movements (paddle stroke, roll set up) as well. Right now it looks like there are two systems: 1) carry a small line hook on my pfd and a separate knife for around camp uses 2) a multipurpose knife such as the pilot possible options: Gerber shorty, Sypderco Caspian FB22, xs scrub fog cutter. +++++++++++ One decent alternative to a bladed knife is a "strap cutter" device similar to ones used by paramedics and rescue crews. (In an earlier life, we called them "shroud cutters" since they were issued to pilots to quickly cut away parachute shrouds if fouled on landing.) One economy unit made by Ontario knife can be seen at http://www.ontarioknife.com/catalog/item/17. (Was about $20 at Beacon Surplus in Waldorf, Maryland.) Downside, the blade is steel: countering that, it's really for emergency cutting, and you can gunk it up with some persistent lubricant and stow it away for the long haul in its sheath, sewn to a flat bit of PFD. Those Ontario knives are lousy for spreading peanut butter, however. For that more frequent use, I use an old Gerber River Shorty, pilot-proofed with a dull point and a single, serrated edge. It's been stuck upside down in its plastic sheath for years without loss. It's a tad rusty, but cleans up from time to time with WD40. I added some duct tape -- what else? -- to bulk up the hilt where it locks up in the sheath, and it seems to be happy in there. No escapes yet. Joq *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Aug 11 2010 - 12:48:35 PDT
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