Dude! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40583839/ns/world_news-africa/ Jim et al *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
What a tragedy. I feel for everyone involved. We enjoy seeing alligators while paddling here in Florida. Unlike crocs, they're not normally aggressive. But we do give them respect, especially during mating season when they become territorial. Al Vazquez KayakGuide.com Places to Paddle On Dec 9, 2010, at 1:59 PM, James Farrelly wrote: > Dude! > > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40583839/ns/world_news-africa/ > > > > Jim et al *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
You can't be adventurous and safe at the same time. As for me, kayaking w/w is adventurous enough without adding hippos and crocodiles to the mix. Kind of makes my old mantra, "When in doubt get out and scout" sound like one of the more dangerous things you can do. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA www.nwkayaking.net On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 10:59 AM, James Farrelly <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>wrote: > Dude! > > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40583839/ns/world_news-africa/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I hate when that happens. Bradford R. Crain Subject: [Paddlewise] Crocodile attacks kayakers, drags guide away - World news - Africa - msnbc.com > Dude! > > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40583839/ns/world_news-africa/ > > > > Jim et al *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Crocodiles make Great Whites look like sissies! On 12/9/2010 11:29 AM, Bradford R. Crain wrote: > I hate when that happens. > > Bradford R. Crain *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
G'day, There's a practise in this neck of the woods of wearing a knife on a PFD in case of emergencies. For example: needing to cut through an entanglement when capsized (I've never heard of this actually happening); or more commonly to cut sail lines, tow lines and fishing lines on a kayak in distress; or most commonly and importantly to take an oyster off a rock at lunch time. Trouble is that most knives in a holster on a PFD come adrift and are consigned to Davy Jones during practise rescues. Like wise the thought of dropping one, while upside down in a kayak, with a grey nurse shark swimming away with the bait and the fishing line tangled in the paddle tether, wrapped round the PFD and hooked on to the camera stand; is more than some of us in Oz can bear. So we blunt the tip of the knife and secure it with a length of bunjee wrapped around the hilt and tied to the PFD. The line not so long that it can tangle and not so short that it can spring back violently when released from an outstretched hand. Nevertheless this approach has its critics who point out the dangers of a tethered knife falling out of its holster and catching and cutting the body of a kayaker. Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD, if so do you tether it as well and in that event have you ever been injured by a tethered knife? Also is their anyone out there with real life experience upside down in a kayak using a knife? All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Peter asked: >Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD Peter, I know this is one of the religious debates for kayakers - so let me state at the outset that I'm not trying to make any conversions - this is just my point of view. I have finally found a solution I am happy with. Yes, I have always carried a sheath-knife clipped to my PFD and with a non-stretch lanyard, just as long as my arm, which tucks into a pocket about 2" (50mm) below where the haft rests when the knife is in its sheath. Until July, it was a cheap stainless knife - of the sort that anglers keep in a tackle box - which did occasionally fall out of its sheath in rescues. This was not good - and I did (a few years ago) buy a lovely Gerber knife with an incredibly powerful retaining clip - which in theory would have allowed the necessary one-handed 'draw', but would certainly have prevented _any_ inadvertent release. However, the more I played with it, the less I liked it - it was too sharp, with a double-edged blade and the release required spot-on application of considerable force with/by a thumb-tip. I could never bring myself to deploy it and it's still sitting on my 'will get around to it soon' table. This July, we passed through Vancouver (on the way to paddle SE Alaska) and we needed to buy a number of items that couldn't fly the Pacific with us (from home to North America). Since there was a shopping list, somehow a better knife snuck onto it ;-) To cut (ouch) a long story short, I love my little Wenoka Squeeze Titanium. It set me back about $45 Canadian / US. It is small, light, and obviously low maintenance (it has zero corrosion in the salt water). The retaining clip seems robust, intuitive, low-effort, but infallible - just about perfect. It has one smooth & one serrated edge - with a nice line hook (which may or may not ever achieve anything in a panic ;-) It has a 'Tanto' end (ie: like an screw-driver end, but cut at an angle). I didn't find this sufficiently blunt - the Tanto end was sharpened and I'd say that the pointiest bit would stick into flesh pretty easily - so I sat on the beach and gently dulled these bits on a rock. Making sharp things dull is well within my capabilities. For the uses I will put it to, I suspect that the rest of it will stay sharp forever. http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455244425 42697&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302701313 There is a stainless version for about half the money, which is probably worth what it costs. (I've seen some negative comments about the edge-keeping ability of the stainless used.) Oh, and no, I have never had to use my knife in earnest - and I hope I never will - but I do feel it's got some 'insurance' value. Mostly it gets used for cutting apples, rope, shaving furry bits off my GP, and repelling sharks (well, it's been pretty passive in this role ;-) Best Regards Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I carry a Spyderco type stainless steel folding rescue knife in the mesh pocket of my PFD, which closes and locks with a plastic buckle. The knife has been on many trips, and can't really fall out of my pocket. Because it is well secured, it would be almost impossible to access quickly in an emergency. In addition, it has acquired a certain amount of rust from exposure to salt water, and has become amazingly difficult to open, even while sitting on a warm, dry beach. The knife is very sharp, with a serrated blade, and is excellent for cutting apples and chunks of cheese. In terms of actually being used in a rescue or emergency, it probably won't be possible. Maybe it's time to add a second (or even a third) knife. Brad Crain Quoting Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz>: > Peter asked: >> Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD > > Peter, I know this is one of the religious debates for kayakers - so let me > state at the outset that I'm not trying to make any conversions - this is > just my point of view. > > I have finally found a solution I am happy with. Yes, I have always carried > a sheath-knife clipped to my PFD and with a non-stretch lanyard, just as > long as my arm, which tucks into a pocket about 2" (50mm) below where the > haft rests when the knife is in its sheath. Until July, it was a cheap > stainless knife - of the sort that anglers keep in a tackle box - which did > occasionally fall out of its sheath in rescues. > > This was not good - and I did (a few years ago) buy a lovely Gerber knife > with an incredibly powerful retaining clip - which in theory would have > allowed the necessary one-handed 'draw', but would certainly have prevented > _any_ inadvertent release. However, the more I played with it, the less I > liked it - it was too sharp, with a double-edged blade and the release > required spot-on application of considerable force with/by a thumb-tip. I > could never bring myself to deploy it and it's still sitting on my 'will get > around to it soon' table. > Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Careful Brad, back in my white water rafting days a story spread that a rafting company made a number of their customers sick when they used their river knives for preparing food. It seem the uncleaned knives in their sheaf breed some potent bacteria. So all of us might be wise to use separate knives for food prep. I have an old teckna knife in a plastic sheaf with a short loop of nylon cord. It has been attached to my PFD for years and thankfully I have never had to use it for any type of emergency. bob On 12/14/2010 11:50 AM, Bradford R. Crain wrote: > The knife is very sharp, with a > serrated blade, and is excellent for cutting apples and chunks of cheese. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I live by the old adage (at least in my family) that one cannot have too many flashlights or (pocket) knives. Bill Leonhardt On Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 3:50 PM, Bradford R. Crain <crainb_at_pdx.edu> wrote: > I carry a Spyderco type stainless steel folding rescue knife in the > mesh pocket of my PFD, which closes and locks with a plastic buckle. > The knife has been on many trips, and can't really fall out of my pocket. > Because it is well secured, it would be almost impossible to access quickly > in an emergency. In addition, it has acquired a certain amount of rust from > exposure to salt water, and has become amazingly difficult to open, > even while sitting on a warm, dry beach. The knife is very sharp, with a > serrated blade, and is excellent for cutting apples and chunks of cheese. > In terms of actually being used in a rescue or emergency, it probably won't > be possible. Maybe it's time to add a second (or even a third) knife. > > Brad Crain > > > > Quoting Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz>: > >> Peter asked: >>> >>> Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
We must be related! I have one of each on my person at all times. Steve On 12/14/2010 4:46 PM, Baidarka Dreamer wrote: > I live by the old adage (at least in my family) that one cannot have > too many flashlights or (pocket) knives. > > Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I carry four knives on my PFD! Beat that Brad!! One is big KA BAR Marine knife and the others are a set of three identical Ninja throwing knives. I decided to go to throwing knives after playing with pussy-kayaker Tekna and Gerber models for decades; the throwing knives are much more efficient for dispatching justice to 1) inflatable Zodiacs buzzing too close (instant poof and sizzle, glub glub); 2) marauding manatees and other menacing marine mammals (knives must be thrown hard to penetrate the thick blubber and hit vitals); 3) bombastic boarders berating me for kayak-surfing "their" spot (I usually just go for a flesh wound, through-and-through, no arteries; they see the second Ninja knife come out and back off); 4) bad bandido bandits (though these days one may need a quiver of throwing knives to deal); 5) and finally, jetski junkies (I hate these guys - though there are kayakers who do it too), and here I remain lethal, even while throwing my knives from a tippy Brit boat. The KA BAR Marine knife you ask. Well, that was a mistake. I asked the knife store for a marine-grade throwing knife originally and that`s what they sold me. No, I didn`t mean Marine Corps, but hey, it is still a good throwing knife. http://www.ehow.com/how_6367001_throw-marine-corp-ka_bar-knife.html Okay, enough of my fantasy life. I do carry a nice Wenoka titanium with a proven squeeze sheath. Bombproof, rustproof, ideal blade, seriously razor sharp. I will not carry any other PFD knife, though I do have EMT scissors (also very sharp) handy as well on my PFD. Get EMT shears that have heavy duty rivets and larger handles. My knife: http://www.best-price.com/product/wenoka-big-squeeze-lock-titanium-knife-tan to-tip/31058073/1/ My back-up, land-duty knife and multi-tool are supplied by SOG, who make serious-duty knives that are a cut-above, all business (posers please keep away) - and position me for both deadly-force response as well as more congenial Mr.Fix It and survival chores with the latter. Anybody wondering if anyone has ever used a knife in extremis upside-down might want to also wonder what the difference is between using a knife in a must-complete-this-cutting-task emergency right-side-up versus underwater. One can be tangled up in either orientation and need the services of one`s knife. Yeah, harder to use under water, but what`s the alternative. No question mark. Doug Lloyd (who`s mostly just cutting and carving dinner meat these days on the cutting board in the kitchen as he learns to prep meals and cook for his family). Doug`s current favourite knife pair: http://www.chefknivestogo.com/wugrprii2pia.html Brad had said: I carry a Spyderco type stainless steel folding rescue knife in the mesh pocket of my PFD, which closes and locks with a plastic buckle. The knife has been on many trips, and can't really fall out of my pocket. Because it is well secured, it would be almost impossible to access quickly in an emergency. In addition, it has acquired a certain amount of rust from exposure to salt water, and has become amazingly difficult to open, even while sitting on a warm, dry beach. The knife is very sharp, with a serrated blade, and is excellent for cutting apples and chunks of cheese. In terms of actually being used in a rescue or emergency, it probably won't be possible. Maybe it's time to add a second (or even a third) knife. Brad Crain Quoting Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz>: > Peter asked: >> Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD > > Peter, I know this is one of the religious debates for kayakers - so let me > state at the outset that I'm not trying to make any conversions - this is > just my point of view. > > I have finally found a solution I am happy with. Yes, I have always carried > a sheath-knife clipped to my PFD and with a non-stretch lanyard, just as > long as my arm, which tucks into a pocket about 2" (50mm) below where the > haft rests when the knife is in its sheath. Until July, it was a cheap > stainless knife - of the sort that anglers keep in a tackle box - which did > occasionally fall out of its sheath in rescues. > > This was not good - and I did (a few years ago) buy a lovely Gerber knife > with an incredibly powerful retaining clip - which in theory would have > allowed the necessary one-handed 'draw', but would certainly have prevented > _any_ inadvertent release. However, the more I played with it, the less I > liked it - it was too sharp, with a double-edged blade and the release > required spot-on application of considerable force with/by a thumb-tip. I > could never bring myself to deploy it and it's still sitting on my 'will get > around to it soon' table. > Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). 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Knife throwing can get kind of boring. I prefer to play catch with a buddy. It's usually a short game. On 12/14/2010 11:58 PM, Doug Lloyd wrote: > I carry four knives on my PFD! Beat that Brad!! One is big KA BAR Marine > knife and the others are a set of three identical Ninja throwing knives. I > decided to go to throwing knives after playing with pussy-kayaker Tekna and > Gerber models for decades; the throwing knives are much more efficient for > dispatching justice to 1) inflatable Zodiacs buzzing too close (instant poof > and sizzle, glub glub); 2) marauding manatees and other menacing marine > mammals (knives must be thrown hard to penetrate the thick blubber and hit > vitals); 3) bombastic boarders berating me for kayak-surfing "their" spot (I > usually just go for a flesh wound, through-and-through, no arteries; they > see the second Ninja knife come out and back off); 4) bad bandido bandits > (though these days one may need a quiver of throwing knives to deal); 5) and > finally, jetski junkies (I hate these guys - though there are kayakers who > do it too), and here I remain lethal, even while throwing my knives from a > tippy Brit boat. The KA BAR Marine knife you ask. Well, that was a mistake. > I asked the knife store for a marine-grade throwing knife originally and > that`s what they sold me. No, I didn`t mean Marine Corps, but hey, it is > still a good throwing knife. > > http://www.ehow.com/how_6367001_throw-marine-corp-ka_bar-knife.html *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Doug's mention of target practice brought back memories of something that happened in Gresham, Or. several years ago. A man was practising his archery skills in the backyard of his residence. Simultaneously, a telephone lineman was up a pole not far away (or not far enough away). Well, you can see where this is going. One of the arrows went astray, and lodged itself firmly in the back (not backside) of the lineman. The telephone company guy survived just fine. The archer could have been cited for hunting telephone lineman out of bow season and without a license, but wasn't. Personally, I think telephone lineman should wear body armor, as they make just too enticing a target for anyone with a gun, bow and arrow, slingshot, throwing knife, water balloon, etc., and are just asking for it. Brad Crain Quoting Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>: > I carry four knives on my PFD! Beat that Brad!! One is big KA BAR Marine > knife and the others are a set of three identical Ninja throwing knives. I > decided to go to throwing knives after playing with pussy-kayaker Tekna and > Gerber models for decades; the throwing knives are much more efficient for > dispatching justice to 1) inflatable Zodiacs buzzing too close (instant poof > and sizzle, glub glub); 2) marauding manatees and other menacing marine > mammals (knives must be thrown hard to penetrate the thick blubber and hit > vitals); 3) bombastic boarders berating me for kayak-surfing "their" spot (I > usually just go for a flesh wound, through-and-through, no arteries; they > see the second Ninja knife come out and back off); 4) bad bandido bandits > (though these days one may need a quiver of throwing knives to deal); 5) and > finally, jetski junkies (I hate these guys - though there are kayakers who > do it too), and here I remain lethal, even while throwing my knives from a > tippy Brit boat. The KA BAR Marine knife you ask. Well, that was a mistake. > I asked the knife store for a marine-grade throwing knife originally and > that`s what they sold me. No, I didn`t mean Marine Corps, but hey, it is > still a good throwing knife. > > http://www.ehow.com/how_6367001_throw-marine-corp-ka_bar-knife.html > > Okay, enough of my fantasy life. I do carry a nice Wenoka titanium with a > proven squeeze sheath. Bombproof, rustproof, ideal blade, seriously razor > sharp. I will not carry any other PFD knife, though I do have EMT scissors > (also very sharp) handy as well on my PFD. Get EMT shears that have heavy > duty rivets and larger handles. My knife: > > http://www.best-price.com/product/wenoka-big-squeeze-lock-titanium-knife-tan > to-tip/31058073/1/ > > My back-up, land-duty knife and multi-tool are supplied by SOG, who make > serious-duty knives that are a cut-above, all business (posers please keep > away) - and position me for both deadly-force response as well as more > congenial Mr.Fix It and survival chores with the latter. > > Anybody wondering if anyone has ever used a knife in extremis upside-down > might want to also wonder what the difference is between using a knife in a > must-complete-this-cutting-task emergency right-side-up versus underwater. > One can be tangled up in either orientation and need the services of one`s > knife. Yeah, harder to use under water, but what`s the alternative. No > question mark. > > Doug Lloyd (who`s mostly just cutting and carving dinner meat these days on > the cutting board in the kitchen as he learns to prep meals and cook for his > family). > > Doug`s current favourite knife pair: > > http://www.chefknivestogo.com/wugrprii2pia.html > > Brad had said: > > > I carry a Spyderco type stainless steel folding rescue knife in the > mesh pocket of my PFD, which closes and locks with a plastic buckle. > The knife has been on many trips, and can't really fall out of my > pocket. Because it is well secured, it would be almost impossible to > access quickly > in an emergency. In addition, it has acquired a certain amount of rust from > exposure to salt water, and has become amazingly difficult to open, > even while sitting on a warm, dry beach. The knife is very sharp, with a > serrated blade, and is excellent for cutting apples and chunks of cheese. > In terms of actually being used in a rescue or emergency, it probably won't > be possible. Maybe it's time to add a second (or even a third) knife. > > Brad Crain > > > > Quoting Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz>: > >> Peter asked: >>> Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD >> >> Peter, I know this is one of the religious debates for kayakers - so let > me >> state at the outset that I'm not trying to make any conversions - this is >> just my point of view. >> >> I have finally found a solution I am happy with. Yes, I have always > carried >> a sheath-knife clipped to my PFD and with a non-stretch lanyard, just as >> long as my arm, which tucks into a pocket about 2" (50mm) below where the >> haft rests when the knife is in its sheath. Until July, it was a cheap >> stainless knife - of the sort that anglers keep in a tackle box - which > did >> occasionally fall out of its sheath in rescues. >> >> This was not good - and I did (a few years ago) buy a lovely Gerber knife >> with an incredibly powerful retaining clip - which in theory would have >> allowed the necessary one-handed 'draw', but would certainly have > prevented >> _any_ inadvertent release. However, the more I played with it, the less I >> liked it - it was too sharp, with a double-edged blade and the release >> required spot-on application of considerable force with/by a thumb-tip. I >> could never bring myself to deploy it and it's still sitting on my 'will > get >> around to it soon' table. > >> Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). 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On Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 06:58:08PM +1100, PeterO wrote: > Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD, if so do you > tether it as well and in that event have you ever been injured by a tethered > knife? I carry two or three knives most of the time. One's in a holster clipped to the outside of the PFD; the second is in one of the PFD's pockets; the third is in a nylon rescue pouch that also has carabiners and prussiks, and is usually clipped to my throwbag. The primary is one of these: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2765&pdeptid=960 I selected it because testing and local experience indicate that it's unlikely to leave its sheath until pulled. Also, the opening admits a finger and thus helps cold, numb hands grip the knife surely. One of the backups is this: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2761&pdeptid=960 I don't think the clip on this is strong enough to let it be worn on the outside of a PFD, but in a pocket, it's fine. (Why three? Because I've had the experience of dropping one during a rescue. Without a backup, Bad Things would have happened. So as one of my mentors says: "one is none, two is one, three is backup".) ---rsk *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
...PeterO wrote: Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD, if so do you tether it as well. I have my Gerber knife blunted to become exactly 7 cm long as prescibed by Danish law. It's attached upside down to the PFD under the armpit and I have fitted a small ring of shock to it. Just large enough to secure the knife when in the holster and to take around the wrist when working at sea. I have this far only used it to free skegs when they get locked-up by pebble on the beach. all the best Jens Viggo Moesmand *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Early on I was "shamed" into buying every piece of safety device available--yes, I own a pair of sponsons!!! I've never had to use my knife in an emergency situation, but that's true of my radio, flares, etc. Being cheap, I bought the cheapest knife I could find, a blunt tip in a plastic holder, for $20. I never tethered it, but I thought if I did, I'd tether it just long enough to be able to cut the tether when I needed it. I have been impressed with the very simple clip sysytem and have never had a problem in reentry practices, but I did lose the knife once when I was scrambling around on a reef after a small incident. I rebought the same knife. My only problem was I didn't maintain it well and although it was stainless steel, it apparently wasn't rustless steel. Every now and then I'd scrape off a layer of rust and sharpen it up. A couple months ago, I decided to buy a new one and was surprised to find it was now selling for only $12! For variety, I went with a lethal pointy tip this time, due to my friend Duane's recent encounter with a Great White!. I've already poked myself once! I thought of springing for a bit more cash to get a more rustproof steel version, but figured I couldn't go wrong at 12 bucks! I'm proud to say I was able to train myself into the new habit of removing it after every paddle and giving it a coat of WD. It is still as shiny as the day is new and ready to poke me in my future endeavors! Mark Sanders www.sandmarks.net On 12/13/2010 11:58 PM, PeterO wrote: > Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD, if so do you > tether it as well and in that event have you ever been injured by a tethered > knife? Also is their anyone out there with real life experience upside down > in a kayak using a knife? > > All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I was surprised to see such a query... Around here carrying cutting implements as a precautionary device is considered second nature. I was also surprised to realize how many I actually carry. My primary kife is an old Gerber with a clip on it which fits into a slot on a plastic sheath. This one's old, probably over 25 years by now but it is still in great shape. It is locked into a lashing strap on the left shoulder of my pfd and kept high so I can access it with either hand. The clip is kept on the inside (pfd side) --Still pressable with my thumb but not susceptible to being pushed by something external, such as a branch. I'd known a few people to have lost theirs in that fashion. However I don't use a yether line, feeling comfortable enough with this configuration. Alas, it is a double-edged kife with a sharp point and I have come to consider this a dangerous condition. I would now prefer a single-edged one. I'm ambivalent about a point. There have been a few situations where that may be important, such as piercing through a recalcitrant sprayskirt. To me, a screwdriver tip is not a factor with great immediacy. For such I carry a small multitool in a pocket; when I need one there is usually plenty of time. Besides that knife and a SpyderCo folding blade in a pfd pocket, I also have a seatbelt cutter on a belt loop of webbing and a carabiner. I also carry a drybad with Prusik knots, pulleys, and a Gerber folding saw. Does it get used? Rarely but you never know. I have seen the saw used twice, once to cut through the seat of a canoeist whose pinned boat collapsed and locked her legs beneath it in a pin, and in an older vertically pinned kayak where the paddler's legs had gone past the footpegs. The top of the boat was sawed open to get him out. --And there could be dangers as well. There was a well-known case here in the states where a sprayskirt could not be pulled and someone pierced it with a knife to rip it out. Unfortunately he accidentally stapped the victim's femoral artery and he bled to death. It's now recommended to cut a sprayskirt open Behind the paddler... On balance, would I recommend having one with you on the waer/ Absolutely. When you need one you really need one. Fortunately the only time I really used it in such a fashion was when I cut away entangling monofilament from the legs of a trapped bird... Joe P. (PS -- I like the looks of that BearClaw...) -----Original Message----- >From: Rich Kulawiec >> Do any Paddlewisers clip knives to a holster on their PFD, if so do you >> tether it as well and in that event have you ever been injured by a tethered >> knife? > >I carry two or three knives most of the time. One's in a holster >clipped to the outside of the PFD; the second is in one of the PFD's >pockets; the third is in a nylon rescue pouch that also has carabiners >and prussiks, and is usually clipped to my throwbag. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Joe wrote: >Fortunately the only time I really used it in such a fashion was when I cut away entangling monofilament from the legs of a trapped bird... And > Unfortunately he accidentally stapped the victim's femoral artery and he bled to death. It's now recommended to cut a sprayskirt open Behind the paddler. Bob wrote > a story spread that a rafting company made a number of their customers sick when they used their river knives for preparing food. Doug' wrote > Anybody wondering if anyone has ever used a knife in extremis upside-down might want to also wonder what the difference is between using a knife in a must-complete-this-cutting-task emergency right-side-up versus underwater. And > I carry four knives on my PFD! Beat that Brad!! One is big KA BAR Marine knife and the others are a set of three identical Ninja throwing knives. I decided to go to throwing knives after playing with pussy-kayaker Tekna and Gerber models for decades; G'day, I've written one or two spoofs in my time but that doesn't stop me from being a most gullible reader! Doug' you had me believing in your throwing knives for a third of your post! Regarding entanglement upside down vs. right side up. I've seen and heard of a knife being essential for a rescuer to cut free lines tangled on a rescuee's kayak but have never heard of anyone having to use a knife when capsized, although its often given in Oz as an example. I imagine this emphasis is because with two or three minutes available in extremis a knife would be the quickest and perhaps only method possible. After Bob's post on knife hygiene I'm starting to wonder about cutting oysters off rocks! "It was a bold man who first ate an oyster" (J.Swift). Like Joe, the only time I've used my knife in a rescue was on a beach in the Whitsundays when a sea eagle became entangled in a fishing line, the fisherman were just ignoring it and I was seriously angry, took my knife out and went to cut the bird free. Fortunately by the time I got there the eagle had freed itself and flew away. So did the fishermen. I must have looked wilder than normal holding the knife:~) The tally on tethering was four Paddlewisers who tethered and five who didn't with no accounts of tethering related accidents but a deadly incident described by Joe. Thanks for all the feedback. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Joe wrote: >Fortunately the only time I really used it in such a fashion was when I cut away entangling monofilament from the legs of a trapped bird... And > Unfortunately he accidentally stapped the victim's femoral artery and he bled to death. It's now recommended to cut a sprayskirt open Behind the paddler. Bob wrote > a story spread that a rafting company made a number of their customers sick when they used their river knives for preparing food. Peter, I've been off skiing with my two teens last few days = didn't get tip follow up with you here. I do tether my PFD knife; I use 1/8th shock cord specifically, about 16 inches. It's all a compromise. No, I can't throw my knife with a tether (though I suppose I could sling it like a rubber band elastic!). Peter, to me there is no upsidedown or rightside up in sea kayaking. There's no swimming and none-swimming option. It's a water sport. Deal with it. It's a cold-water sport here. Deal with it. Sometimes I'm immersed, sometimes there's no air temporarily while rotating on axis and off. Deal with it. Sometimes there's elements at work, unpredictable ones conspiring to make life difficult on, in, or under water. Deal with it. And I sat "deal with it" not in a pejorative way. Rather, equip yourself, train yourself, find the compromise in gear/expense/skill practice - whatever. Tethering a knife just works for me. I've written and interviewed and read reports and spoken with authorities and coroners and experience extremis events enough to know what is reasonable. Safe paddling always. Doug Doug' wrote > Anybody wondering if anyone has ever used a knife in extremis upside-down might want to also wonder what the difference is between using a knife in a must-complete-this-cutting-task emergency right-side-up versus underwater. And > I carry four knives on my PFD! Beat that Brad!! One is big KA BAR Marine knife and the others are a set of three identical Ninja throwing knives. I decided to go to throwing knives after playing with pussy-kayaker Tekna and Gerber models for decades; G'day, I've written one or two spoofs in my time but that doesn't stop me from being a most gullible reader! Doug' you had me believing in your throwing knives for a third of your post! Regarding entanglement upside down vs. right side up. I've seen and heard of a knife being essential for a rescuer to cut free lines tangled on a rescuee's kayak but have never heard of anyone having to use a knife when capsized, although its often given in Oz as an example. I imagine this emphasis is because with two or three minutes available in extremis a knife would be the quickest and perhaps only method possible. After Bob's post on knife hygiene I'm starting to wonder about cutting oysters off rocks! "It was a bold man who first ate an oyster" (J.Swift). Like Joe, the only time I've used my knife in a rescue was on a beach in the Whitsundays when a sea eagle became entangled in a fishing line, the fisherman were just ignoring it and I was seriously angry, took my knife out and went to cut the bird free. Fortunately by the time I got there the eagle had freed itself and flew away. So did the fishermen. I must have looked wilder than normal holding the knife:~) The tally on tethering was four Paddlewisers who tethered and five who didn't with no accounts of tethering related accidents but a deadly incident described by Joe. Thanks for all the feedback. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I wear a 5-pocket Palm buoyancy aid, so I store my Gerber River Shorty knife, in its sheath, in my lower right pocket (I'm right-handed). In addition, I tether it with a length of parachute cord just long enough that I can hold it in my outstretched hand. Never actually had to use it, however. Chuck Holst __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5703 (20101214) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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