Do you carry a knife when non-surf SUPing?

[weldernot]

I SUP in Iowa on creeks, rivers, and lakes.  I come to SUP as a whitewater kayaker and canoer and therefore consider my pfd (Astral Greenjacket) with my attached whistle and attached knife as part of my paddling gear no matter what craft I’m paddling.  I have used my knife many times for cutting free fishing line, fishing lures, bobbers, and sinkers (snagged on tree limbs, not on me); none of which should be left behind as hazards for wildlife (or hazards for other paddlers).  I have been fortunate enough not to have needed my knife during any whitewater rescue activities.  My pfd attached knife is a CRKT Renner Neckolas 2391, a blunt tip fixed blade with serrations.  It is short and light (5.38 inches total, 2.2 ounces knife and sheath) and has a finger-ring insert (might not be a good choice for someone with big hands, especially if wearing paddling gloves).  I do find dealing with where to carry fishing trash trickier SUPing than kayaking or canoeing.

Aside from considering a cutting tool an important safety item when the possibility of entanglement with ropes or lines may be present, a cutting tool is a potentially useful survival and first aid related tool.  Shelter from adverse weather conditions is an important survival item, and a cutting tool can be useful towards creating shelter.  From a first aid standpoint, a cutting implement can be useful when improvising splints and splint securing material.

If one considers “outside the surf zone” to mean anywhere other than the surf zone, then shore related cutting implement uses may be relevant to the original inquiry.

[upwinder]

I can't think of any reason to carry a knife...

Fishing?

(and sometimes those little sauce sachets can be reluctant to open  )

[surfcowboy]

I carry a knife everyday and I use it everyday. As a tool, not a weapon.

When I paddle flatwater or open ocean I have one on my PFD, as Bill mentioned, nets, boat lines etc. Anyone who's ever worked on a boat wouldn't go on the water without a blade to clear fouled lines.

Not even a sharp point on mine, it's a folding seatbelt cutter like cops carry with a strap and clip.

I carry a whistle and a lightstick inside my pfd, just to make the Coast Guard mad if they stop me.  And I'll probably stash a small survival kit in there with a space blanket as soon as I find a nice small one. Just cause I like being the guy they find safe in the morning instead of the dude floating face down at the end of his leash.

[spookini]

Zoners:

I am currently doing some data-collection on drag, flutter, and coefficient of BS in regards to optimal knife blade design for SUPing.  

I will soon post the findings on my website (xtreme-cheese), and source production out to a facility in China, staffed by iPad workers who've recovered from their suicide attempts.

I haven't set a final price yet -- I'm thinking 4 figures.  Then it'll be up to you ZONErs to snap them up like candy and rave "OMG, its the best knife I've ever owned!!"  

 

[PonoBill]

Link didn't work. this is the guy. Made by David Boye. Dendritic stainless steel.

I do like good stuff.

Spook--too funny. You're not taking over for Ivan are you?

[Strand Leper]

Spookini,

I pm'ed you my credit card information.

Can't wait bro!

Tim

[robcasey]

in my years of non surf (and non river) kayaking and now sup, i only used a knife for:

- cutting fishing lines mainly to remove garbage or hope marine life don't get caught in what i can't remove entirely.

- using the blunt tip as a flat tip screwdriver for adjusting or removing fins. 

for rivers - different story, good to always have one on ya. 

rc

[spookini]

Ok, I was going to post this to my auxiliary website (Que,Narwal?), but the server appears to be down.  For now, I've put this up on youTube.  Bear in mind, it's just a rough prototype at this point -- the military-grade kevlar is on back-order, so I had to make do.


SUP KNIFE


First impressions:  I have to say this thing spreads better than expected.  I have no pain* in my elbows or shoulders.


* (I do have pain/swelling in my wrist, but that is due to factors completely unrelated to SUP-knife.  It's more of a "chronic" condition, dating back to adolescence...)

[1tuberider]

No knife for me while paddling.

I guess its ok if you are on an expedition model or as mentioned fishing.

[SoCalSupper]

only blade up steel side when i sup with SL-he attracts sharks and angry locals!
Plus since hes gone primal he hits a certain point during our sessions-usually around the 4 hour mark-that his eyes glaze over and the lack of sugar in his diet makes him half crazed, and since i have been known to paddle with a snickers in my boardies pocket-i need something to protect myself!
Seriously though..
Really?-a knife whilst you paddle?-guess it makes since if you are exploring/fishing.

[surfcowboy]

Rob really hit it. Cleanup is the thing it's for mostly, lines, plastic, I can't stand to see old fouled stuff in the ocean waiting to catch some poor animal/fish.

I guess I really am a janitor like all the proners say.

[melonhead]

I'm leaning towards a Spyderco Saver Salt. Great brand, no pointed tip that could cut accidentally, serrated blade.

Menlo,

I have that exact knife, and I love it.  I actually have 3 of the salt series (I also have the pacific salt and the atlantic salt) and all three are great.  I leave the saver clipped to my PFD because it's a little smaller and use the other two when kayaking or fishing.

I'm surprised at how many zoners think carrying a knife while flatwater SUPing is strange - whenever I'm on the water I carry a knife.  Stays on the PFD at all times, and the PFD is usually on me.

Spookini - I spent ten minutes wiping coffee off  my keyboard  thanks to you.  That's gold Jerry, gold!

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

Why bring a knife when you can carry a light saber?

[madmax]

I'm surprised at how many zoners think carrying a knife while flatwater SUPing is strange - whenever I'm on the water I carry a knife.  Stays on the PFD at all times, and the PFD is usually on me.[/quote]

Yeah,  I'm not sure what's Cali humor or BIIIIIG cultural and regional differences.  Most of the guys I know carry a knife everyday.  Just like a wallet.  NOBODY thinks of them as a weapon.
I always carry a knife when paddling a kayak or canoe.  Don't see a difference on a SUP ( NO not when surfing...I'm not THAT redneck! )

[PonoBill]

I suspect you're either a knife guy, or you're not. Or to put it more succinctly, you're either a knife guy, or you're a drawstring pants and sandals, oh-so-sensitive, flatulent vegan commie.



This is my desk drawer. I have knives scattered everywhere. If I don't have one within stroking distance I feel like I've slipped at least one rung down the food chain.

For you knife guys, a little blade porno.


Yes, that's a Benchmade Elishewitz katana tip switchblade--legal ONLY in Oregon. Wonderful knife.  And that's a David Boye custom hunter.

And for you bike guys, yes, you're right, that's a kickstart axle and weld-on kick lever spline repair for a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow.