Boating knife.

[Armored farmer]

Yes, I have(had)....a boating knife. It is (was) an Eafengro tanto bladed, blood grooved bada$$ looking flipper that I have used as my boating/ swimming/ rope cutting knife for probably 3years.
I had it on our recent two-lake Tennessee vacation and I don't think it made it home. It is quite likely at the bottom of Dale Hollow lake.
I have plenty of knives to choose from to replace it with, but I was pretty fond of that big tanto.
I'm not saying that I will buy a replacement knife, but I will entertain ideas and thoughts about a replacement knife for the job.
Economical is a must because any replacement will possibly wind up on the bottom of another lake.
*Let's say $50 or less.
*Grippy scales
*Pocket clip
*One hand opening
* stainless
*medium to large size

 

[hso]

Define what type of boating you're talking about.

I grew up and live on a large lake. I used to be a whitewater kayaker. I used to sail. Canoe. Knives for those activities are somewhat different.

 

[danez71]

Mora floating knife will solve the bottom of the lake issue and checks most of the boxes.... also maybe not at all what you were thinking

It is what I would consider mildly serrated and has a blunted tip and a cork grip . Oh, yellow or orange.

So there's all that.

Fwiw, I gave one to my Dad about a yr ago. I know he's used it at least once. He said it 'cut right through' some ski rope (something to that effect)

 

[the Black Spot]

Crkt m16 series

 

[.38 Special]

I am using the "Gill Marine Tool" for sailing. It is primarily designed for rope work, and so far has done what I want it to.



Some of the hard-core dinghy racers I know - and that is a very wet sport - carry fixed-blade scuba knives strapped to accessible locations on their bodies. Such tools are about as rust-proof as you can get, but probably are somewhat limited in functionality. The sailors, who are physically attached to their boats, carry them primarily so that they can cut themselves free in an emergency.

 

[Old Dog]

Economical is a must because any replacement will possibly wind up on the bottom of another lake.
*Let's say $50 or less.

I get the concept of a good marine knife, but the only folders I feel meet your parameters -- other than price point -- are the Spyderco Salt series. Most of them are probably $50 to $100 over your budget. But they come in yellow, orange, lime green, offer terrific corrosion resistance... but... if you lose one in the lake, it might sting a bit.
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/category/salt-series

I prefer fixed blades for water-based applications. The military gave me a couple of these and I still like them. They do, however, not float well. Actually, they sink quickly. Of course, we carried a marlinspike separately...

 

[ms6852]

I love tanto blades and love cold steel for your kind of use. I recently purchase the tanto neck knife, for the money it is verrrrry nice.

 

[ms6852]

Also I bought 3 of these neck knives. The handles are grippier for cutting fish.

 

[rust collector]

I would just go with an inexpensive Mora companion. The sheath clips on the belt, knife is always ready, and cost is $17.

 

[MJD]

For about 25 bucks, the Mora floating knives are great. There is a serrated version as well. Fixed blade though, in case that's non-negotiable.

Link: Mora

 

[Armored farmer]

Bear in mind that this exercise is just for fun.

Define what type of boating you're talking about.

I do all sorts of boating, from kayak to the occasional offshore fishing or sightseeing trip. Most generally we are in our 19'ski boat pulling skiers or tubers.


My ideal boating/ swimming knife is a folder that clips in the pocket of my swimming shorts and could quickly cut through an anchor line or a ski rope should the need arise. And also just for general cutting purposes .

 

[Lefty38-55]

My ideal boating/ swimming knife is a folder that clips in the pocket of my swimming shorts and could quickly cut through an anchor line or a ski rope should the need arise. And also just for general cutting purposes .

That's what I use, a folding rigging knife with a serrated blade and an integral belt clip. I used to get these for $12 from a boat store I worked at and the steel was very, very good. Never count on a non-serrated blade to cut a wet line! I defy one to try and cut a years old/immersed lobstah pot warp with a straight-edge blade!



Offshore, everyone fishing wears one of these Rapala 'bait knives' on a break-away lanyard around their neck, where the lanyard will give away under tension and won't choke them. ... 'tis always good to have a knife on you when de fish pulls youse overboard ... yikes! They are cheap knives, aren't for daily use or will dull quickly, but they can be sharpened well enough to serve for their at ready/emergency use.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Back when I was kayakin, I'd carry my old diving knife.
I don't kayak much now. as the Rio Grande is not conducive to this sport.
Too much lead in the air... .

 

[entropy]

Inexpensive?
Folding?
Tanto?
Kind of grippy?

Cold Steel Oyabun Folding Knife 3.5 Tanto 4034 SS Stainless Blade

The Cold Steel Oyabun Folding Knife is the product of Lynn Thompson and Andrew Demko trying to come up with a folding knife that closely emulates Cold...

www.midwayusa.com

On sale, even.

 

[jmorris]

This knife has probably been in and on the water more than any other I have. One handed, positive and audible latching system and the rest is stainless steel but in the last few decades a Leatherman has beaten it out.

Really depends on what potential job it’s for.

 

[troy fairweather]

Kershaw leek Serrated may full into the budget

 

[CapnMac]

That Gill pictured above is likely a good candidate--other than not having a belt clip.
https://www.gillmarine.com/accessories/marine-tools/

Wichard Offshore Knife could be a contender, too (again, w/o clip)

Leatherman has a hybrid, the Free K2, which does have a clip, but does not feature serrations for aggressive rope cutting. And no dedicated shackle wrench.

Enablers? Us? Nuh-uh!

 

[jmr40]

When I kayak I use a Mora with a small chain through the sheath and worn as a neck knife. It is hard to access and open/close a folder from my pocket or a fixed blade worn on the belt when seated in a kayak. They are cheap enough that I won't cry if it gets dropped overboard and the rubber grip helps prevent that.

Morakniv Eldris LightDuty

www.smkw.com

This is a good size and there is even a hole in the bottom of the sheath for a chain.

If you want something a little larger the Kansbol sheath is also made with holes for a chain and the belt loop is removeable. This is actually my overall favorite Mora.

MoraKniv Kansbol Orange Fixed Blade Knife

www.smkw.com

 

[gwpercle]

Kershaw Fatback #1935
one handed Speed Safe opening
one handed liner lock closing
Grippy scales , Tactical Design
3.5" blade , 1935-Plain or serrated edge
4 position pocket clip
Slim profile , 3.6 oz wt.
The knife feel good in the hand ... I love the grip it provides
This is a slim knife that isn't bulky ... easy to carry .

Best part $29.00 from Amazon

This is the best 30 dollar knife you will ever own and it has a Limited Lifetime Warranty .
I have one and will buy another for my fishing knife ... if it somehow slips out of my grip and into the water ...30 dollars will not make me cry !
Gary

 

[Mizar]

Spyderco has a budget line of knives called "Byrd" - made in China, 8Cr13MoV steel (not great, not bad either) with adequate heat treating. They have a couple "rescue" models - fully serrated sheepsfoot blades, back lock, polymer handles with the same aggressive pattern as original Spydercos and with a price bellow $50. What's not to like?

 

[hso]

from kayak

Lake instead of whitewater I assume.

Your $50 limit with clip folder is pretty constraining, but here's a raft of options to choose from.

https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?listingid=1298&a=folder&min_price=0&max_price=50&sortType=priceDe&style=Clip+Point%7CDrop+Point%7CReverse+Tanto%7CTanto%7CWharncliffe%7CHarpoon%7CRescue%7CRecurve%7CSheepsfoot%7CSpear+Point&itemNum=90

Start half way down page 3 here. https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Pocket...er:opener:Thumb+Hole/filter:opener:Thumb+Stud

 

[chickasaw_hunter]

I've had a Gerber River Shorty on my PFD for years now. Works for canoes and rafts.

River Shorty | Gerber

An excellent water sports knife, it meets the unique needs of rafting, paddling, and diving. The deliberately blunt tip makes it perfect for water excursions. Learn more here.

www.gerbergear.com

 

[Ranger99]

Wallyworld used to ( still has maybe?)
a 3-4 dollar " mora" in the fishing section as
a bait knife. After failing the Opinel
flotation test, I no longer have anything
but inexpensive expendable knives
out on a boat. Some time back
wallyworld had a bunch of cheapo
fillet knives out on clearance in the
fishing aisle for 25 cents each, and
I bought all they had. We'll have one
at each corner of the boat for access
by anyone needing one quick.
I keep a couple for kitchen use for
a thin blade vegetable slicer. Works
good for onions and maters

 

[Speedo66]

Why not get a real saling knife from a company that makes real sailing knives, Myerchin?

Here’s one for $45 with a serrated edge, Marlin spike, locking blade and locking Marlinspike, pliers, one hand opening, snd yes, a belt clip.

P300BL: "Sailor's Tool" Blue Handle - Myerchin Marine Inc.

Now Generation 2 with improved design features for even greater rugged utility. High visibilityBlue Aluminum handle slabs. Stainless steel frame. Double Lock (securely locks blade, spike, or both). Includes Ballistic nylon sheath, 440 C stainless steel 3/4 Serrated blade, 1/4 Traditional...

myerchin.com

 

[sgt127]

Way over your budget. But, a knife literally designed for the USCG for use in any Maritime condition. I have the black version. It’s a stunning knife. With a bunch of cool factor.

I’d definitely put a lanyard on it though.