The Best Sailing Knife [Updated 2022]

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A sailing knife is one of the oldest and most essential tools for sailing and by extension, for sailors. A knife is a multi-purpose tool that is needed daily on the deck.

Some of the many purposes of this hand tool include cutting, peeling, acting as a lifesaving tool, and other tasks that will make the practical work of sailing easy for any sailor whether a beginner or experienced.

There are different types of sailing knives and a non-exhaustive list of best sailing knives available on the market for purchase which may make it hard for anyone to make their choice on the appropriate sailing knife to purchase.
This guide, however, contains well-researched features that sailing knives should have, reviews of some of the best sailing knives, and FAQs on sailing knives to help you make the right choice on the right sailing knife to purchase.

 

 

 

Features that a sailing knife should have

 

Although a sailing knife is a cutting tool, it is much more than that and should contain certain features that make it the perfect choice for you based on your need.

Below are certain features a sailing knife should have;

 

Shackle Tool

 

All sailing knives should have a shackle tool which makes it easy for sailors to perform rigging tasks such as attaching sails to rigging and unlocking the clevis.

Sailors usually require this tool and you should ensure that you purchase one that is convenient and comfortable enough for you to carry out your duties with the knife.

 

 

Knife Sheath

 

This is one of the most important features of a sailing knife because it allows you to carry your knife easily while ensuring that your body is safely protected.

Due to the purpose of the knife, the comfort, and texture of the sheath are critical in your choice of the knife to purchase.

Ensure you purchase a knife sheath that you feel comfortable in while wearing it and a sheath that has a good grip on the texture.

Your knife sheath should also allow you to have a quick and easy sailing knife when you need to access it.

 

 

Multi-functionality

 

A multi-functional knife is always an advantage to any sailor. This means that you have a versatile hand tool that reduces the need for you to purchase different knives for different purposes.

 

 

Marlinspike

 

While some sailors don’t consider marlinspikes to be as important as they used to be, they are still a very useful feature for a sailing knife to have.

This is because nowadays, a lot of ropes are usually shaped into different loops already unlike in times past when ropes made of cotton, or triple-braided nylon were used which had to be untied and tied again to form different loops.

A marlinspike is used to unweave rope strands to form new shapes such as a loop, untie knots and draw marline tight, and to quickly loosen up tight knots and may still come in handy for sailors.

 

 

Best Sailing Knives Products

 

1. Spyderco Atlantic Salt Rust Free Serrated Edge Knife

 

The Spyderco knife is high-quality precipitation hardened Japanese steel made from H1-steel which protects it against rust due to the nitrogen content.
Weighing 2.75 ounces and with a dimension of 6.5 x 2.5 x 1 inch, the Spyderco has a blade length of 3.6 inches and an overall length of 8.25 inches.

 

The serrated hollow-ground blade is impervious to corrosion and has a remarkable cutting edge whether it be in fresh or saltwater.

Sailors who are either right or left-handed can be assured of a firm grip on the knife due to the molded fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) and the reversible pocket clip attached to the knife.

Pros

• Highly visible yellow-colored handle
• Corrosion-resistant and rust-free
• Superior quality and durable
• Easy to open with one hand
• Excellent grip
• Affordable price

Cons

• The knife may seem to be too sharp for some users
• Some users may find the blade difficult to sharpen

 

Recommendation

 

“The Spyderco serrated knife possesses a superior quality and high-performance cutting quality that stands it out from other sailing knives.

For users who will find themselves around fresh and saltwater, the corrosion-resistant and rust-free properties of the Spyderco knife make it a perfect fit.”

 

 

2.  Victorinox Swiss Army RangerGrip Boatsman Multi-Tool Pocket Knife

 

The Victorinox Swiss Army pocket knife is a great quality utility knife made in Switzerland.

Made of stainless steel construction, the pocket knife which has a compact and slim profile is extremely resistant. The steel is tempered, annealed, and polished providing hardness and resistance to corrosion.

 

 

Weighing 9.5 ounces and with a dimension of 5.1 x 0.8 x 0.65 inches, the Victorinox pocket knife is lightweight meaning you can carry it on you easily and well designed to guarantee the user against defects in material and workmanship.

It is a multi-tool knife that can be trusted to carry out multiple functions including a key ring, can opener, needle-nosed plier, screwdriver, marlinspike and deliver in any situation.

 

Pros

• Top quality
• Durable construction
• Compact design
• Multi-purpose tool

Cons

• Short length which makes it too short for practical use
• Some users may find it too big and heavy

 

Recommendation

 

” The Victorinox Swiss Army RangerGrip Boatsman Multi-Tool Pocket Knife is one of the best multi-tool pocket knives made of trusted quality and durable.

Its 22 multi-purpose function makes it the best fit for users seeking to purchase an all-in-one knife that can serve different functions and save the stress of purchasing multiple knives.”

 

 

3.  Maxam Sailor’s Tool

 

The Maxam Sailor’s tool is a high-powered and effective multi-function knife. Made of stainless steel, the knife has a sleek, rugged, and compact design that makes it a functional tool to possess.

Weighing 2.6 ounces and with a dimension of 1 x 1 x 1inches, the Maxam Sailor’s knife which has a 5 cm ruler on one side and a 2-inch ruler on the other side measures 6.125 inches long when opened and 3.75 inches when closed.

 

 

The knife is designed to give users fast and easy access and can function as camping, fishing, hunting, and sailing tools. Due to its robust marlinspike running along the spine, it can be used to pick lines, loosen difficult knots.
It makes for just the perfect present for any outdoor lover and is a reliable and affordable survival tool.

 

Pros

• Low cost and affordable
• Multi-function knife
• Stainless steel
• Possesses marlinspike to help untie wet knots

Cons

• Low quality compared to other sailing knives means that you will have to change it every few months especially if you use them regularly
• May feel too small for some users and can easily get lost

 

Recommendation

 

“The Maxam Sailor’s Tool is a great multi-function tool and it is suitable for users who want to purchase a backup tool to their mail sailing knife.”

 

 

4. Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife

 

The Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife is a stainless-steel knife that contains a marlinspike, shackle key, stainless steel blade, lanyard loop, and screwdriver.

 

 

Weighing 1.76 ounces and with a dimension of 6 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches, the Davis rigging knife has a compact design that makes it a functional and useful tool to go along with when going sailing, fishing, hiking, and hunting.

 

Pros

• Affordable
• Made of stainless steel and durable
• Contains marlinspike that helps to untie wet knots

Cons

• Some users may experience difficulty locking the blade although the spring should be able to help hold it in place
• The edge of the knife may be rough with bits of metal still attached

 

Recommendation

 

“The Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife is an affordable tool that users can use for multiple functions and trust it to deliver when needed.

Users who are constantly sailing would find this knife most useful especially with the marlinspike a great advantage.”

 

 

5.  Camillus 6.5” Carbonitride Titanium Folding Marlinspike Knife

 

The Camillus Carbonitride Titanium Folding knife is a Japanese tool made with high-quality premium materials.
With its blade made of VG10 steel which is bonded with carbonitriding titanium, the blade possesses a rust and corrosion-resistant property that ensures that the blade remains sharp and durable over a long period.

 

The Camillus knife which weighs 3.53 ounces has a dimension of 10 x 6 x 1 inch, a full length of 6.5 inches, and a Sheepsfoot length of 2.5 inches.

Featuring an extremely robust and rigid marlinspike, the folding knife is made of multiple layers of fiberglass and alloy steel at the blades.

The handle of the marlinspike contains durable G10 with the handle of the Sheepsfoot blade also containing VG10 steel that locks in with a robust liner lock.

 

Pros

• 10x harder than untreated steel
• Durable and long-lasting
• Contains a marlinspike
• Lightweight and reliable

Cons

• A one-handed operation is more difficult
• Some users may not find it sharp enough

 

Recommendation

 

” The Camillus Carbonitride Titanium Folding knife is one of the best sailing knives available for purchase in the market due to its superior quality and multiple functions.

Users who need a high-quality multiple function first choice knife will find a perfect choice purchasing this knife.”

 

 

6.  Myerchin Generation 2 Captain Pro

 

The Myerchin Generation 2 Captain Pro is made of the best quality materials to ensure that the knife provides a high-quality performance whenever needed.

 

Weighing 9.6 ounces, the 5 x 5 x 5  inches knife features a Sheepsfoot blade, black nylon belt sheath, locking marlinspike, and shackle slot.

The blade of the Myerchin Generation 2 knife is made of German steel and satin finish that makes it great for cutting ropes easily.

With its handle made from Fiberglass, the knife is durable and lightweight.

 

 

Pros

• Easy to open the blade
• Durable
• Quality materials
• Affordable
• Partially Serrated

Cons

• The marlinspike opens too easily

 

Recommendation

 

“The Myerchin Generation 2 Captain Pro guarantees it, users of a great performance, whenever it is used and its features make it outstanding for users who love to go sailing and want to purchase a knife of great quality.”

 

 

7.  Multifunction Sailor Knife

 

The Multifunction Sailor knife is a stainless-steel hand tool that has an engraved handle with a ruler on both its sides in inches and centimeters.

 

 

Weighing 5.6 ounces, the 4.61 x 1.73 x 0.94 inches knife has 4 functions. It can be used as a can opener, an awl to untie knots, scissors to open the shackles, and as a blade.

The knife is equipped with a ring that makes it easy to be hooked to a carabiner and a pocket marlinspike.

 

Pros

• Multifunction knife
• Lightweight and can easily be carried around
• Contains multiple features

Cons

• The knife may not be useful as a can opener for all occasions

 

 

Recommendation

 

“The Multifunction Sailor knife is a lightweight hand tool that is just ideal for users who love to go sailing and camping.”

Without a doubt, the Multifunction sailing knife is a versatile hand tool that is essential for any sailor to have when sailing. While there are different sailing knives available, it is important to ensure that you purchase a knife suitable for you.

Certain features such as ease of access, reliability, quality, and grip are non-negotiable and should be on top of your checklist which makes the Multifunction sailing the knife to purchase.

Remember that when sailing, especially in wet and unpleasant conditions, your choice of the perfect knife for you will be tested and you want to be certain that you made the right choice.

A thorough read of this guide will assist you to make the best choice.

 

 

FAQs

 

 

Is it legal to carry a knife on a boat?

 

Yes! Every sailor should carry on his belt or in his pocket with sharp knives also strategically placed around the boat in case of emergencies. The knife kept in your pocket or on your belt should have a blade of 4 inches or smaller.
If you are on a privately owned boat, however, be sure to confirm with the owner to be certain that knives are allowed.

 

Does the sea make knives rust faster?

 

It depends on the material your knife is made of and the type of water you’re sailing in. For example, H1 steel is made to be almost 100% rust-resistant and therefore would not rust fast even when it comes in contact with water.
Also, certain knives react under saltwater and rust faster when they are used in this type of water.

 

How to determine the sharpness of the blade

 

The sharpness of your blade can be determined by using it to cut the type of material you intend to cut before you purchase it or go out with it.
If the blade cannot cut the material, then you will know the sharpness and can either decide to try to sharpen it to see if it will still be able to cut it.

 

How to clean your knife

 

Different knives have different cleaning procedures and techniques depending on the type of material it is made of.
Most knives typically require you to rinse with fresh water only to clean them. However, ensure you check the instructions before cleaning your knife to avoid corrosion.