Cut away knives. Bear Claw revisited.

[flyrob]

[quote="Mr_Weetabix"
This would worry me - I know that your finger isn't on the sharp edge, but I reckon that it could slip onto it pretty easily when wet - particularly when being dragged through the watert.[/quote]



My thought exactly. How are you going to grasp that thing and get your fingers right when you are being yanked and jerked upside down by a tangled kite?

[JMF]

This would worry me - I know that your finger isn't on the sharp edge, but I reckon that it could slip onto it pretty easily when wet - particularly when being dragged through the water. I guess you could practice pulling and handling the knife to reduce the risk (but do it in private, otherwise policemen will come to take you away).

This seems more appropriate. Similar principal to the "standard" hook knife, no screws or other fiddly bits, robust, shiny enough to satisfy kiter gadget lust.

We nit picking now. Weetabix I was just pointing out to a previous posted that it could be held as a traditional knife.

I also looked at extractor and would be a ideal replacement for traditional hook knife far superior. But although I have not seen a real world example the hook does not look like it would have space to cut a centre line.

Guys anything is better than nothing is what I'm pointing out. I've used the Bear Claw and it's the best option I could find in my location. Sure there might be better options. So go out buy them post your findings.

[Mr_Weetabix]

I think the risk of losing some dexterity in an emergency due to slashing my own fingers is more than a nit-pick. Probably not impossible to solve, though - note that the handle of Mr Stallone's knife is shaped to keep his fingers off the sharp part.

I'm interested to know which lines people have cut in emergencies - I always assumed that if I had to cut something, it would be one or more of the flying lines. I'm trying to imagine a situation in which you wouldn't be able to use your QR, and would need to cut the centre line (which, I accept, might require a bigger knife, as would cutting a leash).

[JMF]

I think the risk of losing some dexterity in an emergency due to slashing my own fingers is more than a nit-pick. Probably not impossible to solve, though - note that the handle of Mr Stallone's knife is shaped to keep his fingers off the sharp part.

I'm interested to know which lines people have cut in emergencies - I always assumed that if I had to cut something, it would be one or more of the flying lines. I'm trying to imagine a situation in which you wouldn't be able to use your QR, and would need to cut the centre line (which, I accept, might require a bigger knife, as would cutting a leash).

If you pop your chicken loop you will not be able to cut your flying lines as the bar will run up what ever flagging system your kite has making getting at your flying lines impossible. Mine mini 5th line Bandit 4.

I was looking at something over and above standard hook knife to cut away what ever needs to be cut in a emergency. Your harness or centre line for example. A standard type hook knife will not help in these situations IMO.

If given the choice I would always go for centre line in a emergency. It's cheaper first off than going for flying lines. Secondly it's instant power off.

[RichardM]

I think the risk of losing some dexterity in an emergency due to slashing my own fingers is more than a nit-pick. Probably not impossible to solve, though - note that the handle of Mr Stallone's knife is shaped to keep his fingers off the sharp part.

I'm interested to know which lines people have cut in emergencies - I always assumed that if I had to cut something, it would be one or more of the flying lines. I'm trying to imagine a situation in which you wouldn't be able to use your QR, and would need to cut the centre line (which, I accept, might require a bigger knife, as would cutting a leash).

I think the most likely line needing to cut would be a flying line wrapped around a foot. Not only is it relatively easy to get a slack line wrapped around a foot while trying to relaunch, but if the kite should then relaunch, it will be out of control (probably spiraling) and dragging the kiter by his foot.

It will be very difficult to reach the line, especially with a harness on and it is likely to be especially hard to breath because it is relatively easy for water to be forced up your nose. Therefore, untangling the line will not be an option and a knife will be about the ONLY solution.

Anything that prevents the CL QR from working might necessitate cutting the CL line. Especially if the line itself was caught on the spreader or something else attached to the kiter.

It should also be remembered that there are ALWAYS completely UNANTICIPATED scenarios which can develop and some of these could easily involve problems with the CL line.

Richard M.
Malibu Kitesurfing - since 2002
(310) - 430 - KITE (5483)
http://www.MalibuKitesurfing.NET
kfRichard@MalibuKitesurfing.NET

[longwhitecloud]

the double blade hook knifes smoke it. knife supplied with harnesses often don't even cut leader lines - nowhere near close and go rusty - waste of time . On teh good ones for parachuting uhe double blades are hinged (with plastic body) on those other ones so as they cut they open up - blade 100% new for whole cut - cuts through a 5mm leader like its a thread of cotton....

[Kamikuza]

How about this? http://www.colonialknifecorp.com/Auto_T ... _hook.html

[Laughingman]

This is what I use.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/8MED

[OzBungy]

I have used my hook knife in anger once when a line got wrapped around my foot during a squall with winds over 60 knots. I was not in trouble but I could have been so I cut the line. I had no intention of waiting to see what happened. I cut through three lines and they parted instantly. The knife was the standard Cabrinha knife and had been sitting in my harness for a couple of years.

During the squall I had the kite released to the safety leash. The tangle happened while I was working out how to make the kite safe. I did not want to completely release the kite even though I was on a beach where it would have been safe enough to do it. A touch ironically, once the kite was free it rolled over and depowered in the shore break and I was able to walk over and grab it.

In my opinion a normal V-blade hook knife is fine for anything you are likely to need to cut and the situations where you really need to cut something.

As I have posted earlier in this thread, having a sharp open-bladed knife in the water with you is creating a more dangerous situation than the problem you are trying to solve.

I have recently upgraded my harness and bought a new Mystic hook knife for my old (now spare) harness. The new Cabrinha knives have a more acute angle and longer blade on them. Realistically, if you rinse the knife from time to time and replace the knife when you upgrade your harness you are going to be more than safe enough.

[uncle sammy]

The Mystic knife that i got with my Warrior harness works great.