Cheap Knives

Two cheap knives worthy of mention... I have several of the $1 Walmart knifes that can be found in the camping accessories area. As purchased it is a safety knife but I've taken a few of them to the grinding wheel to remove the serrations on the blade which then makes it a more normal knife for general use. It has a black plastic handle with a clip and a locking blade.


The other interesting knife was found at Harbor Freight last night. It was $4 but I think it is on sale and is normally priced $5. Looks like a good tool for dealing with a tight knot.

I really don't want to be rude, but I was taught that you must know how to untie your knots, or you shouldn't be on rope.

Yes some knots do get very difficult to untie, but one should understand two things, first a property of nearly all rope is that it stiffens as it is twisted. If one is unable to push line into a knot, twist the line and try again, this almost always works. Secondly, every knot has one thing in common, a twist somewhere in it's workings. Pushing that loop away from the knot has the effect of loosening the knot.

Keep the knives away from your rope always, unless you are retireing it. The only reason you should have a knife in the tree is if you need it for some rescue scenario, and even then I'd urge you to consider all other options first.

Sharp objects and loaded ropes are recipies for disaster.

icabod wrote:
I really don't want to be rude, but I was taught that you must know how to untie your knots, or you shouldn't be on rope.

Hmmm... I still think it is an interesting knife. I believe it is intended for sailing. As a kayaker I always carry a knife on my vest and as a climber I will always carry one on my belt.

Davej wrote:

Looks like a good tool for dealing with a tight knot.

Perhaps you were just joking, but...

In 20+ years of rock climbing, rescue, SAR, and now tree climbing, I have NEVER cut a rope because I couldn't get a knot out.

Knives, just like saws, in trees, around rope can be very, VERY dangerous if you are not extremely careful and know exactly what you are doing.

I believe he was probably talking about the smooth Awl style tool on that knife for working a very tight knot loose.

I've never had much problem with climbing lines being to tightly knotted to untie though.

Carl

A rigging/yachtsman's knife does have a marlin spike, but safe as it may be in the hands of an expert, I'm not too into the possibility of jabbing things into my rope.

IMO...You shouldn't tie it if you can't untie it.

A rigging/yachtsman's knife does have a marlin spike, but safe as it may be in the hands of an expert, I'm not too into the possibility of jabbing things into my rope.

IMO...You shouldn't tie it if you can't untie it.

Baker wrote:
In 20+ years of rock climbing, rescue, SAR, and now tree climbing, I have NEVER cut a rope because I couldn't get a knot out.

Yet in your professional capacity I would bet $$$$ you are REQUIRED to carry a knife, and no, people don't casually cut $150 ropes for no reason, and they certainly don't cut the rope they are hanging on.

I said I've never used a knife because I couldn't get a knot undone. I didn't say I've never used a knife on a rope. Remember, I DID cut the hanging victim down.

Davej wrote:

don't casually cut $150 ropes for no reason, and they certainly don't cut the rope they are hanging on.

You'd be suprised Dave, it's why they call them \"accidents\". Really dude, we are trying to keep you safe here, not to beat you up. If you insist on carrying a knife when you climb, make sure it's secure, and put away. It only needs to be available for use should something go really wrong.

Climb safe dude.

icabod wrote:
It only needs to be available for use should something go really wrong.

Well, yes! I'm certainly not going to carry it in my teeth!

I carry my Leatherman tool pretty much everywhere including up trees. Its kinda heavy and bulky but its something I have carried on my person daily since 6th grade (yes I carried a knife in school, this is northern Minnesota after all)so its pretty much an extension of my body.

It started as a normal leatherman supertool, then a wave, and now a charge.