Nantucket Skiff Blog

Boating Knives

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As I have grown older and become slightly wiser, my knife of choice has changed. The "best" knife for boating does not exist. It is a preference.

Some of the things I have used my knife for:

• Cutting fishing line
• Cutting heavy lines that have become jammed
• Saved a seagull 
• Sawed away splintered wood and fiberglass
• Used the handle to bang out cotter pins
• Used the handle to bang bent metal
• Used the tip to spin a screw if time was of the essence
• Cut dinner
• Cut lines caught on props and rudders

Accessibility- How accessible your knife is very important. A lot of boaters store their knives down in some deep dark cubby. The problems with this are that when you really need a knife you need it fast. I always keep mine clipped onto the most outer piece of clothing I have on. This means that if I put on foul weather pants I take my knife off my shorts and then put the knife into a pocket on my foulies. If you do not like carrying the knife look around your boat and find a good place that you can easily stow your knife.

If you are going to put the knife in a cubby it might not hurt to put it in a zip-loc bag. Three things about that will help. The bag will help keep moisture out. If you are on salt water this is especially important. You can use the bag for preventative maintenance and spray WD-40 into it so your knife always has some lubricant. The final and most important thing you can use the bag to help you find the knife. Purchase a few of the multi-colored bags. Use the red bag for your knife. Now you have something larger to look for when you need it. 

Another option for a very accessible knife is to permanently it. Below is a good knife for this purpose. The sheath lets you use either a ziptie for around something or four small wood screws with a washer.  

Safety Knife with Sheath 

I have seen a few skiff owners attach the knife on the seat back. 

 Where to mount a knife on a Nantucket Skiff

Blunt Tip vs. Pointed Tip

I have found that using a blunt tip knife fits my needs the best It is a bit safer to handle this type of knife in rough conditions. The below knife has a fully serrated blade with a blunt tip. It is the exact knife I currently use.  

 Gerber EZ-Rescue

Serrated vs. Strait Blade

Strait blades are more durable and easy to sharpen. Serrated blades are a bit lighter and better for cutting rope or sawing at items. My choice on this option is serrated. The time that you want your knife the most is when you are sawing at a line that is caught and about to cause harm. 

Overall have a knife on board, know where it is and keep it well maintained.