Not crazy about the idea
of a belt knife on the rather thin and flexible straps of a PFD. A good belt scabbard needs the support of a good belt to keep the knife from flopping around, snagging, etc. Any scabbard that will hold the knife well (that I can think of) will probably not work well on the PFD strap.
I’m liking this new knife from CRKT…
http://www.crkt.com/cgi-bin/crkt.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&strfnbr=81&prrfnbr=67&sesent=0,0&search_id=241661
The metal clip it comes with is junk, IMO. I removed it and reamed the screw holes out enough to run the lanyard through them and use that to lash it to the PFD. The lock and release system works as advertised, and the blade seems good so far for river use.
Another good source . . .
. . . especially when they are on sale: knives from Scuba.com. Good price; designed for constant submersion, so I expect the stainless steel is good. Got some to be put in use this Spring. The new blunt, serrated shorty fits nice on my PFD. Also, I couldn’t turn down the larger, near K-bar knife - complete with sheath designed for diving . . . or kayaking.
We both know that’s not going to happen
I agree about the flopping around
I’m not real crazy about that either. That’s why I posted the question. I thought someone may have a better idea. Your suggestion of lashing the clip to the PFD will give me something to think about. That may be a better solution than wearing a conventional belt knife.
I was looking at McNett knives online
Would you be able to lash/sew it to the PFD, in addition to the regular clip attachment?
I use a scuba knife
BUT, I bought a retractable key lanyard and diuct-taped that to my PFD…
THEN tied that chain to my knife handle.
I still drop my knife but the lanyard keeps it close and retracts so I don;t have that long cord getting entangled.
Forgot to mention…
…I also like this one and use it a lot…
http://www.crkt.com/cgi-bin/crkt.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&strfnbr=81&prrfnbr=52&sesent=0,0&search_id=242238
The sheath holds the knife very secure, and with it lashed to the pfd with a velcro strap, the “knife” can be removed and replaced in the sheath with one hand. It’s strictly a line/cord/strap cutter though.
Yea… I think Ed nylon ties it to his
vest strap…
kydex
you can buy a 12x12 piece of kydex for about 10 bucks online. heat it up in a toaster oven and then fold around then knife, let it cool and then trim to fit. i just did this for several knives i own, works great!
I use
a CRKT Bear Claw blunt tip serrated on my PFD. Has never fallen out. Cuts rope fast, easy to grip with the finger hole so you don’t drop it.
Clarion
I used an old nylon watchband to attach my McNett knife to the lash tab on my pfd - that’s in addition to the little screw-on thingy that they provide. It’s in its 3rd season, has a small amount of corrosion, but is still sharp. No need to buy an expensive knife IMO.
Kydex and other stuff
You can shop www.knifemaking.com and order their catalog. Tons of cool stuff, knife kits, handle materials, blades, etc, etc. Great catalog, I use them for knife materials myself. They also have Kydex. It makes a very secure sheath. I will usually heat a 1/4 inch thick bar of brass with a torch, and lay the kydex on top. It heats the Kydex, and it will produce a very crisp, straight fold. Then rivet the edges of the sheath (I use regular “pop rivets”), heat it with a heat gun until it becomes soft and insert the knife. Mold the plastic around the knife and let it cool, and you are done. You can leave a tab along the edge and drill it for securing it to your PFD. You can also glue the Kydex with ABS pipe glue.
Another thing to consider. Use a pointed knife for kayaking. I belive the blunt tip ones are intended for rafting, where you do not want to puncture your raft. Can’t see why anyone would want a blunt one for paddling. Just sayin…