We put knives from Gill, Opinel, Captain Currey, Force 4, Gerber and more to the test.
No matter what type of sailing you take part in, some bits of kit are vital for sailors – a sailing knife can save your life.
But picking the right one from the huge range on offer can be daunting.
Our writer Duncan Kent got hold of a range of knives to see which is best for a sailor’s needs.
Knife Law
The UK Government’s Knife Law is outlined on its web page here.
The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife or weapon illegally is either 4 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. The UK Government says you’ll get a prison sentence if you’re convicted of carrying a knife or weapon illegally more than once.
It is illegal to publicly carry any knife with a blade that can be locked open – regardless of blade length.
The government strongly advise you speak with your local police force to confirm your knife is not only legal, but also that you have ‘good reason’ to be carrying it in public – ie. back and forth to your boat.
Examples given include:
•taking knives you use at work to and from your workplace.
•taking knives to a gallery or museum to be exhibited.
•the knife is going to be used for theatre, film, television, historical re-enactment or religious purposes.
Most likely taking a knife to your boat would be covered in the first condition, but that has not always been proved correct and it will depend entirely on the way the law is interpreted by whoever stops you. If you are charged it will be down to the court to decide whether you had good reason to be carrying that knife at that time.
Note – prices listed below are correct at the time of publication.
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FOLDING KNIVES
CAPTAIN CURREY LOCKSPIKE ‘BOSUN’, approx £28.95
Verdict: Not quite as good at rope or webbing cutting as a serrated blade, but still pretty effective and useful to have the locking spike as well.
Value: 5/10 Performance: 7/10
CAPTAIN CURREY LOCKSPIKE ‘CAPTAIN’, approx £34.95
Verdict: Chunkier and heavier than the Bosun, but the separate shackle key is more user-friendly. It looks a bit smarter too, being polished stainless steel rather than just matt finish.
Value: 6/10 Performance: 6/10
FORCE 4 POCKET SERRATED, approx £12.95 [Best Budget Buy]
Verdict: Surprisingly sharp and effective for such a small knife and economically priced.
Value: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
GERBER Bear Grylls SCOUT, approx £24.99
Verdict: We liked this knife – it’s well balanced and very sharp, but not too big.
Value: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
GERBER EZ OUT, approx £34.95
Verdict: Light and very sharp, but a thumb stud would make it genuinely an ‘EZ Out’ device for one handed operation. A rubberised handle would also improve its grip.
Value: 5/10 Performance: 8/10
GERBER MINI PARAFRAME, approx £9.98
Verdict: Cheap and cheerful little pocket knife for odd little jobs, but clearly not up to the task of serious rope cutting.
Value: 6/10 Performance:4/10
GERBER ULTRALIGHT, approx £17.99
Verdict: A bit too small for serious rope cutting, but handy to have in your pocket for a number of other jobs.
Value: 3/10 Performance:5/10
GILL MARINE TOOL, approx £19.95
Verdict: Not the quickest cutter, but a nice looking tool and good value as well – especially considering the smart canvas belt pouch supplied.
Value: 8/10 Performance:4/10
GILL PERSONAL RESCUE, approx £24.95
Verdict: Great to have a serrated blade and a webbing cutter in one and the one-handed opening is a boon for deck work.
Value: 7/10 Performance:7/10
IBBERSON HEAVY DUTY, approx £28.75
Verdict: A fairly standard looking sailor’s knife, but from top quality stainless steel and is extremely sharp and effective at cutting all types of rope and webbing.
Value: 7/10 Performance:8/10
INOX FLOATING, approx £12.65
Verdict: Surprisingly good cutter and handy if you particularly need a floating knife for the liferaft, say. Not very pretty, though, and a blade lock and lanyard would improve it considerably.
Value: 8/10 Performance:8/10
OPINEL CARBON, approx £7.13
Verdict: Not really a yachtsman’s knife, but pretty sharp so would be okay as a GP knife for above and below decks.
Value: 7/10 Performance:8/10
SPYDERCO ATLANTIC SALT, approx £85.72
Verdict: A very good cutter, nice and light and easily gripped. Difficult to justify the cost though.
Value: 3/10 Performance:9/10
WHITBY SAILORS LOCK, approx £11.53
Verdict: Okay for general use, but the 50/50 plain/serrated blade isn’t ideal for serious rope cutting.
Value: 5/10 Performance:6/10
WICHARD BLADE AND SHACKLE, approx £21.50
Verdict: A pretty basic knife, but with above average cutting performance and the ability to see it easily in the dark is a bonus.
Value: 5/10 Performance:8/10
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SHEATH KNIVES
CPN CURREY SEAMAN’S SHEATH, approx £16.95
Verdict: A fine quality general purpose sheath knife with good cutting abilities and an attractive leather sheath.
Value: 8/10 Performance:6/10
CPN CURREY RIGGING SHEATH, approx £16.95
Verdict: Looks ideal for clearing prop debris like netting and rope.
Value: 5/10 Performance:5/10
FORCE 4 RACE RESCUE, approx £37.95 [Top Buy/Recommended]
Verdict: We like this knife for its simplicity, excellent hand grip, thick blade and positive sheath locking action. It was pretty damn sharp too!
Value: 7/10 Performance:9/10
GERBER BG ULTIMATE, approx £70.00
Verdict: Not cheap but a lot of knife for the money and a serious rope cutting device in an emergency.
Value: 5/10 Performance:7/10
GERBER RIVER SHORTY, approx £49.99
Verdict: Good, strong general purpose knife with excellent cutting performance, although just a little short for prop clearing. Good for opening oysters though.
Value: 6/10 Performance:9/10
GILL MARINE RESCUE, approx £34.95
Verdict: Nice to hold, well balanced and a stout blade, but not particularly sharp.
Value: 6/10 Performance:4/10
MYERCHIN OFFSHORE/PRO, approx £76.74/£78.39 [Top Performer]
Verdict: Costly, but worth it for the quality of steel, handle and leather pouch. The Pro version was the top performer over all the tests.
Value: 7/10 Performance:9/10
WHITBY TEKNO RESCUE, approx £31.26
Verdict: A good all-round sailor’s/diver’s knife ideal for cutting rope from a prop.
Value: 8/10 Performance: 8/10
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