Knives have been a key weapon in any sailor’s battle with the rough mistress of the sea, pretty much since they were invented. Being able to fulfill many different purposes, and as useful on land as much as off, they are a necessity for any sailor worth his salt.
Whilst sailing knives come in many different styles and can have many different features, we have managed to narrow it down to our favorites. You can be assured all the knives on this list will be a great pick for anyone’s everyday carry kit.
| Editors Award | Brand |
|---|---|
| Best All-Round Sailing Knife | Victorinox Swiss Army Boatsman Knife |
| Best Budget Knife | Spyderco Atlantic Salt Lightweight Folding Knife |
| Best Alternative Budget Knife | Myerchin Sailors Tool |
| Best Rigging Knife | Perkin Knives- Handcrafted Rigging Knife |
| Best Marlin Spike Knife | Myerchin Knives W100 Generation 2 With Marlinspike |
Best All Round Knife: Victorinox Swiss Army Boatsman Knife
Best All Round Knife
Victorinox Swiss Army Boatsman Knife
Since the Swiss army knife has had so much success Victorinox decided to branch out and create a one for boatsman.
The Boatsman knife offers a huge array of features which means its a welcome addition on any boat.
The Boatsman offer a huge 21 features which are:
| 1. key ring | 12. corkscrew |
| 2. toothpick | 13. can opener |
| 3. tweezers | 14. screwdriver 3 mm |
| 4. bit slot | 15. shackle opener |
| 5. bit slotted 4.5 | 16. marlin spike |
| 6. bit Phillips 3 | 17. ruler (cm) |
| 7. bottle opener | 18. ruler (inches) |
| 8. screwdriver 5 mm | 19. sewing eye |
| 9. wire stripper | 20. needle-nosed pliers |
| 10. large blade with wavy edge | 21. wire cutter |
11. reamer, punch and sewing awl | 22. nut wrench |
As you can see the Boatsman has a tool suitable for pretty much situation. Along with the endless features the Boatsman also comes with a sleek stylish black carry case.
The blade on the device is a 3.9″ one-hand 2/3 serrated lock blade perfect for cutting rope.
The whole length of the device is 130mm or 5.12″ and it weighs 9.1oz (257g) and the whole thing is made of stainless steel so you won’t need to worry about rust.
If you are looking for a knife that can be your ultimate sea companion and is up to any job then look no further! The Boatsman is a great purchase for someone who ones 1 multi tool knife for all situations.
What We Like:
- Many Features – We love the fact that you can uncork a bottle of wine and cut rigging with the same device! Along with tons of other great features packed in.
- Lifetime Warranty – The Boatsman also comes with a lifetime warranty which just shows hope confident victorinox is in their product.
Check The Latest Price On Amazon
Best Budget Knife: Spyderco Atlantic Salt Lightweight Folding Knife
Best Budget Knife
Spyderco Atlantic Salt Lightweight Folding Knife
Knives can be pretty expensive but there are always some that are way better value for money than others and Spyderco is one of these knives.
Part of the salt series which means this knife has been made with nitrogen-based steels that are extremely resistant to corrosion.
The Spyderco has a FRN handle which is Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon this material is used to create a lightweight but durable frame for the Spyderco.
One of the coolest features about the Spyderco is its dual serrated blade, the two-step serration patterns consists of one large and two small serrations. The pattern increases the cutting edge’s surface area by up to huge 24%!
The total blade length is 8.27″ inches / 210mm and the blade is a hollow grind which means It comes with bevels that are ground with a concave radius.
What we Like:
- Cutting Power – The Spyderco comes with the two-step serration which means its got great cutting power.
- Free Sharpening – Spyderco offer free sharpening on their products you will just need to pay the shipping which is great value for money!
Check The Latest Price On Amazon
Best Alternative Budget Knife: Myerchin Sailors Tool
Best Alternative Budget Knife
For the hobbiest that are just looking for a cheap gun knife for weekend getaways or just the summer then the Myerchin might be the better choice for you.
The Myerchin has a lightweight frame made from stainless steel and the total weight is 4.5 oz (128g)
The blade on the Myerchin is a 3/4 Serrated blade, 1/4 Traditional blade perfect for rope or fending off shark attacks if they are as frequent as films have me believe.
Like most sailing knives it comes with a marlin spike to allow you to easily deal with any pesky knots you might encounter. While it might not have as many features as the boatman it does also include a set of fully functional pliers to undo any shackles.
What we Like:
- Affordable – A great budget knife that doesn’t feel cheap like some budget products do.
Check The Latest Price On Amazon
Best Rigging Knife: Perkin Knives- Handcrafted Rigging Knife
Best Rigging Knife
Perkin Knives- Handcrafted Rigging Knife
While all knives can cut through rope some kives are much better suited to the job than others.
A good rigging knife has a sharp blade and that can be hit by a mallet or hammer which makes the Perkin knife.
Perfect for cutting heavy rope this blade just oozes style and quality. It has an overall length of 8.5 inches (127mm) with a gorgeous walnut wooden handle which makes this the best looking knife in the list in my opinion.
Along the a beautiful blade you get a handmade leather sheath along with a marlin spike which are always useful when out at sea.
What We Like:
Handmade Sheath – The handmade sheath really shows how much care Perkins put into their products its always good to see a company care about quality instead of profit margins.
Stylish – For those that care about the aesthetics of their knives the Perkins its one great looking knife and the walnut handle really helps sell the rustic look.
Check The Latest Price On Amazon
Best Marlin Spike Knife: Myerchin Knives W100 Generation 2 With Marlinspike
Best Marlin Spike Knife
Myerchin Knives W100 Generation 2 With Marlinspike
Marlin spikes are one of a sailor’s best friends while out at sea so sometimes all you need is a good spike and a good knife.
The Marlin spike is made from stainless steel and comes with a lifetime warranty provided you dont lose it out at sea.
The knife is also pretty great! with a beautiful handle made from hardwood along with a 3.8” (97mm) blade made of german stainless steel.
What We Like:
- Lifetime Warranty – Both the knife and spike come with a lifetime warranty which is always a welcome addition.
Check the Latest Price On Amazon
Honorable Mention Sailing Knife: Boye Knives Folding Knife with Marlin Spike
Honorable Mention Sailing Knife
Boye Knives Folding Knife with Marlin Spike
Some people just want to buy one product and it last them a lifetime. That’s exactly who the Boye knife is for.
Often described as the gold standard of knives the Boye has amazing cutting power as its 3″ serrated edge is manufactured from Advanced Dendritic Cobalt which basically means it will out cut almost any other knife. The Knife is rustproof and non-magnetic meaning that there will be zero interference around a compass or sensitive electronics.
The knife sports a slim and lightweight design weighing at 2.5oz (70g) with a belt clip and a completely textured frame to ensure the knife is easy to grip when wet.
Along with all the great features above the knife also comes with a titanium marlinspike which can pry and poke to help you twist any knot undone.
What We Like:
- DESIGNED BY A MASTER KNIFEMAKER – David Boye has been crafting knives since 1971 his experience is pretty much unparalleled.
- Strong Blade – Made from Advanced Dendritic Cobalt this blade is ridiculously strong.
Check The Latest Price On Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Marlinspike used for?
A Marlinspike is used for splicing, untying knots, drawing marline tight using a marlinspike hitch.
Do you need a knife for sailing?
When sailing unexpected things can happen which is why carrying a knife with you is useful, You never know when a knot needs cutting or a line gets wrapped around your ankle.
How Long do sailing knives last?
With proper maintenance a good knife will last a lifetime, If you dont know how to properly care and maintain your knife I recommend you learn.
does the sea make knives rust faster?
Yes, the sea makes knives rust faster due to the salt in the air, the knives in this list have been treated however to prevent any corrosion or rust.
Other Worthy Mentions:
Sometimes some products just don’t make the cut but due to price or additional features, they are still some other great picks out there.
Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife
If you are looking for a good stainless steel multi-tool for sailors then the Davis Rigging Knife is perfect!
- Includes marlin spike and shackle key
- Affordable price
Camillus 6.5″ Carbo Titanium Folding Knife
A good all-around knife perfect for a backup or a spare. Features a Marlinspike and a steel blade bonded with Carbonitride Titanium for extra durability.
- Sleek Design makes it fit nicely in your hand.
- 2.5-inch blade which is great value for the price.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.