Line cutters

1surfer · Tue May 31, 11 6:50 pm **Line cutters**

Reading the recent kitemare story makes me think of line cutters. GET YOURSELF A GOOD ONE !!! The ones that come in some harnesses are worthless and can instill a false sense of security. The best thing that you can do is put those in the trash. They may work the day they are new but not after a soak in salt water. They may be some form of stainless steel but are not made of 400 series hardened. Not a rescue device.

Myself, my wife and son all kite. We all have one of these on hand at all times, on water or snow. It will cut through 5 kite lines like butter with one stroke. It will cut through more lines than 5 when needed. It has a blunt tip so you can dig under tight lines wrapped around you without hurting your skin.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/5

Only use it for rescue, and if you do use it, throw it away and order a new one. It runs about $30 and is one of the best investment that you can make.

I wear mine around my neck with a break away cord. My wife and son wear theirs on the harness adjustment strap, held in the webbing pouch Benchmade sells. I have attached a floaty to the cutter so if they drop it during a rescue, it will not sink. The floaty also serves as something to grab when going after the cutter.

I really think every kiter should have one of these. Train yourself to use it and practice grabbing it with one hand. Do that with each hand. Do it often like when you practice going for your bar release. ( that should be practiced often and in adverse conditions )

You will react how you train. It's good to have one and hope that you never use it. And plus, it has a bottle opener on it .......

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

do you recommend one particular finish for corrosion resistance?

1surfer · Wed Jun 01, 11 7:25 am **Both are good**

I think both are good. I have the stainless one and its been in salt water a ton. No tarnishing or whatsoever. Best to call Benchmade and ask the particulars.

Kiwi B · Since 26 May 2011 8 Posts Yelm, WA Kook

Nice- I especially like the fact that it can also save my life back on the beach when I need to crack open a cold one.

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

Just bought mine, thanks for the tip....been looking for a pissed off knife like this!

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Vankiter · Since 24 Jun 2007 34 Posts Canvouver

Now we just need Nak or Kitezilla to run some tests and post results! Hopefully 'zilla still has his killa PVC pipe test fixture!

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-9690.html&highlight=knife+test

Pepi · Wed Jun 01, 11 9:21 am

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Are you guys recommending hard or soft sheath?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

mine rusted and eventually fell out of its softpouch

- moved on to

http://uncrate.com/stuff/nrs-crkt-bear-claw-knife/
(also slightly rusts after a month...)

saw HR Joe get a thick ankle bracelet of lines (didn't feel/realize the spinnning bar and trailing lines were wrapping his ankle)

might work better than a seat belt cutter for a thick band of lines or crab pot rope...

1surfer · Wed Jun 01, 11 10:29 am **Either**

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 02, 11 11:50 am

I use this because if I get trapped on an island or something I can kill a wild boar and then start a fire to cook it with. Bottle opener? Niga' Pah-Leeze I just break the top of the bottle off and guzzle that shit down.

1surfer · Thu Jun 02, 11 12:07 pm **Tested**

"Of course, the owner of that knife could just take it in to Second Wind and have Pepi bring out the kite string, and put that knife up against one of the double-bladed hook knives. And speaking about that knife, in the picture.

I would like to know how easy it is to sharpen that knife...I know Ben could do it, but I'm not so sure about the average kiter. What kind of a sharpening method is used. "
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I have tested it against the ones that come in a harness, double bladed and typical river style rescue knives. It worked the best, by far.

I dont use it for anything but a serious rescue. Never Ever. Then, if I do have to use it, I send it back to the MFG for sharpening or I retire it and get a new one.

I feel OK about $30 for a single use if it does its job. I understand that not everyone might feel that way so I would suggest sending it to Benchmade for sharpening if needed.

I only ever use my rescue knife for one thing, rescue. I use the seat belt in my truck for opening beer ....

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 02, 11 2:17 pm

ummmm. That knife was used by Rambo... it doesn't get dull. Ever.

I did however pick up a new hook knife from Pepi today. We did the string test and I was absolutely blown away how the one knife was a total and complete piece of shit. Seriously, Pepi about ripped the line out of my hand while trying to cut it.

I don't want to start any flame brand name flame war but the name of the POS knife rhymes with Da' Wine.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 02, 11 3:33 pm

Damn it! Fooled again Sad

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

Please, how many of you have actually needed a knife out there...for kiting. Do I really need one more thing dangling from my harness or can I just keep it in the car?