Agreed. That's why I referenced it as the manufacturers claim. Another comment on her question about effectiveness on a boat, I would still want a knife in addition to the rescue hook even if the rescue hook will cut most lines.

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Aah yes, well spotted.

I thought that safety lines on ocean-going yachts would be made of webbing rather than rope. I don't know what gave me that idea, it may have been the following entry from the coroner's report on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race:

(http://www.equipped.org/sydneytohobart.pdf)

...
THAT GLYN RODERICK CHARLES DIED ... WHEN THE LANYARD WHICH
WAS ATTACHED TO HIS HARNESS FAILED AT THE
STITCHING, HE THEN BEING WASHED OVERBOARD ....

"Stitching" sounds more like webbing than rope or cord; however, I'm not a sailor and may not have understood it correctly.

I agree that the ability of the rescue hook to cut rope would appear to depend on the diameter of the rope and whether it fit inside the hook or not.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all your replies. I looked through my husbands books and they use several names for the lines, but 'rope' is the term used a lot. I looked up 'rope' on the West Marine website, which is where the guys buy most of their ropes , since it is right near the harbor. Here is the page, so you can see what the lines look like, etc. West Marine ropes

I think I agree that having a knife too would be the best way to go. I should ask him if he keeps a knife on him at all times when he is out sailing. I have a small knife on my keychain, but I am not sure if he does. Guess I better look and see what he keeps on his keychain! I know he has a Pulsar II LED light and he might have his small leatherman. I don't see him carry his large leatherman around with him all the time. He works in computers and can't have it hanging on him at work.

He has been in 2 boating accidents already, so I get a little nervous now when he goes out.

Your replies have gotten me to thinking and asking more questions. I will pay closer attention and then decide if this is a good thing to get him. Then the question would be, would he take it with him and use it. 'That' none of us could answer of course. His first attitude with some of the presents I get him are that they are dumb presents, until he uses them and then he falls in love with them. Like the Headlamp I bought him one Christmas. He had never had one, and thought it was a silly thing to get, and he uses it ALL the time now. He would like to get an LED headlamp some day!

Maybe because I am a woman he thinks I won't have any good sense in what I get him when it comes to 'gear.' So you can see why I am into figuring out if this will be worth getting him or not. You never know, it could save his life! I will at least encourage him to have a knife on him from now on (if he doesn't already). I had never really thought about someone getting caught up in sailing lines like that until I read this article, so I never asked him about these things.

BTW, I love reading all your posts on the gear that you use.

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to anything else you have to offer. However, I will warn you that we are taking off for a week for our 25th Anniversary and so I won't be around to respond until next week. I will be looking forward to your posts when I get back!

Jan

My two cent’s worth, as a former nautical klutz … all of the safety harnesses I have ever seen/used on sailboats are webbing, generally nylon at least ¾-inch wide or wider and fairly thick. While I always wore a knife on the boat, it was almost always a short, stubby “bosun’s knife” that had a fairly short but thick straight-edged blade on one end and a spike on the other for splicing, opening sheaves and, um … popping beer cans. If you want to get your husband a do-it-all tool he’s more likely to carry, opt for a fixed-blade knife. On the other hand, cutting nylon webbing in a hurry is rough unless you’ve got that I’m-going-to-die adrenaline surge going.
If you’re really concerned about his safety, look into the self-inflating PDFs that are worn around the waist and inflate when a sensor is immersed in water for more than a few seconds. He can slip the knife sheath on the PDF belt and be good to go no matter what happens. It’s not as good as having a PDF on your chest, but it’s flotation if you get knocked overboard unexpectedly (been there, done that.)

Jan,

You're on the right track, even the best tool is no good if it is not with you when you need it.

Just a thought, have you considered one of the new personal EPIRB's and/or PLB's that broadcast GPS position data as well as identifying the user it is assigned to? A bit pricey as yet, but...it is a high tech device and is already credited with several rescues. Please look at Doug's excellent commentary regarding these and their use.

Of course, if you're stuck in the rigging underwater, a knife will do more at the time to ensure survival. Perhaps getting a decent fixed blade and the Rescue Hook might be an alternative path. The knife could be worn in one manner and the hook in a different manner. If you're stuck in lines, you may not be able to reach one of the two...

Enjoy your anniversary, congratulations. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Regards,
Comanche7

Echoing billvan, it had me confused as well. Figured it was just the late hour that I was looking at it. Feeling better now. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thank you Comanche7! We are really looking forward to having this time together!

Yes, he does have an EPIRB, so he is cool there.

And guess what? I just looked at his knife and it is a "Benchmade!" So at least now I know he likes the brand! Now he just has to wear it when he goes sailing. He would probably like the Rescue Hook.

Thank you everyone for your ideas, they have given me a lot to think about and check into. I really appreciate it!

Jan

Hi Maggot,

Yes, he has been over board too, a couple times when he had trouble with his dinghy. I don't think he has been over board when he went sailing/racing with his buddies though. I'll check into the PDF's.

Thank you again!
Jan

Maybe a good knife for use in wet conditions may be the answer to your husbands gift.
A Benchmade 100SH20 might be a good choice:

100SH20

High visability, Blunt tipped, almost rust proof steel, serrated so it cuts line/cord/rope/webbing with ease, benchmade quality, ect. If he carries a regular folder this would be a good addition for his PFD, especially if he constantly wears one (with the inflatable style PFD would be a good gift too, I find them more comfortable so I wear them more often, which means I have a better chance).