I've read the "Sharp Stuff - Knives" section of the site, very informative. The quandary I have (I suppose everyone has it) is where to place the emphasis. For me, the knife will be used everyday for opening boxes, cutting plastic seals and other straightforward “cutting”. My hobby is sailing, but so far, limited to day trips and only in fresh water (I live in Minnesota). The narrowed choices for me have come down to the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1 or a more sailing specific knife like the Boye Cobalt Boat knife, Spyderco or Boker equivalent.
Any thoughts?

If you are into sailing, i would definitely go for a Myerchin...they are great "hard use" marine knives at a reasonable price..check them out here

Myerchin.com

Few knives designed for specific use ( ie sailing) reflect real world needs so much as perceived needs. I never carried a folder for use in the water ( note I said in, not on- a possibility.) Somehow I managed with carbon knives until worthwhile stainless steel products became available. One hand opening is a very valuable concept that was introduced with Spyderco. Until then it was switchblades or gravity knives and their social restrictions. Myerchins are great knives. But frankly I think their popularity owes much to those white micarta scales young Coast Guardsmen can scrimshaw. Thats a lot easier than tattoos <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. A boating knife should have a lanyard and line, grips that have a slip resistance surface and SHARP. Stainless is nice, but not some line in the beach sand separating the good from bad. Remember too, fumbling for a knife inside a float coat pocket while Jaws is about to drag the S.S. Minnow under makes for bad form <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. If you buy a folder, put it in your pocket with a lanyard, jump into a pool and practise. Marlinspikes and shackle openers are nice features too, but unless your mizzen has splintered in a Nor'wester they can stow in your bo'sun's dittybag.

Chris,

You are absolutely right in all respects...I tip my hat to your wisdom... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So you would recommend a Myerchin over the Boye, Spyderco or Boker equivalent?

For sailing, I'd definitely go with a folder that has a marlin-spike, especially if you sail with bozos that believe if you can't tie a good knot, tie lots of them. A pilers also helps undoing a stuck overhand knot. I haven't done much sailing since Leatherman's were invented, but I would think someone would make a multi-tool with a good blade, pliers, and spike.

I have a leatherman. I'm planning to carry the pocket knife in addition to that. What are your opinions on knife brands?
Anyone?

I carried something like this when I was rigging a racing sailboat: Rigging Knife with Marlinspike. With that and a leatherman, I don't think there's much on a sailboat that you couldn't do.

IMHO... having been seduced by the data that dendritic cobalt (e.g. Talonite) holds up well in salt water, I overlooked two issues:
1) there are parts in any folder which are NOT the dendritic cobalt, and therefore vulnerability to corrosion still exists and,
2) the rumor is (and I've sadly seen it once) that the dendritic cobalt blade.. though it can be scary-sharp.. can snap like a dry twig under minimal lateral force.

Mike

Brand IMO is less important than the actual quality of the knife but reputable brands are a good starting point.

While I like Doug's knife the axis lock I am not sold on as "I" believe it is too technical (less moving parts is good IMO).

Ducks for cover <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />.

But seriously I have had great luck with the Emerson liner lock folders with never and issue.

For similar money to Doug's knife I plan on EDC'ng the new Swamp Rat folder in the same steel but with Busse's proprietary heat treatment when it is released. I also like the thumb opening hole rather than the stud as cold, wet or gloved hands have an easier time of it.

Of course Busse's life time bumper to bumper warranty is second to none.

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=001388;p=1

Do your homework and get what is right for you.

Flip

What about this one ?

I love the axis lock. Best lock I have ever used. I am notoriusly rough on knives and I have "broken through" more than one liner lock. It's pretty scarey stuff! For that reason I dislike folder's in general and avoid them in all posible situations (with the exception of SAK/Leatherman type multi-tools). That being said I am forced to carry a folder for EDC due to the craptacular socio-political environment in which I live and work. Recently I discovered Doug's Benchmade RSK and the axis lock system and I must say I trust it more than any other locking system. When I am REALLY useing it hard, I take a small pebble (outdoors) or a zip tie (at work) and place it behind the locking mechanism. This makes it even that much more secure and makes me feel a lot better. IMO nothing is as safe as a sheath knife, but if I have to carry a folder, my first choice is the RSK.

I have owned liner lock folders of many types , shapes and brands for 20 years. I am also hard on knives . I can also say that i have never busted a liner lock folder ever. I have melted ,rusted snapped many blades but never the lock itself.

Of course given the right cricumstances all blades will break. The liner lock is a time proven locking device but like eveything you get what you pay for.

From my experience Iiner locks are fine abused and used with dirt sand and crap all int them becuase of the lack of maechanical parts. The jury is till out on the axis as it has another 3o years to prove itself.

Opinions are just that. No one less valid than the other.

This reminds me of the space race story, about the USA spending millions developing a pen that would work in space and the Russians used a pencil.

Sometimes you can over engineer something as well.

I am sure the Ritter knife is a f ine knife but I don't trust the lock until its been around longer than a year or 3 or 10.

My 2 cents your mileage may vary.

Flip

You just have to be careful how you grip a knife with a liner lock or you will release it inadvertently. Not necessarily break or bend the metal itself. Perhaps "break through" was not the best way to describe the situation.

That's a great story, but not true. Parker developed the pen on their own, and then sold it to NASA. NASA was already using pencils, but there was the worry of graphic dust getting into things and causing problems with delicate electronic instruments. And then there was Apollo 1. Also, the Russians use the space pen as well. More info here:

http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp

"That's a great story, but not true. Parker developed the pen on their own, and then sold it to NASA. NASA was already using pencils, but there was the worry of graphic dust getting into things and causing problems with delicate electronic instruments. And then there was Apollo 1. Also, the Russians use the space pen as well. "

As I said a story.

One thing that is fact is the Russians are much more adept at manufacturing items that can be fixed with a hammer rather than high tech maintenance.

Case in point the Mig family of figher jets vs the USA's hightech wonder jets. No less effective but more hardy. The PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. system could not afford to manufacture high maintenance equipment.

While the story is 80% myth it still has a lesson.

No doubt where the KISS principal came about.

Flipper