groff@masscomp.ccur.com (Paul Groff) (12/11/90)
A recent article made me want to get a knife. I guess it isn't too probable
that I will need to use it, but if I ever do I would like to know that I've
got what I need.
I bought a knife this weekend which I have one serious reservation about.
It is a Spyderco Mariner, has a serrated edged with VERY good cutting ability.
But, it is a folding knife which locks open. One nice feature is that it has
a "thumb hole" which facilitates easy, one-handed opening. Closed it is just
under 5" long, and it has about a 3 1/2" cutting blade. (Since it is serrated
the effective cutting surface is longer tho.)
I was told that police and EMTs use this knife because of its cutting power.
I'd hate to burn in admiring its cutting power, but having gotten it in to use
a few seconds too late. I tried to think about the situations where I might
need to use one, and I guess I'm too inexperienced to know whether I made a
good move buying it or not. I figured that I would usually want a knife at
a higher altitude than below minimum open. If I need one below that I would
be afraid to try and use this knife.
What advice can some of you seasoned jumpers offer? Do most of you carry a
knife? Where do you put it? Do you do any practices for getting it out?
Can a folding knife be a good option?
- Paul Groff
groff@westford.ccur.com
{uunet,harvard}!masscomp!groffnino@Software.Mitel.COM (Nino Mangione) (12/11/90)
This is in response to Paul Geoff's question on knives. I would really never feel comfortable jumping without a knife even though in 18 years I've only had to use it once. To cut my round reserve out of a tree AFTER landing in the woods. My jumpsuit pocket has a little hook knife poket sewn onto the leg pocket. The knife goes into the pocket and is held in place by the velcro pocket cover. It's out of the way, you never forget it and it's accessible from both hands. these knives are available from Paragear or any rigging loft for about $3-4. They are 3" long and work great. When you buy a Racer they usually include 2 of them in pockets sewn into the leg strap so you can check them out on your DZ someone must have a Racer. The knife you described sounds like a monster. There are other knives that the Crew people use but I find them too clumsy for everyday skydiving. Blue Skies Nino C-650