Knives are necessary tools for all kinds of sailors, both for beginners and experienced. Knives are useful for many different purposes, and as practical on land as much as off, they’re a must-have item for any sailor worth his salt. Sailing knives come in different styles and can have different features, but most of them are multi-functional. Sailing includes a lot of practical work like tackling shackles, rigging, knotty ropes, etc. So, having a sailing knife will help you perform your sailing tasks, therefore a knife is a necessity for all sailors. So, let’s move on and see the non-exhaustive list of the best sailing knives in order to help you choose the best one according to your needs. Keep reading!

How To Choose The Best Sailing Knife

When looking for a sailing knife there are some important features that need to be clarified beforehand. Firstly, do you want a fixed or folding blade? Fixed blades are particularly strong, solid, and are able to perform more heavy-duty tasks. Soldiers and outdoorsmen choose fixed blades as they’re more practical and can even be used as weapons. Also, fixed blades are generally easier to clean. However, as fixed blades are bulkier, they require a sheath for safe storage and carrying.

On the other hand, folding blades are convenient and can be easily tucked away. Folding knives come with bottle or shackle openers, a locking or non-locking blade, and a marlinspike. The downside is that folding knives are harder to clean and tend to break easier. This is because the more moving parts, the more chances for something breaking. Lastly, both knives can be categorized into sharp tip or blunt-tipped, with serrated or non-serrated blades.

Blades’ Characteristics

• Blade Material: The blade’s material has to withstand the saltwater environment and harsh weather conditions. So, prefer a blade that is made of titanium, cobalt, and stainless steel; materials with high corrosion-resistance capabilities.
• Serrated Blade: Sailing knives need to have a serrated blade that is suitable for cutting ropes as well as a sawtooth hook, similar to the blade of a handsaw. Keep in mind that serrated blades are generally difficult to sharpen.
• Blade Tip: There are two types of blade tips, blunt and pointed. Blunt blades are generally safer but have less puncturing ability. On the contrary, pointed blade tips are risky to use on slippery surfaces, but their puncture power is much better than blunted blades. And, this is why you have to be very careful when using pointed blades and always keep them in a sheath.
• Blade Edge: As aforementioned serrated blades are the most practical ones for your sailing needs. But, there’s also the straight edge or the combination of a serrated and straight edge. A straight edge offers clean cuts and provides even pressure but serrated edges are sharper and can be used for all kinds of cuts.
• Blade Lock: The blade lock is important as it holds the knife in an open or closed position. A proper lock prevents injuries as it keeps the blade in position. Look for a knife with a lever lock as it will be safer and easier to use.

Features that a Sailing Knife should Have

• Shackle Tool: A knife should be equipped with a shackle tool which is practical for sailors as you can use it to attach sails to rigging. Having a shackle tool will help you unlock the clevis and perform all tasks required for rigging.
• Knife Sheath: It’s important to get a knife with a belt clip or sheath. Look for a sheath that is comfortable to wear and can be easily attached to your gear or body parts. Keep in mind that a sailing knife should be also comfortable while holding it. A good grip and a handle with a texture/surface are important in terms of usage, handling, and comfort.
• Multi-functionality: Sailing knives have to be versatile and multi-functional. With that said, it’s better to choose a knife with additional features like marlinspikes, a shackle key, corkscrews, and magnifying lenses.
• Marlinspike: Marlinspikes can be very helpful to quickly loosen up tight knots. They can also be used for splicing, untying knots, and drawing marline tight using a marlinspike hitch. They were used to unweave the rope strands in order to form a new shape, such as a loop. However, nowadays, most ropes are already pre-shaped into different loops. So, it is up to you whether you want your knife to come with a marlinspike or not.

Here Are The Best Knives For Sailing

Spyderco Tusk High-Performance Mariners Tool 

This knife is specifically designed for sailors that are constantly sailing overseas. This extremely corrosion-resistant knife has a marlinspike that can easily untie knots as well as a patented ceramic ball-bearing locking mechanism. This feature ensures that the spike won’t close up on your hand. Also, the knife is made of titanium and LC200N steel, materials that ensure its robustness and excellent cutting abilities. It might be an expensive option but trust me if you’re spending too much time on the water, it’s worth the investment. Check it out on Amazon.

Davis Instrument Stainless Steel Rigging Knife

A knife equipped with a quick cut sharp blade that is able to perform all works like slicing, splicing as well as cutting food products. Furthermore, it has a practical U-shaped tool, a marlinspike, and a flathead screwdriver on its end. The Davis Instruments Rigging Knife is made of stainless steel, but remember to rinse and coat it with lubricating oil one time per year, in case it’s constantly exposed to saltwater. This is a knife similar to the Swiss Army knife but for sailboat usage. They are pretty cheap and you can get one from Amazon here.

Boye Knives Folding Knife with Marlin Spike

This Boye knife has excellent cutting power as its 3″ serrated edge is made of Advanced Dendritic Cobalt. Another great feature is that it’s extremely rustproof and non-magnetic. As a result, there won’t be any interference around a compass or electronics. Furthermore, it has a lightweight design and comes with a belt clip and a textured frame to ensure easy gripping and handling. Its titanium marlinspike will quickly untie and loosen up the tightest knots. Check it out on Amazon.

Spyderco Atlantic Salt Lightweight Folding Knife

This knife is made from H-1 Japanese steel and ensures durability and a long lifespan. It is rust-resistant, very sharp, and has excellent gripping. Its lightweight grip and high-strength knife handle ensure high visibility with a texturized and formed pattern. Moreover, it features a hollow-ground serrated edge that safely secures the blade. Lastly, it comes with a titanium pocket clip that supports right or left-side tip-up carry. Some users have stated that the knife is too sharp. Another downside is that it’s not a multi-tool knife. In any case, it has excellent reviews on Amazon, an affordable price, and is perfectly suitable for all kinds of cuttings. Check it out.

Maxam Sailor’s Tool – Best Cheap Sailing Knife

This multi-functional sailor’s knife will cover all your sailing needs and comes at a reasonable price. It is equipped with a sheepsfoot blade and its stainless steel handle has a 5-centimeter rule as well as a 2-inch ruler, on each side. This ensures easy handling and comfortable gripping. There’s also a flat-tip screwdriver for more practical works. Moreover, the marlinspike will facilitate your rigging types of work. Another great feature is that you can use the shackle key and the marlinspike at the same time to unscrew threaded shackles. Also, the metal tooth can opener is able to pierce, hook and lift out the lid with great ease. However, the only downside is that you’ll need to replace it every few months when using it regularly, as it’s a budget knife. You can check some more details on the Maxam Sailor’s Tool right on Amazon.

Myerchin Generation 2 Rigging Framelock

This rigging knife is equipped with a serrated blade that facilitates rope cutting as well as all types of cutting. It has a sturdy spike and blades, as well as a belt clip that ensures easy access. Moreover, it has titanium handles and is made from high-quality stainless steel. Lastly, the knife features a thumb slot, a marlinspike, and a patented double lock. This knife guarantees great performance for your sailing tasks as well as a long lifespan. Check it out on Amazon.

Victorinox Swiss Army

This sailing knife is similar to the Swiss Army knife and offers versatility as it’s a multi-functional tool. The knife has a great design and comes with a sleek black carry case. It has a 3.9-inch one-hand blade and its 2/3 serrated lock blade is great for rope cutting. It has 22 functions and its main features include a key ring, tweezers, bit slot, a screwdriver, a wire stripper, a shackle opener, a marlinspike, and many more. As you can see, this knife earns by right the tile of a multi-tool!

The knife’s length is 130mm or 5.12-inches and it weighs 9.1oz (257g). Also, it’s made out of stainless steel and it’s extremely corrosion and rust-resistant. So, if you want a knife that will be your best mate for any kind of practical job then look no further! The Boatsman Victorinox is a great purchase for someone looking for a multi-tool sailing knife. Check it out on Amazon.

>>Also Read: Best Sailing Multitool

Myerchin Sailing Knife Combo Tool

The Myerchin Sailing Knife Combo Tool benefits from solid construction and provides ultimate versatility. Its blade uses Japanese steel and is able to slice through rope, wood, plastic, and other sturdy materials. You can operate it easily by using just one hand for the marlinspike or the serrated blade. Furthermore, it has practical pliers for dealing with shackles. Generally, this knife is excellent for people performing handy tasks and need a reliable knife that will help them carry out any job. The Myerchin brand is well-known for its high-quality tools which are specifically tailored to a sailor’s needs. With that said, you can completely trust the company for its durable sailing knives. Some users stated that its belt clip is a little big but I believe it’s a minor downside. Overall, the Myerchin Sailing Knife won’t let you down. So, go on and check it out on Amazon.

Camillus Carbonitride Titanium Folding Knife

Made from alloy steel and equipped with a coated carbonitride titanium blade, this knife provides the sharpest cutting for all sturdy materials and surfaces. Furthermore, its durable materials make it rust, stain, and corrosion-resistant. Its VG-10 stainless steel blade is 10 times harder than untreated steel therefore the knife will remain sharp-edged for a long period of time. As for its handle, it’s also made from G10 stainless steel and provides comfort when holding and handling it. Another great feature is that the liner lock is made of blue anodized titanium which helps you open the knife in a pinch and with just one hand. Along with manufacturers like Myerchin and Spyderco this knife is considered among the best high-end knives. You get an all-in-one sailing knife! You can check it out on Amazon.

The Bottom Line – Best Sailing Knives

A sailing knife is an essential tool for sailors as you can use it for most jobs on your boat. For example, handling ropes, rigging, untying knots, cutting, opening bottles, and of course, for emergency situations. So, what kind of features a sailing knife should have?

Well, the best sailing knife has to be a multi-tool knife and made of durable materials like stainless steel or titanium, in order to ensure rust, stain, and corrosion resistance. Also, as it will be constantly used in seawater and wet/cold conditions it needs to have a practical handle, easy grip, and preferably the ability to use it with just one hand. Furthermore, a great sailing knife must have a serrated blade, a shackle tool, a marlinspike, and a sheath for protection. I know that these might sound a lot but there are plenty of high-quality knives out there to choose from.

The above-mentioned list includes all versatile, durable, and reliable sailing knives that will meet the most demanding sailing needs. I hope that you found this article helpful and that you’ll be now able to make your purchase. I wish you good luck with your purchase!