Spyderco also makes a knife that is ideal for caving called the Snapit Salt. It is totally serrated and made from a completely rust proof alloy designated H1. It has a spring shackle allowing it to be attached directly to your harness. The Tazman Salt, as exemplified in the video, is also ideally suited for cutting rope and webbing but has a hawkbill shaped blade and does not come with a built in way to attach to a harness or carabiner but there is a lanyard hole for 3 mill cord on both models.
Excellent review! I used to take a spyderco endura with the wave opener on trips. But I learned the hard way that mud is a bit difficult to get out of the locking mechanism. I recommend the spyderco sharpening system for serrated blades.
Very good idea to review knifes Derek. My personal favourite knife is a Spyderco serrated dragonfly mode.l (not reviewed) They are such a good quality knife I have not looked back since buying one 20 years ago. The Petzl Spatha I have seen open whilst hanging on a friends harness as would the Edelrid I imagine. Keep up the good work!
I am surprised none of the knives featured have blunt noses! It is a great idea to use a blunt nose knife when it may someday be used in a rescue with cutting clothing, tape, or a harness off a person. The Spyderco Rescue 79mm is a good example. It is what I use caving. If you remove the belt clip and thread it on thin cord it will hang just below the sternum and not increase your squeeze box size. Many people prefer to have a break away cord or section when hanging things around the neck.
The best knife tool for a cave camp med kit is the Leatherman Squirt PS4 without a doubt. It has an array of features that are relevant, and is not as heavy as a full size multitool. I have found it to be strong enough for any in cave repair I've had to do.
I think there are pros and cons to blunt nosed knives. I do use one for river running, but that’s a more dynamic environment. Not as good for defense against CHUDs.
You forgot the trusty Prusik cord :P . I've got a knife lock away and I also carry a a Prusik loop cus it cuts rope fast and it contained away from other ropes, handy if you be handed spaghetti :D , its surprising now a tensioned rope when cutting it can jump to the next rope!
Interesting you put less of an importance on an emergency rigging knife. It seems pretty standard among people I know in the UK to carry a knife to get people out of being strung up on rigging, or cut the rope style casualty release. If your caught without one while strung up in a waterfall its pretty life or death. I've certainly had to use one in anger to release a casualty stuck on a rebelay for hours before he was found.
Also seen a jammed hair haircut midrope. If its all jammed so no up or down, and there are rebelays above and below you so no free rope for a haul there are nor a lot of options. Maybe rigging a second safety rope would have been best practice. or a partner providing another point of attachment from above by clipping in hard to say in hindsight. Thanks for the warning on safety though, the speed that mini barage went through was terrifying.
Very good review! I was looking at the Petzl vs the Trango as a climbing emergency knife and this has reassured me that the Trango works well for me.
Spyderco also makes a knife that is ideal for caving called the Snapit Salt. It is totally serrated and made from a completely rust proof alloy designated H1. It has a spring shackle allowing it to be attached directly to your harness. The Tazman Salt, as exemplified in the video, is also ideally suited for cutting rope and webbing but has a hawkbill shaped blade and does not come with a built in way to attach to a harness or carabiner but there is a lanyard hole for 3 mill cord on both models.
Excellent review! I used to take a spyderco endura with the wave opener on trips. But I learned the hard way that mud is a bit difficult to get out of the locking mechanism.
I recommend the spyderco sharpening system for serrated blades.
Very good idea to review knifes Derek. My personal favourite knife is a Spyderco serrated dragonfly mode.l (not reviewed) They are such a good quality knife I have not looked back since buying one 20 years ago. The Petzl Spatha I have seen open whilst hanging on a friends harness as would the Edelrid I imagine. Keep up the good work!
Apart from the camera focus issues, a working man's review. Nice.
I am surprised none of the knives featured have blunt noses! It is a great idea to use a blunt nose knife when it may someday be used in a rescue with cutting clothing, tape, or a harness off a person. The Spyderco Rescue 79mm is a good example. It is what I use caving. If you remove the belt clip and thread it on thin cord it will hang just below the sternum and not increase your squeeze box size. Many people prefer to have a break away cord or section when hanging things around the neck.
The best knife tool for a cave camp med kit is the Leatherman Squirt PS4 without a doubt. It has an array of features that are relevant, and is not as heavy as a full size multitool. I have found it to be strong enough for any in cave repair I've had to do.
I think there are pros and cons to blunt nosed knives. I do use one for river running, but that’s a more dynamic environment. Not as good for defense against CHUDs.
I also carry a PS4 (pliers + scissors) in my first-aid/repair kit. Agree that it’s very useful for being so light.
really good review,thank you .Subscribed.
Ive been using the spyderco salt assist, these knives are cool though
I would recommend giving the buck redpoint a try ,(although you probably allready have seen it)
great job on the video . I ordered that petzl
You forgot the trusty Prusik cord :P . I've got a knife lock away and I also carry a a Prusik loop cus it cuts rope fast and it contained away from other ropes, handy if you be handed spaghetti :D , its surprising now a tensioned rope when cutting it can jump to the next rope!
I’d recommend giving buck repoint a look
Hello, I agree for the Edelrid it's the worst for cutting ropes because of the teeth.
Interesting you put less of an importance on an emergency rigging knife. It seems pretty standard among people I know in the UK to carry a knife to get people out of being strung up on rigging, or cut the rope style casualty release. If your caught without one while strung up in a waterfall its pretty life or death.
I've certainly had to use one in anger to release a casualty stuck on a rebelay for hours before he was found.
Also seen a jammed hair haircut midrope. If its all jammed so no up or down, and there are rebelays above and below you so no free rope for a haul there are nor a lot of options. Maybe rigging a second safety rope would have been best practice. or a partner providing another point of attachment from above by clipping in hard to say in hindsight. Thanks for the warning on safety though, the speed that mini barage went through was terrifying.
try kong k blade mate!!