I really like how you mention that vest set-up is key. I have the NRS Co-pilot and it works great for me. I also tried the NRS Neko, same length as the co-pilot, it’s friction case doesn’t feel secure enough, had it slip out while testing it. I also tried the Gear-Aid Akua but had issues with it being too long and having some potentially sharp metal at the bottom that could puncture an inflatable. I don’t like the NRS pilot for the same reasons. My main paddle sport is River SUPing on an inflatable, so something that has a blunt tip and runs less risk of puncturing my board is important.
So cool! I was a bit hesitant about a knife without a lock, like the Neko. Fortunately, the CRK Bear Claw is tight and secure. It’s nice to see someone else give thought and time into knife type and placement. I have only tried SUPing once. It was on flat calm water at the National Whitewater Center here in NC. It was a lot of fun.
The Astral PDF he has comes with loops on either side of the shoulder straps. I believe it’s the Astral blue jacket. I bought the same vest shortly after making this video. I love it.
The rectangular hole is for the shutoff valve on a scuba air tank. I worry about putting my finger into anything if something happens and the knife gets twisted and you can not get your finger out well I need not say more. Also, I would have and I do have a lanyard on my Pilot.
Oh cool! I figured it had a purpose. It seemed too intentional. I’m always hesitant about lanyards for the same reason. I just see them getting caught in or on something. How long is yours? Did you use paracord?
@@everydayfitness6793 yes I did ues paracord. I do understand the worry about getting caught on something, but I have it just long enough to get my hand in and it is only attached to the knife and not the vest it is about 5" long. The point at the end of the handle is a glass breaker.
I don't see what shutoff valve on the scuba tank you are talking about? (I'm a DiveMaster). However, I've heard that this rectangular hole is a good fit for the O2 emergency bottle ON/OFF valve. Did not tested it. Still, the main use of the rec. hole is the anchor point to the sheath.
@@alexandrevaliquette1941 I don’t scuba dive and going by what is printed on NRS website from their site “A convenient bottle opener and oxygen tank valve wrench are integrated into the handle.”
@@TomJonesGearGuy An emergency oxygen tank and a scuba tank are two very different things. They don't use the same valve at all. Bottom line, my comment was right and yours was wrong.
NRS sheath will break off. When my buddy climbed in the raft he caught the handle on the perimeter line and it snapped in off without him even knowing.
We lost a NRS copilot shortly after this video. We like to do a lot of Ocean kayaking/kayak surfing. As you know, saltwater makes things rust faster than normal. The spring that controls the catch/release in the knife sheath was rusted and failed. It was a few years old too. So that contributed.
@@chrisbresh8817 Tethered gear is good for many activities. I would use that option for flat water fishing. But I like to limit the things that can get snagged and cause safety issues. So, no tether on my white water stuff.
Be wary, I’ve owned 4-5 NRS knives over the years. They’re great knives, but can be very very expensive. The knives are very rust resistant, but the sheaths are not. The little spring in the sheath rusts pretty easily. New sheath is also ridiculously expensive. You’re almost better off just buying a new knife.
That's weird, because they seem pretty cheap to me, especially compared to some knives. In the UK an NRS Pilot or Co Pilot is £40 to £50, and you can get replacement sheaths for only £5 or £6. That's about $50 to $60 and like $7 for the sheath in US money. Doesn't seem crazy expensive to me but maybe it's just more expensive where you are?
I have had to replace the NRS Pilot sheath due to a faulty/rusty spring. I do a lot of saltwater activities too. I try to be conscious of always cleaning off my gear and oiling what needs oil. But that spring will wear out. I had to replace mine, but it was less than $10.
Persoonlijk vind ik dit de slechtste plek wat je kan bedenken voor een mes op een vest te zetten Vooral als jij weer terug je kano in wil Of je moet bijvoorbeeld een rots beklimmen je kan er overal aan blijven aanhangen Ik raad aan het doe hem altijd in je vest
Great video. Definitely helped me with my co-pilot decision
That’s awesome! Glad you found it helpful!
I really like how you mention that vest set-up is key.
I have the NRS Co-pilot and it works great for me. I also tried the NRS Neko, same length as the co-pilot, it’s friction case doesn’t feel secure enough, had it slip out while testing it. I also tried the Gear-Aid Akua but had issues with it being too long and having some potentially sharp metal at the bottom that could puncture an inflatable. I don’t like the NRS pilot for the same reasons. My main paddle sport is River SUPing on an inflatable, so something that has a blunt tip and runs less risk of puncturing my board is important.
So cool! I was a bit hesitant about a knife without a lock, like the Neko. Fortunately, the CRK Bear Claw is tight and secure. It’s nice to see someone else give thought and time into knife type and placement. I have only tried SUPing once. It was on flat calm water at the National Whitewater Center here in NC. It was a lot of fun.
Hi, I have a question - how does your brother fix the sheath of Pilot on the shoulder strap? Any tip? Thank you...
The Astral PDF he has comes with loops on either side of the shoulder straps. I believe it’s the Astral blue jacket. I bought the same vest shortly after making this video. I love it.
The rectangular hole is for the shutoff valve on a scuba air tank. I worry about putting my finger into anything if something happens and the knife gets twisted and you can not get your finger out well I need not say more. Also, I would have and I do have a lanyard on my Pilot.
Oh cool! I figured it had a purpose. It seemed too intentional. I’m always hesitant about lanyards for the same reason. I just see them getting caught in or on something. How long is yours? Did you use paracord?
@@everydayfitness6793 yes I did ues paracord. I do understand the worry about getting caught on something, but I have it just long enough to get my hand in and it is only attached to the knife and not the vest it is about 5" long. The point at the end of the handle is a glass breaker.
I don't see what shutoff valve on the scuba tank you are talking about? (I'm a DiveMaster).
However, I've heard that this rectangular hole is a good fit for the O2 emergency bottle ON/OFF valve. Did not tested it.
Still, the main use of the rec. hole is the anchor point to the sheath.
@@alexandrevaliquette1941 I don’t scuba dive and going by what is printed on NRS website from their site “A convenient bottle opener and oxygen tank valve wrench are integrated into the handle.”
@@TomJonesGearGuy An emergency oxygen tank and a scuba tank are two very different things. They don't use the same valve at all.
Bottom line, my comment was right and yours was wrong.
NRS sheath will break off. When my buddy climbed in the raft he caught the handle on the perimeter line and it snapped in off without him even knowing.
We lost a NRS copilot shortly after this video. We like to do a lot of Ocean kayaking/kayak surfing. As you know, saltwater makes things rust faster than normal. The spring that controls the catch/release in the knife sheath was rusted and failed. It was a few years old too. So that contributed.
@@everydayfitness6793 Anything you want to keep needs to be tethered. So the cheaper the knife the better.
@@chrisbresh8817 Tethered gear is good for many activities. I would use that option for flat water fishing. But I like to limit the things that can get snagged and cause safety issues. So, no tether on my white water stuff.
Excellent video
Thanks. It was really fun to make!
Be wary, I’ve owned 4-5 NRS knives over the years. They’re great knives, but can be very very expensive. The knives are very rust resistant, but the sheaths are not. The little spring in the sheath rusts pretty easily. New sheath is also ridiculously expensive. You’re almost better off just buying a new knife.
That's weird, because they seem pretty cheap to me, especially compared to some knives. In the UK an NRS Pilot or Co Pilot is £40 to £50, and you can get replacement sheaths for only £5 or £6. That's about $50 to $60 and like $7 for the sheath in US money. Doesn't seem crazy expensive to me but maybe it's just more expensive where you are?
@@OllieNorthover I’m in Canada the cost of them shipping it to me almost makes it not worth it.
I have had to replace the NRS Pilot sheath due to a faulty/rusty spring. I do a lot of saltwater activities too. I try to be conscious of always cleaning off my gear and oiling what needs oil. But that spring will wear out. I had to replace mine, but it was less than $10.
Learn something today
Thanks
You bet!
Useful..thanks !
Glad it was helpful!
Nice video, thanks for the insight. Fyi, it’s PFD not PDF. A common misnomer :)
haha! wow..... over one year after posting this video! I will fix that now! Unfortunately, I deal with more pdf files than PFD's Thanks for the save!!
Persoonlijk vind ik dit de slechtste plek wat je kan bedenken voor een mes op een vest te zetten Vooral als jij weer terug je kano in wil Of je moet bijvoorbeeld een rots beklimmen je kan er overal aan blijven aanhangen Ik raad aan het doe hem altijd in je vest
What type of white water PDF/Vest can you put a knife inside of?