Updated June 17, 2024
A sailor’s knife is an indispensable tool for the many routine tasks encountered involving not only lines and knots but a multitude of other activities to keep a boat running and everyone safe. With the cutting, splicing, and other rigging activities a tool with more than just a simple blade is optimal.
To help you learn what you need to know to select the right tool for your needs, some of the top models are featured below, starting with a basic comparison table, key specifications for each, photos and videos, and finally a simple buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom.
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Best Sailing Knife Reviews
- Spyderco Atlantic Salt Serrated Sailing Knife
- Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife
- Myerchin Generation 2 Captain Pro Sailing Knife
- Camillus Carbonitride Titanium G2 Sailing Knife
- Maxam Sailor’s Tool Multi-Use Sailing Knife
- Victorinox Skipper Pro Sailing Knife
- Myerchin Sailing Knife Combo Tool
- Gill Marine Titanium Red Tool Sailing Knife
- Navy Knife With Marlin Spike Made in England
- Myerchin BF377 Generation 2 Black G10 Rigging Tool Sailing Knife
Best Sailing Knife Comparison Table
| Picture | Knife | Material | Blade Length | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Spyderco Atlantic Salt Serrated Sailing Knife | H-1 Japanese Stainless Steel | 3.687 inches | 4.8 | $$$$ |
  | Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife | Stainless Steel | 2.5 inches | 4.3 | $ |
  | Myerchin Generation 2 Captain Pro Sailing Knife | German Stainless Steel | 2.8 inches | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Camillus Carbonitride Titanium G2 Sailing Knife | VG-10 Japanese Steel Carbonitride Titanium Coated | 4.375 inches | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Maxam Sailor's Tool Multi-Use Sailing Knife | Stainless Steel | approximately 2.375 inches | 4.4 | $ |
  | Victorinox Skipper Pro Sailing Knife | Stainless Steel | approximately 4 inches | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Myerchin Sailing Knife Combo Tool | 440 C Stainless Steel | 2.25 inches | 4.6 | $$ |
 | Gill Marine Titanium Red Tool Sailing Knife | 420 Stainless Steel | 2.76 inches | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Navy Knife With Marlin Spike Made in England | Sheffield Steel | 2.25 inches | 4.3 | $$$ |
  | Myerchin BF377 Generation 2 Black G10 Rigging Tool Sailing Knife | German 440 C Stainless Steel | 2.3 inches | 4.7 | $$$ |
| Picture | Knife | Material | Blade Length | Rating | Price |
Spyderco Atlantic Salt Serrated Sailing Knife
Rugged Premium Cutting Blade Highly Resistant to Saltwater
3.68-inch
H-1 steel sheep’s foot blade, excellent rust-resistance
- Durable hollow-ground serrated edge good for cutting rope or wire
- Strong back-lock mechanism with secure blade lock-up
- 4-inch fiberglass/nylon handle with a sure-grip textured pattern
- Black titanium pocket clip supports left or right-side, tip-up carry
- Large 14mm round hole for easy one-handed opening with gloved or wet hands
- Weight: 2.75 ounces
- A little expensive
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$$$
Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife
Low-Priced, High-Quality Steel, Basic Sailor’s Rigging Tool
All parts are high-quality stainless steel
- 2.5-inch dura-edge blade
- 3-inch locking marlinspike
- Shackle key
- Screwdriver
- Weight: 1.76 ounces
- Low-priced
- Rating: 4.3
- Price: $
View More From Davis Instruments
Myerchin Generation 2 Captain Pro Sailing Knife
High-Grade German Steel, Excellent Craftsmanship, Durable
- 2.
8-inch high-quality German marine stainless steel serrated blade – hard and edge-holding, corrosion-resistant
- 3-inch locking marlinspike
- Springless one-hand opening and locking mechanism for blade and spike with a liner lock
- Durable black G-10 handle
- Stainless steel belt or pocket clip
- Includes Nylon Cordura belt sheath
- Weight: 5 ounces
- Made in Japan
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Camillus Carbonitride Titanium G2 Sailing Knife
Premium Craftsmanship & Japanese Steel with a Special Non-Stick Coating
2.75-inch VG-10 Japanese “super steel” for sharpness and durability
- Drop-point blade with Carbonitride Titanium non-stick coating – non-flake, and rust and corrosion-resistant
- Marlinspike
- Dual locking system (locking blade and spike)
- Durable black G10 handle
- Lanyard clip
- Weight: 3.15 ounces
- Made in Japan
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
Maxam Sailor’s Tool Multi-Use Sailing Knife
Budget-Priced with All the Basic Sailor’s Tools
Stainless steel construction with a handy array of essential sailor’s tools
- Honed blade (length not listed – approximately 2.375 inches)
- Marlinspike, shackle key, bottle opener, lanyard ring – all stainless steel
- 2-inch ruler on one side of the handle, a 5-cm ruler on the other side
- Weight: 2.2 ounces (shipping weight)
- Very low-priced
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $
Victorinox Skipper Pro Sailing Knife
- 4.4 inches – closed length
- Stainless steel construction
- Blue polymer handle
- 12 tools: lockable serrated blade, bottle opener, 5mm lockable screwdriver, wire stripper, can opener, 3mm screwdriver, reamer punch, marlinspike, tweezers, toothpick, keyring, orange lanyard
- Weight: 7.4 ounces (shipping weight)
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Myerchin Sailing Knife Combo Tool
- 25-inch 440 C stainless steel blade – ¾ serrated, ¼ traditional
- Stainless steel frame with silver aluminum handle slabs
- 3-inch marlinspike
- Double lock (blade and marlin spike)
- Fully functional pliers
- One-hand opening
- Tether loop
- Attachment clip
- Ballistic nylon sheath
- Weight: 4.5 ounces
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $$
Gill Marine Titanium Red Tool Sailing Knife
- 2.76-inch marine grade 420 stainless steel serrated blade with titanium coating for corrosion-resistance
- G10 composite handle for wet and dry grip
- Liner lock prevents accidental closure
- Marlinspike
- Other tools include a shackle key, webbing cutter, spanner, flathead screwdriver, and bottle opener
- Pouch with belt-loop
- Weight: 8.8 ounces (shipping weight)
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Navy Knife With Marlin Spike Made in England
- 2.25-inch stainless steel drop point blade
- Stainless steel marlinspike and can opener
- Stainless steel and brass handle
- Tether loop
- Handle engraving, “British Army”
- Produced by Sheffield cutlery manufacturer Ibberson
- Rating: 4.3
- Price: $$$
View More From Kings County Tools
Myerchin BF377 Generation 2 Black G10 Rigging Tool Sailing Knife
Durability & Quality Like the Captain Pro, Smaller with a Straight-Edge Blade
- 2.3-inch German 440C marine stainless steel blade (hard with anti-oxidation elements)
- Durable G10 handle
- 1.75-inch marlinspike
- Open assist lever for one-hand opening
- Double locking (blade and marlin spike) with liner lock
- Stainless steel belt or pocket clip
- Sheath included
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Sailing Knife Buying Guide
Blade Edge
Blade edges come in straight, serrated, or a combination of both, that is a blade that has a section that is serrated and a section that is straight. When there are both, the serrated portion is usually at the base of the blade nearest the handle.
The straight portion of a blade has a continuous sharp edge for smooth cuts. Serrated blades can work well on tough substances like wire where a sawing motion can be more effective.
Blade Tip
Pointed and blunt tips are both available on sailor’s knives. On an unstable or slippery surface, as is standard on a boat, pointed tips can be dangerous but have better puncturing capability. Blunt tips can at times be more useful for prying.
Blade Material
Saltwater is especially hard on metals so it is best to find high-quality stainless steel with resistance to rust and corrosion. Blades can also be made of cobalt or titanium which are both more expensive but more corrosion-resistant. Some stainless steel blades use a corrosion-resistant coating that can include titanium.
Blade Lock & Operation
Sailing knives are predominantly folding knives like the ones described here. A blade lock will hold the knife firmly open without the possibility it could close on your fingers. It will also keep it firmly closed when not in use. The best have a mechanism that can be easy to disengage for one-hand opening and closing.
One-handed operation is very useful at sea where you might often be using your other hand for something else like maintaining balance or holding something you want to use the knife on. Most have some sort of pin, hole, or notch that can be used to activate opening the blade with your thumb or finger.
Design & Grip
The knife should have a grip that fits comfortably and securely in your hand under wet and unstable conditions and if you are wearing gloves. Size has a bearing as do the texture and material. Many sailing knives have a very bare-bones metal grip.
Cutting Power
The knife blade needs to be able to perform the tasks that will be required. It needs to be rugged and sharp enough to cut the materials you give it whether it is rope or wire or some other substance. This will be determined by the type of blade, the grip, and the size. It may take some experience to realize which of these features will best accommodate your needs.
Other Features
The knife blade is only one component of many sailing knives. Many include marlin spikes for work with knots and lines, and other tools for commonly encountered work like shackle keys, and screwdrivers. You can also find knives with wrenches, bottle openers, corkscrews, magnifying glasses, can openers, and others. The Victorinox Skipper reviewed above packs 12 different tools into its design.
For more reviews of knives, please check out these popular posts:
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Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on sailing knives interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
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