In this blog we will explore a little more in depth the features, advantages and disadvantages of the Folding Blade. If you are a sailor, whether commercial or leisure this is aimed at you. We therefore want to help you know all about the trusty tool on your belt or harness. Your Rigging or Sailors knife. It may just save your life one day and will certainly make your life easier having not just any Rigging knife but one that matches your requirements. Consequently our goal is quite simply to be ‘your preferred Rigging Knife supplier’.
Following on from our last blog on the Fixed Blade this one is going to continue with our introduction to our ‘Range’. As we said in that blog we aim to define the different products and to briefly explain the reasons behind and the advantages of the different features. We will repeat the general overarching introduction. If you have read the last blog you may wish to skip the introductions and jump down to our in-depth exploration of the Folding Knife range.
Some features are strongly practical whilst others are all about the look and feel – the aesthetics. What goes without saying is that the ‘tool’ must do the job. But when it looks good too it is this that gives the Myerchin range the edge over our competitors.
The range falls into 3 categories – Fixed Blade, Folding Blade and Multi-Tool. Within these ranges there are other features which provide for matching the knife for your individual requirements. Below is a brief introduction of each type and in this blog we will explore the Folding Blade in more depth.
- Fixed Blade – simple, no working mechanism. Available with different material and colour handle ‘Scales’ and a ‘plain ground’ or ‘¾ serrated’ Sheep’s Foot blade. The fixed blade also comes with a Marlin Spike and leather sheath.
- Folding Blade – easy to carry and deploy when needed. The Knife Body contains both the blade and Marlin Spike. Available with different material and colour handle ‘Scales’ and a ‘plain ground’ or ‘¾ serrated’ Sheep’s Foot blade. Provided with a nylon belt or harness sheath.
- Multi-Tool – a simple economic knife/pliers solution. Available with 3 different colour aluminium handle ‘Scales’ Red, Blue & Silver. The ‘Sailors Tool’ has a short ‘¾ serrated’ blade and a Marlin Spike forming the lever handle to the pliers.
So that is what, but why? In this blog we will explore a little more in depth the features, advantages and disadvantages of the Folding Blade.
Folding Blade – The Generation II (G2) Folding blade range. Strong, compact and having both a blade and marlin spike. Building on the original Myerchin DoubleLock® system, the G2 Folders feature (depending on model) either a ‘Frame’ or ‘Liner’ lock mechanism. Perfect for ‘One Hand Opening’ both the Pro-grade German Marine Stainless-Steel blade and the spike are locked open in this way. Why a Folding Blade? – We see most folding blades going out to Leisure Sailors and those who have the knife for those ‘when needed’ moments. The compact, easy to carry folder fits easily in the pocket (on a lanyard of course). Alternatively, the sheath can be secured to a belt or harness (vertical or horizontal to meet preference). “It’s knowing it’s there and will always work when needed that gives peace of mind”. Boat yards, professional boat crew and classic boat owners’ sailors in the main prefer the Fixed Blade.
The knife is perfect for ‘one hand opening’. You’ve probably heard the old saying, “One hand for yourself, and one hand for the ship”. To Myerchin the importance being you can remove the knife from its sheath/pocket, open and use it with one hand on the boat. The Liner and Frame Lock system, with a tiny bit of practice, makes this a piece of cake. The current G2 Folders have evolved from the DoubleLock® system to provide even more reliability.
The folders have a choice of 3 types of handle scales, Black G10, Bone, Hard Wood and Titanium.
- The Professional Black G10 and Titanium are most practical requiring little if any maintenance and being black hides any marking well.
- The Classic Bone is also resilient and is perfect for those who wish to add a scrimshaw.
- The Traditional hard wood is the classic boat owner’s favourite, maintained with a wipe of oil from time to time it will retain all of its as new character. Left to age it will open the grain a little, shrink a little and give a weathered look that many love. The hard wood scales also look great with an individual’s scrimshaw carved in.
- If you are a ‘Techie’ then the Titanium has the wow factor. All of the models with the exception of the Titanium feature Liner locks. The Titanium is a Frame lock making use of the Titanium frame to dual role.
The folders all have a choice of two blade types. Plane Ground and ¾ Serrated. Again, it’s very much down to the individual’s intentions for the knife. And because we all don’t have the big sailors hands all models are available in the Captain (large) and Crew (small) ranges.
Common to all folding models. A stainless-steel belt clip allows the knife to be quickly stowed. A handy Shackle key is provided towards the rear of the blade. For security a lanyard loop is provided, the Lifetime Warranty is genuine but not if the knife is on the ocean bed! The Marlin Spike also locks (Liner/Frame Lock depending on model) making for safe use.
The ¾ serrated (called the Pro-Blade). Ideal for that emergency situation when you need to get through a rope quickly. Kept sharp the serrations will swiftly cut through a rope (of all types) but everything has a compromise and the cut will not be the neatest. However the ¾ serrated blade has a ¼ of the blade that is plane ground for those neat cuts. The serrations require sharpening rods to maintain a keen cutting edge (the V100 sharpener is a good solution).
The plane ground blade. Contrastingly will provide a neat cut along its entire edge and have the advantage of ease of sharpening. Inevitably, however the ability to ‘rip’ through a rope is not as good as the serrated blade.
The choice as they say is yours to make, but I hope the information on the Folding Blade is of use in helping you with that choice. Pop across to our on-line shop and check out the Folding Blade range.
Blog ‘Did you know’ – The origin of the phrase “Son of a Gun” In historic sailing ship. Women were occasionally smuggled aboard. Many naturally became pregnant (with little idea of who the father was). Childbirth at sea traditionally happened between cannons on the gun deck and the child was recorded in the ship’s log as a “Son of a Gun”.
Blog ‘Quote’ – “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore! Dream! Discover!”
In the next Blog we look forward to exploring the Sailors Tool in more depth. For now feel free to pop across to our website www.myerchin.co.uk and have a browse. If you have any questions please feel free to drop us line. (email [email protected] , phone number +44 (0)1305 302304) or use our on-line chat.