Kayaking is an adventurous, fun, and healthy activity that is enjoyed worldwide. To make this adventure safe as much as it is entertaining, you should always bring the right set of equipment, and no set is complete without a proper kayaking knife.

PFD knives (Personal floating devices) are a tool that bears much importance in aquatic ventures. It has multiple purposes and, in many situations, can help you cut through obstacles, help you prepare a meal, or even save someone’s life.

That being said, you cannot bring just any regular knife on aquatic adventures. PFD type is compact and can fit in your equipment storage without taking too much space.

Recommendations for Paddling Knives

1. NRS Titanium Pilot Knife

This is definitely the knife you should have by your side during a kayaking trip. Titanium coating being harder than steel, might make you think that the product will be heavier. However, that is not the case. It is lightweight and easy to fit in any storage space you are carrying.

It has several safety features like blunt tips, which will prevent any accidental punctures. In addition, only the edge is sharpened, which grants you extra protection. The handle is made out of glass-reinforced polypropylene, which allows you easier grasp and more control.

The blade is corrosion-resistant, making it an excellent solution for aquatic trips since it will often be in contact with water.

The critical thing to bear in mind is that this product will expose you to Carbon Black, which in the State of California is known as a material that causes cancer, congenital disabilities, and reproductive harm.

 

2. 3GEAR AID Akua Blunt Tip Paddle Knife with Serrated 3” Blade and Sheath

This versatile knife is an excellent solution if you are paddling in open water. It is lightweight, and you can attach it safely to your PFD.  The blade provides you with various mounting options and comes with a belt clip that can be easily removed.

It has a serrated blade, which makes cutting very easy. One thing that might separate this product is a durable tip and handle, which makes it convenient for breaking glass and similar materials.

You can also attach this knife to scuba diving gear with a leg strap which unfortunately is not provided with a product. However, the sheath comes with durable webbing mounts which will be more than enough to explore mounting possibilities.

This product is affordable and well retained, making it an excellent choice for your adventures.

 

3. Gerber CrossRiver Saltwater Fixed Blade Knife

This product is a fantastic choice if your adventures take you to the saltwater environment. Its 3-inch blade will not easily rust in contact with water, especially the salty type, and corrosion resistance is critical during fishing and kayaking trips.

The blade is made out of stainless steel, which provides high durability and a long lifespan. Its glass-reinforced polypropylene handle provides you with a firm, non-slippery grip, and a multi-mount sheet makes it relatively easy to attach to your PFD. In addition, there are several safety features this blade possesses, such as a round tip preventing you from making accidental punctures.

Gerber has a long history of making high-quality kayaking and fishing gear, including top-notch blades, and this product is no exception.

 

4. Aqualung Squeeze Lock Stainless Steel Knife

This particular blade is excellent for both kayaking, fishing, and diving endeavors. It is made of high-quality materials, ensuring a longer lifespan. It holds up great in saltwater and is highly corrosion-resistant.

This Aqualung 3-inch blade is made of stainless steel. It offers a wide range of mounting options, which is a great feature for different types of gear. The sheath is made of plastic, so it might not be so durable, although various reviewers stated that it endured rough conditions. Since the tip of the blade is blunt, it will provide you with extra protection.

Considering the size, it offers a very nice performance, although you might struggle to cut thicker ropes underwater.

 

5. Promate Point Tip Scuba Dive BC Knife

This blade is a useful solution as a backup knife. It is small sharp, and quite easy to use and store. The sheath comes in various colors, and it is made of plastic which might be an issue if you require a more durable type.

The knife is 3-inch long and is made out of stainless steel. It is corrosion-resistant and durable in contact with salt water. It offers a serrated edge on one and a sharp edge on the other side. Its molded sheath comes with pre-installed clips providing you with a wide range of mounting options.

The maintenance is fast and straightforward. All you need to do is rinse it with fresh water after use, dry it with a clean cloth, and lubricate the knife after it is dry. It is a nice, compact blade that comes at a fair price.

 

6. NRS Captain Kayak Rescue Knife

This rescue knife serves multiple purposes in your aquatic adventures and offers extra options for rescue professionals. Its unique design separates it from the pack. A rounded tip can use as a screwdriver, and a soft-grip handle provides you with a bottle opener.

The serrated edge on this blade is extra sharp and cuts through the thickest rope easily. It is made out of stainless steel and has an interesting clip point shape. The knife is lightweight and comes with a spring metal clip making it easy to keep wherever you want it.

The folding mechanism can lock the blade in place, granting you extra safety. The handle is made out of polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers and its lower part has a built-in glass breaker. This is an absolute must knife for your rescue bag.

 

7. Spyderco Pacific Salt 2 Lightweight Folding Knife

A dynamic combination of safety, corrosion resistance, and compactness, this knife offers you a variety of options in your adventures.

Spyderco Pacific knife will do an amazing job in and around the water. It offers you a four-position pocket clip. The handle is made of fiberglass-reinforced nylon, which provides you with some extra versatility in handling.

The blade is 3.78 inches long, made of stainless steel, and has a clip point shape. The locking mechanism operates smoothly and grants you extra safety. It is lightweight, compact, and easy to store wherever you want it. Maintenance is quite easy, which makes it one of the essentials for your kayaking adventures and fishing activities.

 

Buying guide

In order to purchase a high-quality kayaking knife, you should consider various factors. From price to the blade’s effectiveness, it is important to contemplate all factors before spending your cash. In the text below, we offer you guidelines that might help you narrow the search for your perfect blade.

Corrosion resistance

Whenever you are going on kayaking ventures, you are bound to get wet. Water can cause a lot of damage over time to low-quality blades, so it is important to pick the one that can withstand long-term moisture.

Blade Material

Depending on the needs you have, you should choose the material that suits your needs the best. Although most kayaking knives have steel blades, there are other options you should explore, such as titanium.

With these types of blades, corrosion will not set in for an extended period of time. These knives, however, will get dull faster, and they will be harder to sharpen. If this is the problem for you, opt for high carbon material, which provides you with easier sharpening, longer blades, and higher durability.

This material, however, can rust easier and be fragile under a higher dose of pressure. Whichever material your choose, it is vital that the blade is sharp, can cut through thick rope, obstacles, and fits your equipment belt without any problems.

Design of the knife

Picking the proper design, although, essential might be the more manageable factor to determine. There are two types of blades you can opt for – fixed and folding.

Fixed type provides you with more strength. This type also offers way more comfort due the length of the handle. You should wear these inside the sheat for safety measures, so you do not hurt yourself accidentally.

Folding knives can, as the name indicates, fold right back into the handle. They are extremely compact and easy to carry around in your pockets, belts, and bags. However, they lack strength and are a bit harder to maintain. Folding blades are often multipurpose and can provide you with extra tools such as screwdrivers, bottle openers, pliers, or scissors.

Maintenance

It is important to clean and maintain your kayaking knife properly. You do not want to find yourself in a situation when you need the blade, and it is not sharp or clean enough. Rinse your blades with water after each use, and find an adequate piece of clean cloth to dry them. You can use different types of oils after you clean the knife in order to increase its longevity.

Importance of kayaking knife

This is an essential tool, not only for kayaking but also for fishing and other aquatic trips. It will help you cut through ropes and obstacles while also finding its use on camping trips while preparing food. In some situations, you might need to cut yourself free if entangled underwater or on land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which materials are best for kayaking knives?

There is a variety of choices you can opt for. The most popular choices you can go for are stainless steel, high carbon, or titanium. All these options provide you with sharp and compact solutions during aquatic adventures.

Are fixed knives better than folding?

It depends on your needs. Fixed knives provide you with more stability and strength. They have longer, exposed blades, so you need to use sheathe for them. On the other hand, the folding type folds into the handle and is much more compact but lacks the fixed type’s strength.

How do I maintain a kayaking knife?

Maintenance is quite simple. Wash these knives with water after use, and dry them with a clean piece of cloth. You can also apply different types of oils to preserve the blade quality and increase its lifespan.

Which safety features are most important for kayaking knives?

This is the factor that largely depends on the type you need. One of the crucial features for safety is rounded or blunt tips. This will prevent most of the accidental injuries that might happen during your kayaking adventures. You can also opt for folding knives that have safety locks preventing the knife from opening and hurting you.

Which kayaking knife should I purchase?

There are various products you can go for. All blades we have listed are high-quality and will likely provide you with the necessary features. We recommend you NRS captain kayak if you want to choose folded type and an NRS titanium Pilot knife if you want to go for a fixed one.

Conclusion

Choosing the right blade for your kayaking adventures can be tricky. During these, people find themselves in all sorts of tricky situations that require a reliable knife. In the list above, we offered you a list of top-notch products that are worthy of consideration.

Contemplate all pros and cons we have offered you and pick the blade that suits you best because the quality knife is absolutely vital for any adventure you might find yourself in.