Customer Reviews

Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This knife will likely not impress people who work on tall rigs, scrimshaw nostalgic types, or folks who can braid picture frames, but is more than sufficient for a pocket cruiser / day sailor and the price is very fair.

Mine is used in blue water conditions as a beater / utility quality rigging tool. New out of the box, the blade came dull as a butter-knife and the milled edge was crooked. This is a tough steel and it took a LONG time to rework the edge, but it DID take a sharpening with an aggressive stone.

Spike works great, shackle key works great, screwdriver end has never seen use, but looks well designed and substantial. Lanyard loop position locks the spike in place. No sign of rust or corrosion after several seasons wet. Blade does not lock open, but the hold system works well enough. When folded, all tools rise out of the handle enough to allow you to pull them open; even with cold, numb, sore, or tired fingers; a great design consideration if you are shopping specifically for a folding-type rigging knife.

I wanted a knife to keep with my bag of paracord so that I had something available any time I was working on a project. I received this as a recommendation because of some of the books on knots that I had purchased. The inclusion of a marlin spike made the knife attractive and the price was right, so I bought it. I'm happy I did. This is a solid tool. It's well constructed and tight. While the blade doesn't lock, it has a set position that does a good job of keeping it from closing on your fingers, but since it's just a cutting implement, with no ability to poke or gouge with, that's unlikely to happen anyway. Over several months of use now it's kept a great edge and it's easy to sharpen. It's cutting my rope quite well, and I couldn't be happier with it.

I bought this knife because it's as close to a replacement for my father's rigging knife I could find. The price is right but the blade comes so dull you can't slice bread. Sharpened it holds its edge very well tho. The spike locks well. I lubed it before using around water and haven't had a problem. Sadly tho I have gone through two of these knives. The first was used to open a beer bottle and the pin behind the blade that keeps it stiff snapped. I had it replaced and a few months later under normal use (no beer bottle opening) the locking pin behind the spike broke as well. I got a 3rd as a gift but this will be Davis' last chance with me. I'll have to go with something more substantial next time.

This knife is very well made. The spike, knife blade and shackle key all have great snap and hold their positions well. The only thing I don't like is that the marlin spike is not shaped like it shows in the picture. Every marlin spike I have seen is gradually tapered. This spike is one consistent diameter three quarters of the way to the point and then ground sharply conical to the tip. Maybe this is a recent design change but it does not look like the picture provided. I am curious as to whether other owners knives are like this. I think I might have bought a different knife had this been apparent. Either change the picture to represent the actual tool or better yet, make the spike a continues taper. I still like the tool and think it is a great value for how well it is made and will function just fine for me. I just think accurate information, especially a photo, is important when buying on line.

2011-10-31
The knife has held up well. Unfortunately, I lost it, so I'm buying another. Since I'm here, I thought I should follow up with my experience over the last year: Thumbs up, I'm buying an identical replacement.

2010-06-24
This knife has exactly the right tools -- knife blade, marlinspike, and shackle key. Most rigging knives have the "shackle key" built into the knife blade, which is a tremendous safety problem. The Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife does not have that problem -- the shackle key and marlinspike are separate tools, which work very well. It it the highest quality? No, but it is very good quality for the price. It's holding up well, so far.

The Davis Rigging knife will make a nice addition to your riggers kit. The knife is made quite well. I don't think it is made in China since "Made in China" could not be found on the product. I also noted while sharping it that the steel is very hard and holds an edge. The spike is well designed, has a nice point on it. The overall knife has a comfortable feel to it. I recommend it.

The rigging knife is all stainless steel, an advantage around saltwater. And, the shackle key comes in very handy to break loose, or tighten, a shackle bolt without having to find a pair of pliers. The marlin spike can be locked in two positions, an advantage when trying to work open a wet knot or open a rope for splicing. Have not used it long enough to judge its durability or longevity potential.

The knife I was sold doesn't have the Davis sailboat on it, so maybe its a knockoff. This knife is very hard to open and close, doesn't lock, and has grit all over it, even though it was package sealed. I'll be returning this one and looking for another somewhere, probably from Boye or Myerchin. If anyone finds a good quality knife, I would appreciate hearing about it!

Maybe the amazon merchant sold me a fake, but this one definitely is a piece of crap not even worth $20. I purchased new using amazon prime.

This has long been my favorite rigging knife, having tried many. It has the Marlin Spike to puncture many things, certainly including wet and tight knots that need to be undone. The Shackle-Buster has been the most often-used tool, usually on the Main Halyard in high winds. The blade and the whole knife's finish has improved in recent years - and the finish was good before. But, no stainless steal holds an edge very well, so I always take a Dremel (or a three-sided file) and make the blade serrated. Having done so, any line will cut through with many fewer saw strokes. Best of all, you can get all three tools out with wet, too flexible fingernails.

I really Really like this rigging knife!

An ok rigging knife for the price. I had knock off version from one of the marine supply stores that was a little better quality.