Hey all,
I am looking for a good knife for climbing, so I need a different attachment mechanism than most knives. The only ones I can see here are the remote release and the snap it. Does anyone have any opinions on these two knifes in terms of the attachment mechanism.
Right now I am leaning towards the snap it, because it comes with a sheeps foot blade, but am not sure of the exact details of the attachment mechanism and am concerned about getting to it with one hand. I would love to go see one but the stores up here would have to special order it and then I would have to buy it anyhow.
The remote release attachment mechanism seems straight forward but I am worried about it auto detatching if if gets bumped on a climb or whatever.
Thanks for any info you may have.
Paul C.
Remote Release or Snap-it for climbing??
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Clay Kesting
- Member
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Sydney Australia
Paul,
One thing to consider is where you're going to be carrying your knife. The Snap-It was designed to be clipped high on the body, whereas the Remote Release works better clipped to the waist. In each case the knife will be in the hand with the thumb right by the hole after it is released. Since I suspect that you will be carrying the knife on your harness, the Remote Release will probably work better, although I have seen some criticism of the spring strength. Another option, and the one I favour, is to carry a Rescue Jr, or Merlin in one of Mike Sastre's neck sheaths. These hold the knife very securely but allow it to be deployed very rapidly. You can get Mike's sheaths from him directly but I believe SFO stocks them as does BladeArt. You can see them here: http://www.bladeart.com/production/spyd ... yderco.htm. Hopethis helps.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
One thing to consider is where you're going to be carrying your knife. The Snap-It was designed to be clipped high on the body, whereas the Remote Release works better clipped to the waist. In each case the knife will be in the hand with the thumb right by the hole after it is released. Since I suspect that you will be carrying the knife on your harness, the Remote Release will probably work better, although I have seen some criticism of the spring strength. Another option, and the one I favour, is to carry a Rescue Jr, or Merlin in one of Mike Sastre's neck sheaths. These hold the knife very securely but allow it to be deployed very rapidly. You can get Mike's sheaths from him directly but I believe SFO stocks them as does BladeArt. You can see them here: http://www.bladeart.com/production/spyd ... yderco.htm. Hopethis helps.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Clay,
Thanks for your response. One question that I had since I have not seen either of these knives in RT, is how the snap-it gets released from whatever you hook it to. Do you pull the gate open with your thumb?
In answer to your question it would be clipped either to my harness or to a biner on my harness. What is the issue with the snap-it clipped low??
Thanks
Paul C
Thanks for your response. One question that I had since I have not seen either of these knives in RT, is how the snap-it gets released from whatever you hook it to. Do you pull the gate open with your thumb?
In answer to your question it would be clipped either to my harness or to a biner on my harness. What is the issue with the snap-it clipped low??
Thanks
Paul C
I find the Remote release is better if clipping to the gear loops or small carabiners.The attachment loop is larger and is much easier to un attach from the loops with larger diameter.I have a Snap it on a Key ring type split ring which clips on and off just fine.
Regards
Ricki
info@outdooredge.com.au
Spyderco Club Member
Regards
Ricki
info@outdooredge.com.au
Spyderco Club Member
Sal,
What is the mechanism for detaching the snap-it from whatever you attach it to?? do you hold the gate back with your thumb and then pull it off?? Do you have any specs on the internal dimensions of the loop thingie on both the snap-it or remote release so I can figure out what I can attach them to to make sure that this will work well. Also if you know of any knife dealers in Vancouver that have one of each of these that I could look at that would be great, as House of Knives does not normally carry these.
Thanks
Paul
Edited by - Paul C on 6/18/2001 6:02:49 PM
What is the mechanism for detaching the snap-it from whatever you attach it to?? do you hold the gate back with your thumb and then pull it off?? Do you have any specs on the internal dimensions of the loop thingie on both the snap-it or remote release so I can figure out what I can attach them to to make sure that this will work well. Also if you know of any knife dealers in Vancouver that have one of each of these that I could look at that would be great, as House of Knives does not normally carry these.
Thanks
Paul
Edited by - Paul C on 6/18/2001 6:02:49 PM
Just wondering if the Bellis Fair mall in Bellingham has a knife shop likely to stock a decent variety of Spydercos. Don't live as close as Paul, and haven't been there in 3-4 years. It is a big mall, with lots of stores.
I'd also check REI's web site. They may carry both knives, with some intelligent info about them for climbers.
Stare
I'd also check REI's web site. They may carry both knives, with some intelligent info about them for climbers.
Stare
Hi Paul.
do you hold the gate back with your thumb and then pull it off??
yes
Do you have any specs on the internal dimensions of the loop thingie on both the snap-it or remote release so I can figure out what I can attach them to to make sure that this will work well.
Not with me. You could give SFO a call 800-(828-1925) they might be able to measure one for you.
Also if you know of any knife dealers in Vancouver that have one of each of these that I could look at that would be great, as House of Knives does not normally carry these.
Check the dealer list on the website or contact one of the Canadian Distributors.
sal
do you hold the gate back with your thumb and then pull it off??
yes
Do you have any specs on the internal dimensions of the loop thingie on both the snap-it or remote release so I can figure out what I can attach them to to make sure that this will work well.
Not with me. You could give SFO a call 800-(828-1925) they might be able to measure one for you.
Also if you know of any knife dealers in Vancouver that have one of each of these that I could look at that would be great, as House of Knives does not normally carry these.
Check the dealer list on the website or contact one of the Canadian Distributors.
sal
I've seen both break at the attachment points, and really don't trust either. What I found most effective (I worked on a ropes course, at a few climbing camps and as a theater lighting and teck crew this way) was a Endura (or rescue/delica) clipped in the pocket with a few feet of papracord through the lanyard hole, then clipped to a gear loop. Stuff it all in the pocket and it disappears, or pull it out, and you have enough room to cut with (for the most part) still clipped, so if you drop it you can just reel it back in. For more awkward cutting, just unclip it like a quickdraw and cut as needed. I trust it more then the other two, and you can take it off the lanyard for carry when not rigged in. Works for me anyway.
Sal and all;
Hey Sal I didn't realize you owned the company. I think that it is really good that you care enough about the people that are interested in your products to take the time to participate in this forum and listen to their suggestions. Anyhow onto my question.
I looked at the Snap it yesterday and it looks good except for a minor problem, which is probably because the knife is not specifically made for climbers. This issue is that the attachment loop thingie is too small to fit on a regular 'biner. Well that is technically not true, but you have to open the biner instead of the loop on the knife to get it attached or detached. A larger gate opening/inner area would be a really good change, but that would be much more specific to climbers than it it now.
afee;
What was the exact mechanism of breakage? Did the gate come loose? I have tried your suggestion of a lanyard, but keeping knifes in pockets is problematic in a harness and the lanyard idea will not work because I refuse to have more cord than I need as all it does is get caught in gear and make a mess (especially in high winds). I also don't really like the sheath on a chain type idea as if it gets caught in a fall you could end up being strangled to death (which would be a bad thing, m'kay).
I used to be a theater tech and unfortunately there is a significant difference between being up a ladder with a multi-tool, flashlight, knife and C-wrench and being on a wall with 25 lbs of gear hanging off you.
I am going to try to look at a remote release soon and I think I will end up with a Snap it (hopefully the EMT version although no one seems to carry it here).
At the risk of being flamed, does anyone know of any other knives that have similar attachment mechanisms? I would prefer Spyderco as I really like their knives, but will entertain other reputable brands.
Thanks for all the input.
Paul
Hey Sal I didn't realize you owned the company. I think that it is really good that you care enough about the people that are interested in your products to take the time to participate in this forum and listen to their suggestions. Anyhow onto my question.
I looked at the Snap it yesterday and it looks good except for a minor problem, which is probably because the knife is not specifically made for climbers. This issue is that the attachment loop thingie is too small to fit on a regular 'biner. Well that is technically not true, but you have to open the biner instead of the loop on the knife to get it attached or detached. A larger gate opening/inner area would be a really good change, but that would be much more specific to climbers than it it now.
afee;
What was the exact mechanism of breakage? Did the gate come loose? I have tried your suggestion of a lanyard, but keeping knifes in pockets is problematic in a harness and the lanyard idea will not work because I refuse to have more cord than I need as all it does is get caught in gear and make a mess (especially in high winds). I also don't really like the sheath on a chain type idea as if it gets caught in a fall you could end up being strangled to death (which would be a bad thing, m'kay).
I used to be a theater tech and unfortunately there is a significant difference between being up a ladder with a multi-tool, flashlight, knife and C-wrench and being on a wall with 25 lbs of gear hanging off you.
I am going to try to look at a remote release soon and I think I will end up with a Snap it (hopefully the EMT version although no one seems to carry it here).
At the risk of being flamed, does anyone know of any other knives that have similar attachment mechanisms? I would prefer Spyderco as I really like their knives, but will entertain other reputable brands.
Thanks for all the input.
Paul
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sublime451
- Member
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
I've seen em break due to being squished between the body and trees/ladders, being droped from a height, or getting the body of the knife snagged and twisting untill the shakle either broke or sheared from the knife.
Instead of clipping it to a biner, just clip it to a gear loop. Conversly, tie a sort lanyard through the lanyard hole then around a snap hook or utility biner and clip that to your person. I really distrust the shackles on either model to hold out for the long haul, and much prefer just using the lanyard hole on other clipits. Just personal preference though. I've also had the lanyard thing work though, so, to each their own. There are also kydec sheaths meant to hold the folders in the closed position that could be attched to a harness, but i distrust those for high exposure situations as well. I prefer to have things as secure as possible if the ground isn't the normal few feet from my hand.
Instead of clipping it to a biner, just clip it to a gear loop. Conversly, tie a sort lanyard through the lanyard hole then around a snap hook or utility biner and clip that to your person. I really distrust the shackles on either model to hold out for the long haul, and much prefer just using the lanyard hole on other clipits. Just personal preference though. I've also had the lanyard thing work though, so, to each their own. There are also kydec sheaths meant to hold the folders in the closed position that could be attched to a harness, but i distrust those for high exposure situations as well. I prefer to have things as secure as possible if the ground isn't the normal few feet from my hand.