Forums > Kitesurfing General

Wearing a Line Cutter on your Forearm

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Created by Xponti > 9 months ago, 24 Jan 2021
Xponti
WA, 24 posts
24 Jan 2021 7:20PM
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Hi,
Noob question here. Saw that Ventum Kites have a Safety knife in a pouch that can be attached to the harness straps.

Is there anything that would stop you wearing it on your forearm/upper arm for ease of access? Knife looks to be secured in the pouch with velcro.

Can't post the link, however if you go to Ventum Kites and look at their accessories you will see the knife.

bjw
NSW, 3567 posts
25 Jan 2021 7:45AM
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Sounds fine, but most people just want simple in the harness, because it's super rare you'd use it.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
25 Jan 2021 10:38AM
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I think a knife on your arm would be prone to tangles when you need it most. It also means both hands are occupied in getting it out.

I've used my knife 2-3 times in 20+ years. Once to cut kite lines in an emergency and twice to cut away fishing line I got tangled in.

It lives in the built in pocket under the harness hook. It's easy to get to with either hand. It's always there. I don't have to remember to take it with me and put it on and all the rest. I check it a couple of times a year. If it was corroded I would replace it. They're dirt cheap.

Andrash
WA, 637 posts
25 Jan 2021 10:57PM
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Then you can access the knife only with the other hand. It's risky, especially if something happens with that hand....

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
26 Jan 2021 8:33AM
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Select to expand quote
Andrash said..
Then you can access the knife only with the other hand. It's risky, especially if something happens with that hand....


Now that is a seriously valid point, and would shut down the argument for good.

tuney
WA, 9 posts
29 Jan 2021 2:34PM
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'save the Whales' had a great idea, drip candle wax on the blade, and that would stop it corroding and when needed, it would work, I bought a new vest with a zip pocket to put mine in.

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
30 Jan 2021 7:54AM
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tuney said..
'save the Whales' had a great idea, drip candle wax on the blade, and that would stop it corroding and when needed, it would work, I bought a new vest with a zip pocket to put mine in.


Most people couldn't be bothered actually getting a candle, lighting it, then dripping wax on the blade. I just coated my blade with surfboard wax. I have had the same knife on a sheath on my harness of 6 years and still razor sharp. I check it at the start of each season and put a fresh coat of wax on. If you live in tropical conditions you might have to reapply every now and then. I guess paraffin or candle wax would be better in that situation.

Gateman
QLD, 409 posts
30 Jan 2021 8:59AM
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Select to expand quote
tuney said..
'save the Whales' had a great idea, drip candle wax on the blade, and that would stop it corroding and when needed, it would work, I bought a new vest with a zip pocket to put mine in.


Unless it's Nylon zipper with Nylon teeth, keep an eye on it. Even with washing after every use any zip with steel in it will seize. The you will need a knife to get your knife out.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
30 Jan 2021 1:35PM
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Select to expand quote
tuney said..
'save the Whales' had a great idea, drip candle wax on the blade, and that would stop it corroding and when needed, it would work, I bought a new vest with a zip pocket to put mine in.


Great idea. When you're getting tumbled with a line wrapped around your leg and the kite pulling you backwards and upside down, just casually reach across and unzip the pocket and pull out the knife and cut yourself free.

tuney
WA, 9 posts
5 Feb 2021 2:52PM
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Great to see sarcasm alive and kicking gorgo,
Knife below my hook digs in,
I'm happy with it in my vest, up to everyone to make their own mind up,
thanks gateman good point, i do check zip regularly for corrosionand if I tangle that bad then off for the long sleep!

tuney
WA, 9 posts
6 Feb 2021 8:37AM
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To add to that, check your knife is still in its pouch! I lost two and didn't know, a few friends lost theirs, they can fall out! At least the one in my vest is there!

craggers
WA, 475 posts
1 Mar 2021 11:59AM
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Select to expand quote
Xponti said..
Hi,
Noob question here. Saw that Ventum Kites have a Safety knife in a pouch that can be attached to the harness straps.

Is there anything that would stop you wearing it on your forearm/upper arm for ease of access? Knife looks to be secured in the pouch with velcro.

Can't post the link, however if you go to Ventum Kites and look at their accessories you will see the knife.


Yeh the blade is ceramic i see which is pretty clever and avoids all the corrossion/jamming issues etc. Pretty clever. Good looking kit generally i reckon.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
1 Mar 2021 3:58PM
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Those cutters have a single blade doing the cutting. You want two blades in a vee.

A single blade might work on a single line. It will be less effective on a couple of lines in a bunch or a piece of webbing.

ventumkiteboarding.com/product/line-cutter-with-ceramic-blade/

craggers
WA, 475 posts
1 Mar 2021 2:10PM
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Gorgo said..
Those cutters have a single blade doing the cutting. You want two blades in a vee.

A single blade might work on a single line. It will be less effective on a couple of lines in a bunch or a piece of webbing.

ventumkiteboarding.com/product/line-cutter-with-ceramic-blade/


i think it might be that with the Vee style blade, right in the crotch of the V can get a tiny kink on the blade edge, then its not much good after that, iv seen this happen before.
This Ventum one looks like it might have best of both idea, the outer flange presses the line in against the blade. im guessing they are bigger than first appears, almost like a knife size, not a key ring size. So your cutting with a safe knife, and the lines jammed into the opening which looks wide enough to take depower, webbing or whatever you hack at.
looks like this style has been adopted by scuba. seems pretty legit

squidink69
SA, 21 posts
1 Mar 2021 7:44PM
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I always kite with a knife in both sleeves every time I go kiting. Hopefully I'll never need to use them. Often loose one so replace and all part of my pre launch.

squidink69
SA, 21 posts
1 Mar 2021 7:45PM
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I always kite with a knife in both sleeves every time I go kiting. Hopefully I'll never need to use them. Often loose one so replace and all part of my pre launch.



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"Wearing a Line Cutter on your Forearm" started by Xponti