There are several sports that require, or at least recommend carrying a knife. Most are obvious, like hunting, fishing, camping, etc. Two slightly more obscure sports that I’m involved in are SCUBA diving and sea kayaking. Finding the right knives that fit these specific sports have been a challenge for me. Until I came across the GEAR AID booth at Outdoor Retailer. I spotted a small knife that had a sheath capable of attaching to my dive BCD as well as my kayaking PFD. So I picked up specific versions for both sports. The Buri Utility Knife is a perfect fit for attaching to my kayaking PFD.
Sea kayaking in the Great Lakes can be beautiful. It can also become hazardous in a matter of minutes. Constantly fluctuating weather along with the sheer size of these bodies of water can produce some severe maritime conditions. Before setting out on these waters, I equip my PFD with as many items that will ensure my survival in the event I become separated from my kayak. A list of items stored in my PFD are; signal mirror, emergency blanket, whistle, pen flare, water, compass, GPS, fire starter, signal strobe, power bar ICOM radio, and a solid knife. This list of kit has been refined over time as some items work better than others.
Initially catching my eye at Outdoor Retailer was the stainless steel clip attachment on the Buri Utility Knife. The size and shape of this clip allow attachment to those sewn on plastic thing-a-ma-jigs found on PFD’s and BCD’s. Attaching to the outside of the PFD, the Buri knife allows quick access when required. And doesn’t consume valuable pocket space. Additionally, a stainless steel full tang blade ensures corrosion won’t take hold in these wet environments. Blade serrations along with a straight section and a sharp point add to the Buri’s versatility. Finally, a glass breaker and bottle opener are located at the butt end of the knife.
Buri Utility Knife Specs courtesy of gearaid.com
- Titanium-coated 3” drop point blade with straight and serrated edges for cutting through multiple types of jobs
- The full tang blade is made with 420 stainless steel and equipped with a bottle opener at the end
- Quick-release sheath with removable belt clip attaches to backpacks, belts, and boots
- Use a lanyard to tie the knife around your wrist, or the sheath around your neck to get fast access when you need it
- Butt end glass breaker and MOLLE compatible sheath make it a great survival knife
- Blade Length: 3.07”
- Overall Length (in sheath): 8.06”
- Thickness: 0.12”
- Blade Steel: 420 stainless steel
- Finish: Titanium
- Handle Material: Acetal
- Handle Color: Orange or Black
- Sheath Material: Acetal molded sheath and stainless steel belt clip
- Sheath Color: Black
- Knife Weight: 3.6 oz
- Overall Weight: 5.4 oz
- MSRP $29.95
Also of interest: GEAR AID offers several variations of knives. The Akua Rescue + Dive knife is a perfect fit for my SCUBA BCD. I don’t like wearing a knife on my calf like James Bond. Spending most of my time diving in cold water, a drysuit doesn’t allow the flexibility needed to retrieve a knife from my lower leg. Clipping the Akua knife to my BCD provides easy access to a tool that could potentially save my life in an entanglement. Featuring a blunt tip for prying, a line cutter, straight and serrated blade sections, the Akua is a solid choice for diving. Finally, the rounded butt of this tool can be used to tap a dive tank for signaling a dive partner. And as always, a bottle opener is included to end your day on the right note.
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