Righto , to all the
Numptys out there who haven't got one of these,
its a line knife, possibly the cheapest but most important bit of gear,
Before the season kicks in get your arse into your local shop and get one, if you already have one check it's still serviceable ,
I personally know of a couple of local Kite fatalities that could possibly of been avoided with knife use,
another tip is to get some elastcated cord, secure to harness and knife, tuck excess into pouch, that way you Carnt drop it in the drink, ensure you've enough length with a fully exstended arm,
Enjoy the season , it's gonna be a ripper

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billygreen said..

Silly billy

Good idea attaching the knife to elasticated cord and tucking it into the harness pouch also.

check my blade at the beginning of every season then repack around the blade with board wax to minimise corrosion...

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shi thouse said..
check my blade at the beginning of every season then repack around the blade with board wax to minimise corrosion...

Looks like Eppo's had Vaseline on it

Agree!! An essential piece of equipment that is often overlooked. However, not a fan of the dinky, hard to find kite versions - like Crocodile Dundee says - this is a knife... I always carry one of these Trilobites safety knives diving and kiting, they will cut lines, webbing and rope up to 10mm in one pass and come with a pouch that mounts on your harness and is easy to find and use in an emergency. They also come with a couple of spare blades. Highly recommended!!! Most dive shops stock them & there is now a titanium version around that doesn't corrode...
eezycut.com

Has anyone ever used one?

Yes, foiling at Coogee, fisherman balloon fishing for big fish, I kited straight into the line, tangled round my arm and finger, they tried hauling in, almost de-gloved my finger by time I got to my knife and cut their line, next haul in would have been into my arm and lost finger, never been so glad to be carrying a knife!!

I was hit last by a fisherman near the drain north of Floreat last year, I'm sure they use us as target practice.

They were probably pissed at the number of guys doing a downwinder.
Anyway, there was no traffic yesterday after work.

You just dont know when you might desperately need one. Friend use his knife to help me once, to cut a freak stray kite that tangled into mine on the beach and was about pull everything out to sea. I learnt the unexpected could always happen and that I was not above surprises.

Since then always tuck one into my harness. Having it in the waves is a good feeling. Know a few who have got strung up like grandmas sunday roast when rolled into their lines.

Cheap, doesnt get in the way, it a no brainer for me.

I carry one windsurfing for that obvious reason in waves.

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Foghorn said.
I carry one windsurfing for that obvious reason in waves.

assuming to take out those kiters

^^^Oh, I thought it was to cut a square hole in his sail so he could actually see where he was heading down the line.

Oh yeh i carry one kiting to.
You're not special.

Good advice cauncy.
I used my knife once a few years ago when my kite went into a uncontrolled spiral and wouldn't depower after QR. Can't remember exactly why, i think a bridle was wrapped around a wing tip. I was being dragged fairly close to a relatively a busy road and didn't want to ditch the kite.

Lookin back I could have got out of it without cutting, maybe with a bit more experience, but wind was strong and i just did it. I cut one line and then dropped the f'n knife in the drink#$@! So I attached a line to my new knife Also good advice.