A few days back myself and a few others helped someone retrieve their kite, well n truly jammed on its bridle up a bjg tree.

While balancing out on a branch, I borrowed a hook knife to cut it free... 5 minutes later it finally cut through after some serious hacking.
I told him if it were in surf or water being dragged - he'd have drowned by now.

If you have a bit of kite line spare - just check its still sharp enough to cut properly

Good idea to check the knife, however there is always kite safety leash release to free yourself of the kite entirely (or remove your harness under water if that fails)

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Swavek said..
Good idea to check the knife, however there is always kite safety leash release to free yourself of the kite entirely (or remove your harness under water if that fails)

Your kite's safety systems will be useless if lines wrap around your body and the kite starts pulling. This kind of scenario is rare but can happen!

Here are two scenarios that may cause lines to wrap around your body that I've experienced myself and seen happen many times:

1-you crash your kite in the power zone after a water start and continue riding towards it at speed with slack lines, you then sink through your lines

2-Poor boosting technique in poor quality (very gusty) winds. you take off at speed too far downwind while sending the kite over your head, kite falls down with all lines slack over your head and lines wrap around you.

Plenty of other examples when a hook knife is essential, such as someone else's lines get caught around you, lines caught around an object, etc.

So many kiters don't even know hook knives even exist, and the main reason for this is Instructors don't even show it or talk about it in the lessons Most instructors teach without a hook knife on them which is also unacceptable.

Kiters have died from lines tangling around their body before. Hook knives can save lives but you also need to have the reflex to reach for it and use it in a crisis which is another problem.

Christian

If unhooking and throwing your safety is too much, then you need to take up another sport as a life n death situation requires quick thinking and in that flash moment a Hook knife is going to be a little to late. Keep it real!

Learn to disconnect! Way cheaper than your livelihood.
P.s... stay clear of obstacles n other kites helps

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Fly on da wall said..
If unhooking and throwing your safety is too much, then you need to take up another sport as a life n death situation requires quick thinking and in that flash moment a Hook knife is going to be a little to late. Keep it real!

Learn to disconnect! Way cheaper than your livelihood.
P.s... stay clear of obstacles n other kites helps

It's not always possible to disconnect, I have posted photo's on here before of the bruise mark around my arm where my arm was wrapped in one of someone else's kite lines with the looping kite dragging me downwind with a ship load of tension on the line.
I sure was glad to have a hook knife and with that much tension on the line it cut through instantly, so it definitely wasn't a case of to little to late in that case.

I always have one and make sure it is readily accessible.
As far as sharpness goes yeah sure the sharper the better but even a knife that struggles to cut a line without much tension on will cut way better when it is under tension and really required.

I had a knife. Too busy trying to breath to use it.

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cbulota said..

Swavek said..
Good idea to check the knife, however there is always kite safety leash release to free yourself of the kite entirely (or remove your harness under water if that fails)

Your kite's safety systems will be useless if lines wrap around your body and the kite starts pulling. This kind of scenario is rare but can happen!

Here are two scenarios that may cause lines to wrap around your body that I've experienced myself and seen happen many times:

1-you crash your kite in the power zone after a water start and continue riding towards it at speed with slack lines, you then sink through your lines

2-Poor boosting technique in poor quality (very gusty) winds. you take off at speed too far downwind while sending the kite over your head, kite falls down with all lines slack over your head and lines wrap around you.

Plenty of other examples when a hook knife is essential, such as someone else's lines get caught around you, lines caught around an object, etc.

So many kiters don't even know hook knives even exist, and the main reason for this is Instructors don't even show it or talk about it in the lessons Most instructors teach without a hook knife on them which is also unacceptable.

Kiters have died from lines tangling around their body before. Hook knives can save lives but you also need to have the reflex to reach for it and use it in a crisis which is another problem.

Christian

Fair enough, have not thought of it. I do have a knife in my harness and will check how well it cuts. Thanks guys for this free lesson.

I ride with a hook knife I took the blade out and wrapped it In very thin sticky tape like you would laminate a piece of paper . blade never gets wet and so edge will stay sharper longer

I've already posted my yearly reminder on knifes
In strife got a knife
A knife is the cheapest but imho the most important bit of kit your likely to own
For extra safety a light bunjee cord attached and shoved inside your knife pouch prior to putting your knife in
As for it being sharp just replace each season
They're only around $10
Kiters have lost their lives here in the Midwest as in all parts of the world
Mike from hayling island passed away a few seasons ago up here and was a highly skilled and experienced waterman, so don't think you'll be exempted
Enjoy the season

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Fly on da wall said...
If unhooking and throwing your safety is too much, then you need to take up another sport as a life n death situation requires quick thinking and in that flash moment a Hook knife is going to be a little to late. Keep it real!

Learn to disconnect! Way cheaper than your livelihood.
P.s... stay clear of obstacles n other kites helps

I Wouldn't be that complacent
Being confident is all well and good but
It's likely to bite you on the arse one day

i pack around my blade with surfboard wax. it keeps the blade sealed from water

I like to kite with a dagger between my teeth.

Like a Pirate! Yaaarrrr!

Just checked my knife & it's time for replacement, thanks for the reminder.

Hook knives are like a reserve parachute. You never ever plan on using it until the day you need it.

I released my kite once during a monster squall. A loop of line hooked around my ankle. I wasn't waiting to see what happened. I cut the line as soon as I felt the tug on my leg and my kite started to lift. It all ended up fine and I was out kiting with a spare bar not much later on.

After each session I rinse and dry my hook knife. It's a simple task and I get to check it each time.

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cbulota said..

Swavek said..
Good idea to check the knife, however there is always kite safety leash release to free yourself of the kite entirely (or remove your harness under water if that fails)

Your kite's safety systems will be useless if lines wrap around your body and the kite starts pulling. This kind of scenario is rare but can happen!

Here are two scenarios that may cause lines to wrap around your body that I've experienced myself and seen happen many times:

1-you crash your kite in the power zone after a water start and continue riding towards it at speed with slack lines, you then sink through your lines

2-Poor boosting technique in poor quality (very gusty) winds. you take off at speed too far downwind while sending the kite over your head, kite falls down with all lines slack over your head and lines wrap around you.

Plenty of other examples when a hook knife is essential, such as someone else's lines get caught around you, lines caught around an object, etc.

So many kiters don't even know hook knives even exist, and the main reason for this is Instructors don't even show it or talk about it in the lessons Most instructors teach without a hook knife on them which is also unacceptable.

Kiters have died from lines tangling around their body before. Hook knives can save lives but you also need to have the reflex to reach for it and use it in a crisis which is another problem.

Christian

I've seen a line tangled around the leg of someone with a failed self rescue (wrapping lines method)