Having been in the industry and tried many rescue blades , Im sold on the Gerber River Shorty. For just under 30 bucks it cant be beat. amzn.to/2qFuxFx / wanderingbeast www,wanderingbeast.com
Thanks for a great review. I'm still torn between this and the NRS Neko. Agree about ease-of-deployment without too many clips and squeezy things. I like your example of cleaning up surface rust. I can't see spending $150 or so for a titanium knife that's highly likely to get lost. If the factory edge is great, that would seal the deal for me. I'd have a tough time touching up those serrations, and would probably treat it like a semi-disposable item.
Located in an easy to reach spot, no fine motor skills needed, holds up to the environment...seems like a real winner. Love the work photos rolled in and hearing about a tool that excels for you. Thanks buddy
I wear a Stormy Seas inflatable life vest and paddle inflatable Alpacka Raft Packrafts, so I wanted a blunt tip knife that was ambidex accessible. As my primary rescue knife I chose a Gerber River Shorty as I find that compact knives give better control and it felt just right in my hands. For a back up I chose a Gerber E-Z Out Rescue Knife (a folder). Both are attached to Gear Keeper Mini Retractors to prevent loss and in case I may unexpectedly need to use the hand that's holding a knife for something else. There were issues with some River Shorty knives, which wouldn't release from their sheaths even if using both hands, and I believe that this became apparent during actual emergencies! My original had this problem and Gerber immediately replaced it, though I'd discovered the problem whilst handling the knife at home, rather than making that horrifying discovery during an actual emergency... Your working environment looks rather 'Sporty', which is to say absolutely lethal in the event that you let your concentration lapse! Whilst I'm a world away from such environmental dangers, meandering through the canals and rivers in London, I certainly don't want to become entangled in discarded fishing lines and the bizarre things that people throw into these lovely waterways.
No doubt about it, it's a good knife and this is the one I have been using for several years as a kayaker. The serrated edge is sharp. I used it on nylon, para and bungee at different thicknesses with no problems. Upon having several others I found this the best to serve my needs. The ones I had before were good also but there was a minor detail on all I didn't care for and that was a sharp edge that was added. Especially when it was on the same side as the serrated edge and you wanted to use either or, it was a pain. Or the ones that were serrated on one side and a straight on the opposite side. Regardless which one I used I was always slicing myself with the straight edge when I needed to use it quickly. Until I came across the Gerber's with a blunt edge something I can pull quickly in a emergency without fumbling around to be careful not to cut myself. Awesome piece of kit to my arsenal I must say.
I've seen what happened when someone uses a regular knife to cut the straps to free a person who is hung in a ratt. Destroyed a brand new $10k white river raft. Guy was released fine, but boat was destroyed and "hero" cut himself pretty badly.... Shape blades do not go well in white water!!
You could mention wearing it handle down when mounted on th chest of PFD, as shown in your photo. It is easier to remove from sheath & prevents cuts to face. This seems obvious,... when you know.
Excellent review. I’ve been looking for a good knife to attach to my gear while Trail riding my dirt bike. Love the quick release function. Ordering now.
thanks... I have one of those Gerber tactical knives "design by Blackie Collins" (made in Portland Oregon, not Italy or I'd probably sell it to a collector). But the pointed tip is asking to be snapped off doing some things you describe (I could modify it) and I wish it was a friction fit. I feel like I'll bump the handle-release some time and lose it.
I think Gerber discontinued the light green, too bad, it's much easier to see. I still see this green handle version on eBay. Great knife for whitewater boating. The clip holds that knife in place, no need to add duct tape.
carried the river shorty for some time on my canyonering rig. easily slices through multiple layers of tubular webbing, any rope I've pitted it against dug out anchors and much much more knife is still going strong. great price and as usual great honest review. Shade and Sweetwater to you my friend. ......
was about to buy a nrs neko (another friction release knife, pretty similar looking), the Gerber looks like the tits, its just a bit pricer over here! hope the neko has a decent enough cutting edge.
Ok Beast.....forgive me for not looking back through all your videos and forgive me if ive missed it but.........what the hell do you do for a living? As I live way inland(east side of the Rockies) The shipping/boating industry is quite foreign to me...Do tell, it looks extreme! Great review video too. Thanks
