Check out this hook knife, stronger and more usable
than the dakine, and no seperate parts or screwed bits like the dakine.

Gerber brand, a bit more exy, but I've ordered one cause they look like they will last forever.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270137817762&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:11

cheers

you must be joking! that hook knife would take your finger off .
real kite knives will only let lines come in contact with the blade,
hence the narrow slot,which also hold the line captive so if lines are under tension can be a one handed operation.they don't cut that easy.

Hi guys,

I am new to kiting and am looking at various sites in Oz.

I stumbled across two distributors for the hook cutters but I'm not sure as to how they would last in salt conditions.

The good news is that the smaller type are only $8.00.

http://www.ferno.com.au/products/productList.cfm?
catID=2&subCat=218&selCat=218

www.firerescue.com.au/firebusters/search/details.php?id=33

The gerber is actually only about 10mm longer than the dakine which has a slippery odd shaped handle. The hook area is the same size as the dakine. The gerber has a hole for your forefinger and the rest of the handle is in your palm and yes I have compared both at the same time.

Anything cheap is unlikely to stand up to the marine environment and may never be used, until.......... its actually needed!! Steer away from anything that has interchangable parts obviously not made to last.

Look at all the options and make your own decision. Thanks to the other guys that have researched them as well.

generally the better ones are stainless, and say so- however there is little that stainless can do against constant salt water- the razor cutting edge corrodes leaving a dull blade-which is too dull to cut lines. "Benchmade" have a salt water steel (H1) - but they don't make a line cutter in it, only dive knives/rescue folders.
i have found that you have to resharpen periodically, and wash in fresh water after coming in, you can prevent the blade dulling with time. I think replaceable blades are good as long as they can be resharpened. (o/w replacing blades all the time)

also, the better quality the stainless the better the edge retention in salt water. gerber is ok, benchmade is better.

The hook knives you guys use kiting look all tiny and useless compared to the ones i use when i hang glide. We use the Jack Safety knife

www.moyes.com.au/file-not-found

Which is about 25cm long and retails for about $30. Mine hasnt corroded yet, but i've never been unfortunate enough to have to use it. Although i guess it's a bit too big to tote around on your harnesses.. No specialised pockets or such.. Although I think they make a smaller version.

The ever stupid paragliders (i love them dearly, but why would ya do it?) have made up a whole page dedicated to hook knives, so if you want a bit of a read about them, head to:

www.paragliding-tales-and-reviews.com/paraglider-hook-knife.html

One last thing. Dont use your hook knife to cut bits of rope nad stuff, it's there to save your life and you want it to be as sharp as possible when you're in trouble. If you think it's getting a bit blunt, is $10-$30 too much to spend to replace a piece of equipment that could save your life?