Sailor's Knives: 18 Blades Tested

One of the most important pieces of safety equipment you need at hand aboard a sailboat is your knife. For our money, in this round of testing, Best Buys are the Spyderco Salt I and Benchmade 100SH20.

The Benchmade 100SH20 fixed-blade sheath knife (top) and Spyderco Salt I folding knife (bottom) offer good construction, operability, and cutting performance for reasonable prices.

There can be no overstating the importance of a good knife to a sailor. It does everything from routine maintenance to saving life and property. Not only should every sailor carry a knife on his belt or in his pocket, but sharp knives should be strategically located around the boat to grab in emergencies. Whether you prefer the speed of a sheath knife, the convenience of a folding pocket knife, or the versatility of a multi-tool, don't leave the dock without your own blade.…