Spyderco Forums

In this discussion I want to include all Spyderco-made Salt Knives, but especially the Fish Hunter, Aqua Salts, Pacific Salt, and especially the Spyderco Caribbean with Lc200N blade.

First of all, read this:

The scientists seem to change their minds at times. First they claim the shark attacks are in the decline and then they claim they are on the rise:

https://www.kqed.org/news/11633957/risk ... rchers-say

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/01/26/ ... t-at-risk/

http://www.surfline.com/surfnews/article.cfm?id=1577

And now, here is my question, for all of you here who are into Salts and the Caribbean and for sal, as well.

Would a Spyderco Salt knife such as the Caribbean make a great defense and protection tool in case of a shark attack or not?

If the swimmer or diver or fisherman or boater or whomever had to use that razor-sharp Lc200N (or H1 blade in other Salts) to send that shark the message to "KEEP AWAY!" would it work or would the person most likely be severely wounded or die from bites and blood loss even if they were to inflict some serious wounds on these creatures?

A Marine Biologist told me the sharks more often than not do not want to eat humans. They prefer fish and seals and whale meat, but, they test to see what something is by nudging and biting it.

Have never tested the theory, but I've read that punching a shark in the snout is the best way to make them look elsewhere for food. OTOH, I've also read that sharks are both attracted to and have their appetites stimulated by blood in the water, so I'm not sure spilling any kind of blood, even theirs, is a good idea.

You've got to see the shark first before you can defend against it !

Any knife is better than none if an opportunity presented itself, I doubt you'd be able to inflict a mortal wound but a wound to sensitive eyes and nose to deter is better than nothing.

Sharks are lightning quick. We had two (Tiger shark and a Bull shark) in a hill net and even out of the water in a shallow pool could not get near it without it turning and trying to bite us and ended up having to shoot it in the brain to kill it.

Shark attacks here in Australia are on the increase, both deaths and wounds.

I carry a Spyderco knife almost every day and have never been successfully attacked by a shark!

shark attacks are usually mistaken identity. a shark bites, realizes it’s got a mouthful of something it doesn’t want, and let’s go. typically, it happens way too fast for the average person to be aware it’s coming and won’t likely last long enough for you to deploy a knife, unfold it, and put it to use with a powerful, huge, thrashing fish ripping your flesh apart. so, probably not.

that said, i do carry a pacific salt on me whenever i’m in the ocean. it’s a serrated edge because more likely than a shark attack is getting wrapped up in some kind of netting, cordage, or kelp and serrations would be best in most of cases in the water.

the likelihood that you would ever need a knife in the water is pretty slim, even for the much more likely scenario of getting caught in something, but spyderco makes a knife you can carry into the ocean, so why not? if a shark were to attack and latch on and you managed to maintain enough presence of mind and the shark wasn’t biting the arm on the side where your knife was, maybe it’s possible you could stab it enough to reconsider? maybe you could untangle yourself from something in the ocean and keep from drowning? maybe you could defend yourself against a person trying to harm you in the water? maybe.

some people rarely use their knives but carry them anyway in case they need them. just because you’ll probably never need it in the water doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t carry it if you can. there’s very little cost (as far as weight and comfort goes) to stick a pacific salt in the waistband of your shorts. you almost forget it’s there. i do the same when i’m running.

awa54 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:12 am

I carry a Spyderco knife almost every day and have never been successfully attacked by a shark!

hahahahahaha!!! this comment wins.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:18 am

shark attacks are usually mistaken identity. a shark bites, realizes it’s got a mouthful of something it doesn’t want, and let’s go.

I've heard this too, but I'm not so sure. I can't see any reason why a shark would consider humans off-limits for eating purposes.

Unless of course that human had a sharp Spyderco.

If you can, quickly get them in the eye. Any knife will go through a shark's eye just like any other animal.

The Meat man wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:25 am

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:18 am

shark attacks are usually mistaken identity. a shark bites, realizes it’s got a mouthful of something it doesn’t want, and let’s go.

I've heard this too, but I'm not so sure. I can't see any reason why a shark would consider humans off-limits for eating purposes.

Unless of course that human had a sharp Spyderco.

maybe it’s more of a turkey bacon kind of thing? you don’t hate turkey, but you’re expecting bacon and that makes it disgusting.

Could be, yeah. The shark is just surprised because it's not what it expected.

Great Whites have glands that instantly tell them whether or not the fat content of what they just bit is worth expending the energy to eat it. They usually bite and let go, circle around and either leave or eat the prey.

Most shark attacks ARE mistaken identity. Dusk and dawn are usual feeding times you'd want to avoid, although they can feed throughout the night. Murky water is to be avoided as it adds to mistaken identity. But even in clear water you must be cautious, especially if you're near a reef spearfishing or gathering lobster since that's where they often feed. Bull Sharks have more testosterone than any other animal on this planet. You can be smart, follow all the rules, and still get attacked. You just want to be cautious, conscious, and ready for anything to happen. In normal conditions, people shouldn't let the threat of sharks scare you. Live your life and have a blast at the beach and on the water. Just don't go for any midnight quarter mile swims or play around in waist deep murky water close to sun up or sun down.

I just checked, we had 2 shark attacks last week, both survived although the 11 year old girl has had her leg amputated. As above, both would have been near reefs.

I wouldn't swim where sharks were swimming, but if i had to, I think the Jumpmaster 2 would be good to have with me.

Not much help in a knife against sharks imho. I dive with one to be able to cut nets, lines and to finish off fish I've speared. I've seen spearos poke curious sharks with their spearguns to keep them away though

I have heard that if you put salt on their tails, it will discourage them.

Especially Snail Sharks

It was my first time face to face with an apex predator. Tiger shark. Light dappling on a skin that normally I would consider part of the great beauty of nature.. if it weren't adorning such a deadly adversary. He saw me and circled slowly considering his options. I could see he was hungry by that lean, cold look in the eyes of a born killer. It was him or me. I pulled out my bright yellow Spyderco raising it into position to strike when the inevitable rush came. I was scared. Scared but ready and prepared as the rust free metal gleamed from the hollow grind to the wicked edge. I was glad I had dropped it to 26 degrees inclusive. This wasn't about durability. I would only get one chance. He and I were on fate's calendar and nothing after this would be same. Then, in one of those epiphany moments.. you know.. when it all hits you at once.. some guy in a vest said something about weapons in the aquarium and they threw me out.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:18 am

awa54 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:12 am

I carry a Spyderco knife almost every day and have never been successfully attacked by a shark!

hahahahahaha!!! this comment wins.

It certainly works well here in Arizona.

Sharks have so many rust proof serrated blades.. your one is no match.

awa54 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:12 am

I carry a Spyderco knife almost every day and have never been successfully attacked by a shark!

Boom Boom! Too funny David! :cool: :)