Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 15, 2026

Rigging knife

A rigging knife is a specially designed knife used to cut rope. It may have a serrated edge for sawing through line, or a heavy blade suitable for hitting with a mallet to drive the knife through. Folding tools, often in combination with a marlinspike and shackle key, are convenient and portable. Rigger Brion Toss recommends fixed blade rigging knives for easy access in time sensitive situations and when working aloft. It can be a useful rescue tool if caught in rope and wire.

Last revised
Jun 15, 2026
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Source
Combination rigging knife, marlin spike, and shackle key with serrated knife extended source ↗

A rigging knife is a specially designed knife used to cut rope. It may have a serrated edge for sawing through line, or a heavy blade suitable for hitting with a mallet to drive the knife through.1 Folding tools, often in combination with a marlinspike and shackle key, are convenient and portable.2 Rigger Brion Toss recommends fixed blade rigging knives for easy access in time sensitive situations and when working aloft. It can be a useful rescue tool if caught in rope and wire.1

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Toss, Brion (1998). The Complete Rigger's Apprentice. p. 6. ISBN 0-07-064840-9.
  2. "Sailor's Knives: 18 Blades Tested". March 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)