Some people learn from other's misfortunes/close calls, some either need the experience first hand, or live in denial

I use a slipknot on anchor whenever it's deployed, but always have my knife handy.  When you see movies or read stories about the days of iron men in wooden ships, you understand that even though they were the masters of ropes and knots, they always had a sharp knife on their person. A knot is essentially a mechanical device. Like all devices, they can fail/foul at the most inopportune times.

A knife, assuming it's metallurgically sound only needs to be kept as sharp as possible to perform it's primary function.

Some may question ST and WWUW advice on keeping a knife handy to cut the rope but here is a little story to illustrate such sage advice.

I was backcountry saltwater fishing in a gheenoe. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
A super sweet set-up that you can still paddle especially with a current. Anyway, I had some 25 ft of anchor rope as I would usually tie off along the side of the boat in 3 to 5 ft of water. At the end of one trip I decided to try a hole in a pass. It didn't look like it but the tide was moving pretty good and when that anchor finally caught there wasn't enough scope and the current was literally pushing the boat out from under me. With only inches to spare and a few seconds left I grabbed a bait knife and cut the line. Sitting somewhat sideways the boat would of filled and probably sank very quickly and I would of been in a world of hurt back in the middle of nowhere with night coming on.

Stuff can happen, be ready for it. I more or less got lucky and didn't have to pay for my stupidity or ignorance or whatever you want to call it.  

Keep a Knife Handy...
Really?
Yep! In an Emergency 'Cut The Rope "now"'.
Any line that keeps you connected to the bottom should be ready to be cut at any time ( ie keep a knife  or a slipknot ready ). Including drift socks & anchors .
Fact is Drift Socks & anchors, weigh little & on windy days can help or hinder a canoe.
Keep the Sock close & remove it when moving the Canoe for a distance.
Youz Guyz Know..... -WWUW

Back to driftsocks...

Old Salt wrote on Oct 5^th, 2010 at 4:29pm:


I should know by now

Solo,
I had figured as much. Just pulling your string a bit...

OS,

A picture is worth a thousand words.
I assure you the "neck" refers to one of the carry options, NOT it's intended use


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The question is, 'wh at are YOU saying?'

Of course I am always prepared for the worst and advocate the same. It's the  use of a  knife on one's neck that is open to question.

Old Salt wrote on Oct 4^th, 2010 at 5:40pm:

 
 What are you trying to say OS  Surely you approve of always being prepared for the worst.
I know we have some Doctors in the house, maybe Wally would give me some counseling, or not  

solotripper wrote on Oct 4^th, 2010 at 3:21pm:


Seems like a rather drastic and desparate solution. Suggest you seek counsel from a mental health professional.