Boye Boat Knife Reviewed by John Dowd
In an age where “technological breakthrough” is one of the most overused phrases, it is difficult to imagine it being applied to a craft as old as knife-making. But here it fits. For a start, Boye dendritic cobalt carbide folding knives have no steel and will not rust. The cutting edge does not crumble into a corroded mass when you leave it encrusted in salt in your PFD. In cutting tests against regular stainless steel knives, they cut four times as long. They can be opened and closed with one hand, are easily sharpened on a conventional stone and weigh only 2.2 ounces. Handles are fibreglass-reinforced non-slip nylon (yellow or blue-grey) with a titanium clip. Two styles: a fully serrated “sheepsfoot” safety blade (shown) or the partially serrated standard pointed tip. What is the downside of cobalt carbide? I couldn’t find one. For me this is the end of a long quest for the ideal sea kayaking knife. $99 US.
www.boyeknives.com.
Extrasport Karma PFD
Made for a woman but
buoyant enough for a man, the new Karma is Extrasport’s Canadian bestseller. Provides the short, contoured cut of a pullover with the convenience of a centre-zip. With foam shaved out of the chest area, it’s suitable for women as well as for guys packing a little extra in their pecs (pure kayaking muscle of course). The Karma is cut short with most of the flotation sitting low on the chest and middle back, allowing full range of motion in sides and shoulders. $139.99 Cdn, $95.99 US.
www.extrasport.com.
Level Six Gaspé Anorak
The Gaspé is the first touring-specific garment from a young Ottawa-based company that started out producing Canadian-made whitewater apparel. We like the simplicity and multi-functionality of this classic-cut anorak with its deep gusseted pockets, fleece chest handwarmer and cloth-coated neoprene neck and collar. The three-layer waterproof/breathable shell is supple polyester sourced from the snowboard industry—a pleasing substitute to crinkly nylon. A very comfortable all-around windbreaker, paddling jacket and raincoat—we even took ours skiing! Available in royal/tin or orange/tin (shown). $274.99 Cdn, $199.99 US.
www.levelsix.ca.
INthehatch MSR MIOX Purifier
The newest water purifier from MSR is the size of a hot dog weiner. Using electricity from a pair of three-volt camera batteries, plus rock salt and water, it zaps up a thimbleful of “mixed-oxidant” chemical solution you then add to water in the manner of bleach or iodine. Kills more pathogens than any other method—E. coli, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, anthrax, smallpox, VX nerve gas, you name it. Safer than iodine and chlorine; no aftertaste. With occasional refills of salt (table salt even) the MIOX will treat 200 litres on a set of batteries. Lightweight plastic, shockproof and submersible. Cons: up-front cost, 30- minute waiting period, use of indicator test strips recommended to verify purity. Still, the MIOX is a very compact method for going fast and light on long trips, particularly in the tropics or wherever al- Qaeda strikes. Includes batteries, rock salt, and 50 test strips. $169.95 Cdn, $129.95 US.
www.msrcorp.com.
44 Early Summer 2004
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