PETZL Spatha, Yellow, UNI

Product Information

Like the NIAD, it has a small divot at the base of the blade to allow you to pinch the knife as you cut. The handle is even shorter than that of the NIAD, which means that for those of us with large hands, only the first two fingers can grip the handle.

Choosing a climbing knife comes down to a few basic considerations. Main Features: Handle Material & Blade Length For emergency use, the small blade was effective if not exceptional in all our tests. The stainless steel handle makes the Piranha a couple grams heavier than the NIAD, but it’s barely noticeable, and the Piranha is just as comfortable on a keychain. While it’s heavier than the CRKT NIAD by 26 grams (less than the weight of a typical wiregate carabiner), having a true handle means that the Spatha is much more usable for everyday and camp tasks. And although the Rope Tooth’s blade is a hair longer, the Spatha has a slightly longer handle, which helps it sit securely in larger hands. The Petzl Spatha Knife is a specially designed climbers knife designed for cutting rope and cord and features a hold for a carabiner. Trango also sells the Trango Shark, which combines a nut tool with the Piranha. We’ve tested the Shark as well; you can read our review of it in our guide to the best nut tools. Edelrid Rope ToothIt’s combination straight and serrated long 2.75 inch blade makes it useful for any scenario you might encounter. Two ways to open the blade: with the notch in the blade if bare handed, or with the textured wheel when wearing gloves. Due to the size and nature of some items, we're unable to despatch them via our usual delivery services.

If you want an emergency knife but balk at the price of the NIAD, the Piranha is a worthy replacement. By nature of its size, the NIAD isn’t nearly as effective for all-around use, but it can manage in a pinch. A little industrial research reveals that the Spatha uses the highest-quality steel of the bunch. It’s sharp and versatile, but should hold up well to long-term use and resharpening. Surrounding the clip-in point is a textured plastic wheel that allows for easy manipulation with climbing gloves, removing the worry of slicing open a mitt.Most remarkable was the sheer cutting power: the Spatha sliced through most varieties of webbing in just one or two strokes. We will not be held liable for any consequential loss caused by late or failed deliveries. Timed deliveries / Saturday & Sunday deliveries

The greatest asset of the Piranha is its price. As of this writing it ties the Edelrid for the cheapest in the test and is less than half the price of the NIAD. For comparable emergency performance, that’s a good value. The ultralight NIAD and Piranha exist for a reason: many climbers only need to carry a knife to trim old webbing or in case of self-rescue. Especially for alpinists, it’s prudent to have a simple knife that takes up as little space and weight as possible. If your needs are similar, look to the NIAD or the Piranha. Two of the knives (the Petzl Spatha and Edelrid Rope Tooth) are larger and more usable, with handles that function as sheaths. placed after 3pm on a Friday or at a weekend or on a Bank Holiday will be processed on the next working dayAll in all, the Spatha wowed testers. It’s not the cheapest in the test, but we still consider it a bargain. Best Ultralight Emergency Knife: CRKT NIAD Lighter than many of the knife options on this list, yet comes with nine different tools–including screwdrivers, scissors, knife blade, and pliers. A good balance of weight and blade length with a reasonable price makes this our all-around best climbing knife.

In line with current health and safety guidelines, we reserve the right to refuse any items that are (for whatever reason) not returned to us in a clean and hygienic condition. The only real downside to the NIAD is the price. It’s by far the most expensive climbing knife in our test. We will keep customer information safe and secure and will not distribute or sell this information to a third party. It didn’t perform quite as well in our testing, but it still got the job done on every type of fabric we could throw at it. Long, heavy-duty blade with fiberglass, nylon, and rubber handle makes for a great long-lasting knife for multiple uses.

Although it has the longest blade of any knife in our test, the plastic handle is shorter than the Spatha’s and has no texture for grip. It’s still more versatile than the emergency knives, but it’s not reassuring during all-around use. The other three knives all cut through a standard 18mm sling in under ten seconds. The Rope Tooth took more than a minute and a half. The serrated blade seemed both dull and prone to snags, and it required far more energy to cut through even thin material. Full-length knives (Spatha and Rope Tooth) use plastic handles that also function as a sheath when the knife is closed. The handles are still compact, but they allow for an easier and more familiar grip. Royal Mail will ask to see a valid photo identification if the recipient appears to be under 25, in line with the 'UK Challenge 25' policy, and a signature will be required upon delivery. Notch in the blade helps you open it with bare hands while the textured wheel allows you to open it with gloves on.