Having just read the story of the kiter who died recently, I saw alot of peope recomending carrying a safety knife to cut lines etc. What are your thoughts, do any of you do this? If so what model/brand do you use.
Link to story kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2372312
Definite yes from me, I had my arm wrapped in the lines of a loose kite that was looping out of control after a kite rescue went wrong, my kite was still in the air but I was able to pull the knife out of the pouch that I have attached to the straps on the front of my harness and cut myself free.
I may have been able to get out of it some other way but as it was well after sunset and a km or so out at sea I wasn't about to mess around.
Any type of hook knife from any kite shop will do, I think mine is a Da Kine and with the lines under tension like they were it cut through no worries at all.
Mine didnt come std, but bought it as an extra for about 10 bucks Mystic Warrior 2. I have one on my other harness, so if i take either ou I am covered.
The only thing with carrying a knife, you have to remember where it is. The one on my dakine is on the back. The one on my Mystic is on the side towards the front.
Get to know the location just as well as your safety systems. Different kites have them slightly different configurations, so if you own different brand bars, you have a different safety, that may cause you to hesitate, when you really need It.
KR
This story has inspired me to sew a new and more easily accessible knife pocket on the front of my harness. Reaching round the back for a knife is only slightly easier than reaching round the back to release your leash.
Incidentally, I plan on using an old bit of neoprene from a dead wetsuit. Old bits of neoprene come in handy for all sorts of stuff.
Yes the least used best prezzie i ever got was a Da kine hook knife
Located on the strap on the front of my harness.
Check it regulary they do rust out y'know
hey reli does the pouch connect easily to your harness or do you need a little pocket to put it in?
As for the rust, an occasional spray of fish oil should prevent that.
got myself a ion apex harness, hook knife cleverly postioned in the spreader bar for easy access 
never kite in waves without a knife
Thanks for that. May have to sew something into harness as well. Accessability in a situation is key. Not point havent it where you cant reach it.
All abovr is great...
If doing freestyle, the better you get, the less the need...
In the surf its essential, just in case.
Ive used it once on someone elses kite, in 8 years... Its like carrying a swiss army knife, it comes in handy......
Might also come in handy if you accidently have to cut the lines of the pr,.,s who surf in front of the SLSC'S ETC.
Never needed one yet but I have thought about it.
With me if **** happens ill be the one too tell the story.aaaaaaggggggggggggghhh
A big YES from me,in the old days they came standard with quite a few makes of harness then they vanished,bring back the knife i say,think i've still got one in an old Dakine Pyro will add it to my mystic tomorrow,never needed one but due to recent events it seems stupid not to carry one,a wise man once said "better to have and not need than need and not have".
For those with knives make sure you cover the blades with vaseline and check them regularly.
Otherwise they will rust and be useless when you need them 
It's interesting that it was easier to find a harness with a knife in the past.
I think the same goes for handles on the back of harnesses. All harnesses used to have a handle, now very few do.
Yes to knife. Brilliant idea.
my Pat love Cast harness has one on the side, just have to keep checking that the snap on button is locked in or it may fall out.
knives $5 send money to 5 harrier place stirling 6021 include delivery address ( only in australia )
Got a Dakine one but it came off first sesh!
Good idea to have one though and will get a replacement asap.
Ta for the reminder
After reading this horrible story I don't think a knife would help
:(
QR didn't help either.
What would probably work is releasing the harness completely.
This reminds me of having a similar scenario while learning body dragging with a seat harness. The bar end was stuck on harness hook, impossible to release! The other line was also around the hook.
The kite finally settled, if didn't, who knows...
This was a decision point to get a waist harness (me think not easy to get off but better than a seat one).
Maybe some sort of QR for the harness hook?
