An improperly sharpened gaff is safer than a gaff that has not been sharpened at all.

• A. True
• B. Not enough information
• C. False
• D. Depends on gaff type

Answer: (C)

Edge quality determines how well a gaff can grip a surface. A gaff only helps you stay secure if its edge cuts cleanly and can bite into the material you’re stepping on. If a gaff isn’t sharpened at all, it will be dull and unlikely to bite reliably, which makes it unsafe because you can’t trust it to support your weight.

If a gaff is sharpened improperly, the edge may be uneven, have burrs, or create weak spots. Those flaws can cause unpredictable grip, snag on clothing, or even skin, which also raises the risk rather than reducing it. In short, safety comes from a properly sharpened, well-maintained edge, not from a badly sharpened one.

So the statement isn’t correct: a gaff that’s improperly sharpened is not safer than one that isn’t sharpened at all.