Dive Knife Recommendation

J

jag-engr

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Dec 21, 2006
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I'm planning to take a trip to the ocean, soon (probably somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico).

What I'm looking for is a smaller (3"±) FOLDING knife that will hold up to saltwater. I would consider a fixed blade knife if it were small enough to easily carry in the pocket. It need not be a dive knife, per se, just one that won't rust too quickly while being carried in swim trunks and exposed to salt water for 2-3 days.

The ideal knife for what I want would doubtless be the Spyderco Salt. However, due to the frequency of frivolous searches and confiscations on so many airlines, I would rather take something that I won't worry about losing (other that the obvious trauma of not having a knife with me :eek:). I'd like to spend a max of $25 on the knife.

I've seen the Queen Big Chief dive knives, and I skeptical as to how useful they would be. Has anyone had any experience with these? If I get one, I would probably paint or rubberize (spray-on Plasti-Dip) the handle. The blade is a little longer than I would like for trouble-free carry.

It need not be a dive knife, per se, just one that won't rust too quickly while being carried in swim trunks and exposed to salt water for 2-3 days.
 
well if u have money i wrote beafore on 1 thread, go with mission knives. They are best you can buy and they are made from titanium.That means they are rustfree and they are official knives of SEAL. They are bit softer then steel blades, around 45 rc, but honestlly on boat or sea what can u cut above that? You aint gona chop the wood or something so i think they are great, only downside is price but thats 1 in life time buy.

www.missionknives.com
 
For 25 bucks I would suggest the Buck Parallax. http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/567/256
It has good serrations. 420HC steel
for about 10 bucks more you can get the titanium coated blade version.

It should do fine in salt water for a few days. Go to your local dive shop and
buy a spray can of silicone and spray it heavily and you won't have to worry about rust at all for about a week in salt water.

Don't buy the silicone at your hardware store. The silicone they sell at the dive shop is made for this purpose to protect metal while diving. There is a difference.

Have fun on your dive.
 
noss4 said:
For 25 bucks I would suggest the Buck Parallax. http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/567/256
It has good serrations. 420HC steel
for about 10 bucks more you can get the titanium coated blade version.

It should do fine in salt water for a few days. Go to your local dive shop and
buy a spray can of silicone and spray it heavily and you won't have to worry about rust at all for about a week in salt water.

Don't buy the silicone at your hardware store. The silicone they sell at the dive shop is made for this purpose to protect metal while diving. There is a difference.

Have fun on your dive.
Click to expand...

I AGREE ESPECIALLY WITH THE SILICONE:thumbup:
 
I agree about an all Titanium Mission Knife. If you can't spend that kind of coin, then I highly recommend Salt 1 from Spyderco.
 
Any of the Spyderco Salt series would make a good choice. The SOG trident folders are great too.
 
Any chance of getting a idea where the "best" place to pick one up? I've been looking for a "dive" knife for awhile but haven't been able to find something that fits my needs. Any comment on the pro's/con's of the plain or serrated blade?
 
The pros and cons are the same for a dive knife as they are for any other blade. If you are talking about actual diving, then here are things to take in to consideration:
-Water resistence will keep you from gaining momentum in your swings
-What exactly will you be cutting?
-Why would you need this dive knife in the first place?

As a diver, the one thing that you'll be using the knife for is cutting yourself free of whatever happens to be tangled on you or holding yourself down. This means serrations. This also means that you'll want to avoid having a pointed knife (inadvertantly stabbing yourself while trying to cut yourself free of something would be bad).

Ofcourse, if you feel that you need the dive knife for sharks, then it's an entirely different matter, and you'll want something around a good two feet long with a monterous gaurd, and maybe a high speed, low drag blood groove to keep the other sharks away...

Edited to add- I, quite personally, would reccomend against picking fights with sharks.
 
mildot326 said:
Any chance of getting a idea where the "best" place to pick one up? I've been looking for a "dive" knife for awhile but haven't been able to find something that fits my needs. Any comment on the pro's/con's of the plain or serrated blade?
Click to expand...


Serrated blades are usually the preferred choice on dive knives. Serrations are not created equal on dive knives. You want to find a knife with smooth serrations you don't want serrations that hang up on the individual fibers in rope string,webbing this is true for all knives not just dive knives. This is very important however for a dive knife since your neutrally buoyant. a diver does not have firm ridged footing underwater so the pressure you apply when cutting is hindered. A bad example of bade serrations on a dive knife is the Kershaw amphibian. A good example is most Spydercos.
 
What about this as a option?
Orca Tactical | Stealth Aggressor
Through rigorous testing by the German GSG-9 elite forces, the ORCA dive knife held up even under the extremely corrosive effects of seawater and performed so well that it is being considered as an official standard issue knife of the German GSG-9.

1-Piece Rust-Proof, Thick Strong Blade, 4 Cutting Edge Options, Increasing Your Readiness For Survival And Success.

5 1/4" Black Titanium Coated X15T.N Stainless Steel Blade will cut through anything that gets in your way. The main cutting edge features half serrations and half micro serrations to get you out of the most tangled mass of net or filament. Further, on the back of the blade we have a second edge ideal for chopping. The injection molded Hytrel handle fits firmly in the hand. This weighs 11.7 oz.

Included: This System Is Completed With The POM Sheath. Attaches In Several Tactical Positions.

Direct From Boker USA | Genuine Boker Of Germany Product

msrp $300 USD | Online Purchase $249.99 Buy

orca.jpg
 
mildot326: It looks like it would serve you well. Nice looking knife.
I do recommend The Mission Brand But they are $375 to $400 This may or may not be in your budget.
 
Thanks for info. I feel better about taking a knife on a plane.

The advice was helpful, as well. I think I will probably start looking for a Spyderco Salt, or maybe a SOG Trident.
 
Salt is awesome in rust resistance but you might also find the "groove" and assisted opening of the Trident attractive. Both have their strong points and weak points. The salt series has a lot going for it in the way of choice...
 
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