Dive knives

T

TemplarKnight21c

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Mar 5, 2007
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Anybody know of some good yet cheap divers' knives? I now have several relatives in Florida, so I imagine I'll be doing some snorkeling and underwater photography in the future, and I want a halfway decent knife to have on me. It shouldn't be huge, maybe 9" total length. It needs to have a point (some people prefer knives with flat tips, so they don't puncture air tanks/hoses), serrations (preferably along the spine), a notch for cutting heavier gauge wire/string/line, a plastic/rubber grip with a lanyard hole, and a sheath with a secure lock, preferably with a button release, that will strap comfortably to my upper arm or middle of my calf. I would like it to be under $50, with a matte finish on the blade, but no coating. It will need to be strong, for potential light prying. Any ideas?
 
It doesn't have the line cutter, but you should take a look at the Kershaw amphibian knife. Also many divers around here mount a separate line cutter such as the z-knife so they have a way to cut line without the chance of puncturing or cutting anything else. Many of the divers around here carry knives but almost never use them to do anything other than banging on your tank to get someones attention.
 
sog sealpup is an outstanding dive knife.....avail for around $50 but if your looking for reall chep ones I've often used the stainless mora clippers as dive knives wohtout any problem.
 
I've heard that Spyderco is going to be coming out with a fixed blade in their "Salt" line, based on the Vegabond, with an actual sheath instead of the guard that folds into the handle. I don't know what the sheath will be like or any other details, but you might keep an eye out. The Vagabond sells for around $25 to $30, so hopefully the new knife with H1 steel and a sheath won't run over $50.
 
I have a Gerber Dive knife on my BCD. I don't recall the name of it but it has a molded plastic handle. Mine has the sharpened tip but there is a model with a blunt tip. It is a beast and you can do some light prying with it if need be. I used to carry a Mission MPS when I was young, dumb and full of well, you know. You don't want to carry an expensive knife on a trip in case you drop it. You might be tempted to dive too deep to retrieve it. I know a lot of guys that carry EMT shears and they are happy with those.

Seaquest sells some nice subdued finish knives and many are very compact for carry just about anywhere. I'm no longer a fan of the kelp catcher (leg strapped knife) and love the knife attached to my BCD for immediate easy access.

Hope this helps.

Here are some pics from the Bahamas in April 2005 just for fun.

resizedKevandsharks.jpg

DSC_3258_152.jpg
 
K I think you are referring to the gerber river shorty, Where in the bahamas is that?? I went to the abacos last year for spear fishing but didn't see any reef sharks.
 
RescueRiley,

I was diving out of Stuart Cove's in Nassau. The shark pictured was seen at the site called "Shark arena" where the famous shark dives take place. Considering it is Shark Week on the discovery channel, I had to post it! By the way, River Shorty does ring a bell and that is the name of the knife I keep on my BCD.

Kev
 
Still waiting on the H1 offerings from Spyderco here...
 
Guyon brings up another good option. The Spyderco Salt is a great knife to tuck away in your shorts if you are just snorkling around. I have a couple Spydero knives I use while out on the water. The Salt series is great because of the larger thumbhole. Also, you probably won't ever get it to rust.
 
RescueRiley said:
sog sealpup is an outstanding dive knife.....avail for around $50 but if your looking for reall chep ones I've often used the stainless mora clippers as dive knives wohtout any problem.
Click to expand...
I second the seal pup but would prefer a Sog Seal 2000 personaly but they are around $80.00 on the bay.
 
The SOG Seal Pup Elite is on my list of knives to buy anyway. I've heard good things about SOG, except for their new Fusion Tomahawk (bad haft). I suppose maybe the separate line cutter would be a good idea, maybe find a way to attach it to the sheath. While we're on the subject, what are some good underwater cords/lines to use? I know paracord is good, but it's not THAT good.
 
well.. how about a kershaw responder?

K1078YL.jpg


it comes with a bright yellow handle,

has a line cutter,

tool tip for making adjustments to your equipment and other things

has a lanyard hole

plus comes with kydex sheath.

its aus8 so its pretty decent steel. costs #34.50 at dante's but i've seen em a little cheaper else where.

serrated edge should give you the line cutting ability that your looking for.
 
interms of cordage i guess it comes down to what your doing with the stuff..

when i go crabbing or snorkling i just buy braided bridgeline rope from local crappy tire...

gets the job done and usually can be obtained in white or yellow for better visibility under water..

cheers
 
I know it doesn't meet the no coating requirement, but you still might want to check out the CRKT Hammond A.B.C. Operators model. I own one and I love it... It's serrations cut rope like butter, and its pointed.
I wouldn't want to do any heavy prying with it, but it should stand up to some light prying.
 
I will chime in for the spyderco salt. I just got one and havent had much time to use it in water, but I love the knife already, I carried an old AUS 8 delica clipped in my bathing suit waste band for snorkelling for many years and never had a problem, just rinsed it after each swim.


The Kershaw Responder is a nice tool as well especially if you figure on prying.

We used to go out and buy screw drivers for dive trips, figuring if they were lost or broken, no big loss, a 10$ craftsman sckrewdriver is cheaper than any knife you are likeley to find for prying work.
 
I keep a Tekna knife strapped to my BC shoulder strap. I used to strap knives to my calf, leg, but on my BC strap I know instantly where it is. Since it is in this position also, I feel you are more familiar with this area while diving because most people keep their octopus in this same area and you BC hose is close by also. Tekna isn't in business any more and its a crying shame. I loved their equipment! Simple yet functional.
 
I know an awful lot of divers over here dont carry fancy dive knifes but use a cheap (and sharp!) Kitchen Devil knife & carry a separate, small pry bar. Not fancy, not sexy but it gets the job done.
 
I wouldn't buy that. Most likely 420 stainless. Its made in china and I would hate to see what the tang looks like. Heck no when I need a knife underwater I want something reliable. I would feel much more confident with a Mora. Just my 2 cents.
 
I got a titanium divers knife that completely comes apart, blunt nose, has line cutter, and hammer rear end, it was around $60 shipped. I don't dive, but I use it when hiking/climbing rivers/waterfalls.

-Todd
 
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