Quality production dive knives?

L

Leo Daher

Joined
Jan 19, 1999
Messages
967
Well, folks, the title says it all...
I've been a SCUBA diving instructor for many years now (haven't been teaching lately though... boy, how I miss it
frown.gif
), and the vast majority of the ones I've seen have bad handle and/or blade design and a lousy choice of steel (like 300 series).
I haven't been checking the latest releases, so maybe there's good stuff out there I don't know about. Could you guys point me in the right direction?

Regards,

Leo Daher
BTW, just to complicate matters a little, I'm a southpaw - so, ambidextrous sheaths/knives would be nice.
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Hello,

The Timberline Aviator with the titanium coating , while not designed as a dive knife, seems like it would be ideal. Steel is 440C - an excellent combination of edge retention and corrosion resistance. The coating adds even more protection. The sheath is Kydex with a drain hole and has a buch of different carry options.

Later,

MBS



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Nevermind the dog...beware of owner!
 
Leo,

Our very own "Mike Turber" is a dive master. Maybe he will chime in with a good recommendation.

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Louis Buccellato
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Leo, If you have the notion to spend the bucks. Probably about 300 of them or there abouts. The Randall model 16 diver is hard to beat. Good size,micarta handle with thong and finger grooves, comes with or without sawteeth on top, waxed leather or nylon sheath. My son is in rescue in the Coast Guard and I got him one when he graduated from rescue school. He never leaves home without it. As good as it gets, virtually indestructable when cared for correctly.
Rs
Don
 
I have two suggestions:

The first is the Boye BDS-4 which is made of dendritic cobalt. It cannot rust and yet performs like a steel blade of high quality. It's packed in a corcura sheath with an aluminum liner. It's a very nice package.

The second is the new fixed blade from Myerchin. Myerchin is well known for producing some of the best sailor's knives in the industry. Their new dive knife is quite nice and a cut above the average.

You can find images and descriptions on our site. Take care.

Fred
Knife Outlet http://www.knifeoutlet.com


 
Thanks for the tips, guys.

MBS, I never saw the Aviator as a dive knife... Guess I should take a closer look.

Don, what's the steel on that Randall?

Fred, I'll be checking your site tomorrow morning.

Regards,

Leo Daher
PS: Mike Turber, are you there?
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Any thoughts?
 
Kit Carson U2 in Talonite. It works great as a pry bar, has lots of stuff for chopping and poking, and the sheath is excellent. Can't say enough good things about it.

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Leo, Steel on the Randall 16 diver is high carbon 440 stainless. Guess you can't really call them a production knife but they will last a life time with reasonable care.
Rs
Don
 
The Carson U2 design is manufactured by Buck and called the Intrepid, I have held them, nice.

Camillus has the Tac Tool or the Campanion which would probably do well.

On the custom side, you clound find someone that is working Talonite and go that way, no corrosion, not a great prybar....

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

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"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
According to the Randall catalog the model 16 is made of 1/4" stainless stock (most likely 440C).
 
I would give a vote for the MPK Ti Knife. Sheath is ambi. and the knife is quite nice, I would also look close at the Carson as his knife quality and character are uncompromising. Both may be hard to get at this time.

Stay Well
Ken
 
Leo,

Tell us what you are looking for in a dive knife:
1) Do you want stainless or carbon? It
sound like you want 440C or better.
2) How large would you like the knife to be?
3) Do you want a metal pommel? Something to
tap your tank with when you want to
signal another diver.
4) Is rapid disassembly (taking the knife
down to its basic components for
cleaning) desirable?
5) Do you like serrations?
6) Do you want your knife pointy, or
flatened for prying?
7) Do you want a Lanyard hole?

This should help you shorten the list.
 
How about the Next Generation Ka-Bar? The original Ka-Bar has been used as a dive knife for over 50 years now and the new one is even better suited for use around and in water. (more corrosion resistent finish, synthetic handle, partially serrated blade, kydex sheath).
 
How is 420V in corrosion resistance? I have had plenty of 420J dive knives, and was wondering if 420V would be a viable alternative.
 
Lots of interesting suggestions here, folks... Keep'em coming!
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Not2sharp, let me try to answer your questions:

1) For all I've read, 440C looks like a good compromise between rust resistance and the other qualities usually atributed to high carbon (non-stainless) steels. Of course, there are many guys in these forums who know a lot more about these things than I do, so your comments, again, are appreciated.
2) I want it to be unobtrusive, yet not too small; I was thinking about something between 5 and 6 inches.
3) A metal pommel would be nice, though not necessarily one of those large, cylindrical, hammer-like chunks of steel.
4) I'm not too sure about ease of disassembling, but I tend to see it as a plus.
5) Serrations... On one of the edges (or maybe a combo edge), yes. Actually, I've been thinking about toting at least too knives: a smaller, all-serrated one (maybe even a Spyderco Clipit) for rope and line, and a bigger piece, which would be more like a "working horse" of sorts. Still, I believe both should be at least partially serrated.
6) Since now we're talking too knives, maybe one could be pointy (the smaller one) and the other blunt... Not sure about that.
7) Yes, a lanyard sounds like a good idea.

Of course, most if not all of the above is negotiable... That's why I'm asking for suggestions from all of you guys.
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Regards,

Leo Daher

 
Buck Intrepid definitely. Great design, pretty too. Handle scales are removable for cleaning. Kit designed it. Price is right.
 
Leo,

I'll agree with UPSTARTCROW, it sound very much like one of the smaller Intrepid models by Buck (tanto or chisel ponit, 5 1/2" stainless blade (3/16" 420 SS), removable handles, partially serated, lanyard holes, and exposed metal butt.

[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 02-05-2000).]
 
To tell you guys the truth, I've been considering the Buck Intrepid for a while now (of course, it'd be nice to own an authentic Carson knife, but cost can be an issue at this time). The specs look just right, no doubt about it... Does anybody know how good the steel is, as far as taking an edge? I reckon it's not as good as the 440 series, but is it good enough?

Regards,

Leo Daher
 
BTW, does anyone know what kind of steel is used by Mission on their non-titanium versions of models MPK and MPT?
 
Currently A-2. Mike T. had one sold at WOW and last I saw one test model that had a broken off/ blunted tip still available!

I' ve handled the Buck Intrepids and am contemplating...

L8r,
Nakano

 
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