Spyderco Aqua Salt Review

ThePeacent said:
Stabby and pointy? Check
Click to expand...

Spearfisher here... I am considering a new knife to take spearfishing. Usual tasks for my knife are finishing off tough fish (congrios) and cutting myself out of enganglements underwater (not that often, but I have gotten grapped a couple times in abandoned mono lines and nets).

Usual diving knives are made of thick highly stainless steel which does not keep its edge at all. for stabbing is fine, but for cutting tough ropes, nets, etc... most of them are truly lacking. Do you think the fixed blade you are showing could serve me well for this tasks? How thick is it? I don't want to use it for some light pyring if need arises and get it totally bent! i have bent diving knives before just finishing off tough fish which requred me to hold the fish between my knees, the handle with one hand and pound on the butt of the knife handle with the other one. Omer diving knife (don't recall the exact model) totally bent! I don't even ask about H1 staying sharp because I bet it is going to be sharp enough.
 
H1 is definitely a steel, and is not a ceramic. It has toughness, and like any steel will 'adhere' to a magnet.

Jim
 
Mikel_24 said:
Spearfisher here... I am considering a new knife to take spearfishing. Usual tasks for my knife are finishing off tough fish (congrios) and cutting myself out of enganglements underwater (not that often, but I have gotten grapped a couple times in abandoned mono lines and nets).

Usual diving knives are made of thick highly stainless steel which does not keep its edge at all. for stabbing is fine, but for cutting tough ropes, nets, etc... most of them are truly lacking. Do you think the fixed blade you are showing could serve me well for this tasks? How thick is it? I don't want to use it for some light pyring if need arises and get it totally bent! i have bent diving knives before just finishing off tough fish which requred me to hold the fish between my knees, the handle with one hand and pound on the butt of the knife handle with the other one. Omer diving knife (don't recall the exact model) totally bent! I don't even ask about H1 staying sharp because I bet it is going to be sharp enough.
Click to expand...

I've bent the very tip on my Aqua Salt twice, doing some out-of-the-line stuff, and I've been able to put it back once, sharpen the unusable tip the other (effectively reducing the overall blade length) time.
Easy peasy, no permanent damage, still stabby. Cuts really nice, if you dull the points the scallops will still be sharpenough, H1 holds a ncie edge in SE and takes a very fine, sharp one too.

It's sturdy and strong enough to do light prying, and you could for instance stab 30 Liter plastic gallons, wood composite or coconuts with no damage or problems whatsoever: That's the experience I have stabbing with it, and all I can say!

I would say go for it, and I believe it won't disappoint you! :thumbup:
 
Cobalt said:
That should be interesting
Click to expand...

I have been unable to find a picture of this knife, however I have found a fair description of it from a forumite at Spyderco's own forum (Surfingringo) who I believe is also a member here in Bladeforums. The description reads as follows:
Surfinggringo at Spyderco.com forum said:
"I got to handle the Fish hunter at Blade. It is an Aqua Salt that has been ground to more of a dagger shape with a false edge on top. The purpose of the design is a tool for fisherman and spear fisherman to use for brain stabbing fish. I was very impressed with the design. It looks like it will still retain a lot of general use utility for a knife with some "dagger like" qualities. Neat design."
Click to expand...

So, there we have it. A more pointy Aqua Salt. If it comes out at the same price as the Aqua Salt... then I could consider buying it. Loosing a diving knife while spearfishing is not that unlikely... I wouldn't want to drop way too much money on it

Mikel
 
Well, I hope it looks good. Handle color underwater is a problem. Orange means nothing after a certain depth and when you drop your knife. I would prefer to see an angular striped pattern on the handle of toxic green and black. The pattern that is not in nature will stand out more on the sand when you are 30-50 ft down or further. you listening Sal?;) Orange and sand look the same to me at 35-40ft.
 
Cobalt said:
Well, I hope it looks good. Handle color underwater is a problem. Orange means nothing after a certain depth and when you drop your knife. I would prefer to see an angular striped pattern on the handle of toxic green and black. The pattern that is not in nature will stand out more on the sand when you are 30-50 ft down or further. you listening Sal?;) Orange and sand look the same to me at 35-40ft.
Click to expand...

If they follow the line of the current Aqua Salt... it is not going to stand up. Even if they follow the color schema of the previous version (available with uncoated blade and orange handle) is not going to be easily visible according to your premises (although I find yellow quite easy to find where I dive).

I would be happy with an uncoated blade... at least it would reflect the light somehow and be easy to spot should you drop it!

The sheath is a big issue for us spearfishers.... we usually strap it to our inner lower leg, so it doesn't tangle with lines. Two rubber bands with some kind of belt buckle are required. For this application a Tecklock or belt loop means nothing. If I need to buy or make myself a custom Kydex sheath... that could be a drawback.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top