I am currently in my certification classes. I have a bunch of equipment to buy, but I am most excited about a new knife...

I will do my certification dives the weekend of Aug 11-13.

Any Scuba divers out there have an opinion on the "best" knife. Or at least the one that you have experience with.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: armedprof,

This was the recommended choice when I certified way back in 1983.

There are plenty of fancy options out there, but I like my ScubaPro Mako. They make it in SS and Ti, I think. Mine is the Ti model.

Has a tanto blade profile, which is a nice compromise between chisel and full point. (So I can still stab a shark, but also pry loose the doubloons I find.)

-Rob

First, CONGRATS!!! You are on a journey that will cost you thousands of dollars IMO one of the best ways possible.

So here's my $.02 based on my experience as a diver primarily in the Pacific Northwest (over 500 dives) but also in Cozumel, Roatan, USVI, PR, Palau, and Indonesia both recreationally and as a PADI certified Master Scuba Diver Trainer (Instructor) with over 100 certified divers. I have spent hundreds of dollars on dive knives because they are super cool. Now to be the downer:

Get resuce shears and place on your BCD in a way that's easily accessible ambidexterously. There are a lot of ways to do that. It is way more likely to be actually used and won't hurt you or your buddy if used underwater, but FAR FAR more likely to be used on the surface. And if they rust out (or lost), toss and get a new pair without crying.

Get a Spyderco folding Salt in a blade configuration that makes you happy (I use a version that is similar to the 'Delica' standard blade that's 3" long). You can use it internationally and in tons of carry configurations (on bcd, waist, leg, arm, neck).

But no matter what, get a titanium blade or something along the line of the H2 steel or the H20 steel that is corrosion resistant.

Lastly, strongly consider the "pry" function and not the "stab" funtion because I have seen that, unless you are spearfishing, 100% of the time the "stabee" is you, your gear, or both in my experience.

I’m a PADI Divemaster. I’d recommend exactly what Loswsmith said. No need for anything with a point. Shears are a great idea. If you insist on a knife, a chisel end dulled is all you’ll ever need.

Congratulations it's an amazing hobby.

I think there's prehistoric sharks teeth in your area?

Get something nice so when we search the training sites we can find a keeper.

Consider the carry options carefully. What looks good on paper doesn't always translate well in actual use.

Spyderco Caribbean, Salt or salt 2 folder in LC200 it is the upgrade from H-2 and a nearly corrosion free blade metal. they have left them exposed in saltwater for weeks and they are clean as a whistle. They make a now discontinued lc200 fixed blade 4.5 inch, the “waterway” I feel lucky to have mine but they are available if you hunt around. My saltwater fishing knives. I don’t dive.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
I’m a PADI Divemaster. I’d recommend exactly what Loswsmith said. No need for anything with a point. Shears are a great idea. If you insist on a knife, a chisel end dulled is all you’ll ever need.

I'll third this statement.
I do a little salvage diving for a side job.

Spiderco SALT is a great line of knives if you want something sharp. Great to toss in a gear bag.

Personally, my gear set up is from County Comm . com

https://countycomm.com/collect...um-emt-combat-shears

I really like the glow-in-the-dark ones.
At $10, I have probably 5 laying around in my gear, gear bag, boat.

https://countycomm.com/collect...obotics-breacher-bar

If you want one that can be sharpened-

https://countycomm.com/collect...obotics-breacher-bar


Sheath-

https://countycomm.com/collect...obotics-breacher-bar

Haven't used one, but looks interesting-

https://countycomm.com/collect...r-large-breacher-bar

It's a holdover from years ago diving in the Military, but I like having 2 glow sticks somewhere in my gear too.

quote:

https://countycomm.com/collect...um-emt-combat-shears

I really like the glow-in-the-dark ones.
At $10, I have probably 5 laying around in my gear, gear bag, boat.

OOOOHHHHH Glow in the dark!! I love this. Get these. They will be super helpful for everything and will be easier to find if you lose them.

Leisure Pro merged with Scuba.com. Huge inventory. Leisure Pro was based out of NYC- fast shipping.
Knife is a tool- blunt tip. Expensive sport- enjoy.

I have an old (70's) AMF Swim master. Made in the USA, 7 1/2" serrated blade with finger grooved handle. Thing is a beast, I even used it as a field knife in the service until I obtained a proper knife for that.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I'd probably go with something a little smaller now. But it did feel good carrying that big thing while diving in shark infested waters in Panama!

I totally forgot about this one-
My partner dove yesterday to free up a dock line that got wrapped around a Prop blade. Worked perfectly! That being said- I don’t know how they hold up in salt water, and we clean our gear pretty quickly.

Get one with the saw blade



https://eu.glock.com/en/products/glock-field-knives

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:

quote:

https://countycomm.com/collect...um-emt-combat-shears

I really like the glow-in-the-dark ones.
At $10, I have probably 5 laying around in my gear, gear bag, boat.

OOOOHHHHH Glow in the dark!! I love this. Get these. They will be super helpful for everything and will be easier to find if you lose them.

You’ll spend a lot of money on that website!

I have the Atlantic Salt that is my knife for vacation in Hawaii and snorkeling. I make sure not to cut anything with it so it’s sharp. A fixed blade may be a better option depending on your needs.

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/category/salt-series

Shears are a great idea, as is a small pry bar. Titanium is light and won’t take up much space, space and save the knife for cutting.

A moving video of using a dive knife to free a whale shark.

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
A moving video of using a dive knife to free a whale shark.

[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SGmtjeuEtow?si=O4u9KGWlSkPgHLlM" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]

That was pretty incredibly awsome. A friend for life.