Dive Knives: What to get?

[SSloan]

Hate to admit, but I'm almost positive I've given them all away.

Had 3 of the Blackie Collins river knives.
Hard plastic sheath with built-in spring clip retention. Wavy serrated and more traditional pointed serrations.
2 of the kershaw double edged have come and gone ( 1 into police custody, lol)

I'm just appreciating you posting that up.
Brought a genuine smile & some great memories of now gone dive buddies.
Thanks, Steve

 

[FourTeeFive]

More like $250+ these days. Yours is a gen1 (as I had) and much rarer these days, compared to the newer single side/serrations.
As I remember Blackie died in a motorcycle accident down south.
Takes forever with a very fine stone, then a good leather stropping, can be as good as a razor.
Hang onto it, great blade, it was great steel.

I keep thinking I need to list a bunch of knives for sales. Mid 80s I couldn't afford firearms so I collected quite a few knives. Still have a couple of early Benchmade Balisongs, Spyderco, small Al Mar (wish I held onto my SERE), and a few others. And this:



I remember carrying it but using it very little. Somehow managed to snap the tiniest bit off the tip so I sent it to Gerber and they reground the tip. As I remember I never carried it or used it after that.

 

[SSloan]

I keep thinking I need to list a bunch of knives for sales. Mid 80s I couldn't afford firearms so I collected quite a few knives. Still have a couple of early Benchmade Balisongs, Spyderco, small Al Mar (wish I held onto my SERE), and a few others. And this:

View attachment 2237757

I remember carrying it but using it very little. Somehow managed to snap the tiniest bit off the tip so I sent it to Gerber and they reground the tip. As I remember I never carried it or used it after that.

Our interests/period are very similar. Al Mar, Benchmade, Spyderco, & cold steel made good blades back then.
If/when you do decide to list that, please drop me a message, I would appreciate it.
I appreciate that time period, less over hyped makers and better made knives.

 

[Siglvr]

Cheap stainless fixed blade with a blunt tip will do, think "rope cutter," not "seal slayer." Salt water eats knives faster than ammo prices rise, so don't overthink it. Strap it somewhere you can reach with either hand, because nothing's worse than drowning while arguing with your sheath design.

Nah, you'd be trying to keep the rust off, unsucessfully. Buy once, cry once. Get H1 (now) H2 material that Spyderco has, it doesn't rust. You still need to wipe the fish guts off of it, but low mainanence. I have a couple of Boye Cobalt as well, and it won't rust either, but Boye doesn't make a working dive knife. I love the marlinspike on my folder, and it gets used all the time as it cuts line with ease. However, the H1/H2 steel from Spyderco outperforms it as it's a harder material. I had a fixed blade H1 I'd leave fixed on the boat, (review of sharp point version here: https://gearjunkie.com/outdoor/hunt-fish/spyderco-h1-fish-hunter-knife-review) which I don't see them listing currently, and a Pacific Salt to carry/beachcomb with. Definatly get a fixed blade for diving. I have a titanium blade dive knife as well, avoid that stuff. Won't rust, but it's not good steel for a knife.

"The key ingredient of the Pacific Salt—and all Spyderco's original Salt Series knives—is H-1 steel. Developed by Myodo Corporation in Japan, H-1 steel is a radically different alloy that combines the extreme corrosion resistance and toughness of a conventional austenitic stainless steel with enhanced levels of hardness that allow it to perform well as a knife blade material."

 

[Sapper1371]

Hey folks, I have found myself in the position that I think carrying a dive knife could be a good idea. I swim a few times a week in the puget sound, and plan to through winter. I just want something to cut myself free if I get tangled up (lots of folks crabbing close by, so there is rope and fishing line every now and then. And secondly to serve as a defensive weapon should any seals (which are out there quite often), should they get frisky with me.

What should I get, or are there any decent knives that carry could carry over that are technically not dive knives? Are there any advantages carry positions with reference to swimming? Ill be in salt water, in cold temps, and I usually swim with shoes on, swim trunks, and no shirt. I could wear a belt if needed for the sheath, and I can make Kydex sheaths as well, so something custom could be made. I have no shame in using cheap knives, and I am not really looking to dump a bunch of money into one. Ideally it would be a fixed blade, and on the bigger side (4"-6")is, and something that could be easily drawn one handed. I am open to used knives as well. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

K bars are solid blades. Not over priced and have been the trusted knife for the USMC.

 

[hawmanai]

Here is an inexpensive knife that can also blend in on a work belt. Latest version looks to have a better sheath.

Amazon.com: KLEIN TOOLS DK16 Double-Edged Duct Knife, Serrated Stainless Steel Blade, Designed for Duct Board and Insulation, Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath, 5-1/2-Inch : Sports & Outdoors

Buy KLEIN TOOLS DK16 Double-Edged Duct Knife, Serrated Stainless Steel Blade, Designed for Duct Board and Insulation, Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath, 5-1/2-Inch: Tactical Knives - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[coreymet]

Are you still looking for a dive knife? I am finally letting go of some scuba gear. I have 3 I would part with.