Dive Knives: What to get?

[TNThomas]

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.

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[Knobgoblin]

Older gerber Collins designs.





Kershaw amphibian. ( out of print, maybe)

 

[Twilight]

Cressi Lima or Promate Barracuda if you want budget, Aqualung Squeeze if you want proven diver gear, or Spyderco Salt series if you want the best rust-proof steel out there. Strap it belt or calf with Kydex, easy draw, one hand, no drama.

 

[toonerfrank]

I got this one from #ad Amazon and have been happy with it... https://amzn.to/4fXxr20



and this sheath.... i wear mine on the calf.. https://amzn.to/4lKsRW6



I like in particular that it's a titanium alloy. Avoid rust and still keeps a nice edge.

I don't dive, but makes for a fine utility, and if needed, self-defense tool.

Good luck in your search, be sure to let us know which one you get!

 

[Duneblaster]

o

 

[sobo]

Cressi Lima or Promate Barracuda if you want budget, Aqualung Squeeze if you want proven diver gear, or Spyderco Salt series if you want the best rust-proof steel out there. Strap it belt or calf with Kydex, easy draw, one hand, no drama.

Agree with the Spiderco and calf mount. Make sure it's a fixed blade. At least as a diver, that's what and where I prefer to wear mine.

 

[User 1234]

I used to be on a county dive team back in my younger days. Blackwater, under ice, etc. I kept a fixed blade strapped to my leg. With cold wet hands, or neoprene gloves, I did not want to try and open a folder if I became entangled.

I would be less concerned about fancy blade steels and more concerned about keeping it very sharp. Serrations are useful for cutting rope in situations where you won't be able to keep the rope taut while cutting. Don't need large teeth like you would for cutting wood.

For swimming, I'd want a fixed blade, no more than 8" overall, stainless steel, with small serrations on one side and plain edge on the other. I don't know offhand which models are currently offered.

 

[thorborg]

Don't know, don't do that stuff, but I have two different friends who aren't connected with each other that scuba dive (one snorkels more than using tanks) and both use double sided blades, one serrated, lite hardly any handle or very thin, looking sorta like throwing knives. They use scabbards on the outside of their weak side forearms. they use them a lot cutting line from lures hung up in rivers and prying up muscles and other attached crustaceans. ( sometimes even on the beach cooking / filleting) Apparently fast access and little effort or thought to reholster (as I have seen them grab and replace them fast and rather mindlessly without looking).
Always good to hang out with them, my wife and I have had lots of tasty scallops, crabs and flounder brought up by them.
After thought; Both knives looked short, only 4 to 5" blades though I never asked or measured them.

 

[Pete F]

The knife that I have used, strapped to my thigh. Schrade WR3 Extreme Water Rat Fixed 4.7" Black Dive Knife. Unfortunately these are discontinued. 7Cr steel with a 4.7 inch blade. Great for prying mollusks off of rocks, not so good for stabbing Jaws.

Other companies make similar knives.

 

[Stomper]

 

[TNThomas]

Boye Dendritic Cobalt, N690, VG10, 14c28n, 20CV, S35VN, S110V, Magnacut. 14c28n is the toughest, it's a Sandvik steel that was designed for razors. A fully serrated Spyderco in VG10 would work great for rope but I'd rinse it off after being in salt water. I'd avoid anything with steel ball bearings. Fixed blade would be the most reliable. 400 series steels don't hold an edge well enough for using on rope unless you like sharpening. 420J2 doesn't get sharp like 440A & 440C does.

Very good info right here, thanks!

 

[TNThomas]

I used to be on a county dive team back in my younger days. Blackwater, under ice, etc. I kept a fixed blade strapped to my leg. With cold wet hands, or neoprene gloves, I did not want to try and open a folder if I became entangled.

I would be less concerned about fancy blade steels and more concerned about keeping it very sharp. Serrations are useful for cutting rope in situations where you won't be able to keep the rope taut while cutting. Don't need large teeth like you would for cutting wood.

For swimming, I'd want a fixed blade, no more than 8" overall, stainless steel, with small serrations on one side and plain edge on the other. I don't know offhand which models are currently offered.

Great info, thanks! Would you go "blunt" or "pointy tip" on the blade and why?

 

[Poole]

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.

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.

 

[User 1234]

Great info, thanks! Would you go "blunt" or "pointy tip" on the blade and why?

I would go blunt tip for scuba diving to reduce the chance of puncturing a buoyancy compensator or air line. For swimming, either would work.

 

[MTpockets]

Since everyone else provided excellent answers.

Swim in Sashimi-Style...

...give off a Belushi Samurai Futaba Dive-n-Dine vibe.

Be the Bite, not the Bitten.





Wishing you safe swims.

 

[SSloan]

View attachment 2150966View attachment 2150967

Older gerber Collins designs.

Damn, lost mine 3 or 4 decades ago. Unique low-pro, no hang-up design.
Loved that design & mechanism, great w/gloved grip, positive pressure release & an audible click on lock.

Oysters/abalone/clams opened at the mere sight of that bad boy. Awesomeness of Blackie Collins simplicity.
Didn't happen to find it buried in 3ft of silt up at Summit Lake on Mt. Rainier? asking for a friend.
Sincere thanks for the forgotten memory, guess I will start looking one now.

Edit to add: Given it some thought, and thinking that may be my personal holy grail, lots of good memories in that one.
Again, my appreciation.

 

[FourTeeFive]

Damn, lost mine 3 or 4 decades ago. Unique low-pro, no hang-up design.
Loved that design & mechanism, great w/gloved grip, positive pressure release & an audible click on lock.

Oysters/abalone/clams opened at the mere sight of that bad boy. Awesomeness of Blackie Collins simplicity.
Didn't happen to find it buried in 3ft of silt up at Summit Lake on Mt. Rainier? asking for a friend.
Sincere thanks for the forgotten memory, guess I will start looking one now.

They seem to be getting a lot of money for these online.

 

[Knobgoblin]

They seem to be getting a lot of money for these online.

That's wild.

$10 pawnshop knife from 25+ years ago?

 

[SSloan]

That's wild.

$10 pawnshop knife from 25+ years ago?

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.

 

[Knobgoblin]

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.

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)