BIG KNIFE or little knife ??

[99heritage]

Hi everyone. I'm new to diving (have done 3 shallow, un-certified dives at beach resorts). I'm halfway through getting my C-Card and have purchased most of my gear. I plan on diving pretty regular when I'm certified. I'm going to Cozumel to finish my Open Water. Along with the other gear I bought, I purchased a UK Titanium Blue Tang Knife.

I tried on all my gear (as I am ready to leave to Cozumel) and feel a little ridiculous with this BIG RAMBO KNIFE on my ankle. Can you guys tell me what your prefences are and why?

Thanks in advance...

[scuberd]

I have a medium knife because it is great for sandwiches at lunch. I have had only a couple of occasions to use my knife underwater and had it been big or little wouldn't have mattered. this probably doesn't help much, but the big knife should be good with the ladies

[Jonathan]

First welcome and did you realise that you were member no 9,000?!

I have a small knife atached to my inflator hose and sea snips on the waste band of my bc.

Jonathan

[SLJ]

I prefer the smallest knife I can find positioned on my waistbelt where I can get it quickly and not have to search for it.

[montereydivemas]

I have a small knife in my console and a large rambo model zip tied to a bc strap. the scuba police wont take me alive heh heh

[Bob3]

Having a couple of different cutting tools is a good way to go. Leave the Rambo job at home, they're not too welcome in some of the international destinations.
A 6" overall blunt tip knife w/serrated edge is normally the heaviest cutter that you'll need, and stashing a pair of those $2.99 EMT shears in a pocket is also a good idea.
Hook knives, like the Z-knife are great for harvesting fishing lures when you get into an area where the bottom is paved with fishing line.
Last but not least, try to keep the tools handy in the golden triangle area whose corners are your breasts & bellybutton. You can reach with either hand no problem.

[99heritage]

First of all... THANKS for your quick responses.... and as proud member # 9,000 I thank you all for your input.

I haven't bought a BC yet, so I will be using a rented one this trip, so I guess I will have to wear it on my calf until I have a BC to strap it to... but that sounds like a great idea.

I just didn't want to look as if I were going to war, instead of sightseeing underwater...... Do people still wear these large knives on their ankles, or it will I stand out like a sore thumb??

[Tim Ingersoll]

Most divers I have seen use EMS shears or a small knife attached to a BC. The Rambo models are occasionally seen and usually commented upon. I personally think they look ridiculous. I have 89 warm water dives and have yet to see anyone use a knife for its intended purpose underwater.

[reefraff]

The BFK is a holdover from earlier days, when most of us got into diving to impress the girls and to emulate Mike Nelson. The instructors back then were mostly ex-military and they all seemed to be more comfortable diving with the biggest knife you could find.

Rules change and the monster knives eventually found themselves regulated out of existence. Selling the big boys in my neck of the woods requires a weapons dealer permit, something that no scuba shop is going to futz with. Much less aggravation to sell the little ones.

Then it turns out that the little ones are actually better - less bulk, easier to carry on your waist strap where you can actually reach the thing, less likely to snag something, cheaper, etc.

I carry a SS small knife with a serrated edge, blunt tip and hook on my waist strap. I also carry EMT shears on a shoulder strap. That's more than enough to get the job done.

Steven

[FredT]

reefraff once bubbled...

Selling the big boys in my neck of the woods requires a weapons dealer permit, ...
Steven

Time to move to a free state, or fire your politicians! If you consider this state of affairs "business as usual" the politicians power grab has succeded and you are now in a land of sheeple.

99heritage,
A knife is a tool, but a tool that CAN save your life! There are a few things that can be done with a little knife that can't be done effectivly with a big one. Eye surgery comes to mind here. In the water these situations rarely come up. OTOH there are many things you can't do with a little knife that CAN be done with a one. Just as you wouldn't use a tack hammer to drive a 36" stake a tiny knife makes a pretty lousy pry bar.

Use the knife that fits the hazards and jobs found in the diving you do. Low vis with entanglements a bigger knife may be better but a medium blade will do if it's kept sharp at all times. A longer blade has a better chance of having a sharp spot at the end of a dive cutting line than a short one.

I spearfish for rather large fish. A 7" drop point double edge blade for me is a minimum to reach where it needs to go for adjusting a wounded fish's attitude. For somone diving in springs or dedicated diving quarries this blade is overkill. It is NOT overkill in open water with fishermem about! Shears are great, until you find yourself caught in an illegal mist gill net. Then if all you have is shears you'll run out of air long before you get yourself cut out. BTDT :(

FT

[madmole]

I've been diving for 28 years and have done nearly 2900 dives. In that time I have needed a knife 3 times for use in earnest (not counting cutting sandwiches etc). On all 3 occasions the rope or wire concerned would not have cut with a small knife or shears as it was 1" thick or more

I carry a 8" knife on my leg, a 3" backup on the BC or harness, Shears on my belt and a net slasher (Z) in my pocket.

The 1" apple peelers I see a lot of folks carrying are useless in anchor line or loster pot rope unless its under tension. If your going to carry a knife, carry a knife. Likewise a knife is not good in fishing net where shears or z knifes are best

Who cares what the fashion police say, carry the tools appropriate to the job

[pdoege]

Many people recommend a broadsword. This is non-optimal.

You'll want an epee (or foil, depending on your skill level) for the smaller stuff. It is thin enough to easily reach into coral and rocks. Nice and speedy enough to get the occasional 'cuda. A broadsword is way too large for this stuff, and the foil gives bonus Errol Flynn points.

For larger fish, shark, and marine mammals you'll definitely want a claymore. A broadsword doesn't have enough heft to damage the large larger prey. Nothing like 15 pounds of Scottish steel to make the wee beasties think twice.

Peter Doege
(Tongue in cheek! I actually carry a smallish folding knife and some shears.)

[JT2]

If you are going to wear a BIG knife or any knife for that matter down on your calf, I would strongly recommend that you wear the knife on the inside of your calf and not the outside as it is much less likely to get entangled if it is on the inside. What size knife you carry will mostly depend on where you will be diving. I would also recommend that you carry a pair of EMT shears as well.

[madmole]

Never snagged the knife on the outside of my legs in all those dives!!!! Its not an issue even diving in kelp

My beer gut and shoulders are far wider than my legs and the membrane drysuit material folds at the knee are wider than my big knife

[Tim Ingersoll]

madmole once bubbled...
Never snagged the knife on the outside of my legs in all those dives!!!!

Now that would be ironic.

[JT2]

madmole once bubbled...

Never snagged the knife on the outside of my legs in all those dives!!!! Its not an issue even diving in kelp Good for you madmole, however where I dive most people wear wetsuits(mostly shortys" instead of drysuits, the viz is poor 3-8ft, and there is an abundance of monofilament fishing line that just loves things like big knives hanging out in the open, as well as fin strap buckles and various other things. Obviously wearing the knife on the outer part of the leg works well for you and I certainly would not want you to change something that has worked for so long, however, there are conditions where it is a big advantage to wear the knife on the inside of the leg, and there is no reason that I can think of where it would be a bad idea to wear the knife on the inner calf, so I as well as most instructors I know recommend that new divers learn to wear it on the inside.

[madmole]

True, I would find it a strange feeling as not used to it, but I cant think of any reason not to stick it there as long as your not knock knee'd

Mono is a real pain isn't it!!!. Try doing what we used to do at Bovisand harbour where there used to be loads of fishermen. Take a pack of frozen kippers down and stick it on their hook and give it a good pull ;)

I used to tape my Jet fin straps, but since swapping to force fins, there isn't anything to snag there

[JeffAustin]

Smaller knife with serrated edge on the waistbelt within reach of BOTH hands. If you get snagged by someone fishing and they start reeling you in with 30 lb. test,can you reach a knife on your calf? I also carry shears in a suit pocket. A big knife is good if you encounter a scary monster from the deep:D or for hacking your way thru a kelp bed on the surface:bonk:

[ElectricZombie]

Spear Fishing = Big knife.

Just about everything else = Smaller knife.

[StilettoDriver]

Unless of course you compensating for something (like lack of enough lead).
I have small blunt tipped, serrated knife zipped to my BC. I also have a pair of shears behind my weight pocket. A knife is a nice tool for cutting line or for prying (hence the blunt tip) that kind of thing. They are not for fighting off irriatated marine life, capturing passing nuclear submarines etc.
But, if you just gotta have a BIG one, don't forget the camo wetsuit.
TR

[Rick Murchison]

I carry a small belt mounted knife and some heavy duty shears on all dives. When spearfishing I carry my pig-sticker drop point for quickly dispatching speared fish. If not spearfishing the big guy stays home.
Rick

[99heritage]

So is a 5" Blunt Tip blade considered Small, Medium or Large?

[FredT]

medium, if it has a full size handle to grip.

[ibnygator]

where the instructors were all ex-military and we started diving to impress the girls. I wear a 6" blade, calf-mounted on the outside of my leg. I've never caught it on anything, but then again, except for using the blunt end to bang on my tank to get my buddy's attention, I've never needed it.

Since reading this thread, I think I will try it on the inside of my leg. It makes sense to avoid entanglement whenever possible, but I'll be VERY careful while unsheathing it...

[MFarrar]

I've been diving with a big knife for over 25 years...seems like much debate these days over size. I don't think blade size is as important as sharpness. Hey...if you want to use a small knife great, if you prefer a larger blade, also great. Personally I don't understand all the fuss and argument over what is probably a matter of taste. I do think all the propoganda about a knife being a tool for digging any prying is nonsense. I have a crowbar to that such things. I good sharp knife can save you life...on land or in the water.

[DM462432]

Jonathan once bubbled...
First welcome and did you realise that you were member no 9,000?!

I have a small knife atached to my inflator hose and sea snips on the waste band of my bc.

Jonathan

If you were to pull the knife out, would it create a stress on the inflator hose?

[SueMermaid]

I wear a small pointy-tipped knife on the shoulder part of my BC. It's very easy for me to get to if I become entangled, which has not happened yet. I have never unsheathed it underwater. I carry it cause the boat captains require it in NJ.

If I were in a situation where, say, my buddies and I were playing "Sea Hunt", I'd carry a big knife, that way, it's easier to cut someone's hoses. :out:

Oh, and by the way, about big knives to impress women: That's a fallacy. Size doesn't matter.

:D

[Steel Tanker]

Optimally, one should be able to reach one's knife with either hand without the need to hold it with the other hand. It should not only be easy to get to but also easy to put back. It should be out of the way of entanglement hazards. It should also be cheap, i.e., it does not need to be titanium. Also, they should be blunt tip so one does not stab one's self.

I have big hands. I need a knife with a decent sized handle. A medium knife is enough. My main knife is a Wenoka EZ lock ($30). It is attached to my console. This particular knife is easily removed and replaced in its sheath. But it is usually a two-handed operation. I use a UK Remora ($24) as a backup on my waist belt. It is small but shaped well. It is easy to get to but difficult to replace.

I find that attaching a knife to my deflater or BC causes the knife handle to stick out and is almost impossible to put back. Try it. Also, I have found that trying to get at the knife on the inside of the thigh is very difficult with drysuit, et al. If attaching to calf or thigh, one should use surgical tubing to take up for compression.

[snipes287]

I have two knives. My primary is a bluetang wich I wear on the inside of my left leg (I personally have been diving like that for a few years now and don't find it hard to get in and out at all) and as a backup I have a wenoka squeeze lock which I have mounted on my bc inflator.

[drbill]

I haven't been diving with a knife since the early 70's even though I dive routinely in kelp. I have used Sea Shears on occasion for cutting fishing line and am considering adding a small BC knife. Large knives on the inside or outside of my leg just seem more of an annoyance than a utilitarian piece of equipment.

Dr. Bill

[Scuba Chip]

I don't carry a dive knife. I always bring along a pair of cutting shears however. My concern is entanglement in lines and such.
The type of diving you do, and where you do it will determine what is appropriate for you.

When originally certified, I wore a leg knife - on the outside of the leg - because that is the way we were taught. Today, that knife seems worthy of Indiana Jones on one of his adventures. It didn't take me long to shift that knife from the outside of the leg, to the inside of the leg. If You choose to wear a leg knife, wear it on the INSIDE of the leg. Why? Imagine ditching a weight belt while wearing an outside leg knife. There is a decent chance that the weight belt buckle can get caught on the knife (I have witnessed this). In this scenario, you retain the weight, but in a location with considerably less access. :)

[Penguin]

Speaking of small knifes:
Does anybody have experience with inflator host mounted knifes? Is it handy?

[StinkyDiver]

I personally, have a 4" sharp knife.
I admit that I have not dived with it yet... just got it yesterday.
But I can already see that I probably won't ever be needing it here in Hawaii. There's nothing to cut!
So, I believe that it all depends on your conditions, what sized knife you get. =-)
Erin:doctor:

[Kayla]

Tim Ingersoll once bubbled...
Most divers I have seen use EMS shears or a small knife attached to a BC.

I can second that... I love EMS shears.. they cut through just about anything... and on a BC they are very easily accesable. (sp?):)


Kayla:)

[sheck33]

Penguin once bubbled...
Speaking of small knifes:
Does anybody have experience with inflator host mounted knifes? Is it handy?

No, it is not handy, at least, i dont think they are.
I prefer to wear a small knife on my waistbelt of my harness.
Shears are great too but i am not always that faithful about rinsing so they rust :)
I have to get better at that.....:D

[gem1]

One of my neighbors loved huge knives for deer hunting. he kept one in a scabbard on his belt at all times. One day while hunting, he jumped out of a tree, jabbed the thing into his femoral artery and bled to death before he could get help. If you believe you have to be prepared for anything and everything at all times carry the big one, but 99.9% of diving will not require you to use it. Most divers prefer smaller knives and a set of snips of some sort. Nevertheless, to each his own. If the babes dig it, try a couple of hand grenades tied to your BC to go along with it. LOL

;)

[Penguin]

sheck33 once bubbled...


No, it is not handy, at least, i dont think they are.
I prefer to wear a small knife on my waistbelt of my harness.
Shears are great too but i am not always that faithful about rinsing so they rust :)
I have to get better at that.....:D

Thnx sheck33 for the info
Penguin

[PhotoTJ]

I have a big bc mounted knife, and a small, hose mounted one. I use the Wenoka Blackie Collins squeeze knives.

By the way, I used to have a HUGE knife, back in the 80's, a US Divers Sea Eagle. Damn thing was almost a sword! (Oh, well, the fish were bigger back then!;)

[annie]

One thing to consider is if you're going to be diving in cold waters and wearing thick gloves. You want to have a knife big enough to handle with those gloves on. I have a mid sized fold up knife in my cummerbund pocket and I know for a fact that if I wore the thick gloves that are the norm round here I wouldn't even be able to open the pocket never mind unfold the knife. So I wear my tropical neon yellow gloves and look like a complete eejit.

I wear some garden pruning type shears on my calf but find them a total pain - they won't stay in one place - I have to do something about that.

[AzSnake]

I have a Blue Tang and it's come in Quite handy.
I dive in the Sea of Cortez and have cleaned up many of ropes, nets and line from my dive spots. Try cutting a 2" rope with a tiny knife. It's not so much the Size of the blade but the leverage and pressure that I can apply to the object Im cutting. If anything the handle of my knife is what makes it look big not the blade itself. 5" really isn't huge for a blade size. Going back the original post I think it's a good all around knife able to handle a multitude of tasks while not being too big nor too small. When Im camping/diving I use it to harvest dinner by collecting scallops.

[Dyno Bill]

I have an old Scuba Pro knife that might have a 7 inch blade that is solid through the entire handle so it works as a hammer, prybar, it has been a chisle and I have used it as an anchor to get a break in a stronger current off a point. Now not many of those drills could have been done with a 3 inch blade mounted to a plastic handle. I have never needed it to cut a single thing, with the exception of a sandwich. I wear it on my left inner calf and have never had it tangle in kelp.......my favorite place to dive. I also wear a safe knife thats perhaps 4 inches in length and its like a straight razor, and it lives in a pocket glued into the center on my wetsuit chest. It never moves, always in the exact same place easy to acess with either hand and yes the handle is larger in diameter so I can handle it with a gloved hand. I agree with the theory that one needs to be prepared for the unusual occurance, those are usually the ones that might get someone.
Bill, Dive often.......and safe

[DrownedRat]

MFarrar once bubbled...
I've been diving with a big knife for over 25 years...seems like much debate these days over size. I don't think blade size is as important as sharpness. Hey...if you want to use a small knife great, if you prefer a larger blade, also great. Personally I don't understand all the fuss and argument over what is probably a matter of taste. I do think all the propoganda about a knife being a tool for digging any prying is nonsense. I have a crowbar to that such things. I good sharp knife can save you life...on land or in the water.

Hear hear, I wasn't going to say anything but after the 3rd reference about using a knife as a prybar... A knife is the most expensive and least useful prybar you'll ever own. Chances are you'll break it and then if you need it, you're pooched. Stick with a small prybar from your local Canadian Tire (or yankie equivilant). I got mine out of a bin for $4.00.

Just my 0.02 cents cdn
Cheers

[Aquacatfighter]

I use a big knife , A 1960s Aqualung knife it came in handy lots of times when I was in trouble. :)

[Dyno Bill]

No worry mate, my big knife came with 2 sets of used Scuba Pro ear that I bought maybe 15 yrs ago. I probably payed a buck six bits for it.
Bill

[gem1]

Whoa!!

You say your knife came with two sets of used Scuba Pro ear(s)?

Or is that just a Freudian slip of the knife? LOL

Remind me not to dive with the fellow who sold you that pig sticker.


:bonk:

[Dopefish]

When you get that nasty old mono filiment wraped around your tank or your fins (or heaven forbid wire) you better have a good pair of shears in your kit.

That Rambo knife looks cool straped to your leg, but tough as hell to get purchase on something thats tight to you or just floating in a cloud around you.

[Dyno Bill]

So dont leave me in charge of the typing pool. When I was in school guys didnt take things like typing and home ec.
So these shears everyone is talking about, are they the EMT type of shears or what are they I should ask.
Bill

[Dopefish]

Well you can spend $25.95 at DiversDiscount.com for a pair with an OMS stamp on them or you can buy a pair of industrial scissors for $5 that will get you out of almost anything.

[Albion]

Best use for knives and buddies for that matter is White sharks.

You dont need to be able to outswim a shark just to outswim your buddy, and if he has your knife stuck in his leg then it's a given.

Think the big knife would win here.


;-0

[Dopefish]

I'm a lazy swimmer. Just use the spear gun and haul your buddy back.

[pkmaven]

I started with a small, sharp knife for cutting. One dive I became entangled in some fishing line while diving off Rhode Island. I took out my little, sharp knife and began cutting the line. My buddy took out his seven inch "DIVING" knife and, in a flash, had all the line in pieces. On my next night dive I was scouring the bottom for lobster when I spotted the outline of a huge flounder in the sand. I reached for my small, sharp knife when My buddy grabbed my wrist and shook his head. He took out his 7" knife and stabbed the flounder which I put in my bug bag. I still have my small, sharp knife, but I also have a diving knife for whatever. P.

[Dopefish]

Hmmmm, sounds like we've got a 'big' knive envy thing going on here.

But let's cut the 'small' talk and get back to the topic at hand.

[Cudabait]

Guess by now you've gone to Cozumel. I'm new to the forum but been diving long time. I think you should wear what you feel comfortable with. One of the tools I wear regularly is a four inch blue tang. Whatever you wear will be the best tool in the world when you need it. Dive safe. Cudabait.

[Big-n-Buoyant]

I wear a small knife attached to BC strap (easy to get to), but was recommended when I wear my medium on my leg to wear it on the inside because.... a man will inadvertantly brush the outside of his leg on something and become entangled, but is MUCH more aware if something is coming up from the depths BETWEEN his legs.... therefore much less likely to snag.

[pkmaven]

The largest diving knife out there is the Poseidon. It's also the most expensive coming from Swedon. After I lost my normal size, 5" blade, diving knife, I bought a small, sharp knife. One day while diving, my left leg got caught in some fishing line. I took my small knife and tried to cut it away. My buddy had a normal size knife designed for scuba use. In a flash he cut away all the line. I don't need a titanium knife because I thoroughly clean my gear after every dive when I return home. I oil my blade and it never rusts. If I lost it , I wouldn't hurt as much as if I bought a knife costing over $70! A normal, 5" knife designed for scuba use is not a "Rambo" knife, but a serious accessory that has been developed over the last twenty years I've been a certified diver. P.

[Pepsi]

If you game hunt for rockscallops, You need a big knife. or an AB iron. I have used the same ScubaPro knife and sheath for at least 10 years. Bought on of those little fancy knives once and it came out of the high tech clip Waste of money. I'll stick to my trusty ol Scubapro- hell, its a collecters item by now, you can't buy them anymore.:rolleyes: I have 2, I don't worry much about using it daily.

[JustAddWater]

I carry a medium sized Deep Sea with a pointed and serrated edge. It has worked well for the services that I have needed. I'll carry an ab iron for scallops. Topside I carry a decent fillet knife.

[Niko714]

Might just be the Marine in me but I find that going with any type of gear that the military uses is efficient and very tough. I use an SOG Navy Seal. It passed more breakage and prying tests than any other. But then again thats just my opinion :boom:

[zeN||]

Fred, you are the man, spearos typically carry a big knife for big business, as a prybar, cutting entanglements, and delivering the coup, not to mention we just look cool:) ~Zen


women don't care about size? Ha!

[jplacson]

I use a UK Blue Tang knife... I think it has a 4-5" drop tip blade... SS 420.

I like it cuz it's not too big, or too small... a small knife is supposedly DIR... but I think a 2-3" blade is just a tad to small for a blade... at that, I'd rather have scuba scissors.

Thing with the Blue Tang is that it has a tank banger as the handle butt so I don't need a tank banger anymore... and the handle is large enough that I don't fumble around with it while wearing gloves.

Small knives are fine if you don't wear gloves...but I get too clumsy with small gear while wearing gloves on.

The Rambo 7" or larger blades are just a bit overkill... unless you intend to fend of a great white or something! :)

[5615mike]

I can't imagine why you might need more than a small knife diving in Coz. The BFK's just are not well received in Coz. At least the ones I have been around the DM's have asked that they remain on the boat.

[zeN||]

It's not true that you can't cut line well with a knife, if you have a line cutter on your knife, that is a small half-moon cutting edge usually at the base of the knife, cuts line like butter, and a big knife with this design cuts line better than a small one anyday Z

[summer99]

Many divers wear dry suits in Monterey Bay. After encounters of the kelp forests during my ow certification, I bought a serrated blunt tip small dive knife to cut off the kelp tangled around the equipments especially to the fins and regulator & tank when you're dragging the kelp and couldn't get out of it like got caught in the kelp WEB. Dive knife is the rescue. Of course, you can break it by your two hands cuz kelp stems are fragile like vegetables. Have to be careful with dry suited divers around. :)

[Orlando Eric]

Hello my name is Eric. I like knives. I like big knives. I especially like COLD STEEL knives but the high carbon content makes them very poor salt water diving knives. Currently I have a small 4" blade Blackie Collins (gift). It is very seratted with a line cutter. I intend to trade up as my recent move to Fort Pierce has me thinking of undertaking spearfishing. I would love a titanium knife but most are only statinless Steel coated with titanium. The SOG Seal knife is like that. The only true Titanium one I have seen is the Misison K but it is around $300.00, too much to lose. everyone seems rather caught up on the big knives. I prefer a big knife I concure with the others that a big knife (6"- 7" blade) is nice and that the little ones are handy. As with any other equipment you have it is a matter of preference. The itty bitty ones on the inflator hose (2" blade) is better than none but just barely. Besides when I find that treasure chest from the 1715 fleet I want to be able to get it open. :D

[nwdiver2]

I use a medium 4 inch blade blunt tipped, serrated, line notched knife it is a rescue knife for white water kayakers Made by gerber. It has a very good sheath that bolts to the right shoulder of my BCD. I can reach it with the right or left hand. It will cut me out of any entanglement problem. It is very water resistant, better than some of the little BC knives I have had, that were for diving.

I have a bungee cord through the lanyard loop in the handle that is held out of the way by a thin bungee wrapped around the sheath. I first pull out the wrist bungee then put my hand through it before pulling it from the sheath.

I use to work in a very high entanglement environment and know of a diver that got tangled up, and sucked his tank empty in 15 minutes at 30 foot. In the investigation they found he had dropped his knives after cutting himself half way out of his mess, then sucked the tank dry while getting more tangled up.

If you get tangled, make sure you can’t drop your knife working your way out. :worried:

A second knife or shears are a good idea, I carry a pair in the Zeagle sheath in my pocket on my dry suit.

[Squid]

nevermind

[tankajava]

Orlando Eric once bubbled...
I like big knives. I especially like COLD STEEL knives but the high carbon content makes them very poor salt water diving knives.

I am a knife aficionada like yourself. I attended the Spirit of Steel show in Mesquite yesterday and spoke to Sal Glesser of Spyderco. They had a prototype model folder called the Salt on display that has a modified 3" sheepfoot blade (blunt tip) made of H1 steel. H1 has a high nitrogen content and has proven to be extremely corrosion resistant. The handle is fibreglass reinforced nylon and it has the coated SS clip like many Spydercos. The Spyderco hole has been enlarged to facilitate use with diving gloves. The Salt would make an good back-up for divers like you and I and could be carried in a BC pocket or clipped to your gear. Other folks may feel comfortable with something unobtrusive like a folder. The Salt should be on the streets before Christmas.

I carry an old Dacor BFK strapped to the inside of my calf and have also used the Boker Orca. I have used the blunt tipped Dacor often in Okinawa. At that time I was more of a hunter and collector and helped on a few archeological digs where a dependable good sized knife was a necessity. I also carry a smaller backup attached to my BC. I am one of those who maintain a knife is a tool and I use it as such. Like the rest of my dive tools, I care more about functionality than either fashion or political correctness. I would rather have a knife (irregardless of size) and not need it than need a knife and not have it.

tj

[Squid]

Orlando Eric once bubbled...
I would love a titanium knife but most are only statinless Steel coated with titanium. The SOG Seal knife is like that. The only true Titanium one I have seen is the Misison K but it is around $300.00, too much to lose. everyone seems rather caught up on the big knives. I prefer a big knife I concure with the others that a big knife (6"- 7" blade) is nice and that the little ones are handy.

I was going to keep this secret to myself, check these out:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&krd=1&from=R8&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=big+mo+knife

I just got a sharp-point one for 56 bucks!! It's light and non-magnetic throughout, so I think it's solid titanium from the point to the tank banger- as they claim. I plan on getting a smaller titanium knife with a blunt end to mount to my bc for general use as well.