Dive Knife

[lee08]

What dive knife do you recommend?

[TTSkipper]

Check out this link http://www.scubaboard.com/t24090-.html

[MaxBottomtime]

I prefer to carry EMT shears in my pocket. They cut through netting, harness material or even 1/2" rope like butter.

[BigJetDriver]

What dive knife do you recommend?

Lee,

While I am not a fan of "PC" speak, I have adopted, and recommend to my students, that they use the label, "Dive Safety Tool".

Why, you might ask? Because in some groups, and in some areas, "knife" has automatic negative connotations for various reasons. Rather than even get into that, I choose to use the terminology above.

In addition, for a lot of purposes, the EMT shears, or their equivalent, are actually better than an an actual knife. They now come with handles that will match your color scheme, and they cut monofilament line, for instance, MUCH better than a straight-edged knife. Also, they are acceptable in those areas where they freak out about divers carrying "knives".

We teach that you should have two cutting devices, one placed above the belt-line, one below, accesible to either hand, for purposes of redundancy and safety. You can stow them in pockets, and secure them with a lanyard connected to the inside of the pocket.

Cheers!

[GoBlue!]

While I am not a fan of "PC" speak, I have adopted, and recommend to my students, that they use the label, "Dive Safety Tool".

Not to nitpick, but seems like "cutting device" would be a better "PC" term for you to use. "Dive Safety Tool" is quite ambiguous....DSMB, whistle, signal mirror, dye pack, etc. could all fall into "dive safety tools." Your thoughts?

Jim

[Tollie]

It’s the term “tool” that makes the difference. I can use my dive tool for cutting, pointing, prodding or even tank banging.

[Boogie711]

That's odd - is it now considered DIR to carry shears on your waist belt instead of a small line-cutting knife? I missed that somehow.

[Mandy3206]

I allways carry cutting devices:

1) Wenoka old faithfull 6" dive knife strapped to the leg
2) Small Dive Rite Z knife on the upper right Harness strap
3) Small 3" Akona Drop point knife, right below the Z knife

Don't use them very much, but when I need them, there they are.

[Boogie711]

I allways carry cutting devices:

1) Wenoka old faithfull 6" dive knife strapped to the leg
2) Small Dive Rite Z knife on the upper right Harness strap
3) Small 3" Akona Drop point knife, right below the Z knife

Don't use them very much, but when I need them, there they are.

Mandy, you're new, but others may wish to take note of this as well...

"6) The answers in this forum are member's best attempts to answer questions within, and according the DIR diving philosophy. If you wish to give a non-DIR answer, please do not post it in this forum. If you do not wish your question to be limited to DIR answer, please ask it in another applicable forum." As seen here. (http://www.scubaboard.com/t43458-welcome-to-our-new-dir-forum.html)

[BigJetDriver]

Not to nitpick, but seems like "cutting device" would be a better "PC" term for you to use. "Dive Safety Tool" is quite ambiguous....DSMB, whistle, signal mirror, dye pack, etc. could all fall into "dive safety tools." Your thoughts?

Jim

Jim,

Too true, but then, PC speak is very ambiguous anyway, isn't it???

Cheers!

[Land Locked]

Emt shears in the pocket, but most Quarry dives in the midwest do not require any cutting tools since fishing is not allowed anyway.........I can't think of anything I would need to cut but carry them anyway. Ocean diving I carry the Emt shears and a 3 1/2" knife with serated back blade.

[Boogie711]

OK - I give up. Maybe a moderator can move this to the "Knives and Cutting Tools" forum.

In the meantime, Lee - I dive with a small, Betty Crocker special made of serrated Stainless steel on my waistbelt, and a set of EMT shears in my pocket. The link that TTSkipper referenced is excellent.

To everyone else - THIS IS THE DIR FORUM!!!

[lee08]

Good lord, I thought I would ask a simple enough question on the DIR forum because I want to buy the right "DIR" equipment. I was asking what dive KNIFE to buy because I am trying to decide between the X-knife and the Halcyon knife. I know about sheers and I know where to put them, thank you very much. I just wanted to know what dive knife most DIR guys/gals are using so I get the best one. Is this that tough of a question I can't get a straight answer?

[GreenDiverDown]

lee08,

I have the Halcyon knife and several Betty Crockers. I do not own the X-knife but I know that 5thD has one available and it looks fine...it looks like a steak knife to me.

You really can't go wrong with any of the following...and I bet most here will agree...

1. Make your own from a steak knife...the infamous Betty Crocker

2. Any Knife you get, from either 5thD or EE, will be fine. They won't sell you junk and what they do sell, many of their DIR instructors use.

My personal experience is this...my steak knives are great...they are in most of my rigs...but today...as luck would have it...and after many many dives ..I noticed that the knife on one of my rigs was no longer tight in the sheath...it even fell out... and I was fortunate that my bud noticed and scooped it up.
On the other hand, my Halcyon knife has a rivet in the handle that makes for a real snug fit...it's been there for several years and is just as tight today as when new.

Bottom line...you're already on the right track.

[deepdiverbc]

What dive knife do you recommend?

After looking a many knives I choose a Schrade water rat. I did not have the opportunity to compare it to the X-knife.

I attach it to my 2" waist webbing and it can be pulled free with one hand. The sheath also has a positive lock feature so the knife is secure in its sheath unless you are prone to bumping into things. It also has a flat low profile design when sheathed and fits very flush with my body.

The knife blade is thick and continues well into the handle so there is very little chance of snapping this blade if it had to be used as a prying tool.

The steel is 400 series stainless which does get surface rust if you don't rinse it properly but maintains a sharp edge better than 316 stainless.

I tested this knifes cutting ability against other brands with a thick piece of rope. I was amazed at how many other serated blade designs were incapable of cutting thick line. This knife can cut through a 3/4 inch rope in one pull.

The handle comes in black and orange. I chose orange. If you ever drop it in poor vis you will be glad you did. It is much easier to find. There is also a lanyard attachment point at the but end. The handle is also wide enough to fill your hand sufficiently when wearing thick gloves so you can get a good grip on it.

The main weakness of this knife is the 400 series stainless tendancy to get surface rust. Also if you get surface rust inside the handle to sheath lock area it can be a bit tricky to get it perfectly clean. I do not see this as a major problem though and prefer the edge holding ability of the 400 stainless.

[Robert Phillips]

Good lord, I thought I would ask a simple enough question on the DIR forum because I want to buy the right "DIR" equipment. I was asking what dive KNIFE to buy because I am trying to decide between the X-knife and the Halcyon knife. I know about sheers and I know where to put them, thank you very much. I just wanted to know what dive knife most DIR guys/gals are using so I get the best one. Is this that tough of a question I can't get a straight answer?
The Akona CoQui is the exact same knife as the Halcyon and you can get them at LeisurePro for $23.00 +shipping, so if you decide to go with the Halcyon, save yourself some money for the same knife.

[Mandy3206]

Boogie:

I'm very sorry to upset you, I was just stating what I use!!

Some DIR divers seem to be very touchy (no pun intended)

The Akona coqui 3" I use seems to comply with DIR, I didn't knew the 6" old faithfull would stirr that much of controversy.

Let me know if the Z knife is DIR compliant.

My apologies for any offense to anyone, I'm not trying to troll the forum.

Sincerelly

Mandy

PS. That attitude is why many people disagree with DIR
I'm not posting again in the DIR forum fer sure!!

[Boogie711]

Mandy, I'm not upset. In fact, I read my response again and can't see why you would think I was upset - unless you're already hyper sensitive about the DIR argument, which you, in fact, appear to be based on your earlier posts.

It's quite simple. This is the DIR forum, and there is a protocol for posting in it. Thanks for your understanding.

[headhunter]

PS. That attitude is why many people disagree with DIR
I'm not posting again in the DIR forum fer sure!!
I'm really don't think that Boogie was displaying an attitude. This is a DIR forum and it is only appropriate to post DIR answers. I assume that if people wanted a broader spectrum of answers that they would have posted in a different forum. The protocol for posting in the DIR forum is clearly posted in the "sticky" threads at the top of the forum.

The comment you make in your P.S. sounds like you believe that you've been somehow mistreated or like the comment by Boogie was somehow inappropriate. I just don't see that. He politely reminded everyone of the rules in this forum and then was completely ignored.

I hope you don't take my post as a personal attack, as it is not meant to be one. I just thought I could add a little third party perspective to a situation in which I thought your P.S. sounded a bit "snippy".

Christian

[Mandy3206]

OK guys, I'll tell you what I'll do:

I'm going to start all over again, erase from my head all opinions (in favor and against) about DIR and make sure to read a lot of this forum in particular just to make sure I get a bigger picture of DIR, then in a couple of months, I'll make a well informed opinion about the subject, it may be in favor or against, I really don't know.

to this day,I've not made my opinion yet, but I'll start from scratch!!

How is that?

[headhunter]

OK guys, I'll tell you what I'll do:

I'm going to start all over again, erase from my head all opinions (in favor and against) about DIR and make sure to read a lot of this forum in particular just to make sure I get a bigger picture of DIR, then in a couple of months, I'll make a well informed opinion about the subject, it may be in favor or against, I really don't know.

to this day,I've not made my opinion yet, but I'll start from scratch!!

How is that?
Now THAT sounds like a very fair statement! :crafty:

Start over with a clean slate, but remember to use what I like to call "the filter of reason" when you read things here or in any other public forum. You'll see both good and bad attitudes from people on both the "pro" and "con" sides of the "Is DIR good for ME?" question.

Personally, I don't see DIR as "good" or "bad". I see it as a system which people will either find "compatable" or "incompatable" with what they adopt as a diving philosophy.

As a system, I don't think anyone could be intellectually honest and say that it doesn't work. Even most individuals who are what you might consider "aggressively anti-DIR" admit that they use some or many of the individual components of the system. Some of these people might even agree that DIR works great as a sytem for the WKPP, but have decided that for whatever reason, it's just not for them. The DIR divers that I've spoken to think that's just fine. They just don't like it when someone who decides not to pursue the system for themselves, misrepresents the system in a negative light because they don't fully understand it.

Enjoy the process of evaluating the sytem for your own diving. While I am not DIR yet, I've found it fascinating to research the topic. So far, I have found it to be very compatible to my own diving philosophy.

You'll find a lot of very emotional discussion, but try to look past that and just look at the facts. A system of diving is not about the personalities of the individuals that do or don't use that system. Having said that, I will also say that I have personally met some really nice people who are DIR divers.

Dive safe!

Christian

[Mandy3206]

Boogie:

I just realized that you printed rule #6 from the welcome thread, my mistake, I thought that you were telling me to post on some other forum.

Sorry for the mis interpretation.

[NWGratefulDiver]

Back to the knife topic ...

I use an Oceanic Arrow blunt tip, attached to my waist belt in a mini-maglite sheath.

It's basically the same knife as the Halcyon ... except that you can get 3 of 'em for what you'd pay for the Halcyon knife.

BTW - the 305 steel doesn't rust.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)