RoadWarrior
Contributor
A tool it may be but seems most ware them for show. Can that be correct? I don't want to be laughed at for carrying a sword.
By all practical standards I'm new to all this. 40 or so dives. While I've never carried a knife while diving I've had occation to wish I had one.
Poking around at something in the sand when I didn't want to stick my hand in there. Poking at a lobster's rear-end to nudge it out of hiding. Once I saw a neat little net lying on the coral but it's lead line was cought and I couldn't pull it loose. The DM came over and cut the line. At surface he said "this is a cool (something net) little net I'm glad I found it." Not that I would have ever needed the net you understand.
I see people wearing these huge knives strapped to their legs, their hoses, their BC's. Like they're hoping for a fight with a passing shark or fear attack from a gaint octopus. On one hand I think "who are they trying to impress?" On the other hand I think, "now that's big enough to really be useful should it ever be needed."
My question: Does one really need to ware a sword? Is a nice little folding knife or a knife with a 3" blade just fine? Should I stop worring about how I look and realize that big knife may come in handy some day?
The only place we ever dive is the Florida Gulf as far east as the Keys and west as Cozumel and in the Caribbean. Last year, diving in Hawaii (oh yeah, Hawaii too) There was a nice couple we meet waiting to board the boat. When everyone started putting gear on they both pulled out their swords. The blades must have been 10". They strapped 'em on their legs with such pride. I couldn't resist and asked, "have you ever had occation to use your knives?" Answer, "no, not really." I just laughed to myself.
Your thoughts on those big knives please... are they all for show - - are they the proper sized tool - - is it a little of both so stop worrying about it.
BTW: if spear fishing or stuff like that I would never give a second though to someones knife.
By all practical standards I'm new to all this. 40 or so dives. While I've never carried a knife while diving I've had occation to wish I had one.
Poking around at something in the sand when I didn't want to stick my hand in there. Poking at a lobster's rear-end to nudge it out of hiding. Once I saw a neat little net lying on the coral but it's lead line was cought and I couldn't pull it loose. The DM came over and cut the line. At surface he said "this is a cool (something net) little net I'm glad I found it." Not that I would have ever needed the net you understand.
I see people wearing these huge knives strapped to their legs, their hoses, their BC's. Like they're hoping for a fight with a passing shark or fear attack from a gaint octopus. On one hand I think "who are they trying to impress?" On the other hand I think, "now that's big enough to really be useful should it ever be needed."
My question: Does one really need to ware a sword? Is a nice little folding knife or a knife with a 3" blade just fine? Should I stop worring about how I look and realize that big knife may come in handy some day?
The only place we ever dive is the Florida Gulf as far east as the Keys and west as Cozumel and in the Caribbean. Last year, diving in Hawaii (oh yeah, Hawaii too) There was a nice couple we meet waiting to board the boat. When everyone started putting gear on they both pulled out their swords. The blades must have been 10". They strapped 'em on their legs with such pride. I couldn't resist and asked, "have you ever had occation to use your knives?" Answer, "no, not really." I just laughed to myself.
Your thoughts on those big knives please... are they all for show - - are they the proper sized tool - - is it a little of both so stop worrying about it.
BTW: if spear fishing or stuff like that I would never give a second though to someones knife.
