Knife, line cutter or shears?

[vablackwater]

I mix and match, but like the z-knife (coldwater version) and a good pair of trauma shears.

 

[Whale Whisperer]

I like my knife, it's got three cutting surfaces: A straight edge for general cutting, a serrated saw blade for tougher jobs and a line cutter. i carry my knife for recreational purposes. It's got everything I need for general purpose in the area I dive, the only thing about it is you gotta keep it sharp.

If I dive in an area where I know there are alot of hazards such as a wreck, I'll keep a line cutter that uses a replaceable razor blade for cutting cave line or monofilament and a good pair of EMT shears for those nasty metal leads.

 

[octotat]

I'm a shears man, but will probably start carrying a small folding knife also as a backup. I've used my shears to cut through 1 inch anchor rope in a second, it would have taken me forever to saw my way through that with a knife. I will also start carrying a cold water line cutter that you can easily use with heavy gloves once the water is that cold. Here's a great practice that I learned from a special forces skydiver: Never ever ever ever use your emergency knife (shears/cutter,etc) for ordinary things. It should be left sharp and undamaged for when you need it the most - a life threatening situation. Carry a backup "utility" cutter to cut mundane stuff.

 

[jim T.]

I carry two knives and a pair of EMT shears. Shears can be used one handed. Unfortunately I don't trust the constantly rusting "stainless steel" rivets/pivot pins so I'll always have a knife along as well.

A couple of divers have told me that I have too much stuff on, but I don't care. The great majority have said,
"Hmm...I hadn't thought about a backup knife-I AM always dropping them..."

the mottos: "If You Don't Need It, Leave It Behind/If You Need it Bring Two" "Two is One,One is None" is my usual comfort zone, philosophy.

Placement in several areas: in front of you, on an arm or leg, console hose and behind you in case in an entagnglement you can't get enough slack to reach the one forward is a common practice.

 

[abba.adams]

I keep two knives and a line cutter. Both are useful in different situations, so I can't really ignore any of them.

 

[Spratman]

I carry a knife for cutting and prying and a cold water z-knife. Pretty standard here in the NE Atlantic. Some people carry trauma shears as well. Never know what you might run into....

 

[octotat]

I plan to get one of those monster Mick Dundee Bowie knives, it will double as a weigth belt

Of course, I'll have to carry a smaller knife and shears to cut that thing loose from every piece of monofilament in the region.

Oh yeah, I have that cool line cutter I found diving with Spratman in Dutch springs too

 

[sardiver]

Gary Gentile told me he buys Ginsu knife sets. He uses a knife till it rusts out and tosse it for a fresh 2.00 one. Not a bad idea either.:14: