Knives for beginners

[Autumnlight]

Hello,

I'm new to diving (9 dives so far) and have yet to take PADI Advance Open Water.

Grateful for peoples views on knives - are they considered essential?

I don't want to buy one if not really necessary (and maybe feel a little selfconscious carrying one as a new diver).

But if so, could anyone recommend a good quality, but basic/cheap one?

Many thanks,

Paul

 

[Insta-Gator]

I carry one of these to cut fishing line or to cut my harness if I need an emergency escape. Don't get one of those large, leg-strapped monsters.

EezyCut | emergency cutting tools

 

[doctormike]

I carry one of these to cut fishing line or to cut my harness if I need an emergency escape. Don't get one of those large, leg-strapped monsters.

EezyCut | emergency cutting tools

I carry one of those, and also a pair of EMS shears. Between the two of these, you should safely be able to get yourself out of any entanglement (which is the main reason for carrying a cutting tool). More of an issue in places where there may be fishing line or other entangling stuff, but I don't dive without them.

Haven't carried a knife in many years. Really not the best tool for the job, and potentially dangerous.

M

 

[TONY CHANEY]

I use a "Betty Crocker" like this one Hogarthian Cutting Tools - Dive Gear Express Easy to get a replacement at any store.

 

[Scott]

I carry an EezyCut and a pair of EMT shears.
I have a knife like TONEY CHANEY linked to, but I am much safer without it.

 

[rhwestfall]

Aside from specialty use, it appears the "big old knife" has gone the way of specialized tools (thankfully).

I carry a Trilobyte, sometimes shears, sometimes a cold water hook, sometimes a small knife...

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Trilobite, shears, and Dalton safety knife (see Betty Crocker Knife). Of course I do mostly fresh water. Ocean diving you kinda need a big pig sticker if a shark shows up. So you can stab your buddy and while the shark is busy with them you get away safe.

 

[Kilili]

Knives are almost never used by divers whilst underwater, and I doubt mine has been out of the sheath in 200 dives or so. You will find a cheap EMT surgical scissors to be much more useful.
Many people take something like a cheap kitchen steak knife, cut the pointed end off, and fabricate some kind of holder. The scalloped edge is good for cutting cord, line, and such.

 

[doctormike]

Knives are almost never used by divers whilst underwater, and I doubt mine has been out of the sheath in 200 dives or so. You will find a cheap EMT surgical scissors to be much more useful.
Many people take something like a cheap kitchen steak knife, cut the pointed end off, and fabricate some kind of holder. The scalloped edge is good for cutting cord, line, and such.

Amen!

Here you go: Hogarthian Cutting Tools - Dive Gear Express

$29 gets you the shears, the knife and the sheath. Have used this for years, the shears stay put, and are easy to pull when you need them.

M

 

[KeithG]

Hello,

Grateful for peoples views on knives - are they considered essential?

I don't want to buy one if not really necessary (and maybe feel a little selfconscious carrying one as a new diver).

Paul

Essential? Depends upon what kind of diving you plan on doing.

Self conscious? Only if you buy one o those monsters that you strap to your leg.

If your dive plan includes sites that combine active fisherman and/or lots of fishing
leftovers (line, nets, etc) then some form of cutting tool will be essential. So consider both knives and or shears.

As a vacation diver my buddy and I have very small knives that tuck away in our bc's (mine is mounted on my bc shoulder strap). The last (only!) time I had to use it was to cut up the pineapple during a surface interval. I think I also used it as a screwdriver once.

The only downside to having a dive knife is that you can not carry it on a plane. So my BC always goes in checked luggage. Not an issue for me, but a consideration for some dive travelers who want to carry on all their gear.