You would possibly suppose solely technical or business divers want a knife for diving, however all divers profit from being ready. Whether or not you’re a snorkeler or a seasoned scuba diver, carrying a diving knife presents peace of thoughts and security.
Learn on to be taught extra about dive knives, together with the aim of a diving knife, find out how to put on a dive knife, and dive knife care.
What Is a Dive Knife Used For?
Not like in Hollywood films, a diving knife isn’t a weapon for harming folks, animals, or reefs. As a substitute, it’s a necessary software that you should utilize to free your self, your gear, and even marine life from entanglements, comparable to seaweed, ropes or fishing nets.
A diving knife can be a useful accent above and under the floor. As an illustration, you’ll be able to reduce by means of snagged SMB strains or faucet in your tank to get your buddy’s consideration.
Diving Knife Varieties and Blades
Conventional dive knife designs normally have a double-edged blade, which may be fastened or folded into the deal with. The straight edge is right for reducing plastic or nylon strains, whereas the serrated edge excels towards thicker, pure fibers or kelp.
Mounted blades are sturdier and faster to make use of in an emergency, however they want a sheath for protected stowage. In the meantime, folding blades match neatly inside a pocket however may be trickier to open, particularly single-handedly or with gloves.
Some diving knives additionally function a line-cutting notch alongside the blade, whereas larger knives could have a T-shaped deal with that doubles as a tank banger.
Different reducing instruments for diving embrace:
- Z knives (line cutters): A hooked design and guarded blade present a quicker, safer means of reducing fishing nets and contours.
- Shears: Just like scissors, these are helpful for snipping strains with larger accuracy.
Why Do Dive Knives Have Blunt Ideas?
Though some forms of diving knife have a pointed finish, a blunt tip diving knife (or chisel tip) is much less of a stabbing implement and extra of a multi-purpose software. In leisure diving, its principal perk is security; there’s a a lot decrease threat of puncturing your self, your gear, and even your buddy!
Why Do Diving Knives Have Holes?
Holes in a dive knife’s deal with are usually used for attaching lanyards, clips, or straps. Alongside the blade, a shackle secret’s an extended, skinny slot for manipulating shackles. Folding knives typically embrace a finger gap to make them simpler to open and shut.
What Is a Dive Knife Made Of?
The blade is made out of steel, and on the subject of one of the best diving knife materials, the highest contenders are titanium vs stainless-steel:
- Stainless-steel is extra widespread, cheaper, and simpler to sharpen, however extra liable to corrosion.
- Titanium is stronger, lighter, and rustproof, however tougher to sharpen and costlier.
In the meantime, the dive knife deal with is mostly plastic or steel with a rubber coating for added grip. Relying on its dimension, the sheath is likely to be plastic, steel, or material.
Do Dive Knives Rust?
In comparison with on a regular basis knives, stainless-steel dive knives (particularly marine grade) are moderately immune to corrosion, and titanium knives are utterly rustproof. However, saltwater is harsh on all metals, and even the highest-quality dive knife will deteriorate when you don’t take care of it.
Wash your dive knife in freshwater after each dive, and ensure it’s dry earlier than storage. Making use of a skinny layer of silicon grease on the blade may also help to stop rusting – simply keep away from petroleum-based lubricants, as they will erode different elements of your dive equipment.
What Measurement Dive Knife Do I Want?
It’s a fantasy {that a} big diving knife is all the time higher. Actually, a small (2-3 inches/5-7 centimeters) or medium (4-5 inches/10-12 centimeters) knife is the preferred alternative for leisure diving. These sizes are typically light-weight and simpler to retailer, dive, and journey with. Plus, they’re much less more likely to snag in your tools or environment.
That stated, the optimum diving knife size depends upon your private alternative and the way you propose to put on it.
How To Put on a Diving Knife
When selecting the place to put on a dive knife, make certain:
- It’s safe.
- It received’t create a snag hazard.
- You’ll be able to simply attain, launch, and re-stow it – ideally with one hand.
Past that, dive knife placement is a matter of dimension and choice. A big diving knife could also be extra snug strapped to your leg, whereas smaller or folding types would possibly match inside a pocket — although keep in mind that each choices may be awkward to achieve.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to mount a compact diving knife sheath near your higher physique, comparable to on a BCD hose, on a wrist strap, or utilizing purpose-made grommets. Nonetheless, keep away from carrying your dive knife on a weight belt as it’d impede a fast launch in an emergency.
Can I Take a Diving Knife on a Aircraft?
Sure, however like several sharp object, you will need to pack your dive knife in checked baggage, not your cabin bag. Retailer it folded or in its sheath so it might’t harm different objects. As an additional precaution, think about packing it inside a protecting case or towel.
Are Dive Knives Authorized In every single place?
A diving knife remains to be a knife, so it might be unlawful in some locations. Moreover, many marine protected areas don’t enable knives. Do examine native legal guidelines and rules about carrying or utilizing one on the floor, when touring to your vacation spot, or through the dive itself. A neighborhood PADI dive store can even provide steering on the area’s diving guidelines.
How To Select a Dive Knife
Deciding what makes a great dive knife is a private alternative, however take into consideration:
- The kind of diving you do. For instance, a line cutter may be invaluable round wrecks or different areas identified for fishing nets, whereas a bigger, serrated blade is efficient at detangling kelp.
- How you propose to put on it. It will slender down appropriate choices for model, dimension, and attachments.
- Whether or not you journey typically. In that case, a folding or small diving knife is likely to be extra handy.
As well as, your excellent knife must be snug to put on and maintain, in addition to straightforward to launch and put away. In the event you use dive gloves, bear in mind to check the knife whereas carrying them.
In the event you can’t select between a dive knife or shears, then go for each! Many divers carry an ordinary dive knife alongside a separate line cutter or shears. Plus, having a reducing software accessible on both aspect of your physique provides an additional layer of security.
The place To Purchase a Scuba Diving Knife
Whether or not you’re in search of one of the best scuba diving knife, an inexpensive diving knife, or a dive knife for snorkeling or freediving, contact your native PADI dive store. They’ll be capable of provide skilled diving knife recommendation together with the possibility to check a wide range of types earlier than making your buy.
