There are 3 reasons why you might need a dive knife:
- You get tangled in kelp or sea weed
- You get caught in a fishing line or underwater fishing net
- You are an international spy being attacked by enemies and need to cut their air hoses in a dramatic underwater fight
Honestly, in my opinion, a dive knife is a frivolous gadget. Unless you are diving in an area where tangled kelp or dangling fishing lines are a possibility you do not need a dive knife. Most divers who strap knives to their legs (never to the arms - it can get caught on your hoses) are wearing just to look slightly more macho in their wet suit.
Nevertheless, if it's a dive knife you want you might as well get a good one. Here are some tips for choosing a dive knife:
- Get a knife with a sharp, serrated edge. The serrated edge stays sharp longer and will let you saw through tough materials.
- The knife should not have a pointed tip. A dive knife is never used to "stab" - in fact many dive knives have a screwdriver-like tip for wedging and prying.
- A handle with a hard butt is useful for hammering
- Look for a big, safe hilt guard between the handle and blade to prevent your hand ever slipping over the blade while using the knife
- The knife clicks securely into its sheath, can't be shaken out accidentally and the sheath straps onto the outside of your thigh.
- A magnetized blade can pick up little wee metal things from the sea floor.
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