Scuba Diving Knives

With so many choices on the market, how do you decide which one is right for you? It really depends on the type of diving you’ll be doing and your price range. Dive knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A dive knife should: have a sharp cutting edge and serrated sawing edge, come with a sheath or holder, and be made of stainless steel or titanium.

Blade Size and Tip: For most recreational divers, the best choice is a medium length. An example is a knife with a 4-inch blade and a 4 to 5-inch handle. A dive knife this size is easy to grip, can be mounted to your BC or strapped to your leg/arm, and there is less risk of puncturing your equipment, your dive buddy, or yourself. If you like to spearfish, choose a sharp-pointed knife. You’ll need it to cut the fish.

Blade Edge: Dive knives come with straight edges, serrated edges, or both. Serrated Edge are good for cutting natural lines, ropes, nets or kelp. Wavy or rounded serrations perform better than large saw teeth. The teeth should run the length of the blade. Plain Edge are good for severing small lines such as fishing line. A plain edge with a bit of a curve is preferred over a straight edge.

Note: If you are taking a diving knife on a trip, do not pack it in your carry-on bag. Pack it securely in it's holder in your checked luggage. Contact the airline you intend to fly with to find out their baggage policies.