Do we really need a dive knife during a dive? And if so, what are the best dive knives to use? So many questions. As with a dive light, many of us divers tend to forget to carry a scuba divers knife with us on a regular basis, and can sometimes end up regretting it! A diving knife can save your life in emergency situations, or even come in handy as a useful tool whilst underwater, being an essential part of scuba diving gear.
But why do we even carry diving knives in the first place? And what makes a good divers knife? There are many reasons. One benefit of having a knife with you on a dive is being able to cut an entangled animal out of a bundle of fishing line or netting. This is certainly one piece of scuba equipment that is definitely better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Top 10 Best Dive Knives
We will guide you to find the best dive knife on the market according to how you plan on using it. We also recommend you look into where the best place to store your dive knife is during a dive to get a better experience from this piece of diving equipment.
Our goal is to help you find the best dive knives that fit both your needs and budget. To help you out with the process, we have put together a list of scuba dive knives in order to help you find the best diving knife. In another post in our blog, you’ll also find maintenance tips for your dive knife too.
1. Cressi Skorpion Divers Knife
Affordable & Versatile
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The Cressi Skorpion stainless steel divers knife is incredibly versatile as it features one serrated back edge and the other straight edge. It has great teeth for cutting through harder materials and fishing net when needed. The best thing about this blade is that it can be sold with either a sharp or blunt tip.
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The blade material is made from stainless steel making it a much easier material to sharpen. It cuts like a dream and the blade length is perfect for recreational use. Overall this is an extremely affordable steel blade that comes with a sheath and a lock release feature for protection when carrying it.
2. Aqua Lung Argonaut Titanium Scuba Diving Knife
High Quality & Best Performance
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The Aqua Lung Argonaut Titanium blade is designed to be the toughest and the best of the Agua Lung’s brand. This titanium blade is cut into two styles, the Spartan and the Blunt tip, giving you the choice of point upon purchase. Aside from its corrosion resistance material, another one of the pros of this knife is the butt of the handle is in the shape of a point for hammering, braking, and crushing use when needed.
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The handles are wrapped in order to provide a spot for the forefinger for extra grip for the sheath. It comes with two rubber leg straps and the blade length is 4 7/8″ long and the handle is 4 7/8. This is a fantastic option if you are looking for the best knives on the market with a serrated back edge.
3. Tusa X-Pert II Titanium Divers Knife
Light & Handy Titanium Knife
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The Tusa X-Pert II is a high-quality scuba dive knives made from titanium. These titanium dive knives can be easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance and are very corrosion resistant. It comes with a serrated back edge line cutter on one side and a sharp straight edge on the other. This is another option that lets you choose between a blunt tip and a drop point.
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Known for its durability and for being so light and handy, this makes an excellent choice if you are looking for a high-quality knife that includes a serrated edge plus a line cutter. It also comes with a single button sheath lock release and ranges in three different color designs.
4. Atomic Aquatics Titanium Ti6 Dive Knife
All Round Service & High Quality
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The Atomic Aquatics Titanium Ti6 is a light weight, robust full-size scuba divers knife that works excellent in most situations, with the exception of heavy prying. These titanium dive knives come with both a serrated edge and smooth blade edges for those different types of uses and has a very well-designed sheath and handle.
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This knife features a lightweight locking sheath with a push-button release for ease of use. With the sheath comes easily adjusted rubber straps for placement on your leg. This an excellent choice if you are looking for versatility that will not corrode or just a dive knife with leg strap option.
5. Mares Force Bat Titanium Dive Knife
Very Sharp & Foldable Knife
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The Mares Force Bat Titanium is well known for its sharpness and custom-ground blade with its special serrated edge. These serrations make it easy to cut through a variety of different elements and materials. Although a foldable blade, this scuba diver knife is easily opened by using one hand.
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With a blade length of 3.5″ this line cutter is a perfect backup knife for dive instructors. It features a handy clip that can be attached to your BCD making it very easy to carry. If you are looking for a foldable divers knife of high quality this is the perfect titanium dive knife for you.
6. UK Blue Tang Titanium Scuba Diving Knife
Affordable Titanium Knife
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The UK Blue Tang Titanium is a really good quality knife that comes with an affordable price tag. The handle offers a good grip and can easily be dismounted without tools for cleaning. The only downside is that the sheath from this scuba diver knife can be a little tricky to unlock when using thick gloves.
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One of the features of this blade is the handle. Its large choil and contoured handle helps create a powerful grip. The blade length of this knife is 5 inches. You might need two passes in order to saw through some heavy plastics but, overall, it’s a very good choice if you are searching for an affordable titanium knife with a serrated edge.
7. Cressi Alligator Diving Knife
An Excellent Multi-Purpose Knife
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The Cressi Alligator is a great compact stainless steel diving knife. This multi-purpose divers knife can be used as both knife and scissors with its versatile tip point. It features mounts to attach to your BCD and is small enough to be stored with ease when diving.
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Although the handle of this Cressi dive knife is a mere 3 inches in length, the rubber inserts and wide guards provide a firm grip and attachment. This is a great option if you are looking for a multi-purpose piece of gear with a serrated edge knife underwater.
8. SEAC Sub Rip Tek Scuba Diving Knife
Affordable Entry Level Knife
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The SEAC Sub Rip Tek is built with a stainless steel blade and is 6.9 inches in length. This steel blade features great resistance to corrosion and wear. It is highly rated for its control on hard materials, serrated edge and is also good for penetration.
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This is a great choice for a reliable dive knife without having to break the bank. Both edges are straight and the point is very sharp. It features a shockproof sheath and comes with a safety block and balancing. The Hilt can be dismantled which makes it easier to clean any rust or corrosion.
9. Spyderco C91PYL Pacific Salt Folding Knife
Compact, Versatile & Folding Knife
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The Spyderco Atlantic is a high-quality blade material which comes with a locking folding feature. Although on the expensive side it is worth every penny. Folding knives are safe, compact, and very easy to carry on a belt, BCDs etc. This versatile knife can be used in a wide range of situations underwater.
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The Atlantic Salt’s sheep-foot blade allows for both efficient and safe cuts. It has a large 14mm round hole to make one-handed opening a lot easier when using wet or gloved hands. Although it is made from stainless steel reviews have commented on how rust resistant this blade is. A great buy if you are looking for a foldable line cutter option with a sharp edge and comfortable handle.
10. Cressi Orca Diving Knife
A Great Work Tool
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The Cressi Orca model has been designed to be used as a work tool. It comes up relatively larger and heavier than most other scuba divers knife, making the bigger jobs a lot more comfortable. Another handy feature this knife has is that it has loops to attach the knife to either your leg or onto a belt. It comes with two leg straps to help you do so.
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The handle is made of non-slip material helping to create a to ensure grip, incorporating an anatomical molding for your fingers. It features two different edges, one smooth and one serrated. It’s the best option if you are looking for a diving knife with leg strap or to complete some work underwater.
- High Quality
- Full-Size Divers Knife
- Serrated & Smooth Blade
- Well-Designed Sheath
- Nylon Paracord Handle
- Highly Rust Resistant
- Spartan & Blunt Blade
- Best Performance
- Affordable
- Made from Stainless Steel
- Smooth & Serrated Blade
- Sheath w Lock Mechanism
How to choose the Best Dive Knife
What Material of Divers Knife should I Buy?
Most blade tips are either constructed from stainless steel or titanium. These two materials are used in around 99% of dive knives in the market today. It’s important to remember to also think of the material that the rest of your blade is made of, for example you will also want to take into account, the grip, strap and sheath of the blade.
Both materials, steel, and titanium are naturally corrosion resistant. Which is essential for any scuba gear, spending many hours submerged in saltwater. Both materials come with pros and cons, we have broken these down for you below to help you pick your blade type.
Stainless Steel VS Titanium Divers Knife
Titanium Dive Knives
Titanium diving knives are both incredible in strength and have high corrosion resistance. One of their better advantages is that they are also maintenance-free. Titanium material is much lighter, as well as stronger, so while sharpening will no doubtable take longer and a lot more effort to do so, the blade itself will stay sharper for longer.
Any scuba diver concerned with the weight whilst traveling with their diving gear will most probably opt for a titanium model to keep the weight down and up-keep minimalistic.
Stainless Steel Dive Knives
A stainless steel knife is the opposite, these steel knife blade types are very easy to sharpen but require more maintenance in order to prevent rust. Overall stainless steel is a softer metal. This type of steel knife usually comes in two different alloys, 300 and 400.
The 300 alloy design is much closer to the titanium option, which is a little harder to sharpen but also requires a little less upkeep. The other, 400 alloy, holds its steel edge well but is more prone to rusting. These steel models tend to be less expensive than the other titanium diving knives.
What Size Scuba Knife should I Buy?
Bigger isn’t always better. The size and weight of your diving knife should be determined by how you plan on using it. For recreational divers, a small, light weight, compact knife with a simple 4-inch blade should be fine, as you will most likely be using it in the event that you get tangled up, line cutting, or need assistance in getting free.
If however, you plan to use your knife while spearfishing, cutting lines underwater or kelp diving, you might need to opt for a different size depending on your specific situation. Did you know that according to DAN, entrapment and entanglement are the triggers of approximately 20 percent of fatal dive accidents?
What Types of Dive Knife Blades are there?
Dive knives can come in all kinds of sizes, length, features with different cutting edges. But the different options are generally found with either a fixed blade or with a compact folding blade. The model you invest in really does come down to personal preference, but there may be a couple of things you should think about before investing in a certain design. We have broken these two options down for you to highlight their difference.
Dive Knives with a Fixed Blade
Models that come with a fixed blade usually come with a sheath for you to be able to store it safely. The main advantage of this type of blade is that you can easily take it out by using just one hand. Many of these blades are sold with straps for attachment to your leg and have a quick release feature for ease of use.
Dive Knives with a Foldable Blade
Dive knives which come with a foldable blade, are a lot more compact in size and are lighter than the fixed blades. Due to their length and size when closed, this design can easily be stored away in your BCD pocket when not in use. Many of these also lock into the position preventing the risk of you cutting your fingers whilst using it. However, they can be difficult pieces of equipment to open the handle when using just one hand underwater.
What Shape of Blade should I Buy?
When choosing the shape of the blade there are two main parts to look at. These are the cutting edge and the blades tip. If a line cutter is what you are after, you might want to look at something with a straight edge that has a firm grip. But for example, if you want the best of both worlds, cutters with both options, a serrated edge and a sharp one, might be the best pick for you.
Many brands offer the option to pick between a blunt tip or a pointed one, this again is down to personal preference. Each comes with its pros and cons, so make sure you think about what you plan on using your knife for and the environment you will be diving in.
The Edge of the Blade of a Dive Knife
The edge of the blade of a knife can be straight or have a serrated back edge. A serrated blade will perform better for helping to cut kelp, line, and natural fibers, while a straight blade is better in cutting plastics, fishing line or nylon rope for example.
If a line cutter is something you are after, but like to idea of having a dual blade type invest in a design that gives you both options. Many knife choices feature both straight and serrated edges in order to give you the option of both and be ready for all kinds of situations.
The Tip of the Blade of a Scuba Knife
The tip or point of the blade of a knife can be sharp, blunt or tanto halfway (between the two). According to divers experience, for digging, hacking and prying a blunt tip works best.
Sharp tips are a popular choice for activities such as spearfishing as the sharp tip is great for cutting and puncture. However, one of the cons to these tips is that they are more likely to cause accidents whilst diving and are not recommended for recreational divers for this reason.
Blunt Tip VS Sharp Tip
Many divers tend to ask the question when looking at various models of divers knife these days. Ultimately, it all comes down to what you are looking to get out of your knife whether you opt for a blunt tip or not. For those looking for the most versatile dive knife, which is primarily going to be used as a cutting tool or line cutter, a blunt tip or point would be the best choice.
By purchasing a dive knife with the squared-off tip makes it not only a great cutting tool but a powerful prying tool too. Any diver doing some maintenance diving such as underwater welding, or boat cleaning a blunt tip is the way to go.
For the more sporting divers, such as spearfishers, a sharp tip seems the most appropriate. Many spearfishers like to have a sharp tip divers knife to hand or as a backup knife so they can use this as a killing knife out of respect for any fish they spear, in order to end the animals suffering quickly by using the sharp tip.
FAQ About Dive Knives
How do I Choose a Dive Knife?
There are a number of features you need to consider when choosing a dive knife. Among the most important is the choice of blade materials used. This can be stainless steel or titanium, depending upon the brand and model. Titanium is a very light metal, and a hard one too, so a blade of this type will be less noticeable when carried. It will stay sharp for longer, but sharpening it will be harder and take more effort.
Stainless steel blade knives are very popular, but they are more susceptible to rust and corrosion than a titanium blade. Stainless steel blades require more maintenance, but also tend to be less expensive. You should also consider the blade length and size of the knife – a standard 4 inch blade is usually a sensible choice – and bear in mind that a fixed-blade knife is easier to access and use when diving than a foldable design.
What is a Dive Knife used For?
The diver knife has many uses and is considered as an important part of scuba diving gear recommendations. It is primarily a tool that is used as a quick release and line cutter. In many instances dive knives have been used for freeing a diver from entanglement in ropes and lines in emergency situations.
They are also often used for freeing from strong plant life when you become caught up in it. It can also be useful if you find marine life that has become trapped in some of the waste products that pollute the oceans. Cutting an animal out of such a trap is one positive act a diver can make.
Where should a Dive Knife be Placed?
If you go with the most popular design of knife – that with a fixed blade – then it should come with a tailored sheath and straps. This will be designed to take the knife comfortably and securely, and the knife should be in the sheath at all times when not in use.
Your sheath should be attached to either your lower leg – a popular location but one that can be awkward to reach and grip in some situations – or as many divers do, keep it in your BCD pocket. A good diving supplier will have a choice of fitments and straps for attaching your knife in the desired position so it is not easily forgotten.
Where should I Attach my Dive Knife?
Over recent years, where to attach your knife has been a very hot topic. Traditionally, the most common place to attach your knife is on the lower leg, opposite to the dominant hand. Which as mentioned above, stems from back to the commando swimmers and frogmen of World War II.
One downside to placing your knife on the lower leg is that it can easily get entangled with things underwater whilst diving. Nowadays, many divers prefer to carry their diving knives in their BCD pocket.
We have a wide range of BCD designs making it a more preferable placement for a knife. In order to make this work, a smaller knife is often desirable. These locations also make it easier to ensure you never leave it behind on the boat and are in an easier place to reach in case you might need it.
What are the 3 Reasons you might need a Scuba Dive Knife?
The primary reason for carrying a dive knife is to enable you to free yourself or your diving buddy from entanglement in fishing lines or any other debris that finds its way into the ocean. This happens more often than you may expect, and having a knife on hand as a line cutter is very useful.
You may also need to free yourself or your buddy from kelp, which is a very strong plant that can easily become entangled in your gear and hinder your movement. The best blade for this situation would be one with a cutting edge.
Then there is the marine life, which itself can become mixed up with rubbish in the water. A diver will always endeavor to free any animal that is trapped or hindered by lines or plastic.
One final use for a dive knife is to anchor yourself in the sand when in a strong current.
Is there an alternative to using a Dive Knife?
The fascination with dives knives is actually rather interesting, especially when taking into account the fact that many experienced divers do not actually even carry dive knives, they opt for trauma shears instead.
What are trauma shears? Trauma shears are a type of angled scissors which have several advantages. They are commonly used by paramedics and other emergency medical personnel to quickly and safely cut clothing from injured people.
One of the advantages of the trauma shears are that divers are highly unlikely to cut or stab themselves with them, which can occasionally occur with dive knives. A small puncture wound can become a big problem, especially if you are using a dry suit and have gotten a hole in it.
Another advantage to using shears is that you can use them in most cases with just one hand. In order to cut a line with a knife, you need to keep it taught by holding the line with one hand and using the other to cut it. Whereas a pair of shears can easily cut a line that is slack.
What is the Tradition of the Dive Knife?
So where does this tradition come from? Many people seem to think that dive knives are used to ward off sharks and giant deep-sea monsters, just like when they use them in the films, but believe it or not, a divers knife is primarily used as a tool to free ourselves from entanglement in plant life, rope or even lines. Having said that, we can often free ourselves in these kinds of situations by moving slowly and ideally with some help from your buddy. The Dive knife is essentially part of our safety kit.
Dive knives are often seen being used when helping to free marine life from such entanglements too. Knives are traditionally worn on the calf, where they can be attached by a rubber strap. This tradition stems back to the commando swimmers and frogmen of World War II.
Overall the value found in having a dive knife speaks for itself. Whether you invest in a stainless steel blade or a titanium blade known for its corrosion resistant qualities, you can be sure with our guide you’ll find the perfect knife fit for your budget.
4 comments
Cool article. I never knew how to choose the best dive knife, or which blade to opt for, so this has really helped me. Thanks!
I am looking at getting the Atomic Aquatics Titanium Ti6 dive knife, does anyone recommend this one?
I purchased the Cressi Alligator dive knife a couple of months ago and I love it. Couldn’t recommend it more.
Great content on dive knives here. I always wondered if I really needed to get one, but I think you have convinced me to. Like you have mentioned, it’s always better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have one!