Best Scuba Diving Knives and Shears

If you are an experienced scuba diver, then you know the importance of having a good diving knife or shears as part of your equipment. While you may not need them to fend off droves of sharks, having them can mean the difference between life and death.

Knives and shears that are made for scuba diving come in a variety of models and are great for different purposes. Finding the right one for you doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Read on to discover some of the best scuba diving knives and shears on the market.

What Are Scuba Diving Knives and Shears?

Scuba diving knives and shears are tools that are specifically designed for diving in fresh or salt water environments. Whether you are diving in the depths of the ocean or smaller bodies of water, having a knife or shear should be a part of your equipment.

Diving knives are much different than your standard knife since they have to be able to withstand various conditions, including water temperatures and saltwater environments. Because of this, most of these knives and shears are created with materials that are designed to do just that.

It is also important to note that diving knives and shears are typically blunter than your standard knives. Even though they are somewhat blunt, they tend to be extremely sharp and can cut through just about anything.

Why Do Scuba Divers Need Knives and Shears?

If you have ever been scuba diving before, then you know that just about anything can happen underwater. Because of this, you should be prepared at all times for any contingency that may occur when diving.

The underwater environment is so vast and mysterious that you never know what to expect when you dive in. Carrying along a diving knife or shears can protect you if you happen to get yourself caught on something.

Keep in mind that you should always check with the location you are planning to dive for various rules and regulations that may exist. This is especially important if you are diving into a national marine sanctuary.

Read on to learn about the most common reasons for needing a good diving knife or shears when you go scuba diving.

Self-Entanglement

Sometimes when scuba diving, you may encounter a ghost net or other material that causes you to get trapped. This may mean that any part of your body gets stuck in whatever it is without the ability to break loose.

When this occurs, the tendency is to panic, which can cause you to use more air from your tank to accommodate. If you are prepared with a good diving knife or shears, you should be able to cut yourself out in no time.

When Your Partner Gets Entangled

Since you should always be diving with a buddy, there are times that they may get entangled in something as well. In the same way that it can cause you to panic, you may be able to save their lives if they begin to panic.

Staying close to your diving buddy means that you are both aware of what is happening with the other person. If your partner gets tangled in a ghost net or other materials, you may need to cut them out using your knife, so they do not panic.

Environmental Safety

As a scuba diver, you should always be prepared for anything, which means that you have to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. In addition to being able to help yourself and your diving partner during entanglements, you may need to assist with marine life that gets caught as well.

Having a knife or shears along with you when you dive means that if you come across a sea animal that is caught in kelp or other materials, you may be it's only hope. This is also the case if you come across reefs that have netting or fishing lines that could harm them.

Best Scuba Diving Knives and Shears

Choosing the right diving knife and shears to take with you on your diving adventures may seem overwhelming since there are so many to choose from. The bottom line is that while there are many factors to consider, it comes down to what you prefer.

Read on below to learn more about some of the best scuba diving knives and shears on the market today.

ScubaPro Mako

For some, this 3.5-inch bladed titanium-coated scuba diving knife may be just the perfect addition to the rest of your gear. This is because it is small enough to attach to your arm or leg before you go underwater.

The ScubaPro Mako knife comes equipped with a two-sided blade that is perfect for a variety of materials you may need to cut when you are diving. Additionally, the tip of the knife is made to be versatile with its seemingly sharp tip that is somewhat blunt at the same time.

While more expensive than other diving knives, it is well worth the money spent since it comes with a sheath that can be attached to just about anything. In addition, this knife is equipped with many of the bells and whistles you may want in a knife.

Diverite Trauma Shears

These shears are used by emergency personnel all over the world for their simplicity yet extremely effective design. Made from stainless steel material, the Diverite Trauma Shears can cut through just about anything you may encounter.

Equipped with straps that can be attached to your wrist or on your equipment or can easily be stored in your pocket, these shears are convenient to take along. They even come with loops that can be used to attach through rings that you have along with you for other purposes.

The only drawback with these shears is the fact that they are made from stainless steel, which means they can rust easily. With proper care, including rinsing them off after every use, these shears can last you a long time.

EEZYCUT Trilobite

If you do not want to invest in a great diving knife or set of shears, then you should at least have some type of cutting tool with you. This is because you never know when you may encounter something you or your diving partner get entangled in.

This cutting tool is made from a stainless steel material that is encased in a hard plastic that gives it a backward look. This helps to maintain the utmost safety when you are diving just about anywhere.

Although this tool is not the best for cutting materials such as rope or kelp fronds, it works perfectly for fishing lines and nets that get in your way. In addition, since it is made from stainless steel, you will need to ensure that it is rinsed well after every use to keep it from corroding.

What to Look for When Buying Diving Knives and Shears

When it comes to buying diving knives and shears for your scuba diving expeditions, there are certain factors that you need to consider. These features can provide you with the safety that you need during these trips.

To discover what you should look for when buying diving knives and shears, keep reading.

Size

As you begin looking for diving knives and shears to take along with you on your scuba diving adventures, size is one of the most important factors you should consider. This is because if your knife is too big, you may have a hard time carrying it or storing it.

Keep in mind that the purpose for needing a knife or shear is in case of entanglement so a large one is not necessary. Because of this, most diving knives range from about three to six inches and are smaller if you are lucky enough to find one.

Tip

Depending on your level of experience with scuba diving, you may want to consider the tip of the knife before you make your choice. This is because while those with more experience may prefer a sharper knife, those just beginning may be better off with something blunter.

The difference in tips of diving knives comes from knowing how to handle yourself when you are underwater. Those who have been diving for a while are trained to handle a sharper tipped knife which can come in handy if the entanglement gets bad.

There are safety precautions that should be taken when choosing the tip of the knife or shears you choose since sharper ones can be dangerous underwater. There is the risk of injury or even accidentally cutting the cord which can be extremely dangerous.

Blade

As with the type of tip you should choose when looking for a diving knife, multiple factors should be considered. In some situations, a smooth edge may be better for you while other times you may wish you had one with a serrated edge.

The type of blade you choose depends on the function and types of materials you may need to use when diving. Since there is quite a bit of material underwater, you cannot be sure that you will know what type of knife you may need until you are in the situation.

Most scuba diving experts recommend that you choose a knife that has both types of edges to give you more versatility. This is because a smooth edge is excellent for cutting lines and thinner other materials, whereas a serrated-edged blade tends to be better for kelp and rope that you may encounter.

Handle

The most important thing to remember when choosing the handle for your knife is that you want something that you will be able to hold onto. This is because when you are underwater, anything can happen and if you have a handle made from a slippery material, it can slip right out of your hands.

Most divers prefer a knife that is made more ergonomically and not from a metal material. There are even additional accessories that can be added to your handle that can be used to get your diving partner’s attention if needed.

Material

Choosing the right material for your diving knife and shears can be somewhat overwhelming if you do not know what you are looking for. Keep in mind that choosing a diving knife is not like selecting a kitchen knife and should not be treated as such.

A diving knife and shears are exposed to many conditions that you would never expose your kitchen knives to. These conditions include various types of ocean water, from freshwater to salt water, as well as warmer and colder temperatures.

The best materials that can withstand ocean water the best are titanium and stainless steel since they are made to last. It may be important to note that most diving experts recommend titanium since they require less maintenance overall.

Where Do You Carry a Scuba Diving Knife or Shears?

Depending on where you are scuba diving, you should consider where you carry your diving knife and shears carefully. This is because if you put them in the wrong place, they can either cut your hoses or slip out, leaving you with no way to cut lines and other materials.

Some people like to ensure that their cutting tools are secured somewhere on their person to ensure that they will not lose them. For others, they prefer to have them attached to their wrists with a strap for easy access.

Whatever you prefer, as you are looking at the different choices for cutting tools, you should take a look at the different ways you can carry them. At the end of the day, it boils down to personal preference.

Final Thoughts on the Best Scuba Diving Knives and Shears

The bottom line when it comes to buying the best scuba diving knives and shears on the market today is what you prefer most. Whether you are experienced or just beginning, you should consider many of the factors stated above before making your decision.

While many divers choose to have knives that are sharp and have a dual blade, they need to fit your personal preferences. No matter which you choose, you will be making a great investment in your scuba diving adventures.

Link/Reference This Article

If you found the information in this article useful in your research, please link to use as the source using the tool below.