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Choosing a Dive Knife, how do I do it?Choosing a dive knife from literally hundreds of different dive knives has to be impossible? Doesn’t it? Choosing a Dive knife - SizeLet’s tackle size first.Most beginning divers think the bigger the knife is, the better it is when the opposite is true. Having a dive knife that’s too large can cause you to accidentally cut hoses, puncture buoyancy compensators, or cut yourself. In my mind there are only two reasons to get a large dive knife. The first is if you’re after really large fish. If you’re a spear fisher going after giant grouper, you may need that 7 inch blade to immobilize the fish. The second reason is if you’re a Navy Seal. If neither one of those statements describes you, then I’d get the smallest knife that would serve my purpose. Choosing a Dive knife - ShapeIn addition to coming in sizes ranging from dive needle to dive sword, dive knives also come in a variety of shapes.The shape of the knife is going to determine what the knife can or should be used for. The four shapes that I’m going to discuss are serrated, stiletto, blunt tip, and specialty. Choosing a Dive knife - SerratedSerrated blades are my favorite for beginner divers.They generally have a blunt tip so there’s little chance of puncturing a BC or a hose and the serrated blade is perfect for cutting netting and fishing line. This type of knife is a must have for open water divers because the best diving spots are frequently the best fishing spots too. A serrated knife will make short work out of any fishing paraphernalia you come across. Choosing a Dive knife - StilettoThese knives are mostly for people who spear fish.A stiletto knife resembles a dagger in that they’re long and sharp. It is perfect for immobilizing a fish that’s trying to wiggle it’s way off a spear. It’s important to get the smallest knife you can, given the fish you’re after. Larger knives get a bit unwieldy and there’s a chance you may unintentionally pop your BC. That being said, I wouldn’t take a two inch knife if I was going after monster grouper so use your best judgment. 
Choosing a Dive knife - Blunt TipThese knives are best for prying, digging, and chiseling.All those activities will ruin your average dive knife, so if salvage is your game, I’d look into one of these. Many also have a partially serrated blade to help with entanglements as well. Blunt tip knives may be the one exception to the “bigger is not better” rule. In this case the longer the knife, the more leverage you have for prying. Once again, use your best judgment. Choosing a Dive knife - SpecialityThese are the Swiss army knives of the dive knife family.The bend and fold to reveal line cutters, cable cutters, chisels, or whatever. If you’re just looking for a good multipurpose tool, these knives are a good way to go. Just remember, the more moving parts something has, the more things there are that can break. Choosing a Dive knife - AlloyThe last aspect of a knife you want to pay attention to is the kind of alloy it’s made out of.The type of alloy largely determines how likely the knife is to rust and/or hold an edge and there’s usually give and take between the two. The two types of alloy that are acceptable for our purposes are stainless steel and titanium. Choosing a Dive knife - Stainless SteelThe main benefit here is price.Stainless steel is much less expensive than titanium. When you examine a stainless steel knife, you’ll notice a number on the blade. Usually the number is 300 or 400. Basically the lower the number the less likely the knife is to corrode. The problem is that the lower number also means the knife won’t hold an edge as long. With stainless steel you have to decide which is more important. Choosing a Dive knife - TitaniumThis one’s far and away the winner for me.Titanium is stronger than steel and almost never corrodes. You get low maintenance and a sharp edge. Not to mention titanium is as light as a feather. The only downside is the hefty price tag. A dive knife is one of the best accessories you can carry for safety and utility. When choosing a dive knife, the most important thing is to choose one that will fit the type of diving you’re going to do most often. If you have any other questions, be sure to talk to your local dive shop operator. Good luck and safe diving! Return to Underwater Diving Equipment Home Page.
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