Dive knives and line cutters: which do you need?
A cutting tool isn’t for fighting sharks. It’s for fishing line, and you want it where you can reach it.
Three kinds
- Line cutter: a small hooked blade that slices monofilament and thin line. Light, cheap and easy to mount. Every diver should carry one.
- Dive knife: a larger blade with a smooth and a serrated edge for rope and heavier line.
- Shears: cut through line and thin cable that a knife struggles with.
Tip and material
- Blunt tip: safer on your gear and yourself. What most scuba divers want.
- Pointed tip: for spearfishers who need it for their catch.
- Titanium: doesn’t rust, even in salt water. Stays sharp a little less.
- Stainless steel: holds an edge well, but needs a fresh-water rinse after every dive.
Where to carry it
- Somewhere either hand can reach: your BCD chest strap, waist or a hose.
- Many divers carry two, one on each side, in case one hand is caught.
- A knife strapped to your leg can be harder to reach in a hurry and can snag line.
What not to do
Don’t use it as a pry bar, a pointer or a tank banger. Rinse it, dry it and check the sheath clip holds.
We carry dive knives and cutting tools from Atomic, Cressi, Salvimar, Hammerhead and Spyderco. Come in and pick one you can reach.