Knife advice

[fooddude]

I agree with what Ace Rubber Chicken said. I keep a titanium (I like it for durability and anti-corrosive properties) knife on the inside of my calf out of the way, and a small titanium knife on my bc strap. The calf kife is blunt tip for prying, etc because it's bigger and gives me more leverage, and the bc knife is pointed. Some feel it should be the other way around; blunt on the bc so you don't poke yourself, but I have it in such a way that I need to be completely narced to do it (hasn't happened yet, and god willing, it will never happen).

Also to consider are your intended uses. Other can speak to this better than I can, I'm sure, but material choice is big too. Different stainless numbers have durability, sharpness edge holding properties, weight, corrosive resistance, etc. To me, sharpness is not so important. I keep mine super sharp as I have access to professional sharpening in my kitchen (remember, I'm the fooddude). Also, as long as a knife is reasonably sharp, it will cut you free of most line and monofilament I come in contact with.

I now carry shears as well in case I have limited "sawing" movement in tight places, I can just snip! I take a case of EMT/Surgical shears from the hospital and use them as disposables throughout the diving year. I bring many extras on boats for others in case someone is missing one or it's rusted and not functioning properly. We all need to look out for others, especially since we may need their hep down below.

Good luck, and remember... it's a kinfe. Not a major investment. If you but it and don't like it, it becomes a spare!

[seasnake]

Although you want good quality, don't spend a million bucks on it either. Because you will lose it eventually . . .

[BamaCaveDiver]

I prefer small and sharp, and as snake alluded to, cheap (yep, i have lost a few over the years.) I keep a small z-knife attached to the harness webbing on my right shoulder, as well as a small folding lock blade knife (Gerber River Runner) on my left waist belt (I like them on opposite sides and locations to ensure that I can always reach one of them.) I do have a BA dive knife from my specops days, but all it ever gets used for these days is to make and/or pund tent stakes into the ground. Whenever I venture out on a wreck (or just going out spear fishing) I will usually put a pair of shears (must be strong enough to cut through steel leaders) in my pocket.

[Carp_dm]

Small blunt knife & a set of shears on opposite sides of the waistband for this boy.

[Tigerbeach]

Never did the Rambo thing u/w.
I use a small, razor sharp, double edged knife (like the old Tekna), always, and attached it to the web belt of my Scubapro vest.
I like the idea of clippers or shears.

[Andy]

Thanks to the responding, I see a clear theme here, there is a machismo element present in the size and bigger and more expensive doesn't necessarily make better!

[Quero]

I also have two cutting devices, and since I'm not a guy don't have any 'compensation' issues, so they have been selected in terms of their practicality. My knife (a titanium blade) is attached to my LP hose; my shears (which I will always prefer unless I need a very sharp, serrated blade) are in my cumberbund zip pocket. You don't have to pay a lot for cutting devices, and I bought relatively cheap shears, but I'll end up getting new ones soon because although the blades themselves are non-rust, for some incomprehensible reason the attachment bolt is beginning to rust! So do try to get cutting devices that are rust-resistant.

[littleleemur]

Thanks to the responding, I see a clear theme here, there is a machismo element present in the size and bigger and more expensive doesn't necessarily make better!

Not just for guys, for girls too. Apparently there are more than a few Halle- Berry-Bond-Girl wannabes/fashionistas sporting that techie knife slung low across their bikini bottoms.