Long knife better than short?

[fisherdvm]

On the subject of entanglement, I was told that a really really long knife is better than a short one. Especially for reaching behind your back and cutting lines that you can't reach. Anyone can support or dispute this argument?

 

[do it easy]

It's not the size of the tool, it's how you use it!

That being said, a long knife is better than a short one if you are being attacked during the surface interval by unusually large watermelon!

 

[Web Monkey]

On the subject of entanglement, I was told that a really really long knife is better than a short one. Especially for reaching behind your back and cutting lines that you can't reach. Anyone can support or dispute this argument?

This works really well:

Terry

 

[maged_mmh]

mesh cutter is sufficient!

 

[digndeep400]

for me it all depends ,i carry a small one on my BC that goes every were with me .when i go somewhere that i think might need more cutting power or just a bigger tool to pry with i take a bigger one .it can be hard to cut shrimp net with a small knife ,i always like to clean up any net or line on some wrecks that i go to for safety reasons

 

[underwasser bolt]

I think my knife is long, but my wife says maybe not. go figure.

 

[S. starfish]

Never having been entagled outside of training scenarios I can't speak from experience, but it seems to me that the only place you're likely to get hung up on in the back would be a) on your first stage/tank valve b)the base of the tank (or tanks) and c) around one of the dingle balls hanging off of a dump somewhere. You should be able to reach all of these locations so a long knife isn't really necesary, also having to accomodate a long blade could make things quite awkward, especially if you happened to be in a position where you can't stretch out.

Jabbing blindly around my hoses and BC with a large (or any) knife is also not something that I'd really want to be doing and I think that a smaller blade allows for a bit more presicion.

In the end it really depends on your application, for prying or digging purposes, small knives are pretty much worthless, but I think for the majority of divers, a small knife on the BC is all that is needed... unless there are watermelons about.

Edit: Also, good luck cutting anything on you back with only one hand, floaty line tends not to be very helpfull. So unless you can get the line taught without using your hands it's up to your buddy, and they won't need a large knife.

 

[Jim Ernst]

I think my knife is long, but my wife says maybe not. go figure.

We Both have a sick/sad mind and think alike.....

I carry a small knife on my BCD, And a large one on my leg.

 

[paradicio]

I got wrapped up in fishing line on one of my first dives after certification. Luckily my buddy (wife) was there to unwrap me. Since then I've always made sure to carry a knife.

I'm waiting for the regulator that is also a sheath. That way I can look like a pirate under water!

 

[RAWalker]

Long blades have an advantage on ropes. The more blade area the faster it should allow you to do through it. (if properly sharpened)
As for cutting behind you, IMHO if you can't see what you're cutting you probably shouldn't be trying to cut it except as a last resort.