Bob DBF
Contributor
Question: For those with expensive cutting implements..... do you ever use them? Or do you fear dropping it or losing it so it always stays sheathed?
I view my cutting implements as disposable gear. A $5.50 R. H. Forschner utility knife and disposable EMT shears are perfect. When one is lost or not returned, I'm only out 10 bucks or less.
I do wear my Healthways 7" blade underwater pig-sticker on the inside of my right calf. If I ever forgot to wear it I would probably swim in a large circle to the left. I have used it but mostly as a pry-bar and hammer. Rarely someone will make a comment and I tell them I got it from Mike Nelson; they either laugh and we talk or they walk away wondering why the crazy old coot is still diving.
I also carry a small knife on the pressure gage, line cutter and shears on my rig. I remove and re-sheath the large knife after strapping it to my leg. I also remove and handle all of them underwater within 3 dives. I does no good to have them if you can't pull them, move them from one hand to the other and re-sheath with your eyes closed without dropping. I always figured that an emergency is no time to learn how to handle your safety gear. The plus is that if you drop anything you have the rest of the dive to find it. Haven't lost anything permanently yet.
I sincerely believe that anything but my sorry ass is expendable gear regardless of the price.
Bob
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I may be old but Im not dead yet.