Dive knife, Sea Snips, or both?

[briannapstevens]

Hi, Scubaboarders:

I used to carry both a dive knife and Sea Snips, but I'm trying to pare down the amount of stuff I take with me.

I'm curious--do you think that Sea Snips are an adequate alternative to a dive knife? What can you do with a dive knife that you cannot do with Sea Snips (and I don't anticipate stabbing any predatory sea creatures, before someone says that! LOL)?

Do you carry both? If so, why?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Cheers, Brianna

 

[scubadada]

For line cutting, my Trilobyte cutter is all I have actually used in practice. On a night dive on the Capt Tony in Boynton Beach, I got hung up on some thick, very strong monofilament. The Trilobyte made quick work of the line and I was on my way. I also carry a titanium knife, it was not a hard decision, though that would also have worked.

 

[briannapstevens]

Hm--yes. Thank you for sharing your perspective! BTW, that would have scared the crap out of me if something like that happened to me at night!

 

[scubadada]

At night, it is much harder to see and stay out of the way of monofilament.

 

[briannapstevens]

At night, it is much harder to see and stay out of the way of monofilament.

For sure!

 

[lowviz]

...//... I'm curious--do you think that Sea Snips are an adequate alternative to a dive knife? What can you do with a dive knife that you cannot do with Sea Snips ...

Good question, good intent.

Tools are situational. If you are a minimalist, and anywhere near fishing line, then I agree with only a Trilobite cutter. Don't really need a knife.

Me? a fishing line cutter and this: STANLEY Wonder-Bar II, 7-1/2" - 6R301|55-045 - Grainger

 

[briannapstevens]

Good question, good intent.

Tools are situational. If you are a minimalist, and anywhere near fishing line, then I agree with only a Trilobite cutter. Don't really need a knife.

Me? a fishing line cutter and this: STANLEY Wonder-Bar II, 7-1/2" - 6R301|55-045 - Grainger

Wow! A pry bar! What do you use that for?

 

[lowviz]

...//... What do you use that for?

Mostly for moving things while looking for stuff.

The NE Atlantic is (like many other areas) a rusting graveyard of WWII ships. I love to poke around. It is also great for digging clams and anchoring me in the sand.

No, I don't push it into the sand and tie my float to it when I need both hands free.

 

[briannapstevens]

The float use case sounds like a good idea, actually!

I love the image of "a rusting graveyard of WWII ships." Now I want to go dive there! Makes Monterey kelp sound less glamorous!

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I have a Aqualung Squeeze tool (SS), that holds up well. I have a Trilobyte/EEZYCUT mounted to my Shearwater. They are both small. I find those two items have taken care of all issues I've come across. But I'm sure there are others that would say that is insufficient based on their experience.