Dive knife, Sea Snips, or both?

[lowviz]

...//... Makes Monterey kelp sound less glamorous!

Not at all!

I would so LOVE shore dives where I could get lost in a kelp forest looking for little critters...

 

[ibj40]

I carry both a knife (which, due to the recommendations here, is about to be replaced by a Trilobyte Cutter) and a pair of titanium shears. The one situation I came across where the shears were particularly effective was finding a string of party balloons that some asshat had attached to an outcrop of coral with plastic zipties. I was just able to get the point of the shear into the void at the ziptie connector to snap the plastic strap. Not sure I could have accomplished that with a knife without further harm to the coral.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Not sure I could have accomplished that with a knife without further harm to the coral.

I'd say impossible. So glad you had that on you. I'm shaking my head that anyone would do such a thing. I guess I'll pack scissors then ( but in a dry suit pocket).

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

I have a OMS utility pocket on the waist strap of my Transpac and Transplate. It has a lot of space so I keep a set of titanium shears along with a small...maybe 3 inch dive knife. I figure it is better to have it and not need it than vice versa. I have a Dive Gear Express trilobite on my left shoulder strap above the waist. On any given day, depending on the dive, there may be a back up light, strobe, signal mirror, LOUD whistle, Reel and SMB, Kitchen sink, 12 pack of iced Bohemia Obscura, and a couple of burritos in case I meet a hungry mermaid on the dive. .

The ONLY time I have needed the knife on a dive trip was to cut fruit during the surface interval. The trilobite is amazing for fishing line, but it requires 2 hands. I have used it to help a diver out that got wound up in monofilament before. The shears would have worked too, but not near as fast. That thing is razor sharp and with basically a few swipe motions and we were wrapping up the line to take with us. My initial reaction of "Oh how cute" was immediately and permanently proven wrong.

Good Luck, Safe Travels,
Jay

 

[briannapstevens]

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.

I'm wondering what people use their knives for.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I'm wondering what people use their knives for.

I've used mine to cut kelp and monofilament that snagged my fin strap. I'd just slash at it. The blade is maybe 3 inches long, blunt tip. I've used the tip to open up the battery case for my Shearwaters too.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I'm wondering what people use their knives for.

There was that one time I was solo diving, no camera, and was attacked by the Kraken!

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'm wondering what people use their knives for.

I figure a knife with a serrated edge is a workhorse that will cut through anything--fishing line, rope, BC webbing, etc.

 

[briannapstevens]

Is this the Aqualung Squeeze tool? Aqua Lung Squeeze Lock Knife, Blunt I guess I should get one of those Trilobytes! Sounds like everyone likes those more than sea snips.

 

[briannapstevens]

There was that one time I was solo diving, no camera, and was attacked by the Kraken!

Not a fish story. At all. LOL