TacticalReviews
Registered
A small introduction just for ScubaBoard - I'm not an experienced diver, and don't pretend to be, so in this review I am approaching it as a very experienced knife collector/user/reviewer and hoping to cover aspects useful to divers. Those that have seen my other posts here know I was preparing for this review for some time and looking for the best approach. Hopefully you will find this useful.
Knife blades and seawater are usually something I do my best to keep apart, but when diving a knife must survive some of the most hostile conditions and its performance can be a matter of life and death.
This Mega Test Review brings together twelve knives from five leading knife brands and puts them to the test in real world conditions covering geometry, corrosion resistance, ergonomics and wet cutting performance, as well as comparing steel to titanium, serrations to plain edges, fixed blades to folders and dedicated line cutters to standard knife blades.
The selection of knives was specifically put together to show as many different aspects as possible and considerations which could be applied to knives not in this review.
Here we go!
The contenders:
First up, the contenders one by one. Due to the sheer size of the Mega Review and the testing, I've had to create are additional supporting reviews, knife brand by knife brand, concentrating on some more specific details of each knife. These are now all completed and can be found through the following links:
Benchmade 122S H2O - REVIEW ONLINE
Spyderco Assist Salt - REVIEW ONLINE
Promate Barracuda Blunt, KF593 Ti, KF090 Seal Folder Ti, KF505 Blunt, KF001 Line Cutter - REVIEW ONLINE
Whitby DK9, DK11, DK511/14 - REVIEW ONLINE
Cressi Giant Knife, Alligator - REVIEW ONLINE
These are the ones that arrived before a diving trip to the Ionian Sea.
The last minute entries which unfortunately didn't get to travel as much.
The following photos are of each knife tested.
Benchmade 122S H2O
Correction: in the data tables later in the review the 112S is incorrectly named the 112B.
The H2O fixed was originally developed for an elite military program. The knife features a blunt tip, opposing bevel for torsional strength and an integrated cutting hook.
Blade Steel: N680 (57-59 HRC)
Spyderco Assist Salt
Not specifically a dive knife, the Assist Salt combines the multi-functional versatility of the Assist model with the rustproof qualities of H-1 steel. The defining feature of the Assist Salt is its H-1 steel blade and lock bar. This material uses nitrogen instead of carbon to create a steel that is tough and completely immune to corrosion.
Promate Barracuda Blunt
Made for the professional diver, the Barracuda has a Titanium blade and Titanium hammer on handle bottom. There are quick-release adjustable straps, and though the knife is easy to disassemble it requires little or no maintenance.
Promate KF593 Ti
Designed by scuba diver's for scuba divers, the light weight Titanium blade with easy-grip rubber molded handle requires little or no maintenance. The full tang protrudes through the handle providing a narrow Titanium hammer on the handle bottom.
Promate KF090 Seal Folder Ti
Light weight Titanium bladed folder requiring little or no maintenance with an adjustable lanyard for easy carrying.
Promate KF505 Blunt
Using a 420 stainless steel blade there is a hammer on the handle bottom and easy-grip rubber handle. The KF505 is easy to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance.
Promate KF001 Line Cutter
Heavy-duty line cutter with easy hold handle. Disassembles to replace the blade and includes 2 replacement blades (standard utility knife blades).
Whitby DK9
2.75” Stainless steel double-edged serrated/plain blade and Stainless steel handle.
Whitby DK11
The Whitby Divers’ Knife DK11 features a double-edged blade with one edge being serrated and the other is a fine edge. In addition to its multi-purpose blade, the Whitby Divers’ Knife DK11 features a hammer hilt, situated within the rubber handle.
Whitby DK511/14
This Diver's Knife has a 6.25-inch stainless blade and an overall length of 11 inches. The handle of the Whitby Diver's Knife DK511/14 is contoured moulded black plastic and the knife is supplied with a plastic sheath with arm/leg straps. A big, traditional, diving knife design.
Cressi Giant Knife
This knife has large dimensions that make it particularly effective during use. Perfect as a work tool or for particularly intensive use. Featuring a Japanese 420 Stainless Steel blade with black coating treatment for corrosion resistance.
Cressi Alligator
The CRESSI Alligator is a unique tool offering the function of a Knife and Scissors. The 420-Stainless Steel Blade has a Straight and Serrated Edge plus a cutting hook and shears. It comes with a Hose Mount Sheath.
Knife blades and seawater are usually something I do my best to keep apart, but when diving a knife must survive some of the most hostile conditions and its performance can be a matter of life and death.
This Mega Test Review brings together twelve knives from five leading knife brands and puts them to the test in real world conditions covering geometry, corrosion resistance, ergonomics and wet cutting performance, as well as comparing steel to titanium, serrations to plain edges, fixed blades to folders and dedicated line cutters to standard knife blades.
The selection of knives was specifically put together to show as many different aspects as possible and considerations which could be applied to knives not in this review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Statement for Transparency and Disclosure
The test sample/s featured in this article have been provided for technical testing and review by the manufacturer. Test samples are retained by the reviewer following publication of the completed review for the purposes of long term testing and product comparisons.
All output figures and test results published in this review are the sole work of the reviewer, and are carried out independently and without bias. Test results are reported as found, with no embellishments or alteration. Though best endeavours are made to maintain the accuracy of test equipment, the accuracy of these results is not guaranteed and is subject to the test equipment functioning correctly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Statement for Transparency and Disclosure
The test sample/s featured in this article have been provided for technical testing and review by the manufacturer. Test samples are retained by the reviewer following publication of the completed review for the purposes of long term testing and product comparisons.
All output figures and test results published in this review are the sole work of the reviewer, and are carried out independently and without bias. Test results are reported as found, with no embellishments or alteration. Though best endeavours are made to maintain the accuracy of test equipment, the accuracy of these results is not guaranteed and is subject to the test equipment functioning correctly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here we go!
The contenders:
First up, the contenders one by one. Due to the sheer size of the Mega Review and the testing, I've had to create are additional supporting reviews, knife brand by knife brand, concentrating on some more specific details of each knife. These are now all completed and can be found through the following links:
Benchmade 122S H2O - REVIEW ONLINE
Spyderco Assist Salt - REVIEW ONLINE
Promate Barracuda Blunt, KF593 Ti, KF090 Seal Folder Ti, KF505 Blunt, KF001 Line Cutter - REVIEW ONLINE
Whitby DK9, DK11, DK511/14 - REVIEW ONLINE
Cressi Giant Knife, Alligator - REVIEW ONLINE
These are the ones that arrived before a diving trip to the Ionian Sea.
The last minute entries which unfortunately didn't get to travel as much.
The following photos are of each knife tested.
Benchmade 122S H2O
Correction: in the data tables later in the review the 112S is incorrectly named the 112B.
The H2O fixed was originally developed for an elite military program. The knife features a blunt tip, opposing bevel for torsional strength and an integrated cutting hook.
Blade Steel: N680 (57-59 HRC)
Spyderco Assist Salt
Not specifically a dive knife, the Assist Salt combines the multi-functional versatility of the Assist model with the rustproof qualities of H-1 steel. The defining feature of the Assist Salt is its H-1 steel blade and lock bar. This material uses nitrogen instead of carbon to create a steel that is tough and completely immune to corrosion.
Promate Barracuda Blunt
Made for the professional diver, the Barracuda has a Titanium blade and Titanium hammer on handle bottom. There are quick-release adjustable straps, and though the knife is easy to disassemble it requires little or no maintenance.
Promate KF593 Ti
Designed by scuba diver's for scuba divers, the light weight Titanium blade with easy-grip rubber molded handle requires little or no maintenance. The full tang protrudes through the handle providing a narrow Titanium hammer on the handle bottom.
Promate KF090 Seal Folder Ti
Light weight Titanium bladed folder requiring little or no maintenance with an adjustable lanyard for easy carrying.
Promate KF505 Blunt
Using a 420 stainless steel blade there is a hammer on the handle bottom and easy-grip rubber handle. The KF505 is easy to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance.
Promate KF001 Line Cutter
Heavy-duty line cutter with easy hold handle. Disassembles to replace the blade and includes 2 replacement blades (standard utility knife blades).
Whitby DK9
2.75” Stainless steel double-edged serrated/plain blade and Stainless steel handle.
Whitby DK11
The Whitby Divers’ Knife DK11 features a double-edged blade with one edge being serrated and the other is a fine edge. In addition to its multi-purpose blade, the Whitby Divers’ Knife DK11 features a hammer hilt, situated within the rubber handle.
Whitby DK511/14
This Diver's Knife has a 6.25-inch stainless blade and an overall length of 11 inches. The handle of the Whitby Diver's Knife DK511/14 is contoured moulded black plastic and the knife is supplied with a plastic sheath with arm/leg straps. A big, traditional, diving knife design.
Cressi Giant Knife
This knife has large dimensions that make it particularly effective during use. Perfect as a work tool or for particularly intensive use. Featuring a Japanese 420 Stainless Steel blade with black coating treatment for corrosion resistance.
Cressi Alligator
The CRESSI Alligator is a unique tool offering the function of a Knife and Scissors. The 420-Stainless Steel Blade has a Straight and Serrated Edge plus a cutting hook and shears. It comes with a Hose Mount Sheath.