Dive knives when out with a DM

[BoltSnap]

I used to carry as BFK as possible when my buddy and I dove around the Jamestown bridge in RI to help me (my buddy had his also) move if we were caught in a current to strong for us. We had to use it many times. It was fun actually. Although I don't need it for the type of diving I do now but it can't be discounted absolutely.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Around that calf is a terrible place for a cutting tool, it needs to be somewhere it can be reached by both hands if needed to cut yourself out, ideally at the waist strap or above, I always get a chuckle when I see someone that has it around their calf.

I’ve worn mine on my calf for over half a century, and it is accessible by both hands. What some don’t realize is that worn on the waist, a knife can move around a bit, and with many of today’s masks is not visible. I can get my knife out from my calf in about two seconds, and that came in handy when a rescue throw line I grabbed took a loop around my left thumb, and I was in heavy current. I had my knife out and cut the line, a 1/4 inch nylon line, within a few seconds as the current tightened the half hitch against my left thumb.

SeaRat

 

[FF / EMT]

I’ve worn mine on my calf for over half a century, and it is accessible by both hands. What some don’t realize is that worn on the waist, a knife can move around a bit, and with many of today’s masks is not visible. I can get my knife out from my calf in about two seconds, and that came in handy when a rescue throw line I grabbed took a loop around my left thumb, and I was in heavy current. I had my knife out and cut the line, a 1/4 inch nylon line, within a few seconds as the current tightened the half hitch against my left thumb.

SeaRat

Just because you’ve been doing something for a long time, doesn’t make it the best practice.
Are you still using a J valve too?…

Above the waist, below the shoulders is the logical place, picture an imaginary triangle if you will. unlikely for your torso to get tangled, more likely for an extremity.

 

[Boarderguy]

Just because you’ve been doing something for a long time, doesn’t make it the best practice.
Are you still using a J valve too?…

Above the waist, below the shoulders is the logical place, picture an imaginary triangle if you will. unlikely for your torso to get tangled, more likely for an extremity.

How often is the imagined entanglement stretching you out like you're on the rack? Legs and core are very strong and capable of pulling close enough to either free arm to remove the knife and use it at will. One 5" knife on inside left calf that I routinely use to prod at shells and a trilobite on my waist. The ceramic blades have yet to be used, the knife is often utilized to entertain me. Both reachable with either hand without thinking about it.

Edit: I dive 2 voodoo tanks with J-valves

 

[FF / EMT]

How often is the imagined entanglement stretching you out like you're on the rack?

Enough to realize that a knife on the leg is as useless as no knife at all.

Legs and core are very strong and capable of pulling close enough to either free arm to remove the knife and use it at will. One 5" knife on inside left calf that I routinely use to prod at shells and a trilobite on my waist. The ceramic blades have yet to be used, the knife is often utilized to entertain me. Both reachable with either hand without thinking about it.

Edit: I dive 2 voodoo tanks with J-valves

Nice

 

[pauldw]

Y’all can carry your “knives” on your calves all ya want. I’ll still go with a titanium machete strapped to my thigh!

 

[scuba_divo]

I do carry my blunt tipped knife when allowed. It even has 'street cred'. I used it during a Halloween-themed underwater pumpkin carving contest.

 

[Belzelbub]

Y’all can carry your “knives” on your calves all ya want. I’ll still go with a titanium machete strapped to my thigh!

Wait. I thought the submersible chainsaw was the preferred tool.

I carry a knife (sharp tip) on my calf. I also have EMT shears on my right shoulder strap. If I can't get ahold of one, I should be able to grab the other. So far, I have not needed to use the knife or shears to cut free of an entanglement. I have been momentarily entangled before, but was able to clear it quickly. Mostly the knife has been used for anchor salvage to date (cutting the line from the anchor chain).

I did, however use a backup dive knife I have recently. Well, not me, but a friend of mine. My daughter got jabbed by a sea urchin last week and had some spines stuck in her hand. Friend is a physician and assisted in removing the spines. One was pretty deep, and as we were on vacation didn't really have complete access to the usual tools. I brought over a sharp pointed dive knife that hadn't been used, and my physician friend used it to cut a bit to get better access to the spine remnants.

 

[Akimbo]

I must admit that my first dive knife was one of these because that is what Mike Nelson wore.

The blade was a bit smaller than the BFKs that followed. As I recall, the sheath only had a belt loop so most divers wore it on their weight belt, which what not great planning. I ended up preferring a thigh knife pocket on the wetsuit with one strap for the classic BFK.

These beasts didn't rust, but they couldn't hold an edge either. Sharpening stones were pointless because the metal was too soft. A 220 grit belt sander produced the longest lasting "micro serrated" edge.

 

[RebelYell63]

Around that calf is a terrible place for a cutting tool, it needs to be somewhere it can be reached by both hands if needed to cut yourself out, ideally at the waist strap or above, I always get a chuckle when I see someone that has it around their calf.

Interesting you say that….have never had a problem reaching it…