Salt water wire cutters

[Malpaso]

Ive been reading Diver Down by Michael Ange, and from every story I've made an adjustment to my planning.

In one story, a diver got hung up on a fishing line by having the hook go through his hand, the line was snagged around a prop, and his dive knife couldn't cut through the wire leader. I've been carrying a Spyderco salt, Benchmade 8 and trauma shears, thinking one of the three would cover any situation. Looks like I was wrong.

So I'm thinking of replacing with or adding a set of wire cutters that won't get destroyed in salt water. Any suggestions?

 

[SnorkelLA]

If you change the way you dive every time you read a story, eventually you'll be diving wrapped in bubble wrap.

 

[Wookie]

Ive been reading Diver Down by Michael Ange, and from every story I've made an adjustment to my planning.

In one story, a diver got hung up on a fishing line by having the hook go through his hand, the line was snagged around a prop, and his dive knife couldn't cut through the wire leader. I've been carrying a Spyderco salt, Benchmade 8 and trauma shears, thinking one of the three would cover any situation. Looks like I was wrong.

So I'm thinking of replacing with or adding a set of wire cutters that won't get destroyed in salt water. Any suggestions?

If you change the way you dive every time you read a story, eventually you'll be diving wrapped in bubble wrap.

Nice answer, except I don't know if you could overcome the buoyancy, and if you did, what if the bubble wrap all popped?

The real answer is Beryllium-copper tools from NGK metals. These can be found in the USA also. I've had sets for years, no rust, won't collect dust. See here: NGK Berylco | BERYLCO® Safety Tools

 

[n2ogto]

I like the needle nose plier/cutters....$110 is a chunk of gingle! Even for a mechanic! My wife might complain even AFTER I cut her free of an underwater entanglement situation....This material is used in valve seats in racing engines, didn't know about the use in tools.

 

[Wookie]

The big advantage to beryllium tools is spark proof, not corrosion resistant. That being said, even stainless will corrode. Beryllium copper will never do so. It's a choice between buying nd using a tool and buying and replacing it every season when it is all kaka from the salt water.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

I got rid of my knife a long time ago and carry trauma shears - $24.95 online and usually $30.00 at an LDS. Dive Rite Tools and Jon Line - Dive Gear Express

 

[muddiver]

I've always found one of these to be useful:

 

[g1138]

And your trauma shears can't do the job because........?

I think if you carry a serrated Spyderco salt/serrated knife along with your trauma shears you're covering all your bases for underwater entanglement.
A good serrated knife will cut through anything the Benchmade 8 should be able to cut through and then some. Save the shears for the heavy duty stuff.

 

[Malpaso]

And your trauma shears can't do the job because........?

While no first hand experience, I wasn't sure they would handle a heavy wire leader.

I think if you carry a serrated Spyderco salt/serrated knife along with your trauma shears you're covering all your bases for underwater entanglement

Good to know, thanks.

 

[idive2]

My last pair of basic sea snips lasted a while with rinsing when I remembered. My current pair seemed to rust up very quickly.
I always wear a titanium leg knife with serrated edge, line cutter, and regular edge all on one blade. I do like the idea of
carrying sea snips as well but tired of looking at rusty old snips after just a month or so. I recently added a hand held
Z type cutting tool but I really don't think this is ideal for leaders. I will google some of these other items mentioned. I
would really like to carry my leg knife and a pair of non-rusting type snips in case of wire leader.