---------- Post added April 12th, 2013 at 09:29 AM ----------
A knife is a part of scuba equipment, and I always carry one, usually a 3 inch blunt end item in a sheath that is mounted on my bcd. If I am diving in kelp, or in areas where entanglement is an issue, I will strap a 5 or 6 inch blade on the inside of my left calf. I think people leer and laugh when a big knife is displayed when conditions don't really require it as a piece of gear. The fact is that the knife, small or big, has many potential uses, none of which involves stabbing an marine animal. Have you ever tried to do that? Impossible. I have, however, seen a diver stab their own leg as they tried to slash at a green moray (true story). And I have chuckled at the sight of a large dive knife strapped to the calf of a diver long after the dive day was done. ( Leave the big knife home when frequenting the beach bar at the end of the day). Bottom line here- the knife is a tool, a piece of equipment. If you wear one for that reason, ok. If you wear it as an accessory to make you look "badass" then not ok.
DivemasterDennis