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I just got my own gear and would like some suggestions as to where I should mount my scuba knife on my BCD. I was thinking of strapping my main knife on my ankle and mounting a spare onto my BCD. I was also thinking of mounting my spare flashlight to my BCD too. WHAT DO YA THINK?
I like having mine on the LP inflator hose, that way it gets a proper rinse when you rinse your gear. It previously went rusty as I kept forgetting about in in the BC pocket and it's easy access there.
Mine would get in the way a bit if though if I had to quick disconnect a runaway inflate, not worryingly so though.
Depends on the style of knife and BCD. One thing you want to consider is that you should be able to reach it with either hand.
For an ankle-mounted knife, it's better to mount it on the inside of your ankle than the outside ... if you're right-handed, for example, strap it to the inside of your left ankle where you can easily get to it with either hand.
I prefer to mount all of my cutting devices from the waist up. Some BC's have a mounting point, what BC do you have? It's always good to have a light on you. You maybe able to put a small one in your pocket, this way it is not dangling.
I put mine on the inside of my calf just below the knee. I also have the knife attatched with fishing line to the holder--line just long enough for me to use the knife to cut it if I need the knife, but not long enough for it to flop around. This is after spending $40 on a new knife after somehow losing the original. I also use the strap from the orig. holder so I have 2 straps on it in case one comes unclipped.
If you do cold water diving, below the waist is hard to get to if you're in a wetsuit and playing rubber-man. It's hard to bend over that far and since you can't see with the mask in the way you have to go by feel. It's ok getting the knife out but it's hard to get it back in the sheath when you can't see what you are doing. You might find the same problem mounting it on your bc. With all the crap hanging off the front of you it is again a matter of feel to take it out and put it back in. I have a small blade that I cable tie to my inflator hose. It is right in front of my face where I can see what I am doing. I like the idea of attaching a short length of fishing line to it and the sheath - I think I'll try that. I also have a pair of shears in my pocket and a cheap line cutter hanging off my bc in case the blade is dropped. I also had to replace a knife shortly after I purchased it so don't put a lot of money into knives. You only need it for occasional strands of fishing line and maybe some lobster trap line if you're careless enough to get hung up in it. It's also handy for digging out mussels.
Greetings turtle05 and welcome to Scuba Board. I have really learned quite a bit about knives and placements. Some of the golden rules of dive knives have been shared so it I repeat any please forgive me.
Cutting devices: line cutter, knife / blunt tip etc., scissors.
Keep them reachable by both hands
Above the waist will be reachable if your legs become entangled.
Redundant cutting devices is not a bad idea.
Stainless is easier to sharpen than Titanium!
Cheaper knives are better than expensive ones! If you loose a grip or it slips do not chase it unless it is easily reachable. LET IT GO! Just switch to back up.
Beware the sharp points because they like to seek out things like BC bladders, palms of hands, and other sensitive parts of the body.
If in cold water consider the gloves you will be wearing and the level of dexterity.
I am certain there are many more but these should help you think it through.
As far as lights I carry one Primary and three back ups. I dive mostly cold sometimes vis challenged environments so lights are for communication as well as navigation.
I like the Intova LED's for back ups and a old Princeton Tec that has never let me down.
For Primary light I have a cannister light but used a hand held Princeton Tec torch that is still going but for someone else.
Good questions and keep researching it is fun to try different things.
Safe diving and keep us posted on your progress.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!
If it were me I'd get rid of the knife strapped to the leg and just carry a small set of shears on the bc or in the pocket of your bc if thats possible. I don't even carry a knife anymore. In my 19 years of diving and having logged over 500 dives I've never even come close to needing one.
I carry a small blunt-end knife on the inflator hose and wire cutters in a pouch on the waist. The regular shears will not cut fishing hooks and probably will not cut thick rope.
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