Dive Knife

A cutting tool carried to free a diver from entanglement in line, netting, or kelp, worn where either hand can reach it.

A dive knife is safety equipment, not a weapon and not a prying bar for souvenirs. Its purpose is escape from entanglement: monofilament fishing line, ghost nets, your own DSMB line, or thick kelp can all wrap a diver or their tank valve, and a cutting tool turns a frightening snag into a minor delay. Many divers carry two, since the entangled arm is sometimes the one that cannot reach the knife.

The modern trend is away from the giant leg-strapped blade of old movies toward compact tools mounted where they can actually be reached: a small blunt-tip knife on the BCD or waist strap, a hooked line cutter that slices monofilament safely, or EMT shears that handle braided line and netting better than any blade. Blunt tips reduce the risk of stabbing yourself or your exposure suit while working blind.

Titanium and coated steel resist corrosion, but every tool still wants a fresh water rinse and a drop of silicone after diving. Check the mounting and edge during gear setup, especially before wreck dives and dives in fishing areas.