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Best Dive Knife: 2022 Reviews & Buying Guide

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Diving into the sea or an ocean can prove to be an unwise decision because you’re going unprotected. It’s important that you have a tool to remove entanglements on your way and also call the attention of your diving buddy. Hence, you need the best dive knife to help you out. In this comprehensive review, we break down everything you need to know about a dive knife. Let’s go!

Quick Overview (comparison)

Our Top 10 Dive Knives

We have devoted enormous manpower and efforts into identifying the best dive knives on the market. After testing a number of them, we identified 10 great dive knives that can serve you effectively underwater. We will review them below. 

1 – Promate Scuba Dive Snorkel Titanium Knife (Best Pick 🥇)

This scuba dive knife is a high performing item that promises you safety during diving or snorkeling. The blade of this product is made of rust-free titanium with an actual length of 4.45 inches. This straight edge blade is durable and resistant to corrosion and stain. Here, there’s a partially serrated edge with line cutter on one side and a full tang blade on the opposite side.

While the line cutter can cut fishing line, the serrated edge can be used to cut a rope. The blade also comes with either a pointed tip or a blunt tip. Consequently, the blunt design helps it to double as a screwdriver. 

Furthermore, the handle of this knife possesses an ergonomic and quite durable rubber grip as well as finger ridges and a titanium butt. This butt can be deployed as a tank banger for hammering or signaling underwater. Also, this knife features an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic sheath as well as a double button push release. Hence, you can get a double secure lock. 

Key features

  • Titanium blade
  • Ergonomic rubber grip handle
  • Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic sheath
  • Double button push release
  • Two rubber straps

Pros

  • Easy to maintain
  • Rubber straps are corrosion-proof
  • The blade is resistant to stain and corrosion
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • The sheath is not reliable

2 – Spyderco Pacific Salt Lightweight Folding Knife

Diving is more fun and convenient with this folding knife built to deliver a seamless experience at all times. We discovered that this knife is designed with a never-rust H-1 (precipitation-hardened) steel blade which promises high performance during diving. With this knife, you can dive in either fresh water or saltwater without fear of rust. Also, it continues to shine through even if you decide to put it away wet. 

Just like the Spyderco Atlantic, this product features a high quality handle made of Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon, a polymer mixed with glass fiber. This handle has a grippy texture and gets fitted with a reversible titanium pocket clip. This clip positions for both lefties and right-handers for easy handling. In addition, this knife comes with bevels ground with a concave radius and may extend the blade’s full width or only a portion of the width. 

Meanwhile, the blade possesses two-step serration patterns that consist of two small and one large serrations. Hence, the surface area of the cutting edge is increased by up to 24%. Furthermore, the closed length of this knife is 4.89 inches while its overall length is 8.69 inches. On the other hand, the blade length is 3.8 inches. 

Key features

  • Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon handle
  • Hollow grind
  • Precipitation-hardened steel blade
  • Lanyard hole

Pros

  • Doesn’t rust
  • Provides easy handling
  • Features a lanyard hole
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • The tip is a little bit bent

3 – MahiMahi Group Spearfishing Knife – Diving Knife

This dive knife is another impressive option to have around you anytime you decide to go free diving or spearfishing. The 3 inches blade is made of stainless steel 420. This serrated blade is super sharp with a pointy finisher that will deliver just like you want it. This knife is designed with the right features to resist rust. Hence, you can rinse it in freshwater after use without any worry. Besides diving, this knife is also ideal for casual snorkeling. 

This item features rubber straps that can be used to attach the knife to your leg or arm. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about it getting lost underwater because these straps keep them secure on your body. 

In addition, this knife cares about your convenience and is built to ensure you have a smooth experience whenever you use it. Hence, it is quite easy to handle and maintain. Also, this product is easy to secure in the sheath thanks to an audible click that notifies you it is in its place. 

Key features

  • Stainless steel blade
  • Rubber straps
  • Comes including a sheath

Pros

  • Impervious to rust
  • Easy to maintain
  • Easy to handle
  • Stays secure in the sheath

Cons

  • Edge is a little bit dull

4 – GEAR AID Akua Blunt Tip Paddle Knife

If you’re looking for a multipurpose knife that you can do a lot with, you have one in this impressive product. It is designed with a blunt tip, glass breaker cord cutter. Weighing only 5.6 ounces, this knife is lightweight and quite versatile rescue knife. With this item, you can get into trouble because it is built to help you cut your way through any entanglements underwater. 

Thanks to its compact, yet strong 3 inches titanium-coated blade and the blunt tip, you possess an effective prying and cutting tool that won’t pierce inflatables. The blade is also crafted not to break under pressure, hence ensuring you can use it for a long time. Moreover, this knife can securely attach to your boat deck, PFD, or leg for quick reach when the need arises. 

In addition, the sheath of this knife can mount virtually anywhere due to its removable belt clip. Also, you can easily access it thanks to the quick release function. Meanwhile, this knife also features a glass breaker and bottle opener at the opposite end. 

Key features

  • Titanium-coated blade
  • Lightweight
  • Sheath
  • Glass breaker
  • Bottle opener

Pros

  • Lightweight and versatile
  • Strong and durable
  • The sheath has quick release function
  • Attaches securely to the leg

Cons

  • Rusts with saltwater

5 – Scubapro Mako Titanium Diving Knife

If you want a compact and lightweight knife for diving, this 3.5-inch knife is a great option for you. It features a rust-resistant titanium blade that is quite strong and enough hardness to hold a sharp edge. This product is also multifunctional and includes a serrated edge to help you saw through ropes. There’s also a conventional edge to help you make clean slicing cuts as well as a line cutting notch to help you cut entangling fish lines. 

Furthermore, this knife comes with a large handle that allows you to grip the item securely. The handle also possesses a thumb guard that allows you to protect the knife from slipping. 

Meanwhile, the sheath is equipped with a unique locking mechanism that ensures the knife stays in place and also ensures it’s easy to release the tool with just one hand. 

Key features

  • Rust-resistant titanium blade
  • Serrated edge
  • Conventional edge
  • Line cutting notch
  • Bottle opener
  • Lightweight
  • Sheath with unique locking mechanism

Pros

  • Resistant to rust
  • Versatile
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Sheath is secure

Cons

  • The handle is too short to allow a firm grip

6 – AKONA Talon Knife

In this knife, you have a very versatile tool to get you everything you need and want. It includes a long blade, beefy durable handle, line cutter, good balance, easy-to-use leg straps, and easy-to-use sheath. This knife deploys the 316 stainless steel blade which is equally resistant to rust. Hence, you can go dive in a sea or ocean without the fear of saltwater damaging your knife. This knife is over 10 inches long with a 4.5-inch blade

While diving, it is important that your knife is secured and not at risk of getting lost. This knife’s sheath secures the tool well thanks to the enhanced pressure locking tabs. Furthermore, this item features two rubber straps that help you to attach the sheath to your leg. 

Meanwhile, it is made of a hard plastic that is inclined to break if not handled with extreme care. Aside from this concern, this knife is quite solid and promises great performance. 

Key features

  • 316 stainless steel blade
  • Sheath with pressure lock
  • Two rubber straps
  • Ergonomic design

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Rust-resistant
  • Boasts of ergonomic design
  • Sheath secures well

Cons

  • Hard plastic may break

7 – Cressi Long Stainless Steel Diving Knife

This knife has all the right features to be your perfect work tool. It features a large blade forged with special steel, with a sharp edge on one side and a smooth edge on the other.  Meanwhile, at the side next to the handle, there’s a cavity present for cutting fishing nets and threads. The handle is crafted from a non-slip material. Hence, it delivers a firm grip with the aid of an anatomical molding, also ensuring an excellent coupling of the fingers. 

Furthermore, the sheath of this knife is made of plastic material that incorporates a classic elastic closure to allow the right attachment of the product. This sheath possesses loops that allow attachment to the belt or thigh and also comes with two straps for attachment to the thigh. 

Moreover, this knife is 11.82-inch long with a blade of 7 inches. It is suitable for both snorkeling and scuba diving. 

Key features

  • Stainless steel blade
  • Two straps
  • Plastic sheath
  • Non-slip handle

Pros

  • Handle delivers a firm grip
  • Straps attach well
  • Offers 2-year limited warranty
  • Very sharp

Cons

  • It may rust quickly

8 – Promate Barracuda Sharp Tip Titanium Diving Knife

This knife is another impressive option we fell in love with thanks to the high performance it delivers. This item’s blade is made of solid titanium that promises efficient service as well as durability. The blade is also strong and resistant to corrosion. Hence, you can rinse it off and store it back in the sheath with no fear of damage. However, sharpening this knife’s blade is quite difficult, hence you can’t make it as sharp as steel. 

Also, this knife features line cutting notches. Therefore, you can easily cut entangling fish lines and small ropes when diving. In addition to the notch are the sharp and serrated edges that ensure also ensure cutting and sawing. 

Furthermore, this knife features a pair of quick-release rubber straps in place for leg attachment. These straps are quite easy to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance. 

Key features

  • Line cutting notches
  • Sharp edge
  • Serrated edge
  • Rubber straps

Pros

  • Strong blade
  • The blade is resistant to corrosion
  • Easy to maintain
  • Straps attach well

Cons

  • The handle is not reliable
  • Hard to sharpen 

9 – Zip Dive Knife for Scuba Diving

This knife is another reliable partner to take along to dive. If you’re into snorkeling, water sports, or scuba diving, this tool has everything it takes to give you a hassle-free experience. It will help you cut through any rope or for survival underwater. This product consists of a sturdy stainless steel blade with high tensile strength. It boasts of a locking mechanism that is easy to disengage with just a hand. Hence, it stays secure always. 

This knife is lightweight and features a sleek, smooth design that is made for your utmost convenience. It possesses a rubbery grip that is secure underwater, onshore, and with wet hands. 

Furthermore, this dive knife comes with a leg strap to fit securely around your calf. Hence, you won’t have to worry about your losing your knife underwater. Meanwhile, it has a full length of 8.3 inches and a blade length of 3.7 inches. 

Key features

  • Stainless steel blade
  • Rubbery grip
  • Leg strap

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Firm grip
  • Fits perfectly around the calf
  • Easy to draw out

Cons

  • The sheath is not reliable

10 – Riffe Spearfisher’s Knife

This is the last product we tested and we also found it to be a great dive knife. It is made of a 420 heat-treated stainless steel blade which is capable of cutting through the thickest entanglements, and even stainless steel cable. This blade is coated with Teflon to help it resist corrosion. 

In addition, this knife comes with a sheath and knife keeper to keep the knife secure and it does that well without any risk of it getting lost. Also, it comes with rubber leg straps to keep it attached to your leg while you dive. Lanyard is also present to offer more security. 

Furthermore, this knife measures 8.5 inches while the blade measures 4.5 inches. The length of the blade is just perfect for a variety of functions that allow you to enjoy the knife’s service. Finally, ensure you rinse it with fresh water and dry it before putting it away for storage. 

Key features

  • Stainless steel blade
  • Sheath
  • Rubber leg straps
  • Lanyard

Pros

  • Super sharp
  • Straps hold well
  • Lanyard adds more protection
  • Nice handle

Cons:

  • The blade is not sharp

Buying Guide For The Best Dive Knife

When in the market for a dive knife, we know how important it is to have the best information on hand before going ahead to make a choice. This prompted us to examine all the important features in the best dive knives on the market to identify how best they can serve you. Below, we will walk you through every important feature you must pay attention to before making your purchase so you can pick the best dive knife. 

Where To Pay Attention To When Buying This product?

Size

Dive knives are essentially used underwater to cut through entanglements easily, hence the need for them to be very handy. The size of your dive knife is very important as it decides how convenient it will be to carry. You don’t want to see the knife hurting you instead of keeping you safe underwater, hence the need to ensure you buy the right size. 

Mini dive knives are between 2 – 3 inches, making them small enough to fit almost anywhere. If you’re going to purchase a mini dive knife, ensure it has a long handle that can give you a firm grip. 

On the other hand, medium dive knives are between 4 – 5 inches, offering just the ideal size to help you through any obstacle underwater. This dive knife strikes the balance between mini knives and large (above 5 inches) knives. Therefore, we recommend that you consider a medium-sized dive knife whenever you’re on the market for one.  

Blade Material

We found all the knives we reviewed in this article to have quality blades but it’s important for you to know more about them. There are two main types of blade materials: stainless steel and titanium. Your blade material will determine how long it can be of service to you. The two types require different methods of maintenance.

Stainless steel blade requires much maintenance to ensure that it does not rust. With this type of blade, it is important to rinse with fresh water and also oil it after every dive. Most stainless steel knives either come with a 300-series or 400-series blade. The lower the number, the more it is resistant to corrosion. But a blade with a lower number will lose its edge quicker. 

On the other hand, the titanium blade is largely rustproof and resistant to corrosion due to the absence of carbon in them for oxidation. This type of blade holds a good edge and doesn’t require much maintenance. Also, it is more flexible and lighter than a stainless steel blade, hence harder to break. However, a titanium dive knife is more expensive but it offers great quality. 

Edge 

The edge of your knife will determine how well it can cut. Therefore, it is important that you choose a knife with the right edge to suit your need. There are two types of blade edge: serrated and straight. While a serrated edge will cut through ropes easily, straight edges will best cut lines and finer things. 

To ensure versatility, top dive knives offer both serrated and straight edges – one on a side and the other on another side. Therefore, it is important that you choose a knife that offers you both edges to ensure you can cut anything you want to. Also, with this type of knife, you won’t find yourself in need of either type of edge. 

Tip

There are two main types of knife tips: blunt and pointed. With a blunt tip, you can pry, dig, hack and chisel. Also, you can worry less about any dangerous occurrence because it is quite safer than the pointed option. On the other hand, a pointed tip is great for cutting and puncturing. It is usually used by spearfishermen. However, it can be quite dangerous and more likely to cause injury. It also has the tendency to break during chiseling or digging. 

Therefore, we recommend that you buy a knife with a blunt tip for diving because they help you disentangle all obstacles underwater while ensuring you’re not at risk of any injury. 

Sheath Or Folded

It is important that your dive knife stays on you securely when diving. You can strap it on your arm, leg or call, or mount it on your buoyancy compensation device (BCD) of dive belt. Wheresoever you decide to strap it, ensure it’s comfortable, easy to reach, and also easy to draw out. Dive knives are either strapped in a sheath or folded. 

Sheath holds the knife securely while also giving you easy accessibility to draw the tool out with just one hand. On the other hand, most folding knives lock in an open position to ensure there’s no risk of you cutting your fingers. Some of them can be hard to open with one hand. 

Advantages Of A Dive Knife

Below, we will list the most important advantages of having a dive knife with you when diving

  • Can be used to free you or your diving buddy from thick underwater vegetation
  • You can use it to cut entangling fishing line or rope
  • It can be used to call the attention of a diving buddy underwater
  • Can be used to save trapped sea animals like sea turtles

Disadvantages Of A Dive Knife

Dive knife does not have many disadvantages but we will list the few below.

  • Pointed tip may hurt you
  • You may mistakenly hurt aquatic animals with it

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

While we have tried to detail everything you need to know about the best dive knife, there’s a huge possibility of certain grey areas which has pushed us into answering the following questions to inform you better.

How to sharpen the best diving knife?

Before embarking on sharpening your knife, you must first consider if the edge is straight or serrated. Also, the material of the knife’s blade must be taken into consideration. While a stainless blade is easier to sharpen, titanium knife can be hard to sharpen.

There are sharpening tools that can help you with this task. The best tools deploy sharpening rods, making the serrated edge much easier to sharpen. An electric knife sharpener can also help you sharpen your knife without causing any damage to the serrated or straight edge. A titanium dive knife with only titanium coating runs the risk of losing the titanium layer during sharpening so it’s important to be very careful. Checkout our full guide about the best way to sharpen your knife here!

Where should a dive knife be placed?

When diving, it is important that the dive knife is placed somewhere secure without any risk of getting lost or hurting you. A dive knife is traditionally placed on the leg or ankle. Ensure that you strap it to a side where you can conveniently draw it out underwater. Hence, you’ll be able to reach it quickly whenever you need it.

Also, you can place it in your of the pockets on your BCD. Your BCD pocket must also be easy to reach anytime the need for the knife arises. If your BCD does not have a knife placement, then you may have to make do with strapping it on your leg or ankle.

Why do dive knives have a blunt end?

They do because they have little potential to cause trouble and they ensure safety. With them, you cab hack, dig, chisel, and pry without any hassle.

Why do scuba divers carry knives?

They ensure divers’ safety underwater. They use knives to cut entangling fish lines or call the attention of their buddy.

How to clean a diving knife?

Cleaning your diving knife requires just a few basic steps. Remove the knife from the sheath or unfold it. You can then rinse it in fresh water. After you have left it to soak in fresh water for a period of time, dry all its parts carefully with a soft, yet thick cloth. Ensure there’s moisture left in the crevices. Also, you can apply wax on it or silicone that repels water.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed all about dive knives and how they can help you. You need a medium-sized knife to ensure convenience and ease of use. Also, it’s important to go for the right type of blade. For optimum versatility, ensure you buy an option that can offer you serrated and straight edges. In addition, your knife should have a sheath that allows easy access. Due to its many high functioning features, our top pick is Promate Scuba Dive Snorkel Titanium Knife