A dive knife can be a handy tool for specialized tasks or especially in the case of an emergency, such as entanglement in a fishnet.
The number of dive knives available in the market can make selecting the best for your needs a bit daunting. To simplify that task, some of the best in the range have been chosen as an introduction. To begin there is a buying guide to describe important features to consider, followed by reviews with photos and videos, and a comparison table.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
The Best Dive Knife Buying Guide
Size
You want it big enough to do the task, but not so big as to be a bother to carry and store on your body or equipment. Knives designed for diving have a range in blade size from 3 to 6 inches. 3.5 to 5.5 inches is a manageable length to easily cut through rope or netting and not too bulky.
Edge
Diving knives come with two types of blade edges, straight and serrated. A serrated edge is more effective on a tougher material and can be used with a sawing action. Many knives have both. A wire cutter notch is also an effective component to consider.
Handle Butt
Some knives have a protruding extension of metal coming out the base of the handle, which in some cases can be used as a hammer, but often serves as a tank banger to get someone’s attention.
Blade Material
Saltwater is corrosive. If you go for a stainless steel blade, you will want one that is corrosion-resistant. Steel with a higher carbon count will resist corrosion, but be more difficult to sharpen. Rinsing it in freshwater, drying it, and putting a coating of oil or grease on it will provide protection. Titanium blades are extremely resistant to corrosion, more expensive, and harder to sharpen. Fortunately, they hold their edge longer, so need to be sharpened less often and will not rust.
Tip
Knives for diving can come with a sharp-pointed tip or something blunter. Blunt knives can often be used as another sort of tool, like a screwdriver or for prying, and don’t pose much of a danger of poking a hole in your BCD or leg.
Attachments, Sheaths, and Holders
Some knives are folding and can easily be stored in a pocket, often with a clip to assist in holding them in place. Otherwise, they will come with a sheath that can be attached to your leg or thigh with straps. In some cases, it is possible to carry it on your arms or wrist or attach it to your BCD. You will need to take care not to snag it on equipment, line, or the passing environment. The sheath needs to come with a mechanism that allows the knife to be easily drawn, but securely in place when not in use.
The Best Dive Knife of 2023 – Top 8 Reviewed
- Aqua Lung Big Squeeze Titanium
- Spyderco Atlantic Salt
- Promate Titanium Dive Knife
- Cressi Skorpion
- U.S. Divers Titanium 5-Inch Diving Knife
- Cressi Borg
- Scubapro Mako
- Tusa FK-940ti X-Pert II Dive Knife
Aqua Lung Big Squeeze Titanium
- Corrosion-resistant titanium version with a good cutting ability like a stainless steel blade
- Locking mechanism locks the knife in the sheath securely and releases with a minimal squeeze of the handle rated highly for security and functionality (patented system)
- 4.5-inch spear-tip blade with smooth and serrated edges and wire cutter
- Overall length of 9.5 inches
- Nylon handle with fiberglass fill and sheath
- Integrated BC connection points
- Leg strap channels for add-on leg straps
Rating: 5
Price: $$$
- H-1 steel sheep’s foot blade with excellent cutting performance yet is completely impervious to rust (rinse with fresh water after the dive)
- Rugged hollow-ground serrated edge blade good for cutting rope or wire
- High-strength back lock mechanism with secure blade lock-up
- 3.81-inch blade
- 4-inch fiberglass/nylon handle with textured pattern for a positive grip
- Fits easily in the BC pocket
- Black titanium pocket clip supports left or right-side, tip-up carry
- The large 14mm round hole makes one-handed opening easier with gloved or wet hands
Rating: 4.8
Price: $$$
- 4.375-inch corrosion-resistant titanium blade requiring little maintenance
- 5-inch comfortable molded rubber easy-grip handle with sheath and adjustable straps
- Smooth edge and serrated edge with wire cutter
- Titanium hammer on the bottom of the handle
- Comes with a blunt or sharp tip
Rating: 4.8
Price: $$
- Lightweight, compact design
- Small technopolymer thumb tab
- 4.33-inch corrosion-resistant tempered AISI 304 stainless steel blade, 5.08-inch handle
- Smooth edge and serrated edge with wire cutter
- Blunt and sharp tip option
- Easy one-hand release sheath with two straps
- Hammer on handle bottom
- Lanyard hole
Rating: 4.6
Price: $
U.S. Divers Titanium 5-Inch Diving Knife
5-inch corrosion-resistant titanium blade with 1-piece blade and tang assembly, 4.5-inch gray handle
- Serrated top edge, smooth edge, and wire cutter
- Disassembles for easy cleaning
- Quick-release sheath and rubber leg straps
- Stainless butt cap
- Lanyard hole
- 2-year warranty
Rating: 4.7
Price: $$$
5.5-inch Japanese 304 stainless steel rust-resistant blade with 5-inch non-slip rubber handle
- Small technopolymer thumb tab and grip
- Smooth edge and serrated edge with wire cutter
- Blunt and sharp tip options
- Sheath with a locking mechanism with a one-hand release button and straps
- Lanyard hole
- Hammer on handle bottom
Rating: 4.7
Price: $
- 3.35-inch corrosion-resistant titanium blade, 4.14-inch rubberized easy-grip handle
- Lightweight and very sharp
- Smooth edge and serrated edge with wire cutter
- Dual-function tip design
- Sheath with push-button release
- Easily adjustable buckle and strap
- Suitable for left or right-handed people
- A bottle opener on the base of the handle can be used to tap the tank
Rating: 4.8
Price: $$$
Tusa FK-940ti X-Pert II Dive Knife
- 4.5-inch corrosion-resistant titanium drop point blade
- 5-inch handle with a newly designed ergonomic rubberized grip with a counterweight
- Smooth edge and serrated edge with wire cutter
- Push-button sheath lock release
- Easy-to-adjust buckle and strap allow for a comfortable fit
- Easy disassembly for cleaning
- Tank tapping mini-hammer on the base of the handle
Rating: 4.7
Price: $$$
Best Dive Knives Comparison Table
| Picture | Knife | Material | Blade Length | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Aqua Lung Big Squeeze Titanium | Titanium | 4.5 inch | 5 | $$$ |
  | Spyderco Atlantic Salt | Stainless Steel | 3.81 inch | 4.8 | $$$ |
  | Promate Titanium Scuba Dive Knife | Titanium | 4.375 inch | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Cressi Skorpion | Stainless Steel | 4.33 inch | 4.6 | $ |
  | U.S. Divers Titanium 5-Inch Diving Knife | Titanium | 5 inch | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Cressi Borg | Stainless Steel | 5.5 inch | 4.7 | $ |
  | Scubapro Mako | Titanium | 3.35 inch | 4.8 | $$$ |
  | Tusa FK-940ti X-Pert II | Titanium | 4.5 inch | 4.7 | $$$ |
Knife Care – A Reminder
- Rinse in freshwater thoroughly after each dive.
- Dry it.
- Apply a thin layer of oil or grease before putting it back into the dry sheath.
Best Titanium Dive Knife Reviews
For my review that focuses exclusively on titanium dive knives, please check out this post:
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on dive knives interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
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