Always figured a bigger knife was better for cutting line underwater til a guy in San Diego showed me different

I used to think a big dive knife was the way to go for cutting through fishing line and rope. Then a salvage diver I met off Shelter Island showed me how a small blunt-tipped trauma shear cuts way faster and safer, especially when you're working blind. Anyone else make the switch from a big blade to shears?

2 comments

2 Comments

hayden46613d ago

Picked up a pair of those shears at a hardware store after a trip where my big knife got tangled in a kelp forest. Nearly lost my mask trying to get it free. Now I keep the shears clipped to my BC pocket and a small folding knife as backup. They cut through monofilament like butter even when my hands are cold and shaking. Still carry the big blade for looks, but it stays in my bag most dives.

thomas.tyler13d ago

Had a buddy get caught in some old crab pot line off the coast of Maine last year. He was diving for urchins and his console rig got wrapped up bad. His big knife was on his belt and he couldn't reach it cause the line was pulling him sideways. He just had these cheap trauma shears he bought at a pharmacy for like 8 bucks. Cut himself free in maybe 20 seconds. Now he carries shears on both sides of his BC and laughs at anyone with just a big knife. Said the scariest part was thinking about his kid waiting on the boat while he was stuck down there. Swears by having something stupid simple you can grab with either hand.