Diving deep into unknown waters brings with it a sense of adventure and mystery. Beginner and experienced divers alike should always prepare for the worst, for safety's sake. Because literally, anything could happen during the dive, carrying a dive knife is a must for protection and other practical reasons.
You wouldn't want to be caught unprepared with the wrong kind of knife if, for example, you got hung up in a net, or get attacked by a fish. Understanding the different types of dive knives available is crucial because each has a specific purpose, and they're very different from your typical above-water pocket knife.
Dive Knife FAQs
Curious about dive knives? Keep reading to learn more before you make a purchase.
- 3.75" blade made from 420 series stainless steel, overall length 8.25"
- Patented positive lock sheath system
- Alternate hollow ground serration
How are dive knives different than a typical pocket knife?
The best dive knife is much like an underwater Swiss army knife; you want it to be able to perform some tasks if necessary. For example, most dive knives have a serrated edge or line cutter, which is useful when cutting any sort of binding material, like rope, fishing line, etc. Dive knives can also be used to make noise if necessary. When equipped with a fine, pointed tip, dive knives work well as a crevicing tool.
What are dive knives made from?
- High-Grade Beta Alloy Titanium Blade
- Tanto Tip Blade
- Patented Squeeze-Lock Sheath
Most dive knives are stainless steel or titanium. These metals do well in water and can stand up to much wear and use. A few of the knives on the market made of alloys perform in a similar way to titanium and stainless steel.
Where can I buy dive knives?
- Eazy Cut Trilobite with Harness Mount and Two Replacement Blades
- Forefront of Emergency Cutting Tool (E.C.T.)
- Developed for Divers, Mariners, Mountaineers, Extreme Sports Adventurers and Rescue Service Providers
Like most outdoor and recreational products these days, you can buy dive knives at your local outdoor supply shop, or online. Unless you feel confident about your purchase, it’s always good to go in and try out various knives before making a final decision, or at least to get an idea of what types of dive knives are out there.
Do I need a dive knife?
Like most emergency supplies, it’s always better to have a dive knife and not need it than need one and not have it. If you dive more than once a year, it’s probably a good idea to invest in a dive knife.
What should you consider when shopping for a dive knife?
Dive knives are typically 2-5 inches in length and may or may not come with a sheath, depending upon what style they are. Knife edges can be straight or serrated, and some knives even come equipped with both. Keep in mind the use you’ll want to get out of your knife as well. If you aren't using the knife regularly, a cheaper knife could be your best bet. However, if you are someone who dives a lot, it might be a good idea to invest in a quality knife you can depend on when things go south.
How We Reviewed
We’ve picked out the nine best dive knives available for online purchase, based on extensive research on various products offered in a variety of price ranges, qualities, and characteristics. After considering which dive knives receive rave reviews from real users, the myriad of benefits every individual product offers, and the price point we’ve come up with an unbiased “best of” list.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh your priorities and pick the best dive knife that suits your needs. We will offer strong recommendations, including the pros and cons of each product so that you can make an informed decision even if you don’t know anything (yet) about dive knives.
Overall Price Range of Dive Knives
- Blue Reef Titanium Folding Knife with Slide Locking Lanyard
- Blue Reef Scuba Titanium Folding Knife:
- Foldable and Convenient to Carry in Hand or Pocket
Dive knives are available at a price point beginning around $10 and increasing to well over $100. It is a great price point to search in if you’re looking for a mix of quality and affordability. Characteristics between knives vary regarding metal construction standards, unique features, and versatility. A $35 dive knife might resemble a miniature pocket knife, while more expensive models have advanced attachment features and dynamic blades.
Best Dive Knives of 2018
In no particular order, here are the top dive knives of 2018 on the market today. Which will be your best dive knife?
Titanium EZ-Lock Knife
Aqua Lung Squeeze Lock Titanium Knife, Tanto Tip
TUSA Mini BCD Knife, Blunt Tip
XS Scuba FogCutter Recon
Underwater Kinetics Remora Compact BC Knife
EEZYCUT Trilobite with Harness Mount
United Cutlery Wahoo Killer Scuba Dive Knife
Aqua Lung Wenoka Big Squeeze Lock Titanium Knife, Tanto Tip
Blue Reef Scuba Titanium Folding Knife
The Verdict
Given the range of competitors in this particular segment, we found the Underwater Kinetics Remora Compact BC Knife to be the best dive knife. Where other knives came with plastic sheaths, this knife is stored in one that resembles the same material as the grip. However, all of the dive knives on our list are pretty great. You can't go wrong no matter which one you buy.
Do you have a favorite dive knife that we did not list? Let us know in the comment section below!
