Choose a dive knife that is appropriate for the type of diving you do when making your purchase. is adaptable to your needs, simple to attach to your equipment, and, most importantly, will be salt corrosion resistant. See our quick top 10, or go further down and read our in-depth reviews.
A good diving knife is an essential tool for cutting yourself free from entanglement, releasing trapped animals, clearing debris, and helping with underwater tasks. In many nations, a dive knife is a necessary safety item that every diver must carry with them.
Description
Divers occasionally use a dive knife as a general tool to cut tangled fishing line or rap on their tanks to signal a buddy. Some items in this category are more accurately referred to as tools with specific underwater applications rather than knives at all. Divers should never use dive knives or other tools to harm aquatic life or tamper with the underwater environment as they are not weapons.
Top Scuba Diving Knives in 2022
- Best Overall: Aqua Lung Agronaut
- Most Durable: Tusa FK-940ti X-Pert ll
- Most Compact: Scubapro Mako Titanium
- Most Versatile: Cressi Skorpion
- Best for Travel: Promate Titanium Scuba
10 Best Dive Knives
1. Best Overall: Aqua Lung Agronaut
One of the best and toughest knives on the market, this knife falls on the top tier of Aqualung dive knives. When cutting different types of materials, the user has options thanks to the blade’s two edges, which are divided into smooth and serrated edges. The knife has a handle made for a firm grip and resembles one James Bond might use on a mission. The sheath and leg strap for this knife must be purchased separately, which is a drawback.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 4.7″ (12.1cm)
- Handle Length : 5″ (11.6cm)
Reasons to buy:
- It comes in both spartan and blunt designs
- Double edges blade for a variety of cutting abilities
- Handle is wrapped in 7 feet of 5mm paracord
- EDP coating on the titanium
Reasons NOT to buy:
- The black material of the blade would be difficult to see if dropped
- Sheath and leg strap must be purchased separately
2. Most Durable: Tusa FK-940ti X-Pert Ll
This Tusa dive knife is the best choice if you’re searching for a robust option. The knife can be fastened to your leg, arm, or ankle while still allowing for simple one-handed use thanks to the quick release mechanism. Having both smooth and serrated edges, the blade has a full point. To make cleaning as simple as possible, the knife’s design allows you to separate the blade from the handle.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 4.5″ (11.4cm)
- Handle Length : 5″ (12.7cm)
- Reasons to buy:
Has both serrated and flat edges - Comes with sheath and leg strap
- Possible to disassemble for maximum cleaning
Reasons NOT to buy:
The handle can feel quite small and is not the sturdiest material
3. Most Compact: Scubapro Mako Titanium
This compact, useful titanium knife is perfect for travel because it is incredibly light, corrosion-proof, and long-lasting. It has a cutting notch that is ideal for cutting thin ropes or fishing line. It makes a great first knife because of its small size and affordable price. Its handle is quite small and awkward to hold, and its sheath is made to be fastened to your BCD or air gauge.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 3.3″ (8.3cm)
- Handle Length : 4″ (10.1cm)
Reasons to buy:
- Compact size
- Lightweight design
- Cutting notch for ropes
Reasons NOT to buy:
The handle is very thin and not comfortable to hold in a firm grip
4. Best for Travel: Promate Titanium Scuba
This stylish knife’s edges remain strong and sharp even after numerous dives and it is made for scuba divers, by scuba divers, and it has comfortable leg straps. Since the titanium blade is significantly lighter than stainless steel, it is perfect to pack in your checked luggage when traveling. It also comes with an easy-to-grip handle and the choice of a sharp or blunt tip design.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 4.5″ (12.7cm)
- Handle Length : 5″ (11.4cm)
Reasons to buy:
- Ergonomic easy to grip handle
- Free from Corrosion
- Leg Mount
- Comes in a variety of colours
Reasons NOT to buy:
- The sheath and attachment have reports of coming loose
- Straps are a little complicated
5. SPYDERCO — SALT 2 GREEN LC200N WHARNCLIFFE
The 3-inch full-flat-ground Wharncliffe-style blade on this folding knife comes with either a PlainEdge or a fully serrated SpyderEdge. The blade, which is made of LC200N steel with nitrogen added, is extremely corrosion resistant and showed no signs of wear after our 24-hour saltwater soak. It cut each of our test lines’ single and double strands with ease, earning a perfect score for cutting. The lime-green handle is ergonomic for comfortable cutting and has thick texturing for better grip in a wet environment. It received an excellent rating for cutting security and comfort of grip. Blade deployment is simple and one-handed with the lock mechanism, which is rock-solid. “Couldn’t be more secure or safer to carry/store in dive gear,” one tester commented. Despite having a sturdy construction and components that resist corrosion, the knife is very lightweight. “Feels and looks like a serious tool,” one tester said. Our Testers’ Choice for small dive knives is the Salt 2 LC200N Wharncliffe, a tester favorite that cuts like crazy and thrives in salt water.
6. Atomic Aquatics Titanium Ti6
This large knife is strong, portable, and has a pleasant handle to hold onto. The blade has a notch for cutting thin rope and fishing line as well as a combination of smooth and serrated edges on one side. Additionally, a quick release sheath and leg strap are included for simple attachment to your leg.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 4″ (10.1cm)
- Handle Length : 4″ (10.1cm)
Our Overall Review
- Comes in both pointed and blunt tip
- Serrated Edge along with a large line cutting notch
- Comes with a lightweight sheath
Reasons NOT to buy:
- Straps can be difficult to adjust
7. Most Versatile: Cressi Skorpion
For cutting practically anything, this stainless-steel knife combines smooth and serrated edges. You can select the ideal tip for your intended use from the design’s selection of sharp and blunt tips. Either a 304 stainless steel blunt tip blade, which is more corrosion resistant, or a 420 stain-less steel sharp tip edge, which is extremely sharp, are available. There is also a one-handed quick release mechanism provided by the sheath and leg strap.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 2.9″ (7.3cm)
- Handle Length : 3.3″ (8.3cm)
Reasons to buy:
- Corrosion resistant option
- One handed sheath release
- Option for blunt or sharp tip
Reasons NOT to buy:
- The handle is very susceptible to rust
8. XS Scuba Fogcutter X
The fog cutter’s adaptable construction enables it to function as a standard dive knife when closed and as shears when unlocked. Make sure to rinse and lubricate it after each time it comes into contact with saltwater to keep it functioning properly.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 4.3″ (11.1cm)
Reasons to buy:
- Budget Price
- Versatility of being scissors and a knife
- Compact Size
Reasons NOT to buy:
- It needs to be attached by a rope so it does not fall out of the sheath
- Rusts easily
9. Cressi Lima Tactical
Due to its small size and one-handed release sheath, this dive knife is not only ideal for scuba diving but also for spearfishing. This sheath is accessible and can be fastened to your gauge hose or BCD. The fact that it is so small allows free divers to simply attach it to their weight belt. If spearfishermen need to release their catch, the knife’s blade has a cutting notch made for small ropes and fishing lines, making it ideal.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 2.4″ (6.2cm)
- Handle Length : 3.9″ (9.9cm)
Reasons to buy:
- Designed with a no slip grip
- Compact size
- Ability to be attached to BCD or air hose
Reasons NOT to buy:
The knife does not always lock in well into the sheath
10. Spyderco Atlantic Salt
This knife’s innovative design combines a foldable blade with a lock mechanism with a serrated edge for simple rope cutting. It has an ergonomic handle that is simple to use with gloves on, a one-handed opening, and a useful titanium pocket clip for attaching it to your equipment. It’s a fantastic choice if you want to keep your knife in your BCD pocket.
Specs & Features
- Blade Length : 4.5″ (11.4cm)
- Handle Length : 5″ (12.7cm)
Reasons to buy:
- High end steel blade
- One handed handling
- Folding design
- Lightweight
Reasons NOT to buy:
- After use, the mechanism holding the knife closed can become loose
What Sort of Dive Knife Should You Choose?
Your intended use for the knife will help you decide on its type when selecting a dive knife.
For the greatest amount of use versatility, you should ideally buy a knife with both straight and serrated edges. For cutting plastics, such as fishing line, trash, and similar materials, the straight edge works great. Your knife’s serrated blade works best for cutting through kelp and rope, two examples of natural materials.
Sharp Tips are designed for puncturing and cutting and are typically preferred by the spear fishing community. They have the drawback of being sharp, which increases the risk of further injuries or equipment damage if they become unsheathed.
Blunt Tips are better suited for digging, prying, and hacking which is more the behaviour you will be exhibiting as a scuba diver. The knife is safer to handle than its sharp counterpart because of its blunt edge.
Line Cutting Notches are a handy feature of your dive knife as it is a quick and sure way to free yourself from entanglement from fishing lines and small ropes with little effort.
Metal Handles are great for grabbing your buddy’s attention when you bang them on your tank, however they are less comfortable to hold and can potentially slip out of your hands.
Black Blades look fantastic and are virtually invisible to marine life. The disadvantage of them is that if you drop a black blade, it might become almost invisible to you as well, making it harder to find.
Ergonomic handle is important in your handling comfort and quick grip access so make sure to test out how the knife feels in your hand before purchasing it.
How to Choose Your Dive Knife
- Consider where you will wear your dive knife or tool first, as this decision may affect the size you need. Small knives or shears are your best bet if you travel frequently.
- Handle a range of knives at your PADI Dive Center or Resort after you have determined placement and size range.
- Review your hand’s grip. Test the grip with gloves on if you typically wear gloves when scuba diving.
- Get a sense of how simple it is by removing and replacing the knife from the sheath several times. When possible, mount it where you intend to wear it while wearing gloves.
- Depending on the features you like, pick the best knife or tool.
- If you dive in areas where you might come across abandoned fishing line, think about getting two tools—a dive knife and shears (or a Z-knife).
How Do You Attach Your Dive Knife?
When scuba diving, you will either have a knife that attaches to your leg, equipment, or possibly one that you keep in your pocket. Larger dive knives typically work better on leg straps, while smaller knives can easily be fastened to your BCD or air hoses. The most crucial aspect of knife placement is that it should be simple to access with either hand.
BCD or Hose mounted knife have the benefit of being securely attached to your gear and require minimal effort to remember to bring with you on your dive. These knives typically come in smaller, more compact, and lighter sizes. To keep them sharp and rust-free, you must remember to remove them from your equipment and clean them separately.
Leg mounted dive knives can be more cumbersome and potentially cause entanglement issues, however many divers and free divers opt for them due to their size and feeling like Tomb Raider.
Foldable dive knives have the benefit of being smaller and a great option if you wish to store it in your BCD pocket. Additionally, they may be safer because they cannot be intentionally clicked open to become unsheathed and injure someone.
Where is the Best Place to Mount My Dive Knife?
In the event that you lose mobility due to entanglement, you should ultimately think about how challenging it will be to reach the knife. Many dive-specific knives are made to attach to mounting grommets or the hose of a BC inflator. It is easy to access the knife from such a placement. For smaller knives or cutting tools, this is ideal. Another place to store small knives is in an accessible BC pocket; just remember to remove it at the end of the dive for a freshwater rinse. Webbing and BC straps can both be used to secure knives. Larger knives can be mounted on the legs, but if they aren’t kept streamlined, they can pose their own entanglement hazard. To lessen the risk of entanglement, people who leg-mount their knives frequently place them on the inside. No matter what situation you find yourself in, having a number of cutting tools mounted in various places will guarantee that you can always reach a tool to free yourself.
Finer Points
These are a few of the attributes that, in our testing, distinguished knives from their competitors.
One-Sided Blades
Line can become tightly coiled around the body when there is entanglement. Knives with only one cutting edge, like the Tekna Rescue Edge or the Spyderco Salt 2, make it possible to maneuver the blade between lines and delicate areas without worrying about inadvertently cutting yourself. This is especially helpful when cutting through tough, thick ropes that require aggressive back-and-forth sawing.
Get a Grip
The cutting surface is only one part of the puzzle. When cutting forcefully, comfortable, reliable handles are what keep the blade under control and supply power. The slightly rounded handle of the Riffe EDC, for instance, is big enough for a ready grip and fits comfortably in the hand.
Both sides of the double-edged blade can be used with ease, and the rubbery coating greatly enhances grip security.
