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14230
Westheimer |
Houston,
TX 77077 |
Phone: (281) 493-4358 |
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Department of Homeland Security Warning Notice |
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| Dive knives are offered in a variety of
materials, sizes and shapes, and when purchasing one it
is important to remember that dive knives are tools, not
weapons. Below are a few tips that will help you make an
informed decision on what kind of dive knife will best
suit your needs as a diver. |
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Size |
| Large Knives (over 5 inch blade): Although many
people think "the larger the knife the better,"
large dive knives can be awkward and can easily cut
you or puncture you BC. You should buy a knife that
will be useful to you as a diver- not an underwater
warrior. |
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Medium Sized Knives (4-5 inch blade): The most
practical dive knives are medium sized ones which
are small enough to mount onto your BC, leg, or arm,
but large enough for you to grip securely. A dive
knife with a four to five inch blade and similar
sized handle is easily managed and can be a very
useful tool once underwater. |
| Mini Knives (2-3 inch blade): If buying a
mini knife
(which can be small enough to clamp onto a hose)
make sure that the handle is longer than 2-3 inches
so you can grip it securely, especially with gloves
on. |
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Shape
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| Straight vs. Serrated Edges:
Straight edges cut plastic better- this includes monofilament
fishing line and nylon rope- while serrated edges are more
efficient at cutting natural fiber rope and kelp. With a serrated knife, serrations should run almost the entire length
of the blade, making it possible to use a good sawing motion.
Many dive knives have both straight and serrated edges,
making them great in a variety of situations. |
| Sharp Tip vs. Blunt Tip:
Sharp
tips most commonly used for spearfishing purposes. For other
purposes such as prying, digging, hacking, and chiseling,
however, it is easy to break a sharp tip off- this is where a
blunt tip is useful. Sharp tips can also cut you or puncture
your BC, so for a safe and effective tool, a blunt tip is the
best. |
| Line Cutting Notch: You should
also look for a line cutting notch, which can come in handy when
cutting small lines. |
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Material |
| Stainless Steel:
Most dive
knives are made steel, either 300 or 400-series stainless steel
alloys. All "Stain-less" Steel knives will show some signs of
rust due to their high carbon content (carbon creates tensile
strength). Because stainless steel knives are not completely
rustproof, they will require maintenance. After each use, rinse
well with fresh water and dry outside of its sheath. Coat with a
light layer of oil or silicone.
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| 300-Series Alloy:
The lower the
number (300-series alloy), the more corrosion resistant the
knife is, but the less able it is to keep a sharp edge. If you
buy a 300-series alloy knife, you can spend a little less time
on maintenance, but you'll have to sharpen it after a couple of
uses. Remember, if you buy a blunt-tip knife, it is not always
important that the edge is extremely sharp. |
| 400-Series Alloy: A 400-series
alloy knife will hold an edge for longer, but is more
susceptible to corrosion, and may break if used as a pry bar. If
you purchase a 400-series alloy knife you will need to wash and
oil it after every use, but you won't have to sharpen it as
often. |
| Titanium:
Unlike stainless steel knives, titanium knives are almost
completely rustproof and corrosion resistant because they
contain no carbon. The result is a knife that will hold an
edge for numerous dives without sharpening, and requires
almost zero maintenance. |
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