Dive knives come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes. These three new dive knives offer sharp blades with secure grips and sheathes to maximize cutting power and safety.
$99; Seac
Jon Whittle
Seac Rip Fish
The Ripfish makes no effort to hide its spearfishing-orientation — it’s right there in the name — but it’s more than capable of performing the duties of an all-around dive knife. The 3.5-inch hollow-ground blade makes short work of most line and is surprisingly strong for as thin as it is. The thumb-lock sheathe is secure and the grip is good barehanded or gloved, but the one-direction design makes it difficult to use the serrated edge for anything other than sticking fish. The magnetic stainless-steel needs proper care to prevent corrosion, but the removable handle makes the knife easy to clean.
$100 (titanium), $65 (stainless); Aqua Lung
Jon Whittle
Aqua Lung Big Squeeze Titanium
The squeeze-lock on Aqua Lung’s new line of dive knives is not only novel, but secure — the knife won’t so much as rattle in the sheathe until you squeeze the handle. The larger, titanium version features a 4 ½-inch spear tip blade that offers cutting power to rival some stainless-steel knives and corrosion resistance that surpasses them. The grip is solid — even if the lock tab does sometimes dig into your finger — and the sturdy blade runs the length of the knife for added strength and durability.
$139.95; Spyderco
Jon Whittle
Spyderco Salt 2 Black Blade
This update to Spyderco’s popular Salt 1 Lightweight features a fiberglass reinforced nylon handle that’s a little longer and thicker for a more comfortable, secure grip and a titanium pocket clip that can be mounted in four different positions. The H1 steel blade cuts very well, is rustproof and available with a plain or serrated edge. The thumbhole makes it a snap to deploy this folder single-handedly and the back lock is rock-solid. The 3-inch blade is available with a tactical non-reflective coating and black handle or with an uncoated blade and yellow handle.