One item I think every diver should carry is a cutting device.
There are many implements to choose from, and more than a few choices on how to carry them.
A few thoughts - and hopefully more folks will chime in with their preferences:
Whatever you carry, make sure you can reach it and deploy it with either hand.
EMT sheers are a popular item, incredibly powerful, able to cut through webbing, and very safe to handle.
If you carry a knife - you have to choose among pointed or flat tipped. I can be impressed with either, but be sure and get one with a line-cutter edge. They are usually pricier than sheers, so invest in stainless or titanium. You can also make your own with a decent steak knife, a vise and something to smooth the edges.
Link to making your own dive knife
If you don't have a vise, or have $18 to spare, Tobin will sell you one just like it through www.DeepSeaSupply.com - or better still, buy their BP/W and they include one with it!!
They don't weigh much, so I think redundant is better - when you need one, you will really be happy to have one handy.
Does Size Matter?
Started by
Capn Jack
, Dec 10 2006 12:17 PM
11 replies to this topic
#1
Capn Jack
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Posted 10 December 2006 - 12:17 PM
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#2
Latitude Adjustment
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Posted 10 December 2006 - 07:07 PM
I found that EMT shears won't cut through the leader fishermen are using in the NE and have moved up to a garden style shear.
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#3
TraceMalin
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 07:00 PM
Ray, you bring up a good point about northeast diving, leaders, spider wire, etc. Underwater cutting is nothing to be taken lightly. New divers are often sold ineffective cutting tools by dive center staff members who place profit over safety. I think the most appropriate cutting device for the novice would be this:
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#4
jeff
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 08:15 PM
I have a knife pocket on my neoprene drysuit for my us divers sea master a 7" blunt tip with an orange handle, so I don't loose my black one.
For my shell suit and wet suits I have an ankle mount 6.5" blunt tip wenoka.
my inflator hose has a 4" dagger point for brain scrambling when I spearfish.
For my shell suit and wet suits I have an ankle mount 6.5" blunt tip wenoka.
my inflator hose has a 4" dagger point for brain scrambling when I spearfish.
jeff aka nice-diver
#5
Scubatooth
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 08:39 PM
I currently on carry a set of EMT shears on my BC but i will be adding locking folder with cutting hook this coming year.
The one thing that i dont like is that the "EMT Shears" that are sold to divers arent even the same ones used by EMS personal. The main difference between the two is the hardness of the metal used. The ones i have on my pants are made of a very hard metal(about twice as strong as the others) and i can cut through quarters, spiderwire, and wedding bands with them. The other one is that the blades are much sharper on the ones i have. I get my shears from Galls.com or as of late i have been getting them from a drug rep who gives me a pair or two everytime i see him.
Tooth
The one thing that i dont like is that the "EMT Shears" that are sold to divers arent even the same ones used by EMS personal. The main difference between the two is the hardness of the metal used. The ones i have on my pants are made of a very hard metal(about twice as strong as the others) and i can cut through quarters, spiderwire, and wedding bands with them. The other one is that the blades are much sharper on the ones i have. I get my shears from Galls.com or as of late i have been getting them from a drug rep who gives me a pair or two everytime i see him.
Tooth
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#6
partypimp
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 08:45 PM
you call that a knife....now this is a knife.
wow always wanted to say that....i use a emt sheer and a straight knife
haven't had to use either yet...extra weight hmm......
wow always wanted to say that....i use a emt sheer and a straight knife
haven't had to use either yet...extra weight hmm......
Edited by partypimp, 23 December 2006 - 08:46 PM.
#7
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 09:09 PM
In my experience, shears aren't terribly effective. I carry a pair of tin snips and a pocket knife.
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#8
Brinybay
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 10:30 PM
I made a pouch for my shears with webbing, but I hand-sewed it together myself using a leather needle and fishing line. Maybe not as neat looking, but it's held up well and since it was crafted by my own hands, I'm rather attached to it (figuratively speaking).
Edited by Brinybay, 23 December 2006 - 10:31 PM.
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 10:35 PM
I currently on carry a set of EMT shears on my BC but i will be adding locking folder with cutting hook this coming year.
The one thing that i dont like is that the "EMT Shears" that are sold to divers arent even the same ones used by EMS personal.
Tooth
Are you referring to the ones sold in dive shops? I bought mine at a medical supply store. I was told they are also called "penny snips" because they will cut a penny in two. I've never tried it.
I also carry a Swiss made dive knife. It does NOT have a blunt tip because I don't believe in them. There's been a few times when I needed to sink the knife into the side of a piling to use as a hand old in strong current or surface chop.
Edited by Brinybay, 23 December 2006 - 11:06 PM.
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#10
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 10:53 PM
BrinyBay
yes i was referring to the ones sold in dive shops are a lower grade/quality metal then the ones EMS personel use, you just have to look for them when shopping as they are typically 7.5 ins and the blades are thicker then the sea snips sold in dive shops.
Penny, nickel, quarter it will cut them, there a good way to win some bar bets "I bet yeah ten bucks i can make that quarter two bits" and i have done that more then a few times.
Tooth
yes i was referring to the ones sold in dive shops are a lower grade/quality metal then the ones EMS personel use, you just have to look for them when shopping as they are typically 7.5 ins and the blades are thicker then the sea snips sold in dive shops.
Penny, nickel, quarter it will cut them, there a good way to win some bar bets "I bet yeah ten bucks i can make that quarter two bits" and i have done that more then a few times.
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#11
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Posted 24 December 2006 - 11:59 AM
I also go with shears.
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#12
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Posted 30 January 2007 - 09:43 AM
This is one of the simple things that anyone can carry without great expense. I have a traditional dive knife on my right leg and I would like to get a smaller one for my webbing. Being able to deploy it quickly and with either hand is a must.One item I think every diver should carry is a cutting device.
They don't weigh much, so I think redundant is better - when you need one, you will really be happy to have one handy.
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