BEST DIVE KNIVES 2023

Like quite a few saltwater knives on our list, the Cressi Skorpion Dive Knife comes in two different models: one with a pointed tip and one with a blunt tip. The blade – made from high grade Japanese stainless steel – holds a lethal edge and is better than most other steel knives on the market. This Cressi knife has a serrated edge as well as a straight edge and a line cutter that plows through monofilament. With its signature comfortable grip, it is ideal for scuba divers and spearfishermen. The knife is versatile, functional, and comes at a reasonable price.

BRAND: CRESSI
BLADE MATERIAL: Steel
BEST SUITED FOR: Scuba
EDGE TYPE: Both serrated and straight
SHEATH/STRAP: Yes
CORROSION RESISTANT: No

Spyderco dive knives have an excellent reputation, and the Spyderco Atlantic Serrated Edge Knife is no exception. It incorporates a folding design, and it is ideal for use on the dive boat or discreetly tucked away in your BCD pocket. The serrated edge will easily handle fishing lines and ropes. The sheep foot design means it is easy to open one-handed. Due to the lack of a strap, it is not ideal for spearfishing.

BRAND: SPYDERCO
BLADE MATERIAL: Steel
BEST SUITED FOR: Scuba
EDGE TYPE: Serrated
SHEATH/STRAP: Not Included
CORROSION RESISTANT: No

The Cressi Borg Stainless Steel Divers Knife is an absolute beast, sporting a colossal 5.5-inch (14 cm) blade. This Cressi dive knife is robust and comes as either a pointed tip or a blunt tip. Both edges can handle any tasks, especially the serrated edge which can be used to saw through ropes most other knives would struggle with. The knife comes with a high-quality rubber handle that is very comfortable and provides plenty of grip. Due to its large size, it is not ideal for scuba diving but is perfect as a spearfishing knife.

BRAND: CRESSI
BLADE MATERIAL: Steel
BEST SUITED FOR: Spearfishing
EDGE TYPE: Both serrated and straight
SHEATH/STRAP: Yes
CORROSION RESISTANT: No

This small compact knife with a 3-inch blade boasts some great innovation in its release mechanism. All you need to do is squeeze the colored tabs and the knife releases; there is no need to fumble with buttons anymore. With a serrated edge, a straight edge and a monofilament cutter it will slice through everything from fishing line to medium thickness ropes. Additionally, its blunt tip is an excellent tool for prying and chipping. So for the casual diver – not looking to break the bank – the Aqua Lung Squeeze Lock is a sage choice.

BRAND: AQUA LUNG
BLADE MATERIAL: Steel
BEST SUITED FOR: Scuba
EDGE TYPE: Both Serrated and Straight
SHEATH/STRAP: Sheath but No Strap
CORROSION RESISTANT: No

The Tusa X-Pert II is an immensely practical tool. The knife includes a line cutter as well as a serrated edge and a flat edge and tackles most tasks with ease. The quality plastic sheath has a release button attached, while the knife itself has a rubber handle that is very comfortable and easy to grip.

BRAND: TUSA
BLADE MATERIAL: Titanium
BEST SUITED FOR: Scuba & Spearfishing
EDGE TYPE: Both Serrated and Straight
SHEATH/STRAP: Both sheath and strap
CORROSION RESISTANT: Yes

This is a big knife with plenty of cutting power courtesy of a razor-sharp edge on both the straight and serrated edges of the knife. The incorporated line cutter also makes easy work of fishing lines. The blade and handle are relatively thick and are matt color. Although it is a Titanium knife, it does seem to be able to hold an edge for longer than similar blades. Due to its size, the Barracuda knife can handle most tasks that spearfishermen or scuba divers throw at it, with relative ease.

BRAND: PROMATE
BLADE MATERIAL: Titanium
BEST SUITED FOR: Scuba & Spearfishing
EDGE TYPE: Both Serrated and Straight
SHEATH/STRAP: Both sheath and strap
CORROSION RESISTANT: Yes

The ScubaPro Mako Titanium is a great compact Scubapro knife that mounts easily to your low-pressure inflator hose. It has a straight edge, a line cutter, and a serrated edge. The unique angled design of the blade tip means it combines both the strengths of a pointed blade and a blunt tip mako knife. The sheath has a seamless release mechanism, and the ergonomic handle is comfortable and provides substantial grip. While it is a prudent knife choice amongst scuba divers, it is also great for spearfishermen looking for a more compact option.

BRAND: SCUBAPRO
BLADE MATERIAL: Titanium
BEST SUITED FOR: Scuba
EDGE TYPE: Both serrated and straight
SHEATH/STRAP: Yes
CORROSION RESISTANT: Yes

The Aqua Lung Argonaut Titanium Knife is a minimalist and highly functional Aqualung dive knife that comes in two designs: a pointed tip called the Spartan, and a blunt or chisel tip. The blade is coated in EDP making corrosion virtually impossible, while the handle comprises cord wrapped around the tang. Removing the cord reveals gaps in the knife handle that can double as small hex spanners. With a serrated and straight-edge it can deal with most tasks efficiently. The knife is perfect for scuba diving and spearfishing, although it most certainly is not cheap.

BRAND: AQUA LUNG
BLADE MATERIAL: Titanium
BEST SUITED FOR: Scuba & Spearfishing
EDGE TYPE: Both serrated and straight
SHEATH/STRAP: Yes
CORROSION RESISTANT: Yes

BLADE DESIGN:  Functionality and blade design go hand in hand with the best dive knife. So while a more straightforward knife can look more elegant, the added functionality of well thought out extra features most certainly has its place. A serrated blade is much more efficient at cutting through thicker ropes underwater than a traditional edge. Also, many diving knives have a small hook-like cutting shape integrated into the blade. This type of cutting tool is best suited to cutting through monofilament and fishing line. It is always wisest to choose a knife with versatile cutting options.

BLADE MATERIAL:  There are two types of blade material available on the market: stainless steel or titanium. The critical difference between a titanium knife vs. a steel knife is corrosion resistance. Titanium knives almost never rust, while even the best steel saltwater knives will corrode with time, if not rigorously maintained.

Steel knives need to be washed in fresh water and dried after every dive. You can reduce the amount of maintenance by coating your knife with a thin layer of silicone lubricant. This coat prevents the water from getting to the blade and stops rust. You will have to reapply the silicone on a regular basis.

BLADE TIP AND DESIGN: Scuba knives come with two distinct tip designs, a blunt tip or a more traditional pointed one. A blunt tip knife is very functional when it comes to prying and can even double as a screwdriver in a pinch. Intuitively, a less pointed knife is of little use when it comes to piercing materials. Consider also that – in some countries – pointed knives of a certain size are entirely illegal. Having one in your checked baggage at the airport could cause a nasty encounter.

KNIFE STRAP AND LOCATION:  Your choice of knife strap and mounting position are critical considerations and should differ relative to the type of diving you intend on. If your knife is inaccessible, then why keep it at all. There are three main mounting positions for dive knives: on the leg, on the low-pressure inflator hose, or on your waistband if you wear a BCD with a webbing harness.

Where you place your knife will depend on the situations you encounter that would require the use of a knife. A prudent option is to mount it on your inflator hose since you are pretty much guaranteed to have access to it regardless of the situation. Alternatively, if you are tangled up in monofilament or fishing net, you may not be able to reach a knife on your calf.

One key safety issue is that if you decide to mount the knife on your calf, it is crucial that the knife is placed on the inside of your calf and not the outside. First, on the outside, the protruding knife handle is a substantial entanglement hazard. Next, if you have a significant emergency requiring you to ditch your weight-belt to surface, there is always a chance that the falling belt could get hooked on the knife as it makes its way down your leg. This would leave worse off than you before you dropped your weight belt. You’d be facing an emergency weighed down to the ocean floor with a complicated air dump on your hand. So if you do plan on going the calf-mounting route, mount the knife on the inside of your calf.

BIGGER DOES NOT MEAN BETTER:  When it comes to the best dive knife, bigger does not mean better. Historically divers carried large knives because many were taught to dive in the military;  large knives, built for combat, were a natural part of their gear. So forget size, when it comes to diving knives, practicality is the name of the game.

OUR TAKE:  Before choosing a dive knife or spearfishing knife, a good idea is to inventory the style and type of diving you are doing. Based on your experience, make a list of features that you want your knife to be able to do. Once you have your list of requirements start working through our top scuba knives for 2020 and find the one that matches most or all of your needs.