Best Dive Knife Reviews in 2023

Dive knives are designed to last for a long time. Hence, they are normally made from forged steel and come without any serration. Moreover, fixed blade knives are by and large more flexible and have thicker blades than other types of knives. However, you will need to be ready to pay a little extra for the best dive knife with a fixed blade.

Plus, if you do decide on buying a fixed blade best dive knife then verify that the blade is full tang, as this will drastically increase the balance and lifespan of the knife. Furthermore, think about the size of the dive knife that you would like to have. Because, if the knife blade ends up too long then it might create problems while you’re carrying it cinched on your belt or in the backpack.

On the other hand, if the blade is too short then you might not be able to cut and chop things such as thick tree branches. Additionally, look for a medium-sized handle as a smaller one can potentially cause blisters on the hands. Contrarily, a large handle can make the dive knife too big to put on your swimsuit holster.

Lastly, look for stainless steel blades that are durable and have been well-reviewed by the customers. For instance, carbon-coated stainless steel is very unlikely to bend or break even when a lot of force is exerted on the knife.

Top 9 Best Dive Knife Reviews in 2023

Promate Snorkel Scuba Dive Knife

This model of Promate Scuba dive knife is made with a crafted handle and forged steel that makes this knife one of the best dive knife on the American market of knives. However, the handle is made out of grip rubber and hard plastic casing hence this knife is perfect for use underwater and on board with slippery hands.

The blade is very sharp out of the box, however, will need regular sharpening with the right sharpener. The handle is comfortable to use and keeps the whole knife in great balance allowing you to use it in a number of settings.

Cressi Borg Long Blade Diving Knife

Customers have reported the handle of this dive knife to be very easy to grip without limiting any wrist movements of the user. Moreover, the blade has been forged from Japanese stainless steel while the full tang design will ensure the blade does not separate from the handle.

Furthermore, it has a durable and non-serrated sharp blade that you would not need to sharpen as many customers have reported that it is sharp right out of the packaging box. However, some customers did report the blade rusting if it will not be immediately rinsed in freshwater.

BOffer Scuba Diving Knife

Searching for the best dive knife, I came across this rugged beauty. To be honest, this looks like the knife equivalent of a shark, with visibly sharp, acute angles, serration, and a dangerous-looking tip. The dark blade is made of 420C stainless steel and comes ready enough to cut right out of the box.

Aside from being sharp, you’ll find that this knife also comes well oiled. While it’s common sense to wash your dive knife with fresh water, wipe it dry and spray with oil before storing, many skip the steps and end up with rust spots. Make sure you don’t forget to do these and this BOffer knife will serve you for a long time.

The handle of this knife is paracord wrapped, which also makes it suitable to be used as a survival knife. However, you might want to modify the extras that come with it, namely: the plastic sheath and the straps. Without modification, they probably won’t assist you in diving.

However, despite a couple of pitfalls, I’d say this is the best scuba knife in this price range. It’s extremely affordable, and if you tinker with the sheaths and straps a little, and re-wrap the paracord, you can expect amazing performance from the whole set.

Scubapro Mako Titanium Dive Knife

A beautiful Scuba Pro dive knife made from the durable one-piece blade and ergonomically designed handle for added stability and balance. The blade is very sharp and great for small tasks underwater plus the handle is made from light material that will help maintain a good grip and will not slip.

Lastly, the manufacturer has ensured that this particular best dive knife has an extra sharp blade thanks to the thin layer of titanium thus it can be used to even cut thick ropes underwater.

Aqua Lung Tip Scuba Dive Knife

A beautiful Aqua Lung dive knife that is priced fairly adequately especially when you think about its supreme quality and performance ability. However, the handle of this dive knife is made from premium ribbed plastic that makes this beautiful dive knife virtually anti-slip.

The extra-wide stainless blade enables you to have much better control of the dive knife, especially underwater however you will need to rinse it after every use because otherwise it could potentially rust and corrode due to the saltwater.

Thresher Dive Supply Titanium Dive Knife

Since rusting and corrosion happens really fast to a tool that you regularly dunk in saltwater, titanium diving knives seem like a great choice. For that reason, this titanium alloy Thresher dive knife is virtually indestructible and you couldn’t get it to rust even if you tried. Not only is the blade corrosion-resistant, but it’s also lightweight and sturdy.

The clip point blade has serration almost the entire length of the spine, and there’s also a cord-cutting notch slightly above the handle, right before the cutting edge starts. The biggest lure for me though was the titanium end cap on the handle, and the handle itself. It’s a big, grippy, and ergonomic rubber handle that’ll fit no matter what size your hands are.

And knocking the end cap against your tank would alert your friends when you need it. There’s also a lanyard handle if you need it. There are some downsides though, such as the unusual balance point and that the knife needs sharpening before you can take it out on a dive. But overall, this is the best titanium dive knife to take with you on a scuba diving trip.

Atomic Aquatics Ti6 Scuba Diving Knife

Atomic Aquatics is a very beautiful and sleek dive knife with a durable blade and an anti-slip handle that makes it great for water. Furthermore, this knife is very easy to clean and maintain as you would only need to rinse it after every use and periodically sharpen it on a special knife sharpener for best results.

Also, think about where exactly you are going to store this dive knife when it will be not in use because the blade can very easily get damaged and scuffed if precautions are not taken. Overall, this best dive knife has been reported to be a very durable and reliable tool in the kitchen for housewives and cooking amateurs alike.

Tusa Titanium Best Dive Knife

TUSA titanium coated dive knife is designed from carbon-coated stainless steel that has been reported to be very strong and durable consequently withstanding harsh use in salty water. However, it is only a half tang blade and this means that the handle can get wobbly after some time.

Customers have reported the handle of this dive knife to be very easy to grip without limiting any wrist movements of the user. Moreover, the blade has been forged from German stainless steel while the full tang design will ensure the blade does not separate from the handle.

Snake Eye Tactical Dive Knife ll

While I often prefer a blunt-tip dive knife over pointy ones, this spear-point knife is impossible to ignore. This double-edged stainless steel dive knife is deeply serrated on part of the blade and does the job of a cord cutter astonishingly well. A lot of users proclaim it to be the best dive knife when properly cared for.

The handle on this full tang knife is basically an extension of the blade, and therefore it’s easy to keep it clean. While it’s easy enough to grip, I’d suggest you wrap some paracord around it for more secure handling. The one thing that makes this knife look more expensive than it is, is the sheath with its release button.

The button is very convenient and works wonderfully. However, the straps to hold this to your body might need some tinkering, as it’s a bit too short to strap around thighs. However, for all its features, I should say it’s easily the best dive knife under $50.

How to Clean Dive Knives After Saltwater?

Dive knives need special care routines and if these routines will be followed correctly then an average dive knife will serve you for decades to come. Firstly, dive knives are best washed under a stream of running tap water with little dish soap right after diving as such action will ensure that the blade does not rust or corrode.

If you do notice rust spots do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals but instead soak the knife in the vinegar solution and rub the spot with baking soda for the best result. Also, make sure to rinse thoroughly and then dry the blade with a clean cloth so as to prevent the rusting from occurring again.

Furthermore, even if you will be just washing the knife make sure to dry it anyway using a clean towel right after the wash and never leave the knife to dry on its own. Moreover, you might want to sew a special sheath or buy a knife storing box if the knife was bought without these accessories. Lastly, always check what kind of sharpeners your particular dive knife requires.

Why Is Serrated Dive Knife Not the Best Choice?

Most professional divers and avid collectors admit that it is very rare that you will need a serrated knife in the water. Serrated knives have a much shorter life span when compared to regular blades mainly because serrated knives are hard to sharpen. Plus, the process of sharpening serrated knives damages the blade with time.

Moreover, it can be very hard to find just the right knife sharpener for serrated knives because they cannot be sharpened using regular knife sharpeners. Serrated knives need a specially designed sharpener that is not just hard to find but also cost much more than a regular one.

Furthermore, serrated blades can also be hard to clean and maintain plus serrated blades are also harder to store as you would need to assign their own space away from the rest of the knives. On the other hand, flat edges are much easier to take care of and will often just need regular cleaning and once a year sharpening provided you use the knife often.

Moreover, today’s market has a wide range of flat edge dive knives including half and full tang blades. A solution to this problem could be buying a half-serrated knife as these knives only have serration towards the front of the blade and not in the middle.

With such knives, you can use serrated blades only when needed. Other times you could use it as a simple flat edge knife. Lastly, always buy knives that come with a warranty even if it is just the regular 30-day warranty. This will give you a chance to communicate with the manufacturer and ask for a replacement knife.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What Are the Benefits of Using a Dive Knife?

A: The most popular advantage of a dive knife is preventing an attack of creatures while you are underwater. In case a creature attacks you, you can scare it away by having a good dive knife. If your life is in danger, you can use it to thrust a water creature. Therefore, a dive knife can save your life underwater.

Q: How Can I Properly Take Care of My Dive Knife?

A: After using your dive knife underwater, you need to clean it, especially if you used it in saltwater. It is recommended to wash your knife using fresh water and allow it to dry before returning it to its sheath. If you find any dirt, you can clean it using soap and water, wash it off using freshwater, and wait for it to dry.

If you plan not to use your dive knife for quite some time or you want to store it for some time, you can put a thin layer of any oil onto your knife. Moreover, you ought to sharpen your knife as needed.

Q: Should I Get a Stainless Steel or Titanium Dive Knife?

A: Here are some of the points you can consider. Dive knives made of titanium can resist corrosion better than stainless steel dive knives. The titanium ones are virtually rust-proof. Because there is no carbon in them, they do not oxidize.

Moreover, they are also more durable and lighter. Stainless steel dive knives can also resist rust, but they are not as durable and light as titanium knives. This makes them more affordable.

Conclusion

Manufacturers usually make the best dive knives between 2 and 3.5 inches long. Because of their balanced handles, they are comfortable to hold and use. However, all knives require attention and careful cleaning because the blade can be easily scratched or scuffed. Plus if you don’t dry it immediately after washing it might rust.