knives vs shears

[Crimediver]

I generally cary both, but if I was limited to one it would be a BFK.

[MicahEW]

Originally Posted by NeurosurgeryNP

I carry one set of EMT shears - I am typically a cruise ship diver, and it is a big PIA to go through security with the dive knife.

sounds like a fun job

[BobbyWombat]

Originally Posted by NeurosurgeryNP

I carry one set of EMT shears - I am typically a cruise ship diver, and it is a big PIA to go through security with the dive knife.

I've read several places that "EMT" style shears are prone to break at the hinge.

Can anyone confirm/dispel this rumor based on experience?

[LiteHedded]

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

I've read several places that "EMT" style shears are prone to break at the hinge.

Can anyone confirm/dispel this rumor based on experience?

I had a pair do that.
the hinge rusted and eventually it broke in two when I tried to use them.
but I'm sure you can find shears with stainless hinges that wouldn't do that. mine were three bucks at CVS

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

I've read several places that "EMT" style shears are prone to break at the hinge.

Can anyone confirm/dispel this rumor based on experience?

Yes, they'll eventually rust and bust. You have to inspect them periodically and make sure the hinge is still strong. Fortunately, they're really cheap ($3 and less sometimes) so they're disposable... my current ones have lasted a year, although I always rinse right away, so for a $3 part that's long enough for me.

[Crimediver]

I have had 3-4 go at the hinge pin. I have thought about replacing it with a SS bolt and nut but never tried it. They are cheap but will eventually fail. Have a good knife at all times.

[BobbyWombat]

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

I've read several places that "EMT" style shears are prone to break at the hinge.

Can anyone confirm/dispel this rumor based on experience?

Originally Posted by LiteHedded

I had a pair do that.
the hinge rusted and eventually it broke in two when I tried to use them.
but I'm sure you can find shears with stainless hinges that wouldn't do that. mine were three bucks at CVS

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Yes, they'll eventually rust and bust. You have to inspect them periodically and make sure the hinge is still strong.

Originally Posted by Crimediver

I have had 3-4 go at the hinge pin. I have thought about replacing it with a SS bolt and nut but never tried it. They are cheap but will eventually fail. Have a good knife at all times.

OK, so this is why I am not a big fan of the EMT style shears. Yes they are cheap (i.e. "disposable") so no big monetary loss if they break. I would just hate for it to happen when you need them.

So that's why I went with something more robust. Unfortunately OMS stopped making their stainless shears (you can still find them, though). IST makes some that are similar.

Just my humble opinion.

-BW

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

OK, so this is why I am not a big fan of the EMT style shears. Yes they are cheap (i.e. "disposable") so no big monetary loss if they break. I would just hate for it to happen when you need them.

So that's why I went with something more robust. Unfortunately OMS stopped making their stainless shears (you can still find them, though). IST makes some that are similar.

Just my humble opinion.

-BW

I wish someone made EMT shears completely out of SS (including the hinge), but so far no luck. Titanium might be interesting as well, although I don't know how the edge would hold up, and they're not as easy to sharpen.

That said, the cheap EMT shears work just fine as long as you rinse them and replace them on a regular basis so they don't fail on you. Don't wait for them to get bad.

With a very minor amount of care (rinse within a day after every dive day) even the cheapest ones should at least last you 6 months. Replace them on the same cycle you replace the battery in your backup lights, and you shouldn't have to worry about them failing unexpectedly.

[MSilvia]

One other advantage of shears I didn't see mentioned is that they'll cut metal. I can snip a penny in half (or into a corkscrew) with mine, but I don't guess I'd have much luck if I had to cut wire with a knife.

[rfb3]

Are the Trident shears sold as ST the same "EMT" shears that have the non-stainless hinge?