knives vs shears

[MicahEW]

I see a lot of divers carry shears and it seem to me that when in a hurry shears would take longer to cut ( and sometimes dont cut all the way) vs a knife that would take less time. if tangled a knife would be best right??

[Chad]

Shears are a little safer and they cut through nylon webbing faster than a knife. I carry both but I consider the knife best for fishing line and prying and shears for webbing and thicker material. In the end either one should be able to get you out of an entanglement.

[WaScubaDude]

You can use the shears to cut your buddy out of his/her suit in the event of a shark bite, heart attack etc.

[rfb3]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

You can use the shears to cut your buddy out of his/her suit in the event of a shark bite, heart attack etc.

This is a reason for shears I had not considered.... As a newly registered EMT, I may have to get a pair.

[BobbyWombat]

I had the same question and started a thread on it here:
Poll: Dive Knife vs. Diving Shears???


Here is my summary from that thread of the discussion. Feel free to comment/debate as you see fit.

Diving Shears
Pros-
1. Easier for cutting monofilament line
2. Less risk of injuring yourself in the process of using it
3. Easy to cut one handed
4. Faster & Safer for cutting webbing

Cons-
1. Harder to manipulate with gloves on (can be dropped when grip relaxed)
2. Not ideal for cutting thick line such as rope

Dive knife
Pros-
1. Serrated edge can be used to saw through thicker material
2. Easy to use and hang on to with gloves (maintain positive grasp during use)
3. Spade tip allows for prying, if necessary
4. Easily cuts thin line, if line is held tight

Cons-
1. Not always easy to cut one handed (usually one hand needed to hold the material to be cut)
2. Higher risk of cutting yourself
3. Not allowed at some dive sites (to keep divers from prying open mussels, for instance)

"Z Knife"
Pros-
1. Great (possibly best?) for cutting thin line and webbing
2. Can be used rather easily with gloves on
3. Lightweight
4. Small

Cons-
1. Need two hands to cut unless the material is taut
2. Razor blade can corrode and dull faster than normal knife if not properly maintained (but is easily replaceable)

Fogcutter
Pros-
1. The best of both worlds: a knife and a pair of shears

Cons-
1. You wind up with a decent knife and a bad pair of shears
2. Difficult to manipulate with gloves on
3. Two tools, yes, but no redundancy

[BobbyWombat]

The right answer for me is to carry both a knife and a pair of shears. I keep them separated, but accessible by either hand.

[rfb3]

Very nice summary, Bobby! Thanks!

[MicahEW]

Sorry probably should have searched before I made the same post...

[mm_dm]

Originally Posted by MicahEW

Sorry probably should have searched before I made the same post...

No biggie, it's kinda quiet this time of year. I carry at least two cutters. I space them around the harness so I can grab at least one. I try to have one on each side of the waiststrap and one up on a shoulder strap when I've got it kitted out the way I like. Fishing line is the usual culprit, but sometimes it's line from someone's reel or mapping project. That stuff seems to have a mind of its' own underwater, especially when you start to move..it reacts to the current created from your water movement and kinda snakes around. The more you move, the worse it seems to get.

[MicahEW]

Originally Posted by mm_dm

No biggie, it's kinda quiet this time of year. I carry at least two cutters. I space them around the harness so I can grab at least one. I try to have one on each side of the waiststrap and one up on a shoulder strap when I've got it kitted out the way I like. Fishing line is the usual culprit, but sometimes it's line from someone's reel or mapping project. That stuff seems to have a mind of its' own underwater, especially when you start to move..it reacts to the current created from your water movement and kinda snakes around. The more you move, the worse it seems to get.

I have noticed that it is pretty quiet lately.