Cutting Tools – Choosing the right one

In this post I would like to share my thoughts and opinions on the various cutting tools available and where is best to store these during a dive. The photo is my selection which I am going to talk through, and will talk about each one in general terms. In my view it is always wise to carry at least 2 different types of cutting tools. I normally carry the first 3 on every dive. No 4 only comes with me if I specifically need it for the dive objective,

1) Medical Shears: If I could only take one cutting tool, shears would be my choice every time. They can be used one handed (most of the others require you to hold the object with the other hand). Can cut most stuff from fishing line, to webbing, to thin rope. Due to the nature of them being scissors cutting can be extremely accurate. Its difficult to hurt yourself with them or a buddy unless you trap your fingers. Due to the blunt end they are also great at cutting people out of BCDs/Harness, Dry and Wet suits. They are extremely cheap at a couple of quid so no tears if lost or broken. Down side to them is the pivot pin, which does tend to rust over a period of time. Which is not an issue as mentioned above cheap to replace. If the pin does break on you, you can still half the shears as a sort of knife.
You can get Hybrid versions which is mainly a knife, which would seem like a good idea, however they only add a couple of the benefits above, but come with all the negatives of a large knife. All the versions I have seen are spring loaded, meaning that the jaws will open if the catch is knocked off which just looks like an accident waiting to happen.
Storage: Waist Strap, Shoulder Strap (Keep clear of D-Rings), Outside of Pocket / Pouch, Inside pocket (If I am carrying them in a pocket – You could keep them outside a sheaf by either putting some masking tape round them to keep them close – very easy to break or wrap bungee around the other end to act as a closing spring). Ideally they should be placed within easy reach (Torso/Arms area). I keep mine on the outside of my bum pouch (will share more about that in another discussion). Whatever you do don’t attach it to a D-Ring by a clip as it will add clutter to the ring and will flap about under water.

Safety Cutter: These things are great with some being more compact then others and can be extremely sharp. Similar to the shears these can be used one handed, however you may need to use the other hand to put tension on the object you are cutting. They are great at cutting fishing line, webbing and thin cord (anything that will fit in the gap). These can also cut people out of suits quicker than any other the tools, hook it in at the neck and just pull it all the way down the body.  Unless you have the smallest of fingers and then try to wedge them into the gap you are not going to cause any harm with this cutting tool. Only downside to them is due to the opening you are restricted on the size of item you want to cut.
Storage: Anywhere there is webbing, and it is very common now to see divers add these to their dive computer straps (just be warned they a stiff to pull out, so will put additional strain on the strap a solution to this to have a separate bungee for it). Again should be easy to reach. Mine I permanently fixed to the loop on my crotch strap as the difference in location is negligible, however being permanently fixed I can’t ever forget it. As per shears try to resist just clipping them to a d-ring to float about.

Small Blunt Knife: Small I mean 2 or 3 inches total. I use this as less of a cutting tool more of a tool for brute force jobs such as cutting thick rope, bending things open and that sort of thing. It does very much take 2 hands to use, as you will need to create tension on the object with the other hand, if not will not cut. You can cut up to medium size rope but it all requires a sawing action to cut. If sharp it can be easy to cut yourself or your buddy, but the blunt end reduces the chance of stabbing.  You will be able to use it cut some one out of a suit but you will most likely cut them in the process (especially if trying to do it quickly) Storage: Again on webbing, shoulder, on BCD pockets etc. Mine is attached to by BCD inflation hose and stays there permanently. Easy to reach and use, but be careful when replacing it not to puncture a hose, suit etc. (hence the blunt end).

Large Knife: For me, I don’t think these have a place in the majority of today’s recreational diving but are the most common. I normally make the joke “You only carry these in case you come across an aggressive hungry shark, where you take it out, stab your buddy, swim to safety and tell the tale how your buddy sacrificed his life to save yours”. Sorry I will now get back to being objective! As per the small knife, these are normally for tackling specific objectives that normally require force and leverage hence my comment about not needed for general diving. While the knife can be used for many of the examples above, it will not perform as well as the others. Very much in diving it choosing the right tool for the job. Another use for this type of knife is in the hunting arena. It will have the same disadvantages of the other blunt knifes but with the additional issue of stabbing someone. An example I give is imagine you are trapped in a net (around your head), there is a swell so you are moving about a bit, its the UK so viz is a meter or 2, which would you be more comfortable to see? Your buddy swimming up with his huge knife out to cut you free or a pair of shears?
Storage: Arms, Waist Webbing, BCD/Dry suit Pockets (inside or out). I would suggest changing out the rubber straps that easily split to either bungee or thin webbing. In my view having one on your leg is the worst idea ever, as it becomes a huge entanglement issue. I have lost count of people I have seen caught in nets, kelp, catching it as they swim through a structure, catch it on coral etc. They are hard to reach in an emergency and are a real safety issue with weight belts. We have all seen divers with lose weight belts or belts being opened accidentally. Imagine a weight belt slipping down the legs of a diver, getting caught on the knife, this could potentially tie up their legs removing their ability to swim. This could happen in an emergency if the buddy didn’t fully release the belt properly. If you really want to carry a knife on your leg, i would strongly recommend strapping it to the inside. It reduces the issues above slightly and is actually easier to reach for most people.

I hope you enjoyed the read, and look forward to hearing other people’s thoughts on this topic. Always keen to learn about things I don’t know or never thought of.