22 December 2008
Yes, I know. It’s still December and it just snowed in Vegas. Obviously global warming isn’t quite the problem Al Gore would like for all of us to believe, even though it appears President Elect Obama has bought into it hook, line and sinker. Perhaps Gore and Obama simply need to relax? I recommend that they both take a trip to the Florida Keys the week after Christmas and do some scuba diving. While they are there, they should also consider strapping on this dive knife from Tusa: the FK-220 Blunt. I’d recommend the spear point version, but they are, after all, politicians and it’s harder to stab each other in the back with a blunt tip.
One of the features that attracted me to this knife was the advertised ability to be disassembled easily for cleaning. I've always felt it funny - in a sad kind of way - that many divers don't feel the need to clean their knives as well as their regulators, BCDs, etc; much like they don't rinse of their lead weights. Lead won't rust but steel will eventually. I guess their thinking is that, since it's steel, they don't have to maintain it. The FK210 and 220, hereinafter referred only as FK220 (because that's the one I actually tested) can both be taken apart so that they can be cleaned, dried and reassembled.
Before I go further I should delineate the differences between the FK210 and the FK220. They aren't vast. There are in fact only two:
- The FK210 has a spear point compared to the FK220's blunt tip
- The FK210's blade length is about 1/2" shorter than the FK220
Both are delivered in the same sheath and use a push-button locking mechanism that holds the handle, right at the hilt, to keep it locked in. A touch on the button (OK, AND a slight push) releases the knife for use. The sheat is delivered with two straps, but I usually don't use those as I prefer to have the knife mounted on my bouyancy control vest. The knife can be had with a blue handle, black handle, silver or yellow handle - just in case you like to accessorize in style.
So I had the FK 220 for test and review. I prefer a blunt tip on my dive knife because I like to be able to use it to pry things. Oddly enough, although I like having this feature, I haven't used it (that I can remember) on any dive. Since I've been diving about 21 years that may be saying something about the need for a pry tip on your dive knife. But I know what I like, and I'm sticking with it - even if history doesn't support my perceived need.
The FK220 features a double edged blade - one side plain edge, the other edge serrated - and a "gut hook" which is excllent for quickly snaring line (that's snaring you) and cutting it. The hard steel pommel can be used to hammer (as if we need that underwater) or to tap on your tank or other metal object to get the attention of your dive buddy.
Since it's a knife you know I had to test the blade to see how well it would cut. Just like I would with a knife meant for camping or "survival" use, I headed out to my shed to see what I had on hand. My supplies of stuff to cut are running low - I'll have to stock up. Still, I had string, twine, nylon boating roap (that ugly yellow stuff), 1/2" cotton rope, some paracord and some 1" nylong web on hand. I also, and it seemed important in the case of testing a dive knife, had some 120' fishing line.
The knife cut through them all with no issues - although the yellow nylon boating roap took some sawing with the serrated edge. It cut quicly enough for me to be happy with it. The grip of the knife was comfortable in my hand as it's textured and curved to be easily held when wet. Of course, that thought made me realize that I should be doing the test with both my hand and the knife wet, so I did the cutting while holding everything under the garden hose. (Damn that water was cold! It IS December!). Holding the knife didn't prove a problem. The cutting chores were accomplished with as much ease and speed as when everything was dry.
Now some knives have gotten pretty pricey but this one, with it's blade made of 420SS, can be found online for as little as $24.95. I haven't had the chance to take it on actual dives yet (my next trip is scheduled for April if all goes well) but if any issues crop up, I'll be sure to report it promptly.
Dive safe!