Dive Knife Maintenance

[Michael Purcell]

I have an IST knife
http://www.istsports.com/product/product-list.asp?mastockPa=KNIVE

It has been abused. It has a fair amount of rust.
The knife looks like it is meant to come apart but I can't get it apart and am wondering if it is due to corrosion or whether it was never meant to come apart.

There is a peg in the handle that you can pry out. I also wonder whether the end is meant to unscrew and the blade slide out. (no sliding happening these days)

[Badders (Dave)]

The knives on that page which look like they have inserts in the handle, look like they should come to bits.

Which knife is the same style as yours?

Badders

[Michael Purcell]

The blunt version of this:

http://shop.divebooty.com/prodimages/lg/5964.jpg

[Badders (Dave)]

From the pic I really don't know if it's supposed to come out, If that peg goes through the blade it really should though.

If it was mine, I would get the trusty WD40 and give it a good soaking, then clamp the blade in to a vice (in some cloth or between some wood blocks)
Then gently manipulate it with a great big hammer.
Leaving it to soak in WD for a day or so could help.

Badders

[PeteM]

The blunt version of this:

http://shop.divebooty.com/prodimages/lg/5964.jpg


Lever out the D shaped piece of plastic on each side of the handle.
Unscrew the pommel.
Blade should slide out of handle


Alternatively...


Leave Knife at home
Buy a pair of trauma sheers for £2.50 which are far better at cutting the sort of stuff you are likely to get tangled up in underwater
When sheers go rusty throw away and buy a new pair

[PeteM]

From the pic I really don't know if it's supposed to come out, If that peg goes through the blade it really should though.

If it was mine, I would get the trusty WD40 and give it a good soaking, then clamp the blade in to a vice (in some cloth or between some wood blocks)
Then gently manipulate it with a great big hammer.
Leaving it to soak in WD for a day or so could help.

Badders

I've got one, it does come apart but not in the way you describe. Well to be technical yes it does come apart in that way but not if you want it to go back together again afterwards

[Michael Purcell]

Thanks for the help with the knife, I will give it another shot. I thought that end piece had to screw out. I don't think it actually is going to though. :) I will try the WD40 soak and then try again.

As for the sheers I do have a pair. (And also another small knife) The reason I have this knife (and also part of the reason it has fallen into such disrepair) is that I don't have an umbilical torch so I use this knife as the pivot for my (primary) long hose. I could tuck it in the harness but I find having it tucked under the knife is a better alternative for me.

[PeteM]

The reason I have this knife (and also part of the reason it has fallen into such disrepair) is that I don't have an umbilical torch so I use this knife as the pivot for my (primary) long hose. I could tuck it in the harness but I find having it tucked under the knife is a better alternative for me.

I've always found that it does not need a specific pivot, hose goes down between the wing and right cylinder and that is enough to keep it in the right place.

Regarding the knife, I would not bother with WD40, not ideal for this. Take the plastic pins out, put it in a vice or otherwise wedge it so the point is straight up then drip penetrating oil down both sides of the blade. WD40 does not tend to run as well so is not likely to get get between the pommel and the blade whereas penetrating oil will run straight down and get exactly where you want it. Try the oil on little and often over a few days

[Hamish]

Hi,

Just as a bit of info, I have a small knife which is attached to my BC. It has been there for 8 years and still looks as good as new.

The secret which is no secret at all, is to take it out after each trip (not each dive) and clean it off then cover it in vaseline. This I have done since buying it to replace my BIG knife which I wore on my leg previousely, this knife also still looks like new as it was given the same treatment.

I have just returned from a weeks Red Sea diving (very slaty water) where my BCD and knife were each soaked 2 or 3 times a day and then left in my box on the boat in between without looking at. In fact I did not take it out until I got home and gave my kit it's usual maintenance going over. My knife of course was taken out the old vaseline cleaned off and a new smearing applied.

So if you want to aviod the dreaded rusticles, get yourself a jar of vaseline and give it some tender loving care.

Regards

Hamish