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Which one?

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T

The Free Spearo

Member
Sep 1, 2013
45
4
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hello everyone

I have finally brought my self around to getting a knife for free diving and spearfishing and thought i would ask here because if anyone knows a good knife design it would be a spearo.

I personally am a large mares fan and was ecstatic to find there pure instinct knives. But I can't choose between the Mares dagger and the mares stilleto. the stilleto has a 65 millimetre blade (2.5 inches) and the dagger has a 95 millimetre blade (3.8 inches) ill put a link at the bottom so you can see what im talking about

i'm planning on using this knife for braining, cutting, and strangley enough atual fishing (just flounder its very easy)

thank you in advance for your opinions

regards

james

Knives - Pure Instinct - Mares
 
How about 2 knives? One for the arm, one for the leg.

I have an Omer Mini laser on my arm (top knife), and a slightly longer Cressi Killer knife on the inside of my calf.
 
I never thought about that! I will probably do that eventually but that's a little pricey so I will probably get one and save up for the other.

Thanks
 
Ok, if you are stuck on a Mares, then perhaps the shorter one you mention.. it looks more similar to the Omer Mini Laser... the quick release is very useful & important and the pointed tip may make it easier when dispatching your catch.
 
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I use a mini laser too, it is a great knife, the arm holster is very useful.
 
Kuya said:
How about 2 knives? One for the arm, one for the leg.

I have an Omer Mini laser on my arm (top knife), and a slightly longer Cressi Killer knife on the inside of my calf.
Click to expand...

i use this system for safety reasons. cressi killer on my arm for dispatching fish and general use an the other is a cressi vigo on my leg that i keep razor sharp and rarely use so if im tangled up in something i can get free quick and easy
 
I dont know what brand mine is I've had it for 25 years now I keep it on my leg. Mine is about a 6'' blade point on the tip if I have to stab something blade edge back serrated with a hook blade on it so if you have to cut a net or fishing line fast.
I don't like to wear it on my arm, it feels like it in the way when I'm spearing.
 
Thanks every one for you advice and input!


I've decided to get the the mares stilleto an I now have a second dilemma Do you guys know a good brand of knife straps?

thanks for your feedback and opinions!


james
 
I have a nice little stiletto for the forearm from Mako & a no-name for the waiste--it's a hacker though. Both hold good edge. And I carry a small folding spike for braining fish. No opinion on straps.
 
I use & like the Omsersub USA mini-laser (mine came with straps but I glued it to the thigh of my wetsuit pants):

It's a little bulkier than the regular mini-laser already mentioned above:

but it was a lot cheaper and I prefer its simple design. The handle is great - the sheath is so-so (unnecessarily big & bulky). By the way, the Rob Allen Limpet sheath & Pelaj Pancake sheaths for flat knives are excellent - simple, flat, reliable, unobtrusive & cheap, although you need a toggle on your knife handle to get it out .

If you are indeed stuck on Mares - I like the Snake. I believe it has/had a special end-cap (zinc?) to prevent corrosion. It's a real classic but pricey and probably much longer than you really need - but it looks great


Yes, of the ones at that Mares link, I too like the Stiletto:

It sure is priddy - actually it looks a lot like my Omersub USA mini-laser.

The mini-laser range seems to have to replaces the old Omer Hunter knife - they stopped making that just as I was about to buy one!

If you see one for sale, please let me know.

Beware of sheath clips, they are often unreliable - I lost an inexpensive but very nice dive knife because the sheath clip failed. And I'm not the only one.
 
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Biggest problem I have with knives is the locking systems always too weak or two strong, had a lovely cheap sharp Omer till today when it didn't lock in properly and is now sitting at the bottom of the ocean somewhere.

My advice, don't spend a lot, they're east to lose!
 
I lost my mini laser earlier this week when spearing at night. I can't have locked it into the holder properly after dispatching a fish.

I have ordered a new one! I had mine positioned facing down, making it easier to grab. This time I may have it on my arm the right way up. I may also put it on a small retractor. I have a backup knife (Cressi Killer) which is leash free in case I need full range of motion.
 
Mares Snake for my leg (best knife I've ever owned), small, cheap & quick release for my arm... lost so many I could've bought a trawler.

Keep them sharp and lightly oiled!
 
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artiz said:
Mares Snake for my leg (best knife I've ever owned), small, cheap & quick release for my arm... lost so many I could've bought a trawler.

Keep them sharp and lightly oiled!
Click to expand...
Love the look of the Mares snake - best looking looking spearo dagger IMHO so good to hear you like it. But I thought they were rather expensive (c. £35-£45+?). Also, they shouldn't rust (at least the old ones) as they have/had a big zinc knob on the handle for electrolytic protection - but perhaps that is not complete protection? Are they not made of stainless steel (/"inox") too?
 

It is an expensive and perhaps over hyped knife Mr X and from my experience not 100% rustproof... despite manufacturers claims & the 'electrolytic protection'. Both of mine first showed a bit of rust on the screw which the zinc butt attaches too (still the best knife I have owned though). Having never really found too much truly 100% rustproof spearo kit I disassemble & lightly oil/grease everything metal after use anyway... old habits die hard... besides spearfishing is clearly an equipment focussed activity with pedantic maintenance being just another way of extending kit life, saving cash... and avoiding disappointment in the 'field'?
 
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Yes, I know what you mean about nothing being 100% rustproof - often find rust on stainless steel knives. I rinse everything through after diving - it's a hassle but I figure necessary/sensible. I usually use a big Belfast-style sink, or failing that a bath or shower. One campsite I stayed at provided a water butt especially for cleaning wetsuits - they wanted to avoid clogging their cesspit with sand - not sure how hygienic that is though. Saw a video of some SA spearos & after they got back (with their boat), one of them led all of the railguns (about 10 of them?) out on the floor and just hosed them all down.
 
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