what are the pros and cons ????

It is a diving knife. Good for prying up treasure, LOL.
cheers

Do you mean true chisel tips ( such as the diving knife mentioned for taking abalone?) or the western take on a TANTO? With both you lose the forward sweep needed for making featherstick kindling. Contrary to folklore, a Tanto is no more efficient as a penetrating point than other properly designed and produced blades. It was made for the secondary ability to penetrate tough bamboo armor in a discipline that emphasizes slashing manuevers.

In my opinion, a dive knife is one of those tools designed for a pretty specific use and falls quite short when used outside that intention.

The chisel tip of a dive knife is good for prying (e.g., shellfish from the rocks). Prying like that, a point tip is much more likely to break off. Diving, I personally haven't found great need for a point tip. James Bond may have a different opinion on that statement, but I try to avoid underwater confrontation. Most dive knives (like the knife pictured in your example) also have a line cutting hook near the handle designed for cutting fishing line should a diver become entangled.

The big con with a dive knife is most of them are kind of a rough tool. The chisel point does not do a great job on fine work like preparing food or tinder. There are many, many, many better options for non-water applications than a dive knife.

Bottom line, a dive knife is a great tool for use in water. Once you leave the aquatic world... it will probably be more frustration.

Hope this helps.

m

PROS - If it meets your needs it will work fine. There are some tasks I wish I had a light duty chisel tip. The Razel and the Spec Plus SP8 both have chisel tips.

CONS - Often the steel used in salt water favors corrosion resistance over sharpening and holding a good edge.

Hey thanks everyone. I havent thought of the rust-resistance over the material toughness.

When I saw the design, I though: this is a knife & a mini pry bar in one. It would be helpful in moving debris in case of earthquake , or digging through soft earth ..etc.

It maybe a bit safer for younger ones too.

Most important, it looks more on the "tool" side rather than the "weapon" side.

Not meaning to burst your bubble, NightHiker, but your link doesn't work. Here's the revised link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2561346.html