Sidekick Diver

A lot of dive knives function as emergency gear that often dull after just a few uses. Designed for divers who rely on their gear in critical moments, the Sidekick Diver maintains its edge through heavy work. Whether you are dispatching a fish or freeing yourself from entangled lines, this knife stays ready.

Why the Sidekick Diver deserves a spot in your kit

• N690 stainless steel: keeps a sharp edge and offers good rust resistance during long sessions in saltwater.
• Large contoured G10 handles: provide a secure grip even when wet or when wearing gloves.
• Blade geometry: includes a fine tip for dispatching fish and a serrated edge for slicing rope.
• Integrated line cutter on the spine: helps clear debris from your path while protecting your main edge.
• Black Powder coat finish: adds a secondary layer of protection against corrosion.

Ana Espinoza designed this blade for our annual employee design challenge. It was built with a different approach than most dive gear. Instead of chasing maximum corrosion resistance at the expense of performance, it was designed to function as a high-quality cutting tool first. We wanted a knife that held an edge well but was also easy to sharpen and we wanted a steel that had good rust resistance. To validate that balance, prototypes were run through repeated saltwater cycles. Fully sheathed knives were soaked in high-salinity brine, then left to air dry without rinsing to simulate real neglect between dives. This is where corrosion actually accelerates, when saltwater dries and sits on the steel and hardware.

That testing mindset carries into the final product. This is not a knife meant to sit untouched until an emergency. It is built to be used, sharpened, and trusted every time you hit the water. It delivers long-term performance where a lot of dive knives fall short.

Pre-Dive Make sure the knife is clean. Apply oil and/or blade care products (like TOPS Blade Sauce) to the blade to help repel water for as long as possible once it comes into contact with water.

Post-Dive Clean the knife and its sheath thoroughly as soon as possible after use. Soap and water are great. Or use mild solvents – window cleaner works well for cleaning G10 and blades. Before putting the knife back in its sheath make sure that the blade and the inside of the sheath are completely dry. The most common culprit of rust on a blade is having it sit inside its sheath with moisture present. Reapply oil and/or blade care products (like TOPS Blade Sauce).

Long-term storage It is recommended that when a knife is going to be stored long-term without use to place them in a temperature and humidity-controlled area if possible. Also, the knife should not be inside the sheath for long-term storage.

Made in the USA with imported steel (N690 is produced in Europe).