Diving knife--antique?

[Deleted]

Howdy,

I picked up a diving knife from I don't know where and some initial sleuthing on the Web indicates it dates from the '60's Cousteau days somewhere. It has a bright yellow handle, finger guard, and is stamped "Aquadag", LA Spirotechnique, made in France. I have a pic posted at www.munchworks.com/moving/images/knife.jpg (other non-scuba items at www.munchworks.com/moving). Before I pass it off at a garage sale for a buck, I'm hoping one of you can comment on its value. Thanks!

Eric

[Linda]

You can have the picture show up right here by typing

[ i m g ] Type the URL here... [ / i m g ]

Take all the spaces out of the insides of the brackets -- had I not put them there, you wouldn't see what I typed and the forum would try to load an image...

I'll put your pic here:

[SDM]

It is a 1960 US Divers knife.

It was listed in the catalog as "#4224 Professional Divers Knife." it was offered in one color, yellow and was priced at $9.95

It supplemented and replaced the very popular and now rare "#4221 the Vulcan Divers Knife." this knife was all black and retailed for $7.95

The #4224 had three design defects/weakness. the clip that held the knife would often snap off, the belt loops would often break and the case generally split at it's seams. Of course the knife had a tendency to rust after repeated submersions in salt water with out proper cleaning and storage. (Oh! bring back the good 'ole days!)

It's yellow color should have provided a clue to its age. US Divers equipment of the late 1950 and early 1960s was generally yellow. This was the prime reason US Divers was often refered to as "the big yellow importer," indicating that the US Divers equipment had it origin in SE Asia.

SDM

30

[Eric]

SDM,

Thank you for that in-depth reply. Looks like a cheaper knife based on purchase price. The clip is indeed broken. Any clue on it's current ballpark value?

Thx,
Eric