Mares Neutron Spec Breakdown & Features
Officially measuring at just under 5.5 inches, the self-measured blade of roughly 3 inches makes the Neutron one of the smaller knives we tested. The small stature comes with a light weight. While the exact weight is not specified by the manufacturer, the Neutron is lightweight, despite its solid construction.
Featuring a straight edge, a serrated edge, a line cutter, and screwdriver tips, the Neutron is versatile despite its smaller size. It’s made from 440 stainless steel, meaning it can hold up to saltwater with very little wear and tear.
Mares Neutron Impressions
I like the Mares Neutron, but I think I like the idea of it more than I actually like the knife itself. It’s billed as a multi-tool, which I think is cool—multiple uses, one price. But then I looked at the tools offered outside of the cutting edges, and I’m not sure they are really necessary.
Let’s go through them. The screwdriver pieces seem like a good idea, but then I wondered how many times I’ve had to screw or unscrew something during a dive. Let me tell you, the answer is less than one. Well, maybe it’ll be good on the boat. Not great there either. Boats carry actual tools that fit.
Now, the cutting edges. The straight edge is pretty good. It cut through the 550 cord fairly easily, and handled the poly dock rope with a little bit of work. The serrated edge and line cutter both cut the 550 cord. The serrated edge did cut the thick braided rope though.
The Neutron is easy to get in and out of the sheath, but the snap closure gets more difficult the thicker your gloves are. I would probably slip a hair tie or some rubber tubing over it to ensure it stays locked.
Overall, even with some of the gimmicky additions, the Neutron is still a good knife. Its solid construction and nice cutting edges make it worth it. I like it as a back-up knife, and it’s so small it won’t get in the way. If you want something larger, check out the Neutron’s big brother, the Mares Maximus.
If you’re looking for a small travel knife, check out the Promate Sharp Tip Titanium BC knife. It’s small, sharp, and can attach to almost any piece of your equipment.
Do we recommend the Mares Neutron dive knife?
We do recommend the Mares Neutron dive knife, but only as a knife, not as a multi-tool, and as a back-up knife. For a multi-tool, check out the XS Scuba Mini FogCutter.
As a knife though, the Neutron is a good bet. The cutting edges are above average cutting rope, and it is built solidly from 440 stainless steel. It sells for a fair price, looks sharp, and comes from a great manufacturer.
Check out how the Mares Neutron stacks up against all the knives we tested in our knife roundup here.
Specs & Features
| Fixed or foldable | fixed |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 3 inches (self measured) 5.4 inches (13.7 cm) total length |
| Handle length | 2.4 inches (6 cm); self-measured |
| Weight | not specified by manufacturer |
| Blade type | straight edge, serrated edge, line-cutter |
| Blade material | 440 stainless steel |
| Handle material | 440 stainless steel |
| Blade tip | blunt |
