The US Navy Standard Dive Knife, a stalwart piece of nautical equipment, boasts a well-defined look. However, during the 1930s and World War II, the Vince Forge Company of Easton, Pennsylvania, delivered a unique variation. These Vince-made knives for the US government stand out for their distinct features.

Three key elements set Vince knives apart. The most striking is the swivel ring at the handle's end, a helpful addition absent from standard specifications and unseen in other manufacturers' knives. Vince also implemented a different sawtooth configuration, with 13 teeth per inch compared to the standard 12.

While the exact reason for Vince's deviations remains unknown, surviving examples suggest they received smaller contracts during the war mobilization for equipment. Today, collectors of vintage diving gear consider the Vince knife, especially with the intact swivel ring, among the top three most challenging World War II dive knives to acquire.

This particular Vince knife is in excellent original condition. The varnished maple handle remains free of cracks, and the brass sheath exhibits a nice consistent patina. The Vince blade shows subtle signs of use from decades past. The Vince name on one side of the blade is visible. A vintage leather belt strap is intact as well. This knife stands as a rare and well-preserved example of a US Navy dive knife with a unique story.
 
The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $1,250 delivered within the contiguous United States.