A knife for my stepson

G

garyvv

Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
25
My stepson just finished his wildland firefighting course, got his certificates and is pretty excited and proud.

I'd like to get him a good knife to use on the job. I don't know much about knives and could use some recommendations per features and specific knives.

He'll have an axe, so it won't need to be a chopper. I'm defintely thinking fixed blade. Blade shape? Blade length? Serrated? Partially serrated? Of steel that needs less care than more.

Not something from Wal-Mart, something he can be proud to own (but something he can use and not something that sits at home in a locked case). Something he can (hopefully) keep forever and tell his kids, "My dad gave that to me 20 years ago."

Thanks,

gary
 
I was thinking an RC-4 too. Rat cutlery has a subforum here, and they are very friendly if you want to ask them anything. I have never owned one, but I have only heard great things. I can't remmeber who it was, but I think someone accidently stabbed a concrete floor with one or something, breaking off the tip, and they still replaced it, so warranty sounds excellent too.
 
I would suggest a folder - something he'd have all the time and not just when kitted up - and for once I recommend at least partial serrations (better for cutting belts and rope if slightly blunt) unless he knows how to keep his knives real sharp

Did you check with his FD to see what's allowed? Some departments are funny about fixed blades
 
grohmann makes a nice large folder, #300S. It's carried in a beautiful leather sheath and you can choose the type of handle you want on it. You have the usefulness of a large knife in a small folder package.
Check out the Grohmann Knife website.
 
Take a look at the ZT line of knives. These are workhorses, and the ZT0500's lock up so tight you'd swear you have a FB in your hand.

Kershaw's warranty on the ZT line is impressive too. You break it, send it in and they will repair it free of charge, no questions asked.

garyvv, the more I think about it, the more I'd choose the ZT 0500. He will most likely be wearing heavy gloves, so the Hawk Lock would be perfect for one-handed opening and closing. The sealed pivot well keep the knife operative in the harshest conditions. This is a knife that will last the 20 years you mention. Here's a link to the ZT page on Kershaw's site. They can be found new for around $ 125.

And welcome to the forums!
 
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Second on the ZT there fixed blades are also awesoem but i would recomend a solid folder. IF he carries it all the time he will be more used to it rather than just when he suits up. I would deff recommend the ZT 300 line or the 500 would lock up like a vault. Or the 200 which is just a smaller form of the 300 line. All very durable and warranty is aweosme.

If none of those look into MOD CQD MARK 1. That and a ZT 300 is what i carry when deployed in the Marine Corps. The mark 1 is awesome very durable.
 
o.k.- we got this fine young man a knife so to carry it a step further, hows he gonna carry it ? cant imagine a tougher environment. sheath? pocket? gloves gotta be worn. ??????????
 
Fallkniven F1. Good for almost everything. And not too heavy. It's not for nothing a major benchmark for survival knives.
 
Congrats to him! I recently got my cert too! Definitely something light. Get him a light folder like an FRN spyderco. Don't get him a big clunky fixed blade it won't be needed at all. It's not like bushcraft out there and you don't want too much getting in the way. I think a delica, endura, or native would be good. Probably even better would be a SAK Tinker or Leatherman.
 
garyvv said:
My stepson just finished his wildland firefighting course, got his certificates and is pretty excited and proud.

I'd like to get him a good knife to use on the job. I don't know much about knives and could use some recommendations per features and specific knives.

He'll have an axe, so it won't need to be a chopper. I'm defintely thinking fixed blade. Blade shape? Blade length? Serrated? Partially serrated? Of steel that needs less care than more.

Not something from Wal-Mart, something he can be proud to own (but something he can use and not something that sits at home in a locked case). Something he can (hopefully) keep forever and tell his kids, "My dad gave that to me 20 years ago."

Thanks,

gary
Click to expand...

Before you buy him a production knife take a look at Dozier's site
http://dozierknives.com
 
Benchmade Axis locks or ZT Mudd are almost indestrutable. They can handle being wet and dirty without lock failure. The ZT500 MUDD has neoprene washers that seal the pivot so no gunk can get in. The Benchmade axis lock can handle 800LBS shear strength. Benchmade makes alot of different sizes and styles in Axis lock. Look at a 710D2 or 615 Mini-Rukus. 2 of the best folders made by Benchmade IMHO.
 
RAT for a fixed (RC-4) or a Spyderco Military for a folder. Both excellent knives from excellent companies. :thumbup:
 
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