Best Busse for future firefighter?

As a guy who may be doing SAR type stuff I'd recommend a SAR5, I know a lot of people don't like them but I feel that they make a great utility knife and they can be found relatively cheap for a Busse so if you lose it, it's not such a hit. If you're looking for a "YAY!, ME!!" present, get yourself a used chopper, an ASH1 or one of the trademark Busse knives.

That being said, for general use get a Leatherman and a Spyderco something or other ( I like the Military ). The all serrated Spyderco rescue knives are kinda gimmicky IMO. Have a couple pairs of trauma shears on you and a plain edged knife you can sharpen. I'm a flight paramedic and do some SAR and use my SOG multitool and shears more than anything.
 
Echo this entirely. I'm on nine years as a professional firefighter. I have never felt I needed a fixed blade, folders are the ticket.

tundratrader said:
No use for a Busse knife on the fireground. The only thing that would be of any potential use would be the Swamp Rat crash axe. You will not be keeping a fixed blade in your turnouts. If this is a gift knife I would get one of the BWM knives off the exchange. That is probably the best Busse to get started.

For fire fighting blades. I would suggest a Spyderco Rescue 93MM, leatherman wave and a good pair of trauma shears. That is my setup and it has worked well. Trauma shears work a hell of lot better and safer for cutting seatbelts and clothing. Kinda of a golden rule not to start cutting near a person with an open blade. You never know when they could panic. I keep a pair in my pants and in my coat. The leatherman is used frequently for many different things. The newer one has nice small screw drivers for resetting fire alarm pull stations.

Congratulations on graduating the fire academy.

Zach
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Congrats on graduating.

My brother in law is going through the academy right now and I purchased a XM-18 Hinderer for him. Rick Hinderer is a fire fighter himself and designed this folder with that knowledge behind him. I am extremely impressed with this blade. It should serve all of your needs on the job including doing some prying. Rick's knives are hard to get, but since you are a first responder (my brother in law served in Iraq & Afganistan) rick will gladly put you to the front of his production line. He had my brother in laws done in a few weeks.

I love Busse and Bussekin knives, I own several ,but other than the SAR3 or similar I don't see a fixed blade being the right choice for you. The Hinderer is within your budget as well.
 
Welcome to the brotherhood!

I've been a fireman for the past 18 years and have been at Rescue 2 in Washington DC for the past 8 years. I've got a few thoughts to add:

Expensive knives are no good for our line of work. I carried a Strider folder for a while and then got rid of it. I've had several knives fall out of my pockets, get stolen, or just disappear into thin air and was too worried about this happening to an expensive folder.

Fixed blades do not usually go over too well with either management or the public we serve. Yes this sucks, but these sheeple can mess with our ability to keep a job. Additionally, a folder can handle all of your cutting needs and if you need to pry, there is absolutely nothing in the world that can trump a Halligan Bar.

I carry a Griptillian and a Leatherman Wave. Even on all of the oddball calls the Rescue runs on, I have never had need for anything other than those.

But.... I still love my Active Duty / Leatherman Wave combo that rides with me whenever I am out in the woods. So treat yourself to a nice knife, I just wouldn't recommend it at work.

Oh, and a Personal Escape Kit (bailout rope) for work would also be a worthwhile investment.
 
You didnt say that you was going to use it,so id be quite happy with having any Busse for a gift.Id go for something a little custom,maybe Something with a Mirror polished blade and Red Handles,compliments the Firefighter look!(",)
 
By the way, I would make sure it's a blade you don't mind (too terribly much) losing and/or breaking.

Lots of things on the job turn into big messes and require some quick thinking/moving/whatever. I know many people who have lost blades on accident scenes or in fires.
 
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