Best First Responder Knife

FiftySixSC

FiftySixSC

Joined
Sep 26, 2019
Messages
28
wanted to get opinions on the best knife for a first responder. Brother is a new firefighter / emt and want to get him a gift he can use on duty. Thanks.
 
The Raptor.

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MEDICAL SHEARS WITH MULTIPLE TOOLS

6 TOOLS IN ONE

The Leatherman Raptor features the necessary tools for uniformed professionals to safely and quickly go to work in an emergency situation. Developed with the input of special operations medics, EMTs and fire professionals, the Raptor has just the right balance of multipurpose features for medical-specific ops without an overkill of tools to complicate sometimes life-threatening situations. When it's a question of survival, the Raptor answers loud and clear.

GREAT FOR:

Emergency - When you're an emergency responder, you need the right tool right away. You don't need the added stress of trying to find the right tool for that time-sensitive situation. With cutting hooks, wire cutters, saws, outside-accessible blades, and more - When people depend on you, you can depend on Leatherman.

Tactical - Even the best laid plans need a little assistance. Situations can change quickly and when there's a lot on the line, you need a tool you can depend on. Leatherman multi-tools and knives are small enough for everyday carry, yet can accomplish the toughest jobs. Logistics are vitally important to any military, law enforcement or tactical mission, big or small - make sure your side has an advantage with right tools at hand.

Tools
  • 420HC Stainless Steel Folding Medical Shears
  • Strap Cutter
  • Ring Cutter
  • Ruler (5 cm)
  • Oxygen Tank Wrench
  • Carbide Glass Breaker
Features
  • Stainless Steel
  • Glass-filled Nylon Handle Scales
  • MOLLE Compatible Injection-molded Polymer Holster
  • Lanyard Hole
  • Replaceable Pocket Clip
  • 25-Year Warranty
https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?usrsearch=Leatherman+raptor
 
the above is likely the most practical tool, but if a knife needs to be in the equation, there is a SAK rescue tool
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Malpaso said:
Don't buy expensive trauma shears, they'll get dropped, borrowed or lost, believe me. Best rescue knife is the Spyderco Rescue. I carry that, and I also dive with it's brother, the Atlantic Salt. The blunt tip and serrated blade are key.
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Thats a great argument because knives never gets dropped, borrowed or lost:rolleyes:

Are you drunk?
 
FiftySixSC said:
wanted to get opinions on the best knife for a first responder. Brother is a new firefighter / emt and want to get him a gift he can use on duty. Thanks.
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After 35 years on the job, I can honestly say that I don't know what the best knife is for a firefighter/ EMT. I tried many different knives. What I do know is that the heavy gloves firefighters wear make opening and closing some knives almost impossible. Manual dexterity is almost nonexistent. If you have to take your gloves off, you are in trouble. Take your gloves off, open the knife, put your gloves back on, use the knife, take your gloves off, close the knife, put your gloves back on, get back to work. Nitrile gloves used in EMS are more forgiving. Having said all of that, I am retired now. But, my daughter is starting her career, and I was faced with the same problem again. For her use when she is wearing turnout gear, she carries a Spyderco Autonomy. She can open and close,it wearing her gloves. For EMS calls, she carries a Benchmade Triage. Are these the best choices? I don't know. She will have to decide what works for her as she gains more experience. I wish your brother the best of luck. Tell him that the most important tool that he must have with him all of the time is his ability to think.
 
Malpaso said:
No, just speaking from experience. What's your experience in EMS/Public safety?
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Apart from several deployments, where I carried shears (as did/do a multitude of others there)? None.
How ever your point of "Dont buy expensive shears, they get dropped, borrowed or lost. Buy an expensive knife instead, if will never be dropped, borrowed or lost" doesnt make sense.
Use the search function here. Threads regarding dropped, borrowed and lost knives are legion.
 
Something that opens one-handed easily with or without gloves and has a study locking system.

IME as an EMT, avoid gimmicky stuff with window breakers etc......
 
BladeScout said:
Apart from several deployments, where I carried shears (as did/do a multitude of others there)? None.
How ever your point of "Dont buy expensive shears, they get dropped, borrowed or lost. Buy an expensive knife instead, if will never be dropped, borrowed or lost" doesnt make sense.
Use the search function here. Threads regarding dropped, borrowed and lost knives are legion.
Click to expand...

First, if those were military deployments, thank you for your service. :thumbsup:
Yes, I know there are many stories of lost knives. I'm not saying that doesn't happen. However, I've had that knife for years and never lost it. I can't count how many pairs of trauma shears I've lost. Also, at ERs and accident scenes I've been to, there are always lost trauma shears, but rarely lost knives. From the day I was certified, I've heard from other EMTs & Medics, don't buy expensive trauma shears. Maybe they'd also say don't buy expensive knives if asked.
Two points of view, both valid IMHO, knowledge for the OP (and other) to help in their personal choices.
 
Ive used the raptors (ER RN) and find them very uncomfortable on my hand (albeit bare handed) and find they dont cut much better than inexpensive EMT shears.
I did spend a few $$ on XSHEAR and like them a lot. Very comfortable and cut heavy material really good (IMO). Carry is not the easiest unless you have a belt in which case you can get a sheath.
Of the inexpensive shears I have owned I find the ones from Countycomm pretty dang good, especially for the price.
Although I have not had one I am very intrigued by the Spyderco Assist which looks very capable for EMS situations. Of course the Triage looks interesting as well.
I would think a good pair of shears and a knife would be a great gift.
 
Anything sharp works. Ive carried a Resilience, Shaman, PM2, Inkosi and now a Kershaw link etc... Anything that you can keep super sharp and open easily will work and a pair of shears never hurts.

These days I carry my cheaper blades.

I just make sure I keep a blade on strong side and weak side at all times on the job.
 
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Malpaso said:
First, if those were military deployments, thank you for your service. :thumbsup:
Yes, I know there are many stories of lost knives. I'm not saying that doesn't happen. However, I've had that knife for years and never lost it. I can't count how many pairs of trauma shears I've lost. Also, at ERs and accident scenes I've been to, there are always lost trauma shears, but rarely lost knives. From the day I was certified, I've heard from other EMTs & Medics, don't buy expensive trauma shears. Maybe they'd also say don't buy expensive knives if asked.
Two points of view, both valid IMHO, knowledge for the OP (and other) to help in their personal choices.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your experienced opinion.
 
The Leatherman Shears are neat, but I doubt I'd of carried them while working as an EMT. Might of carried them as a Medic in the Army. EMT I had an ambulance with stuff in it nearby. Army I was assigned to an Infantry unit so I only had what was in my ruck.

Benchmade Triage is a good suggestion, and there is an an option with a standard (pointed vs blunt) blade.
 
:) As already stated , it ain't smart to use your own expensive personal property on the job unless you can cheerfully accept it's loss .

I used to pick up every possible functional freebie at medical conferences , especially shears . :p:thumbsup: I still have a dozen , left over .
 
Would highly suggest NOT getting folding shears. Situations where you need to deploy your shears quickly, with one hand, without looking. are abundant.

I always preferred to carry a fixed blade, but the Benchmade Triage looks like a great knife for this use- blunt tip, glove-friendly blade deployment, and nice grippy materials are all pluses. Would suggest a handle material that is brightly colored (not black) so that when it inevitably gets dropped into a ditch during an accident response it will be easy to find.
 
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