Built for the Firefighter or the FF in all of us.

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Fir Na Tine said:
The proverbial sharpened pry bar. But not just any sharpened pry bar. This form follows function design is 3/8ā€ thick and not just thick but made with the dare I say the legendary Delta 3V heat treat alchemy from the genius Nathan ā€œThe Machinistā€ Carothers. This design was optimized for the rescue/breaching needs of first responders and military and to take the literal abuse from sledge hammers. Itā€™s thick enough to not need add on handles but my suggestion is to wrap the handle in kevlar cordage for grip and potential needs for rescue. If desired, add some of that cordage between the guards to secure this beast even further. The generous handle is optimized for use with the likes of structural firefighting gloves. This is the knife designed to bet your life on for those who do put their lives on the line. A big thick thank you to Nathan Carothers for making this an incredible realty. I hope this tool gets tested and adopted by those who commit their lives in service to others.
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Interesting and cool ...but nope . for practical . IMO , YMMV .

If you need a real breaching tool , this is too puny .

And if you need a knife , this isn't that either .
 
Itā€™s a tool in the toolbox and not meant to replace any of the existing tools but to augment. It will be fun to get some video made and do some busting open
 
I donā€™t understand why the 45* cut, I would prefer it to be straight to a 90* corner, I donā€™t see any up side to the 45* point. Becker made the same mistake on the Tac Tool.

Only so much stuff you can keep in your turn out gear, this would ā€œknifeā€ not be my first choice. Even a Stanley flat bar would be better. Flat things are not good for prying you need a bend.
 
Here is the fulcrum/wedge. Remember, this is 3/8ā€ thick. If you can get a purchase point with a wedge, you can insert the adze end of the Haligan. Some spaces a Haligan or an axe is too big or the user choses to just leave it behind Because of their assignment. One of the main purposes of this knife is it can be something you can have on you and self rescue if needed.
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I know I am going to catch a lot of flack for what I am going to say here, but this is a joke. While I believe that CPK makes some of the toughest knives out there, they do not make them in anywhere near a quantity or at a price that would put them into the hands they were designed for. It looks like a very good option for it's intended audience, however, tools like this are best made by companies that can make 1000+ of them to market and sell. I would bet that less than 25% of those sold already will ever make it into the hands of a first responder/firefighter. People often forget that the average firefighter in the US is volunteer, not a paid professional. IF CPK was to put these up for sale on thier website so that someone could order one, that would change my opinion. Only dedicated fans of CPK have the luxury/ability to purchase one, under thier current sales methods, and to those that think the secondary market makes it easier to get one, at double the price, that is too much money to carry into a situation where it could easily get lost. OK, ready to take whatever anyone wants to throw my way.
 
hangmanshammer said:
I know I am going to catch a lot of flack for what I am going to say here, but this is a joke. While I believe that CPK makes some of the toughest knives out there, they do not make them in anywhere near a quantity or at a price that would put them into the hands they were designed for. It looks like a very good option for it's intended audience, however, tools like this are best made by companies that can make 1000+ of them to market and sell. I would bet that less than 25% of those sold already will ever make it into the hands of a first responder/firefighter. People often forget that the average firefighter in the US is volunteer, not a paid professional. IF CPK was to put these up for sale on thier website so that someone could order one, that would change my opinion. Only dedicated fans of CPK have the luxury/ability to purchase one, under thier current sales methods, and to those that think the secondary market makes it easier to get one, at double the price, that is too much money to carry into a situation where it could easily get lost. OK, ready to take whatever anyone wants to throw my way.
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I don't think anyone is going to argue with you.
The idea has merit, but it was made for a small group.
-good intentions
 
CPK does/has done contract work, so if this were to "take off", I'm sure they'd figure something out.
 
Good points. One of Nathanā€™s biggest concerns was getting them into the hands of first responders. This is just the first run. I have been in communication even today about going to the trade shows to display the knives to the first responders. I will have a supply to have them put to use by professionals. All good things have to start somewhere. I am sure Nathan will be happy to make more if the orders are there and that is part of my job is to expose this tool to the people it is intended for. Lots of firefighters spend their own money to purchase their own tools that they use in the field. Lots of specialized axes out there that do some things better than others, ā€œThe Pigā€ for one which is excellent at opening up roofs with its blunt edge. My goal would be for there to be one on every engine that can be added to the irons or just as a personal tool. Individual firefighters can chose what they use to accomplish their tasks within reason. They are expensive compared to a run of the mill knife but this is not one of those. If you look at fire gear, you will soon see how expensive some of the items are but they are worth it when you are risking your own life and in the pursuit of helping others. One of my goals of going to the industry shows is not only to sell them to individuals, but whole departments. A fire house could have two engines but 12 staff but would only need two knives. If you are having a 1 to 6 ratio then you are providing the knives to all the staff on that engine for a knife that has low maintenance and could last many years. This is a good use of funds. Volunteer firefighters may not have the budget for this knife but the department should if it deems it necessary. I would love to get these in as many engines as possible.
 
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when I get the custom leather sheaths made I will post the pics here to give you a better idea of how it can be integrated into what firefighter do.
 
Fir Na Tine said:
Good points. One of Nathanā€™s biggest concerns was getting them into the hands of first responders. This is just the first run. I have been in communication even today about going to the trade shows to display the knives to the first responders. I will have a supply to have them put to use by professionals. All good things have to start somewhere. I am sure Nathan will be happy to make more if the orders are there and that is part of my job is to expose this tool to the people it is intended for. Lots of firefighters spend their own money to purchase their own tools that they use in the field. Lots of specialized axes out there that do some things better than others, ā€œThe Pigā€ for one which is excellent at opening up roofs with its blunt edge. My goal would be for there to be one on every engine that can be added to the irons or just as a personal tool. Individual firefighters can chose what they use to accomplish their tasks within reason. They are expensive compared to a run of the mill knife but this is not one of those. If you look at fire gear, you will soon see how expensive some of the items are but they are worth it when you are risking your own life and in the pursuit of helping others. One of my goals of going to the industry shows is not only to sell them to individuals, but whole departments. A fire house could have two engines but 12 staff but would only need two knives. If you are having a 1 to 6 ratio then you are providing the knives to all the staff on that engine for a knife that has low maintenance and could last many years. This is a good use of funds. Volunteer firefighters may not have the budget for this knife but the department should if it deems it necessary. I would love to get these in as many engines as possible.
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These CPK FF tools are growing on me, but that should surprise no one as Iā€™m a huge proponent of ridiculously overbuilt knives.
 
You wonā€™t be disappointed lol. These things will be able to take anything you can throw at them. I am excited to see the videos Nathan makes and I will probably make some too.
 
Fir Na Tine said:
Good points. One of Nathanā€™s biggest concerns was getting them into the hands of first responders. This is just the first run. I have been in communication even today about going to the trade shows to display the knives to the first responders. I will have a supply to have them put to use by professionals. All good things have to start somewhere. I am sure Nathan will be happy to make more if the orders are there and that is part of my job is to expose this tool to the people it is intended for. Lots of firefighters spend their own money to purchase their own tools that they use in the field. Lots of specialized axes out there that do some things better than others, ā€œThe Pigā€ for one which is excellent at opening up roofs with its blunt edge. My goal would be for there to be one on every engine that can be added to the irons or just as a personal tool. Individual firefighters can chose what they use to accomplish their tasks within reason. They are expensive compared to a run of the mill knife but this is not one of those. If you look at fire gear, you will soon see how expensive some of the items are but they are worth it when you are risking your own life and in the pursuit of helping others. One of my goals of going to the industry shows is not only to sell them to individuals, but whole departments. A fire house could have two engines but 12 staff but would only need two knives. If you are having a 1 to 6 ratio then you are providing the knives to all the staff on that engine for a knife that has low maintenance and could last many years. This is a good use of funds. Volunteer firefighters may not have the budget for this knife but the department should if it deems it necessary. I would love to get these in as many engines as possible.
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Just curious why you would go with a small premium maker in a premium steel when something like that could be made so easily by a much larger manufacturer in a more affordable steel considering your ambitions mentioned above. Seems like thereā€™s some cool factor involved rather than just trying to produce a functional/affordable tool for your fellow firemen. Not all firemen are knife aficionados and could care less itā€™s a Carothers right?

Maybe the carothers model could be a prototype to present to the larger guys who could supply them in a much more affordable price point. Just to be clear, not questioning or criticizing your intentions.
 
mitchnola said:
Just curious why you would go with a small premium maker in a premium steel when something like that could be made so easily by a much larger manufacturer in a more affordable steel considering your ambitions mentioned above. Seems like thereā€™s some cool factor involved rather than just trying to produce a functional/affordable tool for your fellow firemen. Not all firemen are knife aficionados and could care less itā€™s a Carothers right?

Maybe the carothers model could be a prototype to present to the larger guys who could supply them in a much more affordable price point. Just to be clear, not questioning or criticizing your intentions.
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8670 is tough, inexpensive, easy to heat treat, and readily available.

I think it's pretty Cool.
 
Just a thought but what about a round handle that would allow for all grips along with providing surface area on the end to be able to hit with a hammer? I would imagine a hammer would be needed occasionally if not often.
 
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