compact rescue/pry knife suggestions?

scdub

scdub

Basic Member
Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
2,967
Hi All,

First off, let me say that this is my first post in this (or any other) forum, so please forgive any newbie mistakes.

I've been reading through this site for a month or two, and I had no idea just how little I actually knew about knives. Anyway, I thought I'd just go ahead and ask the experts.

So here goes. I'm a Humane Investigator at the SPCA (i.e. "animal cop"). I don't carry a gun, but am in the process of trying to convince my boss to let me carry a fixed blade. This knife would be used for general utility most often, but would likely also be called upon occasionally as a rescue/entry tool, (and lastly as a last ditch defensive weapon).

As a rescue tool, I'm looking primarily for a knife that can stand up to high lateral loads (i.e. prying). I'm a big guy (~220#) and I'm looking for something I can't break. I'm looking for a fairly short knife (3-4" blade) as well - primarily so I can more effectively sell the idea to my boss. Along these lines, the knife should also have a non-aggressive look.

The following are the knives I've been looking at:

TOPS Strykar XL drop point. I like the style, size, price, broad point, and flat grind. The only problem with this knife is the bar stock width. At 3/16" I don't think it's quite as stout as I'd like. I've already emailed TOPS to see if I could get one in 1/4" but haven't heard back yet.

Entrek Badger. Again, I like the style, size, and price. Again, I'm not sure about the 3/16" width. Also not very impressed with Entrek sheaths, but this isn't a primary consideration as I can make my own.

Swamp Rat Howling Rat. Again, not quite as thick as I'd like and frankly not that great looking in my opinion.

Strider MFS. Just about perfect except for the price. Anyone have one used for <$200? Doesn't have to be beautiful...

Another kife that I'd LOVE in 1/4" stock would be the Trace Rinaldi TTKK, but I don't really have the money or patience for that one.

So I guess these are my questions: Anyone know of a moderately priced knife that fit's my needs? Also, are any of these knives actually stronger than I imagine? Conversely, do I need something stouter - 5/16"? I'm not (yet) that well versed in the attributes of the various steels out there. I know that as a rule harder steel will be more brittle, but by the same token, I don't want a knife that can't hold an edge.

I think you all get the picture. Now shock me with your knowledge. :D
 
First off welcome! I'm not familiar with any of your choices, but have you considered seeking out a knifemaker to build something to your specs? There are quite a few hobbyist and part-time makers here on the forums who do great work for a fair price. If you posted your request in the Shop Talk forum you may find someone willing to take your project, which sounds fairly unique with a blade that short. Best of luck. :)
 
Roadrunner is right about smaller makers being able to cost effectively and quickly make something to fit your needs. However, I would say a Strider would be my choice. Strider has the greatest warranty you could ask for in the sort of tool you are looking for. Basically, it says that if the knife is damaged, as long as the act was not meant to intentionally damage or break it, they will fox or repair it for free. In addition, the couple Striders I have owned would be damn near impossible to damage in any significant way.

I do believe Busse has a similar repair/replacement policy. In fact, I believe a soldier had a bullet strike a Busse in a drop leg sheath. Killed the knife, saved him, and Busse replaced it. I think that is the correct story. I just do not have any personal experience with Busse knives.

Have you ever thought of maybe a stout folding knife + an entry tool?

Also, where are you located? If a fixed blade is legal to carry there, and just against policy the decision that has to be made is just how much you value your job.
 
As firefighter I find that prying is best left to tools that are designed primarily for that function. A knife, not matter how strong, will fail eventually. Trust me. I know this to be true.

Let me make a few suggestions.

1. Get your self a small prybar. These work great for popping windows. I also use a shove knife in conjunction with the prybar and I have opened many windows in a matter of seconds.

2. Get yourself a rock solid folder. The Buck Strider comes to mind. This will be used for general cutting and can be used as a back up if the prybar is lost or unavailable.
 
Hi scdub!,

Welcome to BladeForums.....Roadrunner's advice seems logical to me, especially due to the blade thickness requirement of your specs.
Oh, ........and by the way, no newbie mistakes noted here!!

Larry S.
 
Thanks for all the ideas so far.

Let me reitterate that a Strider would be just great. The only problem with this idea is price.

I'm especially fond of the idea to have a low-cost/beginner maker take this on, although it's hard to imagine that I could get it done for anywhere near $200. As I'm not familiar with the functions of this site, any advice on how I can copy/paste this thread to the Shop Talk forum would be greatly appreciated.

I do plan to carry an assortment of tools in my rig, including bolt cutters and an actual prybar, however I still plan to carry a stout fixed blade knife (assuming I get permission - job is, sadly, my only major source of income). I'd be less than honest if i denied that in large part I'm simply attracted to the idea of being able to carry this type of tool during the course of my job. I am a knife nut after all.

Again, thanks for the thoughts. Any others?
 
The MFS is 3/16" thick. The WP's are 1/4", as are the DB's and SA's. WP's are about the same price as the MFS, DB's and SA's are $250. As a knife that will see duty as a pry bar, the DB is king.

The MFS would serve you well, as would any other Strider (I am fond of the DB).

Also, check out the for sale forums here and other knife boards. You just may find a good deal. There are two DB's from one seller on one of the boards now for $200.
 
Another vote for the Becker Companion. It is an excellent knife, very, very strong. The steel holds and keeps a great edge. If you look around on the internet you can pick one up for around $50. It is also wide enough that you can put a very keen edge on it also.

Good luck!
 
I wouldn't wholly diescount the Swamp Rat knife. I could not find teh page, but somewhere on the Swamp Rat board, there was a post from a guy who got out of a really bad situation with a Camp Tramp knife. While off-roading with a friend, the truck got flipped over, and they were stuck upside-down in the mashed cab. Using the Camp Tramp and a big rock that he dug up, the man was able to chop his way out of the truck door! If anyone has a link to the thread, it would be appreciated. Swamp Rat knives may not look to exciting, but, based on that guy's experience, they sure seem to be great cutlery. Just a thought to ponder... :cool:
 
I would take a look at some of the Tops fixed blades that have the pry bar built into the end of the handle area. This way you are not using the blade as a pry tool. No knife blade can hold up to pry bar use, unless in an emergency. The pry bar handle end is a perfect alternative. The "Swat Spike" series or the "Desert Hawke" might be good for your needs. From Tops you can get a cord wrapped handle, 5" blade, with pry bar backs for $99.00. The steel is 1095 with fine heat treatment.
 
basic-5-shba-sidebyside.jpg


busse basic 5 (to the right) is a great beater/prybar. the earlier versions of it with the smooth coat instead of crinkle apperently have a smooth transition from ricasso to blade instead of the square style like on the one in the picture. of course, the straight handled badger attack is a grea knife for prying, but is twice as much as the basic 5. if you can find one, the basic 5 runs between 150-220$

carrying a dedicated prybar is a great idea, you can have a small time knife maker make you one out of whatever metal you want. i use a busse ice pick for that reason (as well as breaking up ice at work &opening bottles :rolleyes: ).

an example being atwoods prybaby. while its only 3" long, it gives a good idea of whats possible with a reletively small package. they sell for around 45$ on the secondary market
prybaby1.jpg


another example - from new graham knives
razel001.jpg

*not mine*
these are taken from TOB9595 's gallery. if you want me to remove the links i can
 
Another vote for the Razel. I have a small version (3.3" blade) and love it. They are very thick and well made, and are a bargain for a custom blade.
I'm looking at getting the larger one already...
 
I don't know what your budget allows, but a top-of-the-line knife would be either the Fehrman Last Chance or the Peace Maker. The CPM-3V steel is among the toughest steels available for knives and it holds a great edge. The knives aren't inexpensive, but some consider them a good buy considering what you get.
 
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