EMT needs a reliable EDC knife

J

JReilly

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Apr 12, 2007
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So its been quite a while since ive posted here, and i thought i got over my knife craze, but its back. I need a thin, reliable EDC knife under 200$, used or not i dont care, that wont break under pressure. It needs to keep an edge for as long as possible so im thinking along the lines of D2 or s60V but i havent kept up with the new steels so suggest anything you think would work. It has to be a folder though, and preferably low profile (thin, not overtly tactical, no gut hooks)

Thanks!
-Reilly

P.S. with an EMS license in Mass and NH (where ill be working), i can buy automatic knives, etc, so dont leave those out, im not opposed to the idea.
 
Not considered "thin" but I've seen it recommended to EMTs and firefighters alike: Spyderco Assist.
 
My friend who has been an EMT in New York City for around 10 years has always carried the exact same knife - a fully serrated Spyderco Endura.
 
What about the one of spyderco salt series? You can get a blunted tip/full SE. And that H1 steel would prevent any rust in a situation where you got any blood/water on it and couldnt clean it right away due to having to take care of someone first, then your knife second.
 
i carried the spyderco rescue for 20 plus years now and you cannot beat it in the fully serrated version, it is a workhorse and will outlast harduse over and over again, the only thing that happened to mine was the plastic clip on the back finally broke and i will not send it in for replacement, afraid they will send me another knife and this is one of the first ones that came into the u.s.

you want be sorry
 
JReilly said:
...suggest anything you think would work...
Click to expand...

I may be taking this out of context, but what I found most handy was a "beefier" cross between these two items here. Yup, they're pruning shears (secateurs, if you will). The one I got was Japanese, and conveniently had serrations. Makes nice, controlled cuts across anything. Jeans, seatbelts, and thick braided nylon rope.

http://www.scissorsales.com/8-43.html
http://www.acehardware.com/largeIma...eg.net/graphics/product_images/p1245271dt.jpg

I used to dangle it from a karabiner with a piece of transparent rubber tubing covering the blades.

A serrated knife would probably have some advantages, but less control.
 
BTW, I have good knives i.e. Mini-Rukus, Stryker, Presidio Auto but the two that are actually seeing Fire Rescue action are my Gerber Ez-out that I leave in my turn out gear that someone gave me or my CRKT M-16FD zytel spear point. As for breaking windows, cutting belts and the like we have a whole truck full of rescue equipment for that. As for the blunt tip I usually keep blades away from the pt. , trauma shears are definitely the tool for exposing, cutting belts, you name and they are definitely p.c..
 
...Whatever you may decide on, also consider how the public may react to your blade.

A "tactical commando black" Spyderco Military may appear downright evil whilst the same knife in "hazard orange" (it's available in that color, BTW) may actually be, er... "heroic."
 
I agree with the spyderco endura fully serrated, the rescue or salt. They are built tough and have a thin profile.
 
a good sailors knife like a meyerchin, Klotzli sailor, or agrussel sailors knife would serve you well also. Effectively you are needing a knife that is built to cut away fabrics, lines and webbings. all of these are designed for these specific tasks.
 
pedicabdriver said:
Seconding this recommendation.

If not that specific model, something serrated and with a blunt tip.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a Spyderco Rescue.

I have the blue one and it's thin, strong, and cuts like crazy. The front inch or so is plain edge followed by serrations. The tip is rounded off.
 
Kershaw rescue blue, or any others above mentioned. Blunt tip, carbide glass breaker, partially serrated blade.
 
I take it that you already carry a good multi-tool like a Leatherman Wave? If you don't, do so...

As for a folder, get yourself a Spyderco stainless-scaled Endura...It is a very well-made, thin folder, that is "just the right size".
 
JReilly said:
So its been quite a while since ive posted here, and i thought i got over my knife craze, but its back. I need a thin, reliable EDC knife under 200$, used or not i dont care, that wont break under pressure. It needs to keep an edge for as long as possible so im thinking along the lines of D2 or s60V but i havent kept up with the new steels so suggest anything you think would work. It has to be a folder though, and preferably low profile (thin, not overtly tactical, no gut hooks)

Thanks!
-Reilly

P.S. with an EMS license in Mass and NH (where ill be working), i can buy automatic knives, etc, so dont leave those out, im not opposed to the idea.
Click to expand...

Thin, reliable, under $200, new or used, won't break, edge holding, possibly automatic.


I'd like to ask what a knife can do for you that trauma shears can't do, or what a rescue hook can't do for you.

Your post seems purpose driven and I feel you left out a key element that will be THE deciding factor.

all that being said I think there are several companies that fill each requirement in several models.
 
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