ESEE Jumpmaster

caine

caine

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Nov 9, 2003
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Ok hear is the deal. My best friend is stationed in Fort Richardson, AK. He asked me a few weeks ago to recommend a good knife to be used as a Jumpmaster knife. He will be carrying it attached to his lower leg. ESEE knives were the first to come to mind,but I took my time and thought about a few others. ESEE is what I've decided on. Primary use to him will be cutting straps and stuff. Plus Im sure once he owns a ESEE he would use it for other stuff :) He is a Jumpmaster and will be standing in the door of the plane at times performing this duty and told me that at times jumpers get hung up and have to be cut away. I am thinking a ESEE 3 or 4. I have a 3 but I have never used a 4. He is not a big fan of serrations and worry that they would snag up on the straps he would be cutting. All my ESEE knives are plain edged, but from all the reviews and post here I don't think they would be a problem. Anyway you people that own the 3 and 4 what do you recommend for this type of work ? Also he will be heading back to the stan in a few months for his 4 tour on the War on Terror. Thanks
 
well, its not an ESEE but you could get the spyderco jumpmaster (designed with input from jumpmasters)
 
I think either would be good for it. Wouldn't rule out a 6, the longer blade would be nice for that, as would the handle real estate for a sure grip.
 
Thought about that one also,but I think a ESEE would serve him better and longer. Plus more than one use. As for the 6 I know he would think it would be to big.
 
I'm not too knowledgeable about this kind of stuff, but I think they make a special tool for cutting during a jump. http://www.lapolicegear.com/zetojb1shcu.html I think with a standard knife there's so much going on you'd endanger yourself. The shroud cutter is designed to do this kinda stuff and you wont come outa the sky in ribbons. Remember this info comes from a guy who never jumped from a plane (and never intends to.)

God bless,
Adam
 
Aren't serrations made for cordage, and webbing and stuff? Thats what ive always used them for, as long as theyre relatively sharp, they work really well.
 
spydiesenses said:
Aren't serrations made for cordage, and webbing and stuff? Thats what ive always used them for, as long as theyre relatively sharp, they work really well.
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I agree. I told him that, but he is still worried. I plan on doing him a vido cutting varies things with a serrated blade and let him see for his self.
 
I went to Jumpmaster school in 1991. The normal knife we used was typical Air Force survival knife strapped to our lower legs. You need it on your leg as it is the most accessible part of your body when you've got gear on your back and the front of your body. Your suggestion of an ESEE 3 or 4 would be just fine. I wouldn't go any bigger than that. Serrations aren't going to matter. If there is a jumper hung up banging against the side of the aircraft (almost never happens), there is so much force on the static line that it is going to "pop" real quick after cutting in to it.
 
Personally he should also carry a benchmade Safety cutter or rescue hook. Personally i would not want someone going to town on stuff with a knife around tangled lines which are NOT going to be static in this situation.
 
morrowj_98 said:
I went to Jumpmaster school in 1991. The normal knife we used was typical Air Force survival knife strapped to our lower legs. You need it on your leg as it is the most accessible part of your body when you've got gear on your back and the front of your body. Your suggestion of an ESEE 3 or 4 would be just fine. I wouldn't go any bigger than that. Serrations aren't going to matter. If there is a jumper hung up banging against the side of the aircraft (almost never happens), there is so much force on the static line that it is going to "pop" real quick after cutting in to it.
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Yeah Ive seen jumpmaster with that knife. :) As for the force on the static line I agree. I hope I never get banged off the side of a aircraft myself. I asked him if he does this alot and said also it hardly ever happends, but when it does he wants a good knife.
 
scotsmanspride said:
Personally he should also carry a benchmade Safety cutter or rescue hook. Personally i would not want someone going to town on stuff with a knife around tangled lines which are NOT going to be static in this situation.
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It would only be one line....the static line. The parachute isn't deployed yet which is the the whole to reason to cut a jumper away.
 
The force on the line is gonne be alot, can you get a BM rescue hook under that line, and then cut? It'll probably get ripped out of your hand and flung somewhere. You'd be better off with something you can just push up against the webbing or cord to cut.

scotsmanspride said:
Personally he should also carry a benchmade Safety cutter or rescue hook. Personally i would not want someone going to town on stuff with a knife around tangled lines which are NOT going to be static in this situation.
Click to expand...
 
I'd say that Spyderco Jumpmaster would be the best choice.
It has a cutting edge, but no "point" - which IMO would be wise in that situation considering how a plane tends to bounce around with that door open prior to jumpers exiting the aircraft. Safer for the jumpmaster, safer for the other jumpers in the plane, but still more than capable of severing whatever tangled lines need be cut.

Edit: the ESEE looks "cooler" and does indeed serve "more uses", but in a jumpmaster's case the #1 concern and responsibility is the safety of the jumpers.
Just my two cents as a former Air Assault soldier.
 
morrowj_98 said:
It would only be one line....the static line. The parachute isn't deployed yet which is the the whole to reason to cut a jumper away.
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I understand this. Referencing that the line is no going to be still...not the static line. Didnt do jump school but know the basic principle. Safety is the first conceren and if you have to use a standard blade then i would pick a jumpmaster, but again i would also carry a cord cutter.
 
oruacat2 said:
I'd say that Spyderco Jumpmaster would be the best choice.
It has a cutting edge, but no "point" - which IMO would be wise in that situation considering how a plane tends to bounce around with that door open prior to jumpers exiting the aircraft. Safer for the jumpmaster, safer for the other jumpers in the plane, but still more than capable of severing whatever tangled lines need be cut.

Edit: the ESEE looks "cooler" and does indeed serve "more uses", but in a jumpmaster's case the #1 concern and responsibility is the safety of the jumpers.
Just my two cents as a former Air Assault soldier.
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All good points. Jumper safety (jumpers still in the aircraft) would be a concern but not too terribly much in the situation we're discussing. The static line would be being pulled against the the trail edge of the door and any remaining jumpers should be behind the jumpmaster getting ready to cut a static line. That being said....a blunt tip wouldn't help or hurt either so why not. :)
 
scotsmanspride said:
I understand this. Referencing that the line is no going to be still...not the static line. Didnt do jump school but know the basic principle. Safety is the first conceren and if you have to use a standard blade then i would pick a jumpmaster, but again i would also carry a cord cutter.
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A cord cutter would work just fine but something with a full size handle would be better.
 
True - but you know how these aircraft can get bounced around, so were I a jumpmaster I'd prefer that I not stumble and accidentally stab myself or the next guy in line. lol

Similar situation: I've got a little Gerber River Knife that I wear strapped to my PFD when I'm canoeing should I capsize and get tangled in a line or strap or whatever. It's got a blunt tip, but a sharp cutting edge. Sure I could still accidentally slice myself, but at least I couldn't STAB myself, or a fellow paddler, and that's one LESS thing to worry about. Oh, and my RC-4 is in my pack for when I hit land and make camp.
 
I would suggest the ESEE 3MIL due to it's slightly shorter length. What he's wanting to use it for he's not going to need a long bladed knife, and in 140mph winds the longer the blade it'll be that much harder to get it to the strap that you want to cut. I've worn many back up blades on my leg and you really don't need something that big. The length and thickness of the 3 would be perfect for what he's looking for. Hope this helps!

The 3MIL comes with a jumpproof sheath also!
 
Benchmade makes a full length cutter that you can get a full grip on. Tried to link a photo but issues as normal lol
 
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morrowj_98 said:
I went to Jumpmaster school in 1991. The normal knife we used was typical Air Force survival knife strapped to our lower legs. You need it on your leg as it is the most accessible part of your body when you've got gear on your back and the front of your body. Your suggestion of an ESEE 3 or 4 would be just fine. I wouldn't go any bigger than that. Serrations aren't going to matter. If there is a jumper hung up banging against the side of the aircraft (almost never happens), there is so much force on the static line that it is going to "pop" real quick after cutting in to it.
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I'm gonne have to agree with the man that has stood at the door on this one. :) I Thank You and the others here that have served. Love to hear about ESEE gear going with those who need it most.
 
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