Fireman handle advice

C

cvsurg

Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
7
I am considering purchasing a Randall Fireman. I plan to use it, mostly camping and hiking. Trying to decide between the border patrol handle and the four finger grooved handle. Any advice? Anyone have a Fireman that they use, and for what tasks have you found it to be helpful?
 
I actually prefer the Border Patrol handles on the bigger knives, but don't own a Fireman's Special. Maybe someone else will have something more interesting to contribute.
 
CV, welcome.

I've had four or five RMK 'Fireman's Special' models knives to date, all in either four finger or 'Border Patrol' (BP) handle configuration; for me, the BP's have far and away been the best ergonomic choice - haven't had a single finger groove (SFG) handle version to compare with though, so there's another option too...

Here's the thing; with most of the full-tang models (specifically the #14, #15, #16, & #16-17) the handle style on any given, individual knife may 'fit' you, while others don't. Same handle shape mind you, just something slightly different that fits your hand better'n others...

Point being, it may not be the handle style that works for ya - rather, the dimensions of said handle. I buy a whole lot of RMK's just to find the few that fit me...and when I find those knives, I don't sell 'em.

As far as your question goes tho'...I've found the BP handle shape to be the most flexible. Hope that helps.

-S
 
Thanks for the opinions. I did go with the BP handle and should receive the Fireman later this week. I'll let you know how it handles.
 
That's great - let us know how it works out. Some pics would be good too. :)
 
Just received a new #25-6. I'd been oggling it on the net for a few weeks and my son pushed me over the edge. My first RMK to have and to hold. I have to say this knife made me just sit still and admire the craftsmanship. I'm not planning on this being a user though. It comes with a piece of paracord thru the handle, ends untied. What do most people do with the cord? Specific way of knotting it? Leave it open to signify an unused knife?
I'll post some pics when the Fireman arrives later this week. :D:thumbup:
 
Good score, the Model #25 is a sweet knife. As to the paracord; the shop used to put a loose half knot into it with an inch or so of loose flying ends...I still do the same so's I don't lose the paracord...

Nothing bugs me more than a 'new' Randall, one that's maybe only a few months old, with no paracord. What's up wit' dat...I know it shipped with paracord; what happened, did the cat eat it? :eek:

Look forward to seeing the Fireman's too, but until then and after...enjoy your new Trapper :D

-S
 
I put the same knot on mine. It's kinda hard to explain, but if you look closely at some of the photos in the catalog, you can figure it out.

The 25 is one of my favorites. Good score! Looking forward to some photos.
 
One of my Fireman Specials has a Nickel Silver hilt and a Red Micarta "Single Finger Grip" handle. I love it.

rmk-fireman-sfg.jpg
 
I've personally struggled to "like" the fireman knife. I thought it was the absence of a choil and the difficulty that would make in sharpening up to the hilt, but then I realize all my knives with choils are sharpend no nearer to the hilt than the fireman. Still, the #15 with the spearpoint blade with the sawteeth option (no teeth) appeals more to me.

Are there some features of the fireman that appeal to others but me?
 
For what it's worth, I completely agree with you, Bruce. About the only advantage I can see it would have over the 15 is that it might be legal to carry in places with blade length restrictions where the 15 might not. I'll be curious to see what others have to say also, though.
 
Yeah, the only negative I can state about the Fireman Special is its lack of a choil. It means one will bugger up the forward surface of the hilt when sharpening, or leave the portion of the blade that touches the hilt unsharpened. Neither seems like a good thing.
 
I haven't done any measurements on a fireman but wonder if the lack of choil would make it slightly sturdier at the hilt than a #15 for prying. Of course the #15 would have an inch and a half extra blade for prying. Wasn't prying one of the tasks the fireman was built for?

Anyway, the fireman looks like one stout implement and lunde, you sure take some great photos! I bet you could make a cow pie look good!
 
KL,

I ran into that 'lack of a choil' problem with a 12-6 Sportsman's Bowie, so taped off the hilt face and stroped the blade...that worked for me, but as always, YMMV :)

p.s. When are you gonna learn how to take clear photos? ;)
 
I've got a finger groove Fireman. I use it as a 'SuperScandi' bushcraft knife.

I'm sure that the BP handle would be a tad more comfortable when carving, but it's not bad enough for me to send it off to be rehandled.

For a 4" blade it chops better than a lot of 6 or 7 inch blades I've used. Makes me wonder what you could do with a Model 16! TIMMMBer!

Yeah, you'll scratch the guard sharpening it unless you put a little masking tape on it.

The Randall knife was born to use!
 
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