GEC Fire Fighter

Hondo.3

Hondo.3

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
1,121
Hi guys,
I'm a teacher, volunteer firefighter, and knife collector. I've got three GECs, a walnut sheepsfoot charlow, a Che Chen rosewood Babylon special, and a king wood watch pocket sunfish. I was intrigued by the possibility of a special run, so I contacted GEC and asked the question.

I have spoken to a few of my fellow fire fighters, and they are interested. I'm turning to you guys here on the traditional forum. My hope is to collaboratively come up with a design and generate some ideas about how to make this project work. If I had the cash, I'd write the cheque myself, but that's not in the cards.

My basic concept is a knife for the off-duty fire fighter. I envision an improved trapper with red jigged bone covers and a Maltese cross shield, like the typical logos that you find in fire departments around the world. If the shield were smooth-surfaced, individuals could have it engraved with their department name, or personal number. I'm not sure about an etch; I find that they don't show well after the patina starts to form.

So, what do you think? Would you be interested in such a thing? Do you have any advice of suggestions for me? Am I out to lunch?

TC
 
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Sounds like a cool idea, but traditional slipjoints are a PITA to work with while wearing full turnout gear haha. I'd still buy one though! :)
 
Keeping with the firefighting theme, how tan/off-white canvas micarta instead of bone handles, to incorporate the idea of a fire hose into the design?
 
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Sounds Tempting.
Canvas micarta is a good choice.
Fire engine red or navy blue.
Like the Maltese X.How about a shield big enough to engrave or etch your name and number on?
I'd be a lot more tempted if it was something a bit chunkier than a trapper eg workhorse or sunfish perhaps.
I agree with CJZ on the functionality-at vehicle rescues our powers that be frown upon the use of "live blades"(sounds scary)preferring the use of safety cutters .
Unfortunately I'm too old school to give a rodents about that.
I can think of plenty of non emergency tasks for a knife such as this.
I can possibly be used as an Australian connection for these if needed.I'd more than likely get 2 myself.
keep us posted and stay safe.
 
Case already has an "American Firefighters" mini trapper in white Delrin, so I'd suggest staying away from the white micarta concept just to distance yourself a bit from that.
 
Good luck with this, and it's great to see that GEC are so accomodating with these SFO's :thumbup:
 
Here's my idea, a Case medium Congress in white Delrin, scrolled bolsters, and a nickel silver Maltese cross in place of the shield.
 
Hondo.3 said:
The set-up charge for a blade etch is $50. ... I'm not sure about an etch; I find that they don't show well after the patina starts to form.

TC
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Assuming guys are going to use the knives, I wouldn't bother with an etch for exactly the reason you mentioned. Another option might be to go with stainless blades, not 1095. In that case, an etch might make more sense.

-- Mark
 
Most of the guys I work with have a more modern folder in a turnout gear pocket. A few of us carry Benchmade Triages. Some other just carry a seatbelt cutter. We've got lots of cutting tools on the truck. I wouldn't expect anyone to use this knife on-scene. I'm imagining a tool for throwing in your pocket when you're off-duty, just a simple EDC that reminds you of your affiliation with the service.

I agree with the thought of having a large enough shield for engraving. Personally, I'd like to have my number on mine.

Regarding an etch, I have a thought. Imagine a two-blade folder, clip and wharncliffe. The clip is stainless, etched with "Fire Rescue" and the wharnie is 1095. Is that cool, silly, or just plain weird?

TC
 
What patterns are the guys looking at? Are any of them hunters, sportsmen. Hikers? Bushcrafters? Not to be stereotypical, Alberta to me is the far north country, out in Skookum land, the bush. Only Les Stroud getting by up there ;) . Are they looking for a hunter pattern, a lockback? A smaller pattern similar to the 15 barlow? Have any of them looked at GEC's catalog? Would a basic 73 be in order, or something like a small 68? Will they carry this or not? Should it be 440C or 1095? Maybe the basic sodbuster pattern GEC offers in O1. With the added cost of the shield, I wouldn't want to get too fancy with the actual pattern. However, you definitely want to get something most everyone will like. Most important of all, are they definitely committed? You don't want to get stuck with the cost of an entire order and only a few guys step up to buy a couple.
 
Some great feed back on this- yes a standard pattern 73 or farm n field would be good. Remember K.I.S.S. ! and keep the cost to a minimum. Most firies I know (and I know lots) are how can I put this without being rude? "careful with their money".
I have done a couple of Tshirt runs in the past -i know it worlds apart from a run of knives but be aware that everyone will suggest features that are costly to include and it can be a complete nightmare.
Basically something that GEC is tooled up for already with the addition of colour specific scales and the special shield. Lanyard tube wouldn't go astray either.
Woodrow is right on the money with expanding the customer base to interstate -I reckon they would sell here too.
 
The idea only hatched on Saturday, so I've only spoken with three of the guys. We were on a course together (S200: fire behaviour and building construction). I showed off the sunfish in my watch pocket, and the charlow at the bottom of the big pocket. My little corner of Alberta is almost level with the southern tip of the Alaska Panhandle. My little corner of the province is Most of the guys work in the oilfield. There are a fair number of hunters in the department. Almost everyone does at least a bit of camping. There are a lot of folders clipped to pockets, so I think a slipjoint EDC would get some use. 440C might be more user-friendly than 1095 for these boys. I think the 73 would appeal to a lot of guys. That's a good idea.

Definitely committed? Not yet. I can raise the topic next week at our meeting. I'm not exactly drowning in cash, and I can't bankroll an entire run. It was suggested to me that I read out to some dealers. So, I think that's what I need to do.

TC
 
This is a great idea! I'd be in for 1 or 2 - there's some FD in my family.

How about a #23 with a spear (or clip) & a wharnie blade? Ruby red bone, nice big shield and lanyard tube. Personally, I would like 1095 more, but could respect SS. That's about perfect for me!
 
meako said:
Most firies I know (and I know lots) are how can I put this without being rude? "careful with their money".
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LOL! That's the expression used in Yorkshire Meako! :D
 
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