Help picking a RESCUE knife

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readyme

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Oct 4, 2004
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I am a firefighter and a member of our technical rescue team. I am looking for a knife to carry while doing well, technical rescue stuff :D

This includes rappelling and work around ropes. It would be used for cutting rope, webbing, seatbelts and clothing. Also, if and when it is used I will be wearing gloves, so I would assume that a larger knife with an easy deployment option would be the best.


I would like a good folding knife that does not cost a ton (good chance of dropping it and never being found again).
The only ones I have seen that are specifically rescue related are from Spyderco.

Any thoughts or other ideas?
 
Victorinox Rescue tool would be worth of consideration, though spyderco line of rescue knives should be high quality and good. Especially orange versions.
 
A Spyderco Assist or Rescue would be fine, although my CE Emerson CQC-7 did just fine, but I only used it maybe 2 or 3 times actually cutting a seat-belt.
 
i would go with the spyderco rescue...the spyderhole is great for gloved hands!
 
I was going to say Spyderco, but after watching the Victorinox video that seems like a very effective tool as well. I think you should get both!
 
The Victorinox has got way too much going on. The Emerson and the Spyderco are both interesting options. The Emerson is out due to a liner lock though (can't use with gloves easily).
So far the Spyderco is leading the way. Well thought out and I really like the orange handles.
...anybody else?
 
You might want an alternative of a Benchmade Model 111H20 both fixed and folding. Why don't you just go fixed? It would be faster, stronger, more durable, even lighter in the case of this Benchmade. But that aside, I think this would be better since your dealing with high moisture environments, and I think you would want a knife that wouldn't rust doing your training drills and such.
 
I carry a Spyderco Assist a lot. It's good for more than just rescue, but it's excellent for that. It has the glass breaker in the butt, the finger grooves give it a positive grip under any conditions, the combination of large opening hole and cobra hood make it the surest opener, even with heavy gloves.

There is another good rescue knife by Gerber which was designed by Rick Hinderer, who's a firefighter himself.

Another good tool that I think should go on everyone's car keys, that I always carry, is the ResQMe. It is a small keychain tool with a spring loaded glass breaker and a seatbelt cutter. Great backup, and handy under normal civilian circumstances.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
There is another good rescue knife by Gerber which was designed by Rick Hinderer, who's a firefighter himself.

Another good tool that I think should go on everyone's car keys, that I always carry, is the ResQMe. It is a small keychain tool with a spring loaded glass breaker and a seatbelt cutter. Great backup, and handy under normal civilian circumstances.
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The Gerber Hinderer is a descent option (I actually have a buddy at work that carries one, I'll have to check it out). And I totally agree with the ResQMe keychain.

I like the simplicity of the Benchmade rescue hooks but I am not sure if they will cut 1/2" rope reliably....guess I will just have to try it out since I have a rescue hook at home and a ton of 1/2" rope at work (time to do some cutting). If that does not work I may have to try and get my prototype knife made. I designed a fixed blade with "rescue" in mind. I based it off the Emerson LaGriffe.
Anybody have any suggestions for custom knife makers that might be willing to cut and grind a fairly simply LaGriffe style knife?
 
I think rescue knives are overrated. Just carry any knife you like.

Any cutting of clothing and the like near a patient is going to be done with trauma shears, not a knife. Cutting your ropes while in a high/steep angle rope scenario... Uh. :eek: Maybe doing a midface pick of somebody who's tangled up in their own ropes? Untying/clipping them from their system once they're on the rescue ropes would be the better option.

That said, the Assist is pretty nice, as are some other Spydercos: Tasman Salt, Jumpmaster (Pricey, though), a blunt Caspian Salt... Fixed blades are easier to work with gloves on, but the Assist's big fat handle and the 'cobra hood' thing make it easy to manipulate too.
 
What about the Zero Tolerance Shroud Cutter? I've never handled one but it looks interesting... it's also got oxygen tank wrenches built into the handle which I assume could come in handy for a firefighter.

ZTJB2.jpg
 
My LE duty knife is a Blackhawk CQD Mark 1 E. This knife cannot...NOT...beaten in this role. I currently have or have owned:
Vic rescue tool
hawkhoook
Spyderco Assist
Spyderco 93mm Rescue
Spyderco Tasman Salt

I think every emergency service employee should have the CQD 1 Type E.... I may be biased
 
I also consider "rescue knives" to be overrated.

I bought a Spyderco Rescue when I started as a firefighter, but have since realised that a sharp point is useful for general tasks and that a knife should not be used in close proximity to members of the public.

I carry a Benchmade Griptilian and Model 5 Rescue Hook in my fire jacket. Our line rescue harnesses have a "J-knife" attached to them for safe cutting and we have a Big Fish safety knife on the trucks that will cut rope up to half inch diameter.
 
I figured it was easier to just use previous posts to respond...I am not trying to be a jerk, just want to answer specific points...sorry for the blue.


I think rescue knives are overrated. I agree, but I couldn't think of another way to describe it.
Just carry any knife you like. I do carry a knife I like, but this is for a special and specific purpose.

Any cutting of clothing and the like near a patient is going to be done with trauma shears, not a knife. Actually, when I go over the edge to triage, I do not carry trauma shears, maybe I should.

Cutting your ropes while in a high/steep angle rope scenario... Uh. :eek: Maybe doing a midface pick of somebody who's tangled up in their own ropes? Untying/clipping them from their system once they're on the rescue ropes would be the better option. I agree, cutting is the last resort, but I want to have all the capabilities that I can.

I bought a Spyderco Rescue when I started as a firefighter, but have since realised that a sharp point is useful for general tasks and that a knife should not be used in close proximity to members of the public. I agree 100%. But again, this is specifically for my time over the edge with little to no gear. I personally carry a Kershaw Zing in my uniform pocket and a Benchmade Model 5 on the outside of my bunker coat for clothing removal.

I carry a Benchmade Griptilian and Model 5 Rescue Hook in my fire jacket. Our line rescue harnesses have a "J-knife" attached to them for safe cutting and we have a Big Fish safety knife on the trucks that will cut rope up to half inch diameter. I like the Big Fish safety knife, but I prefer to pull rather than push, to get more power and not damage anything or anybody with the follow through.
 
I agree with the Gerber Hinderer...I use one at work and, being in the CG, I can tell you it works well for alot of stressfull, rescue type stuff. Has the window punch, line cutter and a decent sized blade (as well as an oxygen bottle wrench cut into the scale). The best part is the large thumb studs and the large plunger style lock lever for gloved hands. The only thing I did not like was the finger coil; my hands are just shy of being the right size and therefore can be slightly uncomfortable. My only other suggestion, if you are around rope alot, is a Myerchin offshore folders. The folding spike is awesome for getting out stubborn knots and prying things open (that way you don't have to use your blade!)
 
readyme said:
I like the Big Fish safety knife, but I prefer to pull rather than push, to get more power and not damage anything or anybody with the follow through.
Click to expand...

It works on the pull too. It just a matter of holding the mouth facing back towards you.
 
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