Ideas for forest fire fighter knife?

SOOOOOO ? All those big old knives are good for hiking camping and bushcraft, but not for bushfire fighting?
 
forester316 said:
I need a fixed blade that can be extremely versatile some what along the lines of the Gerber LMF II or the Becker bk7. This will be used from anything from clearing small brush, hammering, camping, and hiking. Thanks for the help open to all sugestions.
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Pararescue's Most Popular CSAR Knife
http://www.jayfisher.com/pjlt1.htm

PJLT-PJLTMicartaH1.jpg
 
I have a good friend here in Ca. that is a Los Padres National Forrest Service wildland fire fighter.

He has a Mystery Ranch pack, a Pulaski, a bent shovel that they cut the end off of, drags hoses and the ones that are certified use the chain saws.

The pine trees are 100 ft tall, Oaks are tough as hell .... they mostly clear brush and strategically let areas burn that aren't close to structures.

They don't go at branches with a 7"/9" knife.

If they can't clear the brush to divert the fire ... they call in a water drop.

He is also an EMT.

He has many knives but carries a Buck twin blade rescue knife that I gave him years ago.
 
Multi-tool.:thumbup:

If you feel you need a knife a quality folder will do.
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
Why would you need a big knife at all on wildfires? I've ran crews on more burns than I can count and I think the best thing you could have along would be a multi-tool. If something really needs clearing or chopping we had axes and chainsaws. A change in the weather, water and big tankers is what always ends up putting out the major burns.
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Sidehill Gouger said:
Anyone ever hear of a D9 Cat? If you want to clear brush for a firebreak in front of a burn, you don't want to screw around with machetes and you want something a lot wider than a few feet.
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David66 said:
I have fought a few fires as part of a wildland crew. I would choose a good pocket knife. If you are hiking it weight and where to put stuff is always an issue, and I would load heavy on the water (for drinking). A crew will always have in it's possesion a pulaski, axe, hoes, shovels, and maybe a chainsaw. This should cover most of the concerns in the OP.

This also goes for a truck crew.

Just my $.02

By the way if you showed up with most of the suggestions so far you would be laughed at.
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Sidehill Gouger said:
Finally somebody that sounds like he has actually been on a burn. I once showed up on a fire with a new 4-inch fixed blade on my belt. The Area Forester thought I was nuts even though he was carrying a 4-inch blade folder. The District Forester, also carrying a 4-inch blade folder, defended me and let me go ahead a carry it that day. But I didn't do it again. The only thing worse than being called a Mall Ninja is being called a Woods Ninja!
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These guys know what's up. Actual firefighters. :thumbup:
 
one of these would be great for your needs they will cut everything from brush to trees its called the ESEE lite machete (http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=RCLITEMACHETE) and i honestly dont think micarta will have a problem with heat to a certain degree(no pun intended) what micarta is, is resin and either paper or canvas the end product is like a natural fiberglass allmost but the post above has a great point.... everything you would need on a burn should allready be on the truck .... and the D9 is a great idea too :D
 
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