Kershaw Responder for FF work

Frangouch · Feb 25, 2008

Does anyone have any input/experience using a Responder for firefighting?
I've tried many different knives to carry on my bunker gear but I'm not really
impressed with a folding knife as a solution. I find myself leaning toward a fixed blade that's not too large or intimidating to carry. Any input is appreciated, thanks

SPXTrader · Feb 26, 2008

frangouch, I have a buddy that is FD/EMT, and he carries the Responder. Says he likes it a lot. I recently showed him the youtube video from SHOT featuring the JB2 Rescue tool, and now he says he MUST have one of them. I'm not sure if they've been released yet, but here's a link to a SHOT youtube video posted earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BItmW98M9mc

It's about 5 minutes into the video...

Hope this helps!

SPX

Frangouch · Feb 26, 2008

Thanks man, looks cool, I wonder what the cost is? I have a ZT0200 and it's a friggin tank. Won't use it for FF duties however. I can get a responder for $25-30 and if it gets lost I won't cry over losing it.

Bookworm · Feb 28, 2008

SPXTrader said:
frangouch, I have a buddy that is FD/EMT, and he carries the Responder. Says he likes it a lot. I recently showed him the youtube video from SHOT featuring the JB2 Rescue tool, and now he says he MUST have one of them. I'm not sure if they've been released yet, but here's a link to a SHOT youtube video posted earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BItmW98M9mc

It's about 5 minutes into the video...

Hope this helps!

SPX

thyat's an awesome video! I wonder where ZT orders their "high speed steels" from though? (about 1:50 in)

The ZT 0121 is the first knife recommended by Kershaw as a prybar! (4:02)

I want an 0100 so that I can shoot it, stab it through a cinder block wall and climb over, and then cut through the trunk of a car, and if it doesn't survive, I'm sending it back. Though for $289 retail that's going at the bottom of the list for a while.

riffraff · Feb 28, 2008

Bookworm said:
I wonder where ZT orders their "high speed steels" from though? (about 1:50 in)

They are referring to the use of those same steels in the tool and die industry, where the steel is used to make high-speed cutting heads.

TxRedbeard · Mar 27, 2008

SPXTrader said:
frangouch, I have a buddy that is FD/EMT, and he carries the Responder. Says he likes it a lot. I recently showed him the youtube video from SHOT featuring the JB2 Rescue tool, and now he says he MUST have one of them. I'm not sure if they've been released yet, but here's a link to a SHOT youtube video posted earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BItmW98M9mc

It's about 5 minutes into the video...

Hope this helps!

SPX

I'm looking at the Kershaw Responder as a PFD (life jacket) knife for use when kayak fishing (99% fresh water). I'm glad to hear a positive review of it. The funny thing is my only concern about it is the relatively low price. I was a little afraid it might be junk from China. It sounds like wherever it is made, it isn't junk.

The JB2 looks like it would work well as a PFD knife as well, since the purpose of a PFD knife is to cut free from any entangling cords if you dump the kayak. Unfortunately all I could find is a prototype from Zero Tolerance for $225. Here is the link to the prototype for sale if anyone is interested: http://www.mattdtactical.com/ZERO-TOLERANCE-PROTOTYPE-JB2_p_19-223.html

knivesandguns · Mar 27, 2008

TxRedbeard said:
I'm looking at the Kershaw Responder as a PFD (life jacket) knife for use when kayak fishing (99% fresh water). I'm glad to hear a positive review of it. The funny thing is my only concern about it is the relatively low price. I was a little afraid it might be junk from China. It sounds like wherever it is made, it isn't junk.

The JB2 looks like it would work well as a PFD knife as well, since the purpose of a PFD knife is to cut free from any entangling cords if you dump the kayak. Unfortunately all I could find is a prototype from Zero Tolerance for $225. Here is the link to the prototype for sale if anyone is interested: http://www.mattdtactical.com/ZERO-TOLERANCE-PROTOTYPE-JB2_p_19-223.html

$225?????
In the kershaw catalog, it retails for $60--I could've picked one up at the Kershaw show in November for even cheaper....

reholli · Mar 27, 2008

TxRedbeard said:
I'm looking at the Kershaw Responder as a PFD (life jacket) knife for use when kayak fishing (99% fresh water). I'm glad to hear a positive review of it. The funny thing is my only concern about it is the relatively low price. I was a little afraid it might be junk from China. It sounds like wherever it is made, it isn't junk.

The JB2 looks like it would work well as a PFD knife as well, since the purpose of a PFD knife is to cut free from any entangling cords if you dump the kayak. Unfortunately all I could find is a prototype from Zero Tolerance for $225. Here is the link to the prototype for sale if anyone is interested: http://www.mattdtactical.com/ZERO-TOLERANCE-PROTOTYPE-JB2_p_19-223.html

Perhaps the confusion is over the name...the video refers to the JB2, but the currently available Zero Tolerance Rescue Tool (which looks identical) is the JB1, and it's readily available for $60-$70.

I can't find this tool currently listed on KAI/ZT's website, but it is for sale at a number of online stores.

Ray