Knife saved the day... True story...

People ask, "Why do you carry a knife ?"

In case you have to cut something.

Glad you guys are safe. Thanks for sharing.
 
Very well written and told (and scary) story. Good "picture" images in the writing: I could "see" it all happening.

I've been up a couple of radio towers in my day but gave that kind of work up due to a back problem: there's a big yellow streak up it!

I would think any knife company would LOVE a letter like that!
 
oilburner said:
If I didn't carry that knife, the one with the half and half blade (I always disliked half serated blades), the one I was never very impressed with but liked the way it looked and felt in my hand, I really don't know how we would have dealt with it. QUOTE]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

U know, CRKTs get a pretty bad rap here, but my obsession with knives started with a half serrated tanto M16. I've been drifting towards plain blades lately, but I still have plenty of half serrated blades. I still like CRKTs, and some of them are quite decent for EDC, easily available and cheap. I beat the crap out of that tanto and then got on with seriously collecting knives when the lock wore out (back in the days before they had the auto lawks) and decided I needed a knife with a better lock and to stop flicking them out so much :p Seriously, I still believe CRKT are good bang for the buck, practical and fun. Great story!
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Great story, I've been interrested in that type of work sence I began climbing and cutting trees.
 
I've had the opportunity to be on a comms tower that high too, so I can understand your statements on the effects of the wind. Thanks for sharing your story!
 
The OP may want to consider the Myerchin rigging knives. They are made both fixed and folders and the blades on many of them are 3/4 serrated for cutting line aboard ships. The Leatherman is more versatile, but only if you can open it without dropping it off the tower in the freezing wind.
 
Great story and good on you for keeping a cool head. Reminds me of that video that someone else posted on BF a while back with the guy climbing to the top of a 2000ft + antenna with the camcorder on his helmet video taping the whole thing. To quote someone else "my puke almost puked" looking at that video! I don't know how you guys do it because climbing a 16ft ladder to get to my roof freaks me out!

I too would recommend carrying a Leatherman or similar multitool. Great backup tool if something happens to the rest of your gear. You mentioned that your partner further down had the saw that you guys were supposed to use. EDIT: Here's the link. Watch at your own risk! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsRRRnHiz8
 
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I got a replacement knife in the mail when I got home friday, a new M16-13DSFG. Man, am I impressed. I'll post up some pictures of it clipped onto my climbing harness later tonight probably. For all you non-believers, it's time to give CRKT another look. Thanks for all the comments, and yes, I've seen that video. It's obviously a few years old, (or from another country) because free climbing (no harness for tie off) is a BIG NO NO no days. Someone sees you just 20 feet up and your not hooked to the tower...hello unemployment. I'll put up some pics of the new EDC work knife tonight. Mark.
 
Bill1170 said:
The OP may want to consider the Myerchin rigging knives. They are made both fixed and folders and the blades on many of them are 3/4 serrated for cutting line aboard ships. The Leatherman is more versatile, but only if you can open it without dropping it off the tower in the freezing wind.
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I think in that particular job I'd have a lanyard attached to anything I carried just so it wouldn't fall out of my hand in the freezing wind :D
 
NaturalMystic said:
Great story and good on you for keeping a cool head. Reminds me of that video that someone else posted on BF a while back with the guy climbing to the top of a 2000ft + antenna with the camcorder on his helmet video taping the whole thing. To quote someone else "my puke almost puked" looking at that video! I don't know how you guys do it because climbing a 16ft ladder to get to my roof freaks me out!

I too would recommend carrying a Leatherman or similar multitool. Great backup tool if something happens to the rest of your gear. You mentioned that your partner further down had the saw that you guys were supposed to use. EDIT: Here's the link. Watch at your own risk! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsRRRnHiz8
Click to expand...

Man what a video! I'm with you, my stomach did summersaults watching:eek::eek::barf:

Not sure if I should thank you for sharing or what :D
 
Great story man. Probably the best pro-serration story I have read, and you even admit to not really liking them before the incident.:thumbup::thumbup:
 
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