- Joined
- Nov 21, 2009
- Messages
- 141
I have some views on this subject. Maybe not the most popular ones. But, here goes. I’m retired now, Firefighter/Paramedic. Lieutenant on a Heavy Rescue for an urban IAFF Fire Department for 17 of my years with the department. I’m not referring to a tool in my turnouts here. I’m going to give you my recommendation for a pocket clipped tool quality knife. First: never in my career have I “had” to cut a live person out of a seatbelt. I have pushed the button to release a thousand of them. I’ve only sawn a few airbags and those were usually head curtain ones that were hanging down enough to be annoying. So, for me a specialty knife with a “seatbelt cutter” is out. A lot of them are gimmicky, poor quality steel anyway. Next, serrations. Not really a fan. For me a knife has to sharp. Most people are not talented enough at sharpening to properly sharpen a serrated blade correctly.it seems too me that a partially serrated blade is usually a partially sharpened blade. Some of you may vehemently disagree. A duty knife also must be completely one hand operable IMHO. Lastly, a duty knife is a consumable asset. It may get destroyed, saving my or your life. That said a $600 custom isn’t my first choice. It should have a relatively thick spine to give it strength, a spear point or tanto tip To carry that thickness to the tip; again, for strength. A good sized handle that fits your hand to avoid slipping or twisting, especially when wet or cold. All that said, here is my choice and it may raise a few hackles amongst the members here. I have had great luck with a Boker Magnum Automatic, all black in tanto tip. They are readily available, sub $50 of late, and are even available in Fully LH models. The steel is readily sharpenable to a razor edge and easily maintainable. I also like the ProTech series as well, with the 154-cm steel. My last duty knife was a ProTech auto. Alright, have at me... Edit: Isee now that there are vendors with the Kalashnikov models for less than $40. At those prices for a strong dependable knife, they’re hard to beat.
Last edited: