Medium to large knife for a member of Search and Rescue (under $75)

Greg Davenport

Greg Davenport

Joined
Nov 29, 1999
Messages
632
Hi all,

A friend of mine has a 17 year old daughter who recently joined the search and rescue team in our community. The mom wants to buy her daughter a medium to large knife for her upcomming birthday. In addition, she only has $75 or less to spend.

Taking into account the activities this young lady may need the knife for.... what does the forum think mom should get?

Thanks everyone....

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Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
I guess it depends where she'll be searching and rescuing. What types of environments will she most likely be in???

Here are some of my choices:

Becker Companion
Cold Steel SRK
K-Bar

If it were up to me, I'd buy the SRK or KBar, and then use the change to buy an Ontario machete!!! A great combo to be had for around $75!!!

 
I have been a member of a Search & Rescue team for the past 4 year. I have seen some really poor choices for blades and some really good ones too. I would recommend the Cold Steel SRK or a Fallkniven (not sure if that meets the budget). Either will do the job. Pair it with a good SAK and you will be ready to handle most anything, provided you have the know-how to use them right.

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Barry
Jones Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=926274
"For DUTY and HUMANITY!"
Curly, Moe, & Larry
 
All of the above suggestions are of good merit. I too have been a SAR Ground Team leader and trainer with the CAP. This question comes up a lot in regard to our ground team members who are mainly cadets from 14 to 19 yrs. old. We don't allow large bowie type knives with the exception of the Kabar Marine fighting knife. This knife seems to have the greatest utility for the dollar spent of any I have tried.
Indeed the CS Bushman is reasonably priced, but lacks the guard I like to see novices have in place when using larger knives for the first time.
The Kabar is light enough to pack all day in the bush; easy enough to sharpen with a small stone, and tough enough to get you home through the worst of it.
I like the looks of it but the SRK is a bit pricy for most.

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
 
My suggestion would be Fallkniven or Kabar (if stainless is not a must).

HM
 
I would like to add that in this part of the country (Southern Virginia) you really don't get into a search that would necessitate you being in the field for more than 6 hours. In fact, if you are ever sent out on a task that takes that long (or even as much as 3 hours),then the incident command needs to go back to training school. Most searches here in Virginia are run with multiple teams in the field and are designed so that tasks are short enough to keep from overtiring your teams.
Having said all the above, I would reall say that a good Swiss Army Knife would be the ideal choice, especially for an inexperienced
searcher. The SAK would definitely see more use than a large knife.
Of course, If you are in an area that is more
wilderness than urban, there may be more of a need for a larger knife.

One more thing:
SUPPORT SEARCH AND RESCUE - GET LOST
biggrin.gif


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Barry
Jones Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=926274
"For DUTY and HUMANITY!"
Curly, Moe, & Larry
 
I don't think that a really large knife is necessary, but a comfortable handle that fits the hand is. Much depends on the size of her hands and strength. One of the plastic handled Frost's of Sweden knives would probably fit fine, and cost about $11 -$12.00. http://www.chaicutlery.com/mora/frosts-mora-utilities.jpg
The balance could be spent on a multitool and good firestarter. Despite the cheapness of the knives they work well.
A prettier belt knife would be the Helle Grizzly ( which has a wood handle that can be sanded to fit if necessary) at $40.00. http://www.chaicutlery.com/helle/grizzly.jpg. This would still allow the purchase of a good firestarter.

There are good deals to be had on ebay for discontinued Gerber "A" series - in new condition. The A400 has a small handle and is certainly tough enough to use with a baton or to whittle on other knives suggested - any other knives suggested... The last one went for $28.00 US. This would allow the purchase of a multitool as an extra present, or a firestarter. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=329298549
is the address of one currently for sale. The larger "A" series knives tend to be awkward in smaller hands and handle heavy.

Just my two cents worth hoping to be helpful and cheap. Multitools, firestarters, compasses are all necessary too.

Jimbo

 
I'll second the vote for the Scandinavian knife. Helle would be my first choice, or you can buy one of the less expensive models. Chai Cutlery is the definite 'go to' guy for these (and others).

I personally like the Wenger Mountaineer (a SAK). Much like a Victorinox Rucksack but I like the Mountaineer blade better.

My own personal favorites include the Gerber Parabellum. But it's hard to find them anymore.

HTH,



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-Kevin
"Oderint dum metuant"
Riddler, Hoodlum, Bon Vivant.
 
I would recomend the RCM(Recon Combat Machette), made by Newt Livesay. Blade is 12 inches long, and is very popular with DEA for marajuana erradication.
But the price is $150.00, plus shipping.

Quality doesn't come cheap!!

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Big-Target>>>>>>SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM
 
Originally posted by Greg Davenport:
Taking into account the activities this young lady may need the knife for.... what does the forum think mom should get?
Click to expand...
I'm far from certain a "medium to large" knife is needed. Assuming it isn't, I'll agree the Helle Grizzly is a good choice, but if mom wants to spend the whole budget on the knife and have planned on things like flashlight, compass and firestarter separately, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Fällkniven WM1.



[This message has been edited by Griffon (edited 05-16-2000).]
 
Originally posted by J. J. Magnum:
All of the above suggestions are of good merit. I too have been a SAR Ground Team leader and trainer with the CAP. This question comes up a lot in regard to our ground team members who are mainly cadets from 14 to 19 yrs. old. We don't allow large bowie type knives with the exception of the Kabar Marine fighting knife.
Click to expand...

{emphasis mine}

Why is this? Because of the cross-guard on the Ka-Bar? Or is it just to keep expenses down? Just curious, ya know.

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iktomi
 
We like the Marine Fighter for several reasons not the least of which is the price. I like the cross guard feature also just for the sake of accident prevention. As I stated before this is an extremely tough knife (maybe not as tough as a Busse or a Johanning etc. but for the uses it is normally given and the price...).
Most of my Cadets could afford the surplus store prices for these knives, and most carried either this or the USAF pilot survival knife on their gear.
I also would like to weigh in with the fact that any member of a SAR team should also carry a quality folder and/or a Swiss Army Knife (Victorinoix or Wegner). When asked for recommendations I agree with Dr. Hood the Rucksack is the best I have ever used.
Hope this clears up my post.

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
 
Oops, sorry, in re-reading the previous question I think I missed the original point. The biggest reason we don't allow LARGE bowie type knives is that young minds tend to go to extremes. I have seen every thing including what I believed to be short swords in the hands of cadets. Also cadets tend to use Machetes indiscriminately and tend to look for things to cut with them. We try to teach responsible knife handling and restraint in cutting only things which need to be cut (as opposed to arms, legs, etc.).
Now I really hope that this answers the right question...

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
 
I really appreciate all the input on this subject. I have and continue to pass on this information to "mom".

In the past I have recommended the USMC KBar or USAF Pilot Survival Knife for a good medium blade. However, when this question came up... I wondered what the informed knife experts (on this forum) would advise.

I do agree with the posts on how important the folder (or small knife) is... as noted in a previous subject on this forum.

In addition, I agree with the concern about a medium to large knife in the hands of young teens (or adults) who have not been trained in their proper use (to include safe handling).

Thanks Again,

------------------
Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
You didn't say what kind of SAR team she'll be on. I assume at 17, she'll be a ground-pounder with an ESAR unit. Considering that...

I'd recommend a Leatherman PST II, SuperTool, or Wave. For SAR activities, a good multi-tool has much more functionality than the fixed blade knives mentioned. For the amount of time you spend cutting, you probably spend an equivalent or greater amount of time taking apart, putting together, and fixing equipment and gear.

If you shop around on the Net, close to $75 will buy you a decent multi-tool and something like a Spyderco Endura or Cold Steel Voyager. Multi-tool and folder is probably the most frequently carried combo among SAR folks. In my experience, the times you need a larger fixed blade are few and far between.

Also note that some SAR groups are concerned with their public image, and frown on team members wearing/carrying large fixed blades. You might check the group's regs if you decide to go the fixed blade route.

My two cents...

Joel
 
Joel has some very good points. Most SAR teams in my area fix more equipment than cut large amounts of brush or trees. I really have not been concerned with the knives that I carry altering the public image. Most of the time the public does not see me with my gear on since I am in the woods more than in base. When they do see me with my knives I make sure to act in a responsible and professional manner. That is what people notice more than anything else.

J J Magnum,
There is nothing wrong with carrying a short sword. I carry one with me from time to time.
I do agree with you that younger people should not.

Greg,
This is just my opinion and I hope you don't take it too hard. I think that the Air Force survival knife is about as useful a cutting tool as a flashlight. The bevels are just not well suited for efficient cutting. It is a tough little knife though. With a little reworking of the bevels, it should perform well.

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Barry
Jones Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=126319&a=926274
"For DUTY and HUMANITY!"
Curly, Moe, & Larry
 
Greg...

Tell you what!!

If she happens to get any of the Fallknivens and I would say either the SI or FI....

I'll kick in for a custom sheath made to her specs!

Hows that sound!

Let me know what she decides!!!

Actually.... Tell you what!

If she is willing to send me the knife,,I'll custom fit a sheath to whatever she decides!

Drop me a note sometime..

ttyle Eric

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 
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