Need advice on knife for firefighter general purpose and self rescue

R

rosscopeeko

Joined
Sep 10, 2006
Messages
13
Hi to all of you. Just noticed this site a few days back and this is my first post. Excellent site we have here with a lot of good info. Anyways, i'm a fairly new firefighter in BC, Canada and i want to get myself a knife for mostly self rescue. I need something that will attach to the outside of my turnout coat (G-Extreme with horizontal belt type loop near the upper chest). It also has to be able to cut me free of wire, rope, anything that may entangle me or my fellow brothers or victims. I was looking at Spyderco Rescue knives because i think i can open them with my firefighting gloves on and the serrated edge looks like it will cut almost anything. I've read a lot of "knife for firefighting" on this forum and still need a little insight. I don't plan on using it to cut people free of their seatbelts unless i can't get access to our seatbelt cutters in time. So to summarize, do you think the spyderco will stay attached to my jacket if i hang and attach it downward? I was also looking at the spyderco assist 2 which has a carabiner type attachment, but i don't think i could operate that with my gloves on. Any suggestions. Cost is a bit of a factor as well as durability, sharpness. Thanks to all who help,
 
let me first being by welcoming you to the forums..
secondly i live in bc (lowermainland) so i'd like to thank you for your role in the public safety of our province.

here is my personal recommendation taking into account what you've described.

i would suggest a CRKT M21 folder, it'll run you about 100 bux, try house of knives and tell them ur a firefighter, maybe they can give you a discount.

the CRKT (columbia river knife and tool) combined with the Merlin Professional deployment system. i think those two are right up ur alley.

i know that in many situations you will need to be able to draw your knife FAST, EFFICIENTLY, and SAFELY. tying a semi-long lanyard to the end may help because if your in a situation which requires you to drop the knife it wont go very far from ur wrist.


here is the link to the merlin pro deployment system:

http://www.crkt.com/merlinpro.html

here is the link to the CRKT m21:

http://www.crkt.com/M21.html

for the M21 i would suggest the M21-14 model.
A) its nice and big so it'll be easier to grip with your gloves on
B) it has half seration on the last part of the blade (good to cut line)
C) it has a quick deploy system (little tab at top of knife when closed allows you to open the knife with one finger on the top and a flick of the wrist)

i've taken my M21 with me almost everywhere.. once through airport security with it =) (its my edc i forgot it was even on my hip)

i hope this helps and thanks again your job is very important to us all.


cheers ^^
 
i just had another thought, it may be better for you to carry a fixed blade instead of a folder... it was just a thought that passed my mind...

take a look at the merlin II fixed blade deployment system as well while ur at the CRKT website.

and possibly the ultima fixed blade from crkt.

btw: i've done everything from pry open cans of beans to cut fishing line, to cutting fish and once even pryed open a stuck window with my M21.

cheers^^
 
Just check out Rick Hinderer's designs. He is a firefighter himself so makes knives that will withstand the abuse you guys may be forced to put a knife through. His custom stuff is expensive, but worth the price.

For a budget model, consider the Gerber Hinderer Rescue knife.
Welcome to the forums by the way!
 
I second that Hinderer design Gerber. According to the article I read on it, it should be absolutely sufficient for any firefighting need you could ask for in a folder. The idea of a fixed blade does have its merits though.

1534.jpg
 
Welcome rossco. I'll be coming into my 14th year on the job this month and I've pretty much always had a Spyderco with me sisnce the start. My most recent is the D'Allara Rescue and I'm quite pleased with it. Very stout. The only downside is that the lock is fairly difficult to unlock with my gloves on, so I've been thinking about going back to a standard Rescue or possibly an Atlantice Salt. I'd consider getting yourself a small set of side-cutters or pliers to throw into your gear as well. I got myself wrapped up once and wish I had had a pair. I didn't panic, but as a partner and I say, "I could see it from where I was...";) .
 
i've been on the job for 21 years and have had really good service out of spyderco{endura plain edge} and buck 110. I second the post by flipe8 regarding a pair of sidecutters{linemans pliers} carried in a turnout pocket are pretty handy if you happen to get fouled in wiring. it happens and it's not much fun. be careful and watch what you're doing and you'll be fine. later,ahgar
 
I'll give another endorsement for a pair of sidecutters or cable cutters. A knife is not going to cut through wires that hold a drop ceiling. A good multi-tool and a $100 or less knife will hold you in good stead for general station wear.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I'll be picking up a set of side cutters right away and i'll look at all the knives suggested. Can anyone tell me how well the clips on the spyderco knives hold onto a beltloop or something similar? I plan on having a knife on the front of my turnout coat and don't want to lose it. Thanks
 
Hey Rossco...

Good to see yet another Canajun here on BF.com....

We will soon take over this board.. LOL
Just kidding....

Yaa the Spyderco Rescue is a Wicked little knife..Serrations cut like Crazy..That would be one of my first choices...

That Gerber pictured about also looks pretty neat,,has some cool features for sure....


As far as the clips go..

They are good,, however,, any clip put under stress will malfunction after time, as would be getting it snagged up on something...
My suggestion would be to have a special pocket sewn either on the front,, or somewhere on the inside where it can easily be accessed.. A nylon pouch with good velcro or some type of a pull the dot snap, or possibly a buckle of some sort...

The last thing you want is that knife clipped somewhere, and getting hung up and pulled out,,when you need it,, it may be gone....

Again as far as the knives go,, either of those would be fine..Personally I like the Spydie myself...

Again,, good to see you here,,enjoy your stay...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Spyderco Rescue
Spyderco Assist
Spyderco Pacific Salt (SpyderEdge)

I also think a multitool would be helpful. Maybe the firefighters on the forum can confirm or deny that.

I would also suggest looking at a fixed blade either instead of a folder, or as a companion to a folder. A fixed blade is faster, stronger, and more reliable. I don't think you need to conceal the knife, so I am not sure why a folder would be preferable.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I prefer a folder because i would be worried about getting stabbed if i fall or if it comes lose of it's holder. I have little to no experience with knives though so i could be worried about nothing. Anyways, i've been reading about the Spyderco Delica 4 and it sounds like a great knife. I was thinking a combo edge might be beneficial. Something lite is a plus, easy opening, good strong clip, etc. Thanks again for all the help. I'll keep reading and learning.
 
Mongo-man said:
i also would recommend the Spyderco Assist I FRN ~ C79BK

http://spyderco.com/catalog/closeup.php?product=63

beefy handle, rock solid, whistle and glassbreaker:thumbup:
Click to expand...


I am not a firefighter but I am an EMT on a fire department and I have this exact knife and I have no problem deploying it with leather gloves on. I haven't tried it with Ringers but I don't think it would be a problem. It is sharp as the devil and a really good knife with all the proper options in my opinion. I carry it always.

Also, Hair is correct, many of the firefighters carry multitools.

KR
 
We really like the Gerber Hinderer Rescue.
It really has the useful features only one or two other knives such at the Extrema Ratio SAR.
GH_72.jpg

GH_2_72.jpg
 
I'm a British firefighter. I have always carried a Spyderco lockback in my firejacket because they are easy to open and close while wearing fire gloves.
I used to carry a Rescue, but found that a sharp point was more useful for general use. (Any cutting done around casualties, crew or animals is done with a safety blade or EMT shears)

I went from the Rescue to a plain edged Delica - and then sized-up to a plain edged Endura.
The Delica or Endura would be my recommendation.

I back up the other guys' recommendations of side cutters or pliers.
I started carrying a pair of six inch combination pliers in my jacket pocket after an incident where my BA (SCBA) partner got entangled in fine electrical wiring during a fire in a large store.

The third tool I recommend is the Res-Q-Me. It is a compact, inexpensive and reliable tool that can be used to break toughened vehicle glass and to cut seatbelts, straps or clothing. I recently used mine to free a pigeon that was entangled in netting. It was safer for the bird and, as there were lots of people watching, the Endura would have been overkill!:D
 
roscopeeko,

Great tips here and by now I'm sure you have found a great knife.Hope you are carrying those side cutters as well.
Perhaps check with your training Division regarding your Departments policy on having things hanging on the outside of your gear.Our Department(Saint John NB,L771),discourages anything hanging (biners,d-hooks etc.) because of increased risk of entanglement (and as Normark said,you may lose it) .Find a pocket and get used to accessing it when you're geared up.

Stay safe and welcome to the best job in the world.
 
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