Oh my! Which knives to bring?

S

sketchbag

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Finally got a call from the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the forest firefighting job I've been waiting for. Got the interview on monday, followed by the physical and training (which is apparently a joke compared to the training I already took in Ontario).

Now for the hard part, picking which steel is coming along...

My Vic Farmer is definitely coming, but as for the rest of them...

In the small fixed blade range I've got to pick from...
fallkniven f1
scrapyard yardkeeper
mora 510 & 2000
busse active duty

The big bastids... (not sure if I'll even bring any of these)
rat7
basic7
dogfather

I'm leaning towards the yard keeper and my 19" axe. Not sure if I should bring a big blade or the axe, we can only fill our packs with 45lb when we fly onto a fire, and there will definitely be camp axes already (though nothing as fine as the gransfors)

What do you guys think?
 
Well it would do better then you think and good reason to stay longer in the bush if you know what i mean lol...
 
I hope I dont "ship out" for while longer, I'll have my SAR5 on the 12th... That would be ideal.


I've got a spec ops sheath for my basic7. I'm not sure if I want to lug it around all day when I'm working though it's almost too much knife. Plus it's one of my favorites which I couldnt bare loosing it, or having it stolen. Not sure yet what kind of cross section of folk I'll be working with, but I wouldnt put anything past anybody.
 
Congrats on the job interview. One of my best friends worked for the Ontario MNR forest fire fighting service with the RapAttack group, he loved it (rapelling out of helicopters into the fire), it opened up lots of doors for him in fire fighting when he finished his stint (he's a volunteer fireman now).

Personally, I would bring the Vic Farmer, Busse Active Duty, and a Leatherman, assuming an axe is provided... if not I'd add my Bahco/Sandvik/Gronfors.
 
I need to slap together a sheath for the active duty. Any good leather crafting tutorials you can point me to? Not sure what kind of needle/thread to use, or how to mold it once it's stitched up...
 
whats involved in what you are going to be doing?

idk if you'll be doing much hacking through any dense vegitation or anything... or really unless your going to be felling trees more than four inches in diameter I would bring a dogfather, personnaly.... especially if they may have axes there.

for the small blade I'd probably pick a yardkeeper or an F1, especially becaue they're both really sturdy.
(idk, I would think the active duy would be too small, but if you have a big blade it might be just fine)

:D
 
The Mora and Fallkniven. They are more easily replaceable that the other blades.
Might not want something that will attract a lot of attention or become a hindrance.

Be safe and have fun on the front lines. My friend said he wore a dust mask/ bandanna when he went out, it saved him from a good bit of lung discomfort FWIW.

J.
 
The F1. Its a decent knife and as already mentioned, its replaceable and its light weight.

I personally, would take one hand opening knife such as my 550HG griptilian, the leatherman charge and the vic Farmer. You will have the axe/pick for heavy work so I wouldn't take a heavy duty chopper or axe of my own.
 
Was talking to my friend who just went through the training last week. He was using his CRKT m16 and people were giving him flack about having a "rambo knife" and asking him why he needs such a big knife. I cant believe sheeple find their way into this kind of work. I guess I'll be keeping it low key
 
Made myself a leather sheath for my active duty, not bad for the first try
CIMG1371.jpg

CIMG1372.jpg
 
sketchbag said:
Was talking to my friend who just went through the training last week. He was using his CRKT m16 and people were giving him flack about having a "rambo knife" and asking him why he needs such a big knife. I cant believe sheeple find their way into this kind of work. I guess I'll be keeping it low key
Click to expand...

I've carried a Cold Steel Voyager Tanto 4" for about 14 years as an LEO and I still get looks from people in the same field and wide eyes when I'm around basic cadets and they see it for the first time.

When I teach self-defense/tactics people so under-estimate a knife.

I've rolled onto scenes where people have been threatening suicide holding knives to themselves (usually steak knives for some reason) and officers have been within feet of them without a pistol in their hand. Like they think the door frame will protect them? Never heard of suicide by cop or think that the person may not turn on you?

Anyway, it is amazing how people just don't know when you get away from the "like-minded" and into the realm of sheeple...

Nothing you mentioned would even shock me to see, especially considering what you're talking about doing.

Good luck.
 
sketchbag said:
Was talking to my friend who just went through the training last week. He was using his CRKT m16 and people were giving him flack about having a "rambo knife" and asking him why he needs such a big knife.
Click to expand...

Ugh that's pathetic. Just to piss them off you should bring your biggest knife and when people ask questions about just say "what, this little thing?"
 
I think that the SAK and the NWSAR5 would be a killer combo for the job. Lightweight and plenty tough enough. Plus the NWSAR5 is a fairly sheeple friendly design so it won't get you labeled as Rambo :) Let's face it...new job, who wants to be the outsider? Actually though it is a sound design and will complement the axes and the SAK for a very well thought out cutlery set. I would also recomend a leather sheath just in case you are in a hot spot.......Kydex no like extreme heat :( One other thing I would recomend is to take along some decent sharpening gear. when you are dependant on cutting tools, sharper is better. I'd bet that even in a smokejumper's camp they are trying to sharpen those axes with dull files so stash away your own Nicholson :)
 
I would just bring the F1. Great knife, light and cheap. It won't draw a lot of attention and being a fire figther they will provide you with propper axes. Just in case follow Bill Siegle's advice and bring some sharpenning equipment (file, diamond stone, etc).
Good luck and have fun.
Mikel
 
Last time I was putting out a forest fire, or actually two at the same time, I brought my F1. I had it in the kydex sheath inverted on my left shoulder.
A Bahco folding saw might feel pathetic if you bring a Pulaski or similar, but it is useful and light. A multitool is useful as well.
http://hem.passagen.se/nodh/trio.jpg

As said before, the Mora 2000 and the F1 are easy to replace. Both knives are very popular with the Swedish armed forces, the M2K is standard issue and the F1 is AF survival and a popular private purchase with everyone from reserves to spec ops.

You could strap the M2000 on your overall/west/whatever handle up. Swedish workers clothes and overalls even have a button on the right breast pocket for that.

Good luck with your training. I am jealous :)
 
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