Quick story time...on Sunday I was driving near our home with my wife (we live in a semi rural area) and we see smoke up ahead. Outdoor burns of debris isn't uncommon here so we didn't think much of it until we got close and saw flames...big ones...coming from a house!
We immediately called 911 and pulled over off the road (a semi rural numbered route, near 377 and 380 for any Texans reading this), it appeared that there was someone home (car in driveway) and we knew without saying it that we needed to act. We ran down the hill to the house and started pounding on the door, at that time a neighbor also ran over and discharged a fire extinguisher, the flames were covering half of the front of the house and one side, the roof was just starting to catch. The extinguisher helped but we needed water ASAP. I ran to the side that wasn't burning and noticed a garden hose (best we had at the time) that was totally wrapped for winter. I tried to pull the wrapping off and it didn't move...
Thankfully, I had a SE Salt 2 in my pocket...out it came and went right to work. The serrations ripped aggressively through what I learned was a mix of electrical tape, foam spray insulation and tightly wrapped shop towels. We were able to get this hose into use and along with another one were able to at least slow the flames enough for the firefighters to get there (took 10 mins, pretty far away). In the end no one was hurt, the house was damaged but liveable, I am thankful that we were in the place that we were to do something and were able to help as best we could in the circumstances. There was an older (60s) widow and her dog that lived there, the fire seems to have started from poorly maintained electric service lines.
I am also VERY thankful that I had a Spyderedge knife in my pocket that day, I don't carry that one much (except when I'm boating or similar) but I was wearing sweat pants and picked it because it's light. It was the right tool for the job at the right time and I'm thankful for the people for made it (Sal and Co.) and to God for making me choose to carry it that day.
Takeaways:
1) Always carry a knife, seriously.
2) Nothing I have ever seen matches the shear cutting power and violence that a Spyderedge packs for it's size. Consider carrying one all the time even if you prefer a plain edge as well (like I do, I will now EDC 2 knives going forwards).
3) Serrations are great on fabrics.
4) Fire is terrifying.
5) If you can make a difference for someone, do it...it might be your home next time.
We immediately called 911 and pulled over off the road (a semi rural numbered route, near 377 and 380 for any Texans reading this), it appeared that there was someone home (car in driveway) and we knew without saying it that we needed to act. We ran down the hill to the house and started pounding on the door, at that time a neighbor also ran over and discharged a fire extinguisher, the flames were covering half of the front of the house and one side, the roof was just starting to catch. The extinguisher helped but we needed water ASAP. I ran to the side that wasn't burning and noticed a garden hose (best we had at the time) that was totally wrapped for winter. I tried to pull the wrapping off and it didn't move...
Thankfully, I had a SE Salt 2 in my pocket...out it came and went right to work. The serrations ripped aggressively through what I learned was a mix of electrical tape, foam spray insulation and tightly wrapped shop towels. We were able to get this hose into use and along with another one were able to at least slow the flames enough for the firefighters to get there (took 10 mins, pretty far away). In the end no one was hurt, the house was damaged but liveable, I am thankful that we were in the place that we were to do something and were able to help as best we could in the circumstances. There was an older (60s) widow and her dog that lived there, the fire seems to have started from poorly maintained electric service lines.
I am also VERY thankful that I had a Spyderedge knife in my pocket that day, I don't carry that one much (except when I'm boating or similar) but I was wearing sweat pants and picked it because it's light. It was the right tool for the job at the right time and I'm thankful for the people for made it (Sal and Co.) and to God for making me choose to carry it that day.
Takeaways:
1) Always carry a knife, seriously.
2) Nothing I have ever seen matches the shear cutting power and violence that a Spyderedge packs for it's size. Consider carrying one all the time even if you prefer a plain edge as well (like I do, I will now EDC 2 knives going forwards).
3) Serrations are great on fabrics.
4) Fire is terrifying.
5) If you can make a difference for someone, do it...it might be your home next time.