what knife for a firefighter?

harkamus

harkamus

Joined
Apr 23, 2007
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Buddy of mine recently became a fire fighter. Like the topic asks, what knife for a fire fighter? I was thinking maybe a BM 710d2. Then I realized maybe a serrated edge was a better idea. Yes or no?

EDIT: It's gonna be used and abused, of course. I want something (for him) that will stand up to that kind of rigor. It probably should be easy to open with gloved hands as well. I've seen people open axis locks with gloves.
 
babakanoosh45 said:
Take a look at this...

[youtube]zApUSw0xsRY[/youtube]
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I see that the video is just showing what you CAN do with that knife.

In a real world life/death situation, I'd say the victim could have died in the the guy in the video took to do some of those things.

I'll consider it since it has a glass breaker though.
 
you could try the spyderco assist i think it comes with a glass breaker and whistle. Spyderhole would be great for gloved hands, and the serrated blade is perfect for cutting belts, or just about any other task you could come across.
 
if he can have a fixed blade look at RAT cutlery. either the RC-4 or maybe an RC-3. they carry a no questions asked lifetime warranty.
 
I forgot about H1 steel. I'm considering something with H1 now.

EDIT: Hmm, maybe some Spyderco with H1 and a fixed blade RAT of some sort.
 
harkamus said:
I forgot about H1 steel. I'm considering something with H1 now.

EDIT: Hmm, maybe some Spyderco with H1 and a fixed blade RAT of some sort.
Click to expand...

I believe the spyderco pacific salt and salt 1 (both in H1) have rounded tips to help avoid stabbing during rescues.
 
Hi,

Knives really aren't very useful at a scene. There just isn't that much that needs to be cut. And if there is, we already have the proper tools to do it with.

If you want to get him something, get him a nice multi-tool and a SAK. At least he'll be able to get some use out of it around the station.

dalee
 
are you guys thinking that the main purpose of this knife is going to be as a primary rescue tool? i mean, i can't envision someone in full firefighting gear having the need for a knife when actually fighting a fire.

even responding to a car fire, wouldn't an axe or big pry tool or even a big flashlight be a better glass-breaking tool than a carbide tip on the handle of a folder?

i mean, once they get into the car, i suppose some kind of cutting tool would be the best for freeing a victim from a seatbelt that won't release, but i bet they have a tool for that too.

off-duty carry? ok i guess you could justify the glass-breaker, but if it's being carried as a "what-if" tool, rather than an every day utility tool, then it probably won't see severe use. if it's being used as an "everyday" utility tool, then just about any knife could do.

i'll offer the caveat that i am not a firefighter or emt, i just want to make sure that you consider the actual conditions the knife will see.
 
dalee100 said:
Hi,

Knives really aren't very useful at a scene. There just isn't that much that needs to be cut. And if there is, we already have the proper tools to do it with.

If you want to get him something, get him a nice multi-tool and a SAK. At least he'll be able to get some use out of it around the station.

dalee
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're a firefighter. I may go that route. And if they have all the necessary tools, I'll just treat the guy out for a few rounds.

Obviously the knife isn't intended to be a "primary rescue tool."
 
The rescue style knives come with a rounded blunt nose to cut seat belts safely and in a hurry. Serrated would be best, and the glass breaker feature also would be good.
 
If he's a knife person I would get him a xm18 because he's one of the few people that can get it at list price without a wait.

A leatherman ti/charge may be a good choice also because of the seatbelt cutter and useful tools.
 
SteelSnob said:
If he's a knife person I would get him a xm18 because he's one of the few people that can get it at list price without a wait.
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yeah. it's definitely worth the ~$375 that hinderer asks for, and he is a firefighter himself and has used the knife on the job. the whole hinderer lock bar stabilizer was invented because of him over-extending the lock bar while in the line of duty.
 
A good multi-tool will get the most use. Rarely, if ever, will he ever use a knife at a scene. He will need the pliers to open O2 bottles on those days when he loses the dial wrench or he'll use the screw driver to pry open alarm panel boxes. Multi-tools aren't the most glamorous gift but it will be the most practical one.
 
a fully serrated claw/hawkbill/conservative karambit style blade comes in extreme handy for cutting common fibrous materials like tape, line, seatbelts and other nylon strapping, etc. Fixed blade is damned near a must because when wearing heavy gloves you won't be able to open a folder.
 
If a blunt tip isnt what he wants, check out a partically serrated ZT 0200 or any of the other models.
 
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