Knives Used By Firefighters

[nsfirechap]

I presntely carry a Wayne Goddard Clipt. Use it tons - wondering what knives other firefighters are using. (other than a certain brand multi tool)!!!!!!!



Jeff



Edited by - nsfirechap on 12/14/00 7:38:35 PM

[JZ]

I use an Endura for uniform wear and have a Rescue in both sets of my bunker gear (structural and crash)

[Lonehunter]

I carry a rescue all the time as a "second" knife and switch my daily carry between BM 710,CS voyager,Delica and Rookie.As far as Spyderco the ones I see the most (and recomend)are the Endura and Delica.A lot of guys still carry a cheap POS,or a Swiss army but I'm working on them.

[sal]

While you fire guys (& gals) are comparing notes on Spyderco models, Please keep in mind that we are always open to suggestions for new concepts or improvements to our models. We build them for you and it would seem best if they worked for you in the best possible manner.

sal

[robert c henry]

I carry two rescue knives, one on turnouts and one with a pocket clip. I shouls say that I did. i sent the pocket clip one back to be repaired on August 14 and I am still waiting for it to come back.

[NCBlades]

A friend of mine swears by the Military with serrations. He keeps it in his bunker gear. Me, I don't fight fire, but if I did, I would probably carry the Military.
michael :D

[CJF]

I always carry a Rescue (with lanyard attached) in my turnout gear. I switch off carrying a Endura II, Endura, BM Mini Reflex Auto,Kershaw Whirlwind,&amp; a MT SOCOM Elite auto in my station pants. (it all depends on what kind of mood I'm in before I go to work <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>)

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Chris

P/S I'd like to see an Endura with an orange handle.

Edited by - CJF on 12/19/00 3:25:11 PM

[Marc]

For structural firefighting and EMS I carry a Rescue (large) and a Native. For wildland I carry a Snap-it clipped to my line gear and a Wegner (large) with a 60/40 blade. I thought I might switch from the Wegner to the Chinook for my primary wildland knife, but after using it for a few weeks I think I'll stay with the Wegner.

Marc

[Marc]

For structural firefighting and EMS I carry a Rescue (large) and a Native. For wildland I carry a Snap-it clipped to my line gear and a Wegner (large) with a 60/40 blade. I thought I might switch from the Wegner to the Chinook for my primary wildland knife, but after using it for a few weeks I think I'll stay with the Wegner.

Marc

[Lonehunter]

Sal,keep in mind that theres all kinds of ff's wildlands,structural,crash,fire,rescue(airport)ect .Plus with in these theres wide and varied tasks.I work in a urban dept.so we have not only house fires but lots of ems plus electrical problems, gas problems,water problems,car wrecks and also do things such as swift water rescue and repelling into the river gorge.It may be hard to have one knife do it all.Here is what I see as a common problem.You clip your knife to your uniform pants,and thats fine for around the firehouse and ems runs,but any run that requires you to wear your bunkers ,and you have to relocate the knife to your bunkers or you can't get at it.Now if you drop it in your coat pocket its hard to get at if your wearing your airpack because the straps go right over the pockets.Also most guys carry door wedges,screwdrivers and visegrips in there pockets already.Perhaps a kydex sheath that would attach right to the bunker coat or as a type of outside neck knife.Also it is almost impossible to open a knife with my gloves on,even if the hole was twice as large.The gloves are thick leather with a lining,but what really make it hard is that they get very wet on a regular basis,then they are placed on some pipes in the boiler room to dry.This makes them hard and stiff along with thick.I'm often more like cupping things than gripping them.Holding and opening a knife is very hard to do with them on.I would say that most knife work is done around the firehouse,on ems runs and during overhaul of a fire where you might cut burned carpet for removel,and plastic and tar paper for covering vent holes.I hope this helps.

Edited by - lonehunter on 12/22/00 10:10:37 AM

[CJF]

Well said Lone hunter<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>!

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Chris

[sal]

lonehunter. thanx for the input.

sal

[Carlos]

That sounds like a great argument for a &quot;kinetic&quot; opener on a firefighter's knife.

[Marc]

Carlos,

Funny you should mention kinetic opening. I recently ordered a Gunting, which I do not have yet, because I wanted to experiment with kinetic opening. Lonehunter has accurately pointed out some of the problems with operating knives while wearing bunker gear. My primary job is wildland firefighting, but I do work on a structural engine in the winter and have had similar difficulties. I usually keep the Native clipped to the right pocket of my bunker pants. I try to have this pocket empty so that if I have to drop the knife in a pocket it is easier to find. I have practiced one handed opening in fire gloves quite a lot to get it down, and it is not easy. The practice has however proven to worth while especially in auto extrications where you are always at least cutting seat belts if not other things. I have a friend on the department that had to remove a windshield with his Spyderco, and it did the job. I also agree that some sort of neck sheath may be a good answer. I will write Sal back after I have tried the Gunting for a while. I hope it works as well as I think it might. I would also like to add another well said for lonehunters post.

Marc

[Lonehunter]

Well,thanks guys.Always like to talk knives and firefighting,and when you can do both,well can't get much better.Ok if we where sharing a cold pitcher maybe.
Stay low and stay sharp.