[firefighter4884]

New Knives - Any Suggestions?

So I'm looking for a new EDC knife, and I'm considering an Emerson Mini CQC-&B with the half serations.

I carry a knife all the time, including when I'm running EMS and fire calls. I use my knife for everything.

I'm currently carrying a Smith and Wesson "24-7" knife. I've also gotten into the habit of throwing my Leatherman Wave in my back pocket every morning. I'm also looking to buy a slimmer multi-tool for EDC, if anyone has any suggestions.

--Jim

 

[Betty]

I'm a big fan of Benchmade, so maybe some of those will get your interest.

I have one Emerson, the Mini-Commander with Wave feature. It's a good, solid knife. With any liner-lock knife, try to personally examine it before you buy it; sometimes the lockup isn't equally good on all samples.

If you're looking for a smaller multitool, maybe a Leatherman Juice will fit your needs.

:smile:

 

[Lawrence Keeney]

Take a look at the Spyderco Military. I am really liking mine. It would probably fill your cutting needs rather well. :starwars:

 

[The Tourist]

You cannot go wrong with any Emerson knife. The drawback is that you have to know how to sharpen chisel-grind blades.

For the price, the demands and the easy of use and sharpening, I'd look for a Spyderco combo edge model with a metal handle. Many of the newer models are of VG-10 steel, they sharpen pretty good and a metal handle should last through the rigors of your job. About eighty bucks should do it.

As you probably know, Smith has a firefighter model with a red handle, a black blade and serrations.

I'm not a big fan of serrations since I don't use them in my life. I have a friend who's an over the road truck driver who cuts wet rope and slimy tarp. It works for him.

If that also applies to your job, one of the best 'wet knives' is the Myerchin 300 series.

 

[KenpoTex]

It really boils down to finding one that you're comfortable with. Try to find a knife store with a large selection of good quality knives (Spyderco, Emerson, Benchmade, Cold Steel, SOG, CRKT, Kershaw, etc...) and spend some time handling different models 'till you find one you like. I personally don't care for liner-locks so for me that rules out quite a few models. Right now EDC knives are a Delica and and Endura, both with the wave modification. While I'm not crazy about the handle shape I love the wave. I really like Cold Steel's stuff. However, I don't like the way they cut their serrations.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

 

[chameleon]

The truth is, there is nothing I can't do EMS related that I can't do with a four dollar pair of trauma sheers. In fact the trauma sheers cut through a penny....I don't have a knife that can do that.

That aside, look at Benchmade, like the 710. I carry one or two often.
I also have a Timberline EMT knife.
Original cost is like forty dollars for the TL EMT, but I sent mine to Butch Vallotton, and he tweaked it for me. It now has a spring assist.
I know he'd do the same for you, or any other Firefighter/EMS person.

The problem with a knife, is once you get smutch on your hand ( of course your hands are gloved), and you reach for your knife, presumably in your pants pocket, you further your risk of contamination. For that reason, I keep everything out in front of me in a trauma bag, and find myself not going for my knife.
On occassion, I have cut shoe laces off, and tape, and once or twice a seatbelt, but that is a rarity now. ( How many times have you come upon a MVA, looks real bad, and the ocupants are already out of the car? Seatbelts, and air bags are saving lives)
So look at a multitude of knives, and choose one that you will feel comfortable carrying....then buy it, and do that all over again.

 

[firefighter4884]

Thanks for the help guys. Chameleon, I carry shears when I'm on duty, but because I'm a volunteer, there are times where I get caught without shears on my person while on a call. (sometimes I remember to grab them out of the truck, sometimes not.)

I generally don't use my knife related to the fire and EMS stuff, but I have used it in the past for rope work and tarp work and stuff (I live in a rural area, and we have to be able to multi-task.

Betty, as for the multitool, I'm looking for something similar to my friends Leatherman Sideclip. It's not that the Wave is too thick, it just doesn't clip to the top of my pocket the way I would prefer. As far as I can tell, Leatherman is not making any multitools that have that clip, and that's what I'm looking for. Sorry for the confusion.

Oh well, the travelling knife shop comes through in just over a month, so maybe I'll look for something there.

 

[Betty]

I did an online search and couldn't find any other kind of quality multitool with beltclip, besides the Leatherman Sideclip. (Anybody else?) Have you tried taking a beltclip from another tool and Gorilla Gluing it on your Leatherman in a position that would work for you?

 

[firefighter4884]

Not yet Betty. I might try and make a belt clip in the machine shop at school after I get back in September, and invest in one of the slimmer multitools for EDC along w/ the new folder I pick up. I have to look at the possibility of doing that.

My buddy has the side clip, and he carries it every day. The more I think about that, the more I like the idea of always having the tool with me.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Betty]

I assumed you didn't want a holster, but I did find this gadget for you. :biggrin:

 

[TheBCollector]

Firefighter 4884

Even if I don't fully understand what you're exactly looking for in the clip matter, I assure you that those models have a removable clip :

http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/charge-Ti/default.asp
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/charge-XTi/default.asp

Also, as a back up and really practical knife for you to have, is the Utility Hide Away Knife available ( now at 69 $ !!! ).

http://www.HideAwayKnife.com

And, as a matter of pocket knife, if I was you, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a knife that will suffer a lot from my job and go for really good ones at affordable prices.
The Kasper/Crawford CRKT folder is available on eBay between 27 $ and 37 $.
Very good one and reliable, with a security for the lock. If it breaks, or you loose it, it won't break your heart at the same time. Another 30 $ will set you for a new one.
Benchmade Greptilian are great, too. And not that expensive. Fast opening.

Experience that with an Emerson, and you'll drive yourselve into Jack Daniel's for a night.

From a FD-EMS Volunteer to a collegue :wink:

Cheers,

Serge.