I do. I just didn’t want to spam my knives all over the forum.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reasonably-priced-knives-that-work.857064/
Work knives only.
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https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reasonably-priced-knives-that-work.857064/
The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
Thanks for the link. Would you mind telling me how often and what kind of work you need to use your knives on while on duty?
Speedo66
Member
This was my work knife when I was in LE, a Microtech Lightfoot LCC D/A. It's a carbon fiber and Ti double action knife, i.e., can be opened manually or automatically with the push of a hidden release.Very sturdy knife, thick blade, and fortunately I never had to use it in anger.
It's become a collectible and a little too valuable to use roughly at this point.
Speedo66
Member
double post....
Vast majority of the time it’s opening boxes, opening medical packaging, cutting O2 tubing to make a lanyard for the O2 key (that always gets lost that the previous shift removed), cutting straps off backboards or the scoop, cutting rope or fire hose (to save the couplings) and things of that nature. Pretty uneventful stuff.
The other times is in a rescue capacity. Cutting a jammed seatbelt in order to get your patient out of a vehicle, cutting airbag curtains, using the window breaker if it has one and you don’t have a punch, cutting cloth when your patient is snagged in a water rescue.
The later is what people always think of, but they don’t think about the thousand boxes of medical supplies you got into and broke the box down for each of the interesting times.
The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
So I imagine my curved clip points would be better suited for such a profession vs the tanto. Thanks so much for your insight!
theotherwaldo
Member
A Kershaw Zing SS for general use and a 3" Bear and Son Executive for fine or decorative work around the library..
I train horses, do a lot of welding and equipment repairs, and help out local farmers when they need a hand moving hay or need someone extra in a tractor during harvest etc. I also do some blacksmithing and custom leatherwork. I am kind of all over the place as far as professions 
My primary knife is a small fixed blade I made. Its the old beat up looking one at the top in this trio at the moment. It cuts rope, baling twine, bandage material, skins game, makes kindling, whittles, has trimmed a hoof in a pinch, and occasionally slices up an apple for me (which grosses a lot of people out)
I also carry a leatherman surge. The serrated sheepsfoot blade can be handy around horses, like cutting a duct tape boot off of a hoof I'm treating for an abscess, or cutting a halter or rope when necessary. The plain blade usually needs sharpened really bad and is reserved for scraping and grunge work to save the edge on my fixed blade. The pliers I can't live without. It saves me a lot of steps going and looking for tools.
Honestly, yeah.
Most of the time you’re slitting open boxes and you aren’t losing anything on cutting cordage, straps or hoses with a clip point.
Most everyone in Fire/EMS has some kind of knife. They’re typically the larger folders. I just did an informal poll around the station and we have a Benchmade, a Spyderco Manix 2, a Byrd, two CRKT M16’s, one Buck 110 (rookie, present on graduation), four Kershaw’s, a gas station Chinese knockoff (for the guy that tends to lose knives) and the Chief has a small older grandpa type two bladed knife where he didn’t know what kind it was.
The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
I see your in Texas to, I hear EMS can now carry on the job do you carry a gun along with your knife? If that's too personal a question I understand
No.
I saw that it passed either the House or the Senate (I don’t remember which), but then I lost track of what happened with the bill. Never heard another thing about it.
I also remember reading that there was additional training mandated before you’re able to (if it passed) and I’m not sure if that’s done individually or at a department level, but a quick search didn’t turn up anything.
The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
Thanks for all the answers I can't wait to start on a new career.
You’ll have a blast. Just keep an eye out in regards to your health and your back.
It’s easy to think that you’ll just power through, lift grossly obese patients without calling for lift assist and forget about eating right and put going to the gym regularly on the back burner when you’re younger. That’s because you’re always getting pulled into work for mandatory overtime and doing 96 to 120 hours in a week. Eating out of the menu selection available at 7/11 or eating bacon, eggs, sausage and biscuits and gravy every morning at the station.
My advice is to be selective in working overtime if you can and take care of yourself. It’s easy to get messed up. The up/down trying to sleep nature while on 24’s also takes its toll. Firemen and Paramedics in busy districts tend to die in their 50’s and 60’s for a reason.
Not trying to put a damper on it, I can’t think of something I’d rather do. Just saying watch out.
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So this is somewhat knife related just so long as you have A knife you’ll be good. They get lost or have the tips broken off fairly routinely though. Whenever you get finished with a cutting task get in the habit of folding it back up and return it to your pocket. Don’t set it down on scene or I can guarantee you’ll start losing knives.
Depending on where you work the whole ‘Gear adrift ...’ phenomenon can also be a problem.
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The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
Thanks for the walkthrough. I intend to get a Cold Steel Land And Rescue knife they used to make for this application than. Has a sheep's foot blade profile it's discontinued but I'll find one.
Zaydok Allen
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The top one I don’t remember where I got. It’s always in my pocket.
The middle one my dad gave me years ago. It’s been riding in my backpack for years. Think the business went under. Holds an edge great and it gets used a lot. Carried it in my pocket in the woods for many years.
Think I better pull out the Mother's mag polish and some oil and give them some attention.
The middle one my dad gave me years ago. It’s been riding in my backpack for years. Think the business went under. Holds an edge great and it gets used a lot. Carried it in my pocket in the woods for many years.
Think I better pull out the Mother's mag polish and some oil and give them some attention.
I usually only need a knife to open boxes or packaging. I had a Kershaw 3560 Ember Assisted 2" and I used it at work one day to pop the plastic straps on a pallet and a co-worker freaked out. When I flipped the blade open he exclaimed "Oh my God!" so loudly that other people in the office turned around to look. He told co-workers that I carried a switch blade.
I've had a Gerber 200 for a long time so now the little Gerber 200 on my keychain is the only knife I carry.
Besides the plastic bands, the pallet was also heavily shrink-wrapped and all of the cardboard boxes also had to be opened. At the time I had the little Gerber, a Spyderco Bug and the Kershaw (which only has a 2" blade) so I choose the Kershaw Ember.
I was not expecting such an over-the-top reaction from the co-worker.
I've had a Gerber 200 for a long time so now the little Gerber 200 on my keychain is the only knife I carry.
Besides the plastic bands, the pallet was also heavily shrink-wrapped and all of the cardboard boxes also had to be opened. At the time I had the little Gerber, a Spyderco Bug and the Kershaw (which only has a 2" blade) so I choose the Kershaw Ember.
I was not expecting such an over-the-top reaction from the co-worker.
herrwalther
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In corrections, where standard knives are forbidden, I carried a Leatherman Z-rex. Good enough to cut through most fibers. Too bad it has the "retired" label
https://www.leatherman.com/z-rex-32.html#q=z+rex&lang=default&start=1
In other occupations where a knife was not illegal but frowned up. Any cheap knife that could get lost/confiscated with little lost money was the choice. Still have a $3 folder I got from Wal-Mart to work in manufacturing. Can't imagine how much ATF got on it that just got wiped off at the end of the day.
https://www.leatherman.com/z-rex-32.html#q=z+rex&lang=default&start=1
In other occupations where a knife was not illegal but frowned up. Any cheap knife that could get lost/confiscated with little lost money was the choice. Still have a $3 folder I got from Wal-Mart to work in manufacturing. Can't imagine how much ATF got on it that just got wiped off at the end of the day.
I carried this for a couple of decades, primarily in the office environment.
But this, this was the ultimate office tool. Mine is the same model. No telling how many thousands of staples I pulled out of paperwork with the pliers. Pliers are more positive and faster than stapler pullers. And then there were always some stupid screw loose on something.
Taurus 617 CCW
Member
I am a machinist and carry a Spyderco Endura full flat ground blade with a plain edge. I used to carry a Benchmade large Griptilian but found that it doesn't cut as well as the FFG Spyderco. I have carried a Spyderco knife for almost 20 years and have become accustomed to the size and feel. I mostly cut sheets of packing paper, some tape cutting, the occasional string or twine length, and any other miscellaneous items around the shop. I also carry a Leatherman Blast multi tool every day. It has a sacrificial 420HC blade included that I use if I don't want to damage my nice Spyderco blade.
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DDDWho
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This is a Herter's "Improved Bowie" I bought when Herter's was still in business in the late 60s. The price was less than $2.00 IIRC. I carried on countless hunting trips and it has cleaned as many deer and other game. 1095 steel holds an edge quite well. IMO it defines "work knife"
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