Couple knives for on the job.

[kayak-man]

Hey guys, I know I've been gone for a while, but life's been busy. Right now, I'm a volunteer Firefighter, and last night, we went on a call that made me realize that I need a couple more knives. I guess I'm looking for a sounding board/gut check, to make sure I'm not overlooking something, and any suggestions about the specifics of the knife/mode of carry.

The short of it is, we responded to a pretty bloody trauma scene, at night, and we couldn't find a pair of trauma sheers quick enough, so I lent my medic my knife to cut the patients clothes off. From then on, my knife is covered in blood, sitting on the hood of the car we pulled the guy out of. I'd like to make sure that doesn't happen again. Obvioulsy, this includes rigging up a holster for some shears so I don't have to use my knife, but I'm thinking of switching to a "2knife" system ( or set up, if you think "system" is overused)

I always carry a CRKT M21, in and out of uniform, and when I'm not on the job, I usually have a Ka-bar TDI on my belt as well. What I'm looking for is a pair of knives so that even if one gets consumed in the call (lost, covered in blood, cop/medic/partner using it), I still have some kind of tool on me.

What I'm thinking of is a utility folder in my pocket to replace the CRKT so that my everyday knife doesn't get bloody, or if I do have to let it soak overnight, I've got a blade for the next call. In addition to that, I'd really like something along the lines of the Ka-bar TDI that I can conceal easily in a class be uniform. The second knife would be used as a back up if my normal utility knife is consumed, or as a primary if I have to use it for self defense.

For Knife #1:
I'm thinking of something along the lines of a Sogzilla, or a cheap Spyderco, like the Byrd cara cara 2. Something I can open with one hand, sharp enough and strong enough to cut through all kinds of stuff, and pointy enough that on the incredibly off chance I end up on the ground, I can use it defensively. I used to have a Benchmade Griptilian that would have been perfect for this, but after it got swiped out of my locker at another job, I've decided I don't want to pay too much for the knife.

Knife 2:

I want a fixed blade, that I can conceal. Right now I'm looking at a either a Kabar TDI-LDK (I picked one up when I got my TDI) or one of the Hide-Away-Knives. I like the HAK because it looks more utilitarian than the LDK, allows for me to still hold things like flashlight, and it looks like it would be easy to conceal in/behind my belt using the "bro-clips". I wear a riggers belt, so I'm thinking it might not be too hard to conceal behind the buckle, or inside the Velcro part.

Anyone have any input with the specific knives I mentioned? Any particular model I'm overlooking? What about any ideas on concealing a small fixed blade? I have to have my shirt tucked in, so that's the major restriction on my carry options, and I'd like it to be as close to 12 O'clock as possible so I can access it with either hand.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Have a good one guys,
Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[JShirley]

How soon do you need #2? Also, though many people love the ones they have, there seem to have been a lot of problems getting HAKs in the last few years.

 

[kayak-man]

I haven't needed #2 yet, and I'm going to try to play around with getting my LDK to work in that role for now, but I'm ok with waiting a while, also, right now, I'm responding with 2-3 other guys, at least, so I've got strength in numbers going for me, but it sounds like soon it will just be me and my partner on the rig running calls, and thats about when having a little extra security would be nice. I'm getting back into BJJ, and I'm hoping that taking Southnarc's Edged Weapons class next month will help me to know what I'm looking for a little better. Any other specifics that you're looking for? I can almost sense the cogs turning in your brain, and can't wait to see what you suggest

I've heard that HAK is under new management, and are a lot better about how they do business.

 

[Okiegunner]

I have lately been edc a Spyderco Endura. The Byrd Cara Cara 2 is basically the same knife, made in China and using Chinese steel.

It is a good choice. Solid lock-up, well made, inexpensive and can get really sharp. I also own a Cara Cara 2, and to be honest, can't tell much of a difference between it and the Endura.

 

[herrwalther]

I do not recommend the Kabar TDI knives for what you have in mind. They are great for what they are intended for: weapon retention knives for police officers/military that you can often draw faster than a firearm or must draw if your firearm is inaccessible for any reason. That being said I love my Kabar large TDI knife. Just not for your purpose.

#1 is pretty easy to look for, and I recommend an auto or assisted knife for that purpose. Smith and Wesson makes an M&P assisted knife for around 35 or 40 bucks. Very solid knife and you aren't kicking yourself if you lose it.

#2 The LDK is a great knife to have on you regardless. I often carry one around my neck. If concealed was not an issue and you just wanted an easy access fixed blade utility knife I would recommend a Gerber LMF2. Nice and sharp, utility use and comes with a drop leg holster.

 

[JShirley]

Chris, something with a tuckable J-hook would probably conceal really well, yet fit that wide belt. PM sent.

 

[mole]

My younger brother carried the Cara Cara for years and liked it very much. It seemed like a sturdy, useful blade. He stopped carrying it because he started working somewhere that he could have gotten into serious trouble if someone objected to it. He carries a smaller, lighter knife now. I carried the smaller meadowlark for years and it worked fine and was easy to clean.

My older brother works in law enforcement. Years ago part of his job responsibilities meant that his knife came into direct contact with the bodily fluids of deceased persons. He would go to Wal-mart or such and buy several of the cheapest folding knives they had---less than a buck---and use one once and then throw it away.

mole

 

[rcmodel]

For your line of work, I would think the Spiderco Rescue line of knives would be something to seriously consider.

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=12

I have one of the old black molded handle ones, and it is as close to a pocket chainsaw as I own.

Ideal for cutting anything that doesn't want to be cut.
Without worry of cutting or stabbing something that shouldn't be cut, like the victim.

It will lop off hardwood hedge tree branches a K-Bar would choke on.

The other thing is, a sharp folder is safer closed then a sharp fixed blade when passing it around with blood slick hands under stress.

rc

 

[Valkman]

I keep a Rescue in the truck, mine has orange handles! Great knife.

 

[Sam Cade]

What I'm looking for is a pair of knives so that even if one gets consumed in the call (lost, covered in blood, cop/medic/partner using it), I still have some kind of tool on me.

Carry the shears. They aren't as cool as an additional knife but they are much more useful when doing EMS.

 

[kayak-man]

Thanks for the input guys. Just to make sure we're all on the same page, I am going to be carrying shears in addition to the knife/s.

I decided to give the spyderco byrd a try, and ordered one off amazon (I'll let ya'll know how it works out).

The fixed blade isn't intended to be a rescue tool, so much as a defensive tool for that 1 in a million chance I need to defend myself on the job. That's why I referenced the ka-bar TDI, its what I carry off duty for that purpose, but I can't really conceal it with my uniform.

Thanks guys,
Chris