In need of a rescue/ safety knife...

[troutman]

Evening all,

I'm in the market for a new rescue knife. Ideally it needs to be serrated and have a blunt tip. I'm in the emergency services and need something that can be attached to a utility belt. I haven't decided between a folder or fixed blade yet. It needs to be serrated for cutting rope and be highly visible for use in inclement weather! As my work involves using a harness and hanging over rather steep edges i'm leaning towards a folder as a matter of safety e.g. if i crush the knife against a rock face there is no sheath to break and less chance of injury.
Some of the other chaps on my team are using fixed blades but the main drawback I see is the sheath getting crushed. Any opinions? I realise there are some expensive options from spyderco but for the amount the knife gets used I think it would be a waste of money. Any suggestions for under £50? I have considered the Gerber EZ Out and the Victorinox rescue knife, any experience with these?

Advice appreciated
troutman

 

[malley]

Ive been a firefighter for 20 years. Gerber Hinderer is fantastic. Can be acquired at that price from USA. Had mine for 6 years. Went "missing" from my car duri g the week it was serviced. No evidence of theft. Just instinct. Still miss it!

 

[Perrari]

A Petzl Spatha knife ? I have used one before & they are ok, but I have never used one for what you are doing. But that is what they are designed for, lightweight, single hand opening & you can clip a karabiner in to them. Normally less than £20 I think you can get serrated or plain version.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

SPATHA is good, it's on my climbing harness. My PFD for canoeing has a LOMO knife which is serrated and blunt tipped and can be in luminous.

 

[pauljm116]

Have a look on heinnies, just did a search of "rescue" and theres quite a few good candidates.

 

[Globetrotter.uk]

SP services do a good range if memory serves me right.

 

[Robbi]

 

[Robbi]

you can get the above with a part serrated blade and a marlin spike that might be useful ( my local tackle shop has them for about £16 ish ) all stainless steel bulet proof knives.

 

[Aaron Rushton]

why not get a mora rescue knife and then get a kydex sheath for it? tough as nails and won't be crushed due to the thin diameter.

 

[tinderbox]

SPATHA is good, it's on my climbing harness.

My mate has one of these which he despises. It has a tendency to work its way slightly open which results in a sharp edge on his rack. Seeing that was enough to convince me not to get one, though I would expect some are tighter than others.

 

[troutman]

Thanks guys! Some good suggestions and I greatly appreciate it! Does anyone know what the size of the belt loop is on the LOMO? (if it has one) my belt is about 2" wide and about 1/4" thick. Also I jad considered the mora but was put off by its sheath. The kydex seems a good option, any ideas of the cost and where to get one from? Thanks again for all your help

 

[troutman]

Also anyone else had issues with the spatha? I think the point would stop me getting one from a rescue point of view.

 

[tinderbox]

I wouldn't make a point a deal breaker. If you find a knife that ticks all the boxes otherwise it's not a big job to file the point to a blunt end.