Although there are many so called "firefighter pocketknives" on the market today, not all of them live up to the marketing hype.
For example, a recent window punch that I tested on a rescue knife failed to break the window.
In fact, the glass breaker tip simply flattened out against the car window.
Yep, what was billed as a window punch was weaker than the glass.
Can you imagine being on the scene of an extrication and trying to bust a window with a faulty glass breaker? When it comes to firefighter knives, the lesson to learn is to carry the right tool.
So, how do you know the right one to buy? Answer - do some research.
Here are 5 tips to help you narrow down the perfect firefighter pocketknife: - Google something like "Best firefighter pocketknives" or "firefighter knives" and read the product reviews.
- Go on You Tube and view the product demonstrations for rescue knives.
- Check out quality knife makers like Benchmade, Gerber and Columbia River Knife and Tool and read their product descriptions.
- Ask a fellow firefighter about their experience with their own particular pocketknife.
- Test the knife yourself.
If you already own a firefighter pocketknife, try it out at your next extrication drill.
Note: An important thing to remember as you research for the best firefighter pocketknife is that the old saying, "You get what you pay for" applies here as well.
Even with reputable knife makers, the lower end products do not perform as well.
This only makes sense as the lower the cost, the lower the quality of product.
I'm not saying buy the most expensive one, but be aware of the quality of the materials that are used in the construction of the rescue knife.
As you do your research for the best firefighter pocketknife, it is also important to keep in mind these points: How easy is it to use the knife while wearing gloves? Obviously, at the scene of a motor vehicle crash full turn out gear is in order.
With sharp metal objects, broken glass and other hazards, you will naturally being wearing gloves.
Will you have to take the gloves off to use a particular feature of the knife? Can the tool be operated with one hand? Is it possible to open the blade of the knife with one hand while holding the seat belt with the other? Also, can the firefighter pocketknife be opened with one hand while wearing gloves? Can the seat belt cutter be easily sharpened? Some of the rescue tools available have replacement blades for when the cutter becomes dull.
Other models have permanent blades that must be resharpened.
Check to see if a special tool is required to sharpen the cutter.
Does the knife come with a warranty? Check to see if a warranty is provided with the knife and the conditions of that warranty.
Will the manufacturer repair the knife at no cost? What all is covered by the warranty? How long is the warranty good for? As you can see, there is a lot to consider when searching for the right firefighter pocketknife to purchase.
The most important thing to remember is to get a knife that does what it is supposed to do.
You can accomplish this goal by doing your own research and weeding out the money wasters.
Just remember, "You get what you pay for.
"
For example, a recent window punch that I tested on a rescue knife failed to break the window.
In fact, the glass breaker tip simply flattened out against the car window.
Yep, what was billed as a window punch was weaker than the glass.
Can you imagine being on the scene of an extrication and trying to bust a window with a faulty glass breaker? When it comes to firefighter knives, the lesson to learn is to carry the right tool.
So, how do you know the right one to buy? Answer - do some research.
Here are 5 tips to help you narrow down the perfect firefighter pocketknife: - Google something like "Best firefighter pocketknives" or "firefighter knives" and read the product reviews.
- Go on You Tube and view the product demonstrations for rescue knives.
- Check out quality knife makers like Benchmade, Gerber and Columbia River Knife and Tool and read their product descriptions.
- Ask a fellow firefighter about their experience with their own particular pocketknife.
- Test the knife yourself.
If you already own a firefighter pocketknife, try it out at your next extrication drill.
Note: An important thing to remember as you research for the best firefighter pocketknife is that the old saying, "You get what you pay for" applies here as well.
Even with reputable knife makers, the lower end products do not perform as well.
This only makes sense as the lower the cost, the lower the quality of product.
I'm not saying buy the most expensive one, but be aware of the quality of the materials that are used in the construction of the rescue knife.
As you do your research for the best firefighter pocketknife, it is also important to keep in mind these points: How easy is it to use the knife while wearing gloves? Obviously, at the scene of a motor vehicle crash full turn out gear is in order.
With sharp metal objects, broken glass and other hazards, you will naturally being wearing gloves.
Will you have to take the gloves off to use a particular feature of the knife? Can the tool be operated with one hand? Is it possible to open the blade of the knife with one hand while holding the seat belt with the other? Also, can the firefighter pocketknife be opened with one hand while wearing gloves? Can the seat belt cutter be easily sharpened? Some of the rescue tools available have replacement blades for when the cutter becomes dull.
Other models have permanent blades that must be resharpened.
Check to see if a special tool is required to sharpen the cutter.
Does the knife come with a warranty? Check to see if a warranty is provided with the knife and the conditions of that warranty.
Will the manufacturer repair the knife at no cost? What all is covered by the warranty? How long is the warranty good for? As you can see, there is a lot to consider when searching for the right firefighter pocketknife to purchase.
The most important thing to remember is to get a knife that does what it is supposed to do.
You can accomplish this goal by doing your own research and weeding out the money wasters.
Just remember, "You get what you pay for.
"
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