Posted on 03/14/2012 7:02:14 PM PDT by marktwain
Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Quick thinking and a one-hand opening knife saved a construction worker recently, as posted by “Seth” on BladeForums.com. Below is his post (edited for readability)
“I work in construction, mostly in copper fabrication and seamless gutters, but also a bit of everything. Last Friday, I was helping a co-worker do some roofing, We were installing Permaclad sheets, a very typical roof setup here, galvanized 26 guage steel sheets with a U-panel design. The roof was somewhat steep, but it was dry and we had decent traction. The sheets were 18 feet long x 3 feet wide.I was about 14 feet up from the edge, marking out screw lines, when someone on the other side of the house sprayed water over the roof. Nobody will admit to it, but a wet Permaclad sheet can be like ice.
This house was built backing a gully, and from the front of the house, only 10 feet to the roof. On the back of the house where I was, it is about 35 feet drop to the ground. I started to slip, couldn’t get up to the ridgecap, and nothing behind me to stop me.
Luckily, I remembered my 551 Grip (Benchmade Griptilian one-hand opening folder), yanked it out of my pocket, flicked it open and I slammed it as hard as I could into the (steel) sheet. The blade went through right to the thumb stud, and it held my weight. I spent about 2 minutes trying to remember how to breathe (well, maybe 20 seconds, but it seemed like forever) and my heart was beating like mad. When I looked behind me, I only had about 4 feet of panel before a long fall.
Thank God for having a good knife in my pocket. My only other tool was a 18v cordless drill for driving home, no harness, stupidly, as usually it becomes more of a nuisance due to lack of anchoring points on the roof. All I kept thinking was, ‘thank God for a strong knife.’”
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Read more at Ammoland.com: http://www.ammoland.com/2012/03/14/carry-a-knife-save-a-life/#ixzz1p99mURDL
I will not tolerate a dull knife, If I am cuttiing meat, and a knife will get dull quickly, I need something that will give me an edge shortly.30 seconds on a good steel is all you need.
For many years I worked as a professional calligrapher. Would never be without my knife.
So, never assume a nicely dressed woman with an artist’s box can’t whip out her knife and sink it somewhere vital.
“SOG Twitch II (assisted opening knife)”
I love that knife. I bought 5 so I will have replacements. Nice and smooth, small enough for EDC. Conceals well in my dress pants. Sharp and quick opening. I love that flick!
Carry ALL the time!
Rule #9 “Never go aywhere without a knife” Leroy Gibbs.
Exactly why I put down my Leatherman and went out and bought a Gerber. Not sure where the Leatherman even is now. Military had bought it for me so i didn’t waste my money at least.
Cold Steel* makes a heck of a kukri. Very strong and heavy. A very wicked blade. * Cold Steel can be a little hit and miss on quality. Some things are magnificent (like their Trailmaster) and some not so much (like some of their swords).
Just don't do this, though:
1979...Hurricane Fredric... Mobile, Alabama.
Guy in West Mobile went up on his steep 2nd story roof a couple of days later to nail down some shingles that had blown loose, on the back side of roof.
Wanted to make sure he didn't slide off, so threw rope over roof.
Tied one end to car in drive way. Went up extension ladder in back and climbed up.
Tied it to his waist and started working away.
Wife came out to go to store or somewhere.
Got into car and backed out to the street.
Took off and a block away people started to point and shout. She didn't know what was wrong until 2 or 3 blocks later when a car pulled alongside and shouted "STOP" out the window.
She pulled over and ~~ SURPRISE~~
Saw people crowded around the back of her car.
You guessed it..........
She had pulled Bubba over the peak and off the roof.
Hit the ground and then was dragged down the street.
Anyway, someone called 911 and paramedics immediately took him to the hospital.
He survived but was in horrible shape.
Lesson learned: WHEN GOING ON ROOF, TIE ROPE TO TREE AND DON'T LET ANY OF YOU KNIFE CARRIERS NEAR IT.
Few people today have butchered game or livestock.
I like to cook and eat. hee hee hee
Also enjoy growing things around the place. Planted large addition to our orchard last year during the 100 year drought. Fought to keep them alive. Did OK.
Planted strawberries, blackberries, blueberries too. All did well except the blueberries. 1 of 4 of them survived, a 2nd might put out again but unsure yet.
Had a good garden last year, but had to flood water 2-3 times per week to keep them alive. No human living ever say weather like 2011. Between Oct. 1 2010 and Oct. 1 2011 we got 2-3/4” of rain. For the year. Started raining in Mid-October 2011 and we are back on track for a normal year (average 25” per year).
Victorinox Fireman model for me. Don’t leave home without it!
And it's a 3+1/2" blade that's half serrated. Very functional as well as nasty-looking and lightning-fast.
Jethro Bodine, too. ;-)
The next day, I went to Home Depot and bought 2 chipping hammers. Had a couple of extra knives and side cutters (dykes/wire cutters) so put one of each in our car and pickup consoles. In case we need them to cut the seat belt, or, in case I came across someone else in a wreck, I could cut them out, if necessary. Should door be locked or jammed or window up, could use the chipping hammer to break glass to reach in. Side cutters in case belt was so tight couldn't use knife, especially through jagged window. Can always ease s/cutter in and snip snip snip, and free.
I finally gave in and bought a "working" Kukri, not an ornamental one. Took a while to work a decent edge onto it but...dang that is one fearsome blade. Because of the inward curvature, when chopping into something the blade bites in, rather than trying to slide off. Kukris, owing to their thick heavy construction, carry a lot of heft and momentum into the blow. Going camping soon as the weather eases a bit here, first time with the Kukri. I'm sure I'll find lots of uses for it.
If you can afford a decent one (they're not terribly expensive) get one. They are, feel ... well, different. Not a machete, not an axe or hatchet, not a knife...
I carry a Colt Police Task Force at all times when I'm dressed. All times. Sitting in row AA at "Les Miserables" in a suit jacket? Clipped to my pocket. At my son's college in the stadium watching football? Yep. Volunteering at the local High School - yes, just discretely slipped into the pocket, not clipped to the outside. Basically, if I'm not in bed, in the shower, or in the tender mercies of the TSA/FAA (a rarity these days) - it is on my person.
Under a 3.5 inch blade so it is not even legally recognised as a "knife" in my state. It has assisted opening that really, really works. It also has a glass breaker and a seatbelt cutter. Granted, the blade locking mechanism could be stronger - looks like it could fold if slammed into a tin roof or something. Also, being stainless, it is a little softer steel and doesn't take/hold an edge as well as some other steels.
I also keep a Gerber Suspension multi-tool within arms reach in my car, and a survival/go bag in the car with various items including a Ka Bar combat/utility knife.
Bump
What about a pointed stick?
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