CRKT Bear Claw

This thing cuts like nobody's business... For EMS, it's priceless. For "lefties", it makes a great "right handed" fixed blade cutting tool. The blunt tip lets you cut w/o fear of cutting the patient. It makes a great 'boot knife', but is equally at home on my duty belt. Locks into sheath and is secure. The orange handle makes it very visible.

It seems to me odd that a lefty is reviewing a tool made only for right-handed people, but that is precisely why it is the perfect EMS tool for lefties. Ask anyone in the EMS field what the best cutting tool is and they will mostly say, scissors. I have titanium EMS scissors, I have a Leatherman Raptor, I have several "Rescue" knives from Spyderco, Buck, and Gerber... but when the S hits the F, and you have tunnel vision, and your dexterity has gone to hell this is the perfect "no brainer" cutting tool for cordage, seat belts, clothing, and anything else you need to cut without thinking.

I carry this clipped on my duty belt, on my (weaker) right side, in front of my Raptors, for just such an occasion. I don't want to waste precious time unfolding my Raptors, getting my CSAR-T outa its case, or trying to get my Spyderco Assist out of my pocket and open. I wanna cut something and I want to cut it now.

The blunt tip renders this somewhat 'idiot proof', but make no mistake...this is a fixed blade cutting tool and it will cut stuff. The index finger hole in the handle gives you great purchase and the jimping on the back of the blade lets you control the blade more carefully. While the serrations are not as aggressive as a "Spyder Edge," they are effective and will cut through most things you may encounter. The only negative is that serrations require special tools to keep sharp and effective.

I'm a lefty and joke that the only reason I have a right arm is as a counter balance so I don't walk in circles, but this tool is on my right side for a reason. I've injured my left hand before, but don't want to be useless if I hurt it again, so this allows me to have a "no brainer" cutting tool on my right side, available to my right hand, to be useful again.

Background

I've carried this for years, but have only used it a few times and not on an EMS call. It's there for when the S hits the F, my left hand is unavailable, and I need to cut something or help someone.