Channellock Rescuetool

Hi all I'm one of the FNG's here at FFN,I want to tell you about what I feel is one of the best pocket tools made. I have been in the fire service for 20 plus years and have had many tools over the years some good some not. I belive in carrying a pocket tool's, I have used mine on most calls or have lent them to a brother to use.

The Channellock Rescue tool model 88 is the one have had now for over 2 years. This is a virtually indestructable 26 ounce hunk of well crafted forged American steel that has replaced several tools in my pockets. I have used this tool for everything from cutting to chopping from prying to bending. This tool does what it sets out to do. I have used it to cut drop ceiling wire that I was tangled up in try doing that with a multitool, with out taking off your gloves, and being able to cut the wire once you do deploy your multitool. I have chopped out a windhield when a glass saw was not available. I used it to pry the shroud and auger of a snowblower to free a set of trapped fingers( Here's your sign). I used it to chop through drywall in training to see if it would help me self rescue, it worked wonders. Prying the the trim off cars to expose the pillars.

What it doesn't do well, Lighting the way , the lack of a light really keeps it from exceling in this area along with helping you to understand the decisions made by command

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Permalink Reply by John on November 22, 2010 at 9:40am

I myself have one as well and yes it is the best tool I carry, Had a call one night that we had to force entry into an interior door from a garage, an command yelled you need a tool and before you know it my rescue pliers are pulled an within seconds the door is open.

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Permalink Reply by The Rescue Tool on November 22, 2010 at 12:02pm

Donald -- Thanks so much for the great feedback on the tool. We really appreciate it!

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Permalink Reply by jboud on November 22, 2010 at 12:23pm

I purchased one of these a while back and have never used it as I could not find a proper place to keep it in my bunker gear. The jacket pocket is too small and I find that if I put it in my pant pocket, it keeps poking me or restricts my ability to bend over. Where do you keep yours?

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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on November 22, 2010 at 4:54pm

I am with jboud, It has the tools I need but it is too big and heavy for a bunker coat pocket, it cut holes in mine so I quit carrying it. Is there a good way to carry one?

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 22, 2010 at 5:07pm

I am with jboud, It has the tools I need but it is too big and heavy for a bunker coat pocket, it cut holes in mine so I quit carrying it. Is there a good way to carry one?

First...our dept has purchased these for our RIT bags on all the pumps and trucks, so the tool is there. It is kept in a pocket on the bag.

Greg, as for carrying one, I have a cable cutter that I wanted quicker access to rather than floating in a pocket....something I realized after a FF survival class and to have a tool readily available to cut wires.

If you have a Gut or ladder belt, I keep my cable cutters horizontally on my Gut belt and can get to them quickly. I found a cell phone holder from a local home improvement store and was able to slide the holder onto my belt. The cutter fits nicely in the harness and being kept horizontally, prevents the tool from hanging up on something and won't get in the way if bending or moving.

Now for this particular tool, I would look at doing something similar, maybe using some velcro towards one end to keep it secure to a belt, etc. I would look at velcro or a couple straps with snaps in a couple places to hold the tool onto the belt. I personally don't like carrying a bunch of stuff in my pockets, but I found using the belt helps with carrying what I consider more essential stuff.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Oomkes on November 22, 2010 at 5:16pm

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm/pid_5896_channellock_...

You can buy the sheath separate if you already have the tool.

Got sick of mine floating, jabbing, being a PITA in my pants pocket as well. Still sort of bulky, but it beats bouncing around in the pocket and putting (another) hole in them.

Smaller and lighter would be nice, but then it probably wouldn't do what we need it to do.

I've cut battery cables, twisted them loose instead of cutting if the car isn't badly damaged, pried open painted shut windows, popped vehicle windows, used the gas shutoff and cut wires. Great tool overall.

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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on November 22, 2010 at 5:30pm

Excellent, thanks John and Mark. I will give those ideas a try, like I said I like the tool.

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Permalink Reply by frank white on November 22, 2010 at 9:22pm

where is a good place to get one of the fine tools

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 22, 2010 at 9:30pm

Have had one for about 2 or 3 years now.....you either love it or hate it...still won't replace a set of irons though....LOL

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Permalink Reply by David Francis on November 23, 2010 at 12:25am

it is the best tool i've spent money on. 5 tools in one and stands up to it's name, the only way i found to carry it w/ out poking or cutting holes in my bunker gear is i put each end of the tool in my working gloves. it's a small hassel but have noticed that it works an you have that short amount of time to put on your working gloves while riding in the rig, an if your going to a mva your half way there by having both in hand. i keep it in my right pocket of my bunker pants.