I'm not sure the original post mentioned a need to baton trees or gut fish. The post seems to refer to an urban environment. There's also no hint of an anti-knife tirade.

Nothing personal really. However, a sudden guest of the forum may note the very broad name of the Topic and carry out a wrong impression that EMT snips are the ultimate tool for any job. Some means of confronting that idea wouldn't hurt that much. I simply gave some examples of the scissors physical and constructional weaknesses, one should be aware of (i.o.w. it's not really necessary to button the wood wit scissors to bend them badly).

In addition to first aid related tasks, EMT shears can also do the following:

Cut through the stainless steel utility wire in the Pocket Survival Pack (I have done that with my EMT shears)
Cut through a seat belt (I have never tried that but I read that it is doable)
Open up boxes and even the most stubborn packages (done that)
Cut duct tape (done that too)

Jeanette Isabelle

EMT shears have a blunt tip.

Jeanette Isabelle

which in turn emphasizes the offenive/defensive capabilities of scissors: "Freeze, dirtbag, or I'll snip!"

Item 2: while not effective for batoning wood or gutting fish, scissors are excellent for gutting wood and batoning fish.

Fish can be gutted with scissors just fine. EMT shears might make a mess of things but I've disemboweled a trout with scissors.

They also work great for doing the same with poultry. Snipping through chicken bones doesn't do wonders for the edge of a knife but scissors don't seem to care. EMT shears would make short work of quartering fowl in a survival situation.

I never said they could. Since the point I made is that a pair of EMT shears is the best tool for me and my environment, why would I use them on wood when I don't work with wood?


No they don't. I've had one pair of EMT shears for a couple of years and I have never encountered that problem.


Why would I throw anything at a target?


That is not true. EMT shears are made with stainless steel.


EMT shears are semi-disposable. If they get old, replace them.


That's odd, I have never encountered that problem before. Then again, I don't throw my shears in the dirt.

Jeanette Isabelle

Why would someone who is pro-gun be anti-knife?

Jeanette Isabelle

You're right. However, Nursemike never specified EMS shears.

I don't see how a guest would get that impression when a pocket knife is so often proclaimed as the ultimate, universal tool for everybody and every situation. There are two facts we need to keep in mind.

1. A pocket knife is not the primary tool for everybody and every situation.
2. A pair of EMT shears is not the primary tool for everybody and every situation.

Once you got all that figured out then there is no problem.


I completely agree.

Jeanette Isabelle