Gift for a Fireman?

[JohnsGirl]

I'm dating a fireman in-training and his Birthday is coming up...
The best I could think of as far as a 'practical gift' was a knife, so I bought a CRKT M16-13Z. It is partially serrated, has an e-lock and a carson flipper. It's certainly easy to open, and I'm pretty sure the e-lock is workable with thickly-gloved fingers...I certainly hope so.

So my question is-- is this a good knife for a firefighter-to-be?
And is there anything else I could get him that he might especially apreciate, being in the firefighting field?

[fireman4949]

I was given this St. Florian (the Patron Saint of firefighters) medal as a birthday present by my mom several years ago. http://www.ourdesigns.com/product.jsp?path=-1|5159|5129|6522&id=1977

It's very, very nice...I never take it off!

[KBRfiredog]

I'll second what he said. I got a St. Florian medal from my dad when I was just starting out and it's still around my neck! TheFireStore.com is a good website for firefighting things. That knife looks pretty good, he should like it....

[doughesson]

For all your firefighter gift ideas and whacker paraphenalia, try http://www.ourdesigns.com .
They have t shirts,statues,challenge coins,art,even the complete IFSTA library in both book form and on DVD.
The knife that you selected is a good one.Stick with names that have been heard before to avoid getting something that could fail when it's needed most.

[michfire]

More lights for his car is always in style!! Light'em up baby!! Brighter and flashier the better!!

Sorry guys, I seriously debated whether or not I should, but I decided, what the heck?

I'll second ourdesigns.com. lots of interesting items.

[BULL321]

A nasty little black teddy and some "quality time".!!!!!!!!




I don't care what line of work he is in, he will love it.




You can always wait till your married to cut him off.

Just kidding, the Knife is realy nice, and will make a great BD present.
Stay Safe
Bull

[waterboy1]

Get him a one way ticket out of town and come see a seasoned firefighter..... at least we have better stories

[JohnsGirl]

So that is a good knife then? Very glad to hear it.

I'll check out that site and see what he may like, thanks!

As far as the lights for the car, dressing up his car with lights would be about like putting christmas ornaments on a twig. Once he gets a new car, maybe, but his curent one just...isn't worthy (he would agree, so no insult meant)



...but yes, there will be plenty of 'quality time'

[edge1317]

I'd definetly look into a St. Florian medal or coin. At the completion of my FF1 class our head instructor handed a little piece of pressed metal with St. Florian on it. I still have it wedged on the inside of my helmet.

Do some research on it, I'm sure your boyfriend would treasure it. Heck, I treasure mine and it was given to me by a harda** that whipped my a**. You could get them for all different prices mine couldn't have been over 5 dollars, but the price doesn't matter, it's all the meaning behind it.

Still funny to this day, he kicked our butts and then while he was handing out these little pieces of metal and explaining the meaning behind it he was getting broken up and misty eyed.

[ECCMac]

I have two Saint Florians, a Maltese Cross with my badge # on it...and a Taz with rescue tools. My parents gave one Florian, wife the other and the Taz...the MC came from 'somewhere else'. All get blessed by the Chaplain every 9/11.

They all mean alot to me, among the best gifts I ever got.

Knives are good gifts, but rarely last forever. My medals are nearing 20 years old. Get him one, and he will never forget you.

[JohnsGirl]

Well it sounds like an overwhealming vote for the St. Florian medal!

Do you think he'd still apreciate it as much since he is non-religious?

[jbrescue]

I am Jewish and have two St. Florian medallions and one on my helmet. Firefighter's can be superstitious sometimes.

[fireman4949]

Well it sounds like an overwhealming vote for the St. Florian medal!

Do you think he'd still apreciate it as much since he is non-religious?

I think he will appreciate it.

[rhvfd1214]

Everybody went so serious with replies, but I was going to suggest Nomex underwear to go along with the "Quality time" to protect your investment.

Sorry if that isn't a good suggestion. One of our members has a picture of his girlfriend tucked into his helmet. You might have one taken, then get it laminated to prevent it from getting wet, and slip it into his helmet without him knowing. His included a note from her. (Nothing too Provocative!)

[jonnyirons2]

Get him the book, building construction for the fire service if he doesnt have it already, or the Dunn book, collapse of burning buildings, anything that will save him is an excellent gift!

[michfire]

As far as the lights for the car, dressing up his car with lights would be about like putting christmas ornaments on a twig.

That is PERFECT!! DON'T, I repeat, DON'T, let that stop you!!

[JohnsGirl]

That is PERFECT!! DON'T, I repeat, DON'T, let that stop you!!

hahaha, really?



And as far as the nomex underwear...wouldn't that be highly uncomfortable? Although I suppse it's about the joke, not the practicality. Well I definitely did get a laugh out of that, thanks



The books do sound like a very good idea, but I think I'll wait on those for when he graduates from academy, because he's pretty swamped with studying as it is. Very useful to know specific titles that are good, so thank you very much for that!


Thanks again to everyone, I feel like I'm getting a new view into his world of firefighting without him having to explain it all to me. Almost like spying, but without the sneakiness or suspicious motive

[edge1317]

Well it sounds like an overwhealming vote for the St. Florian medal!

Do you think he'd still apreciate it as much since he is non-religious?

Absolutely, I'm not exactly religious. I believe in God and the bible, but I don't actively go to church or read the bible often. I appreciate the medal more as a symbol to keep me safe.

I like the picture idea mentioned above. One for his helmet and one for his erm..... personal collection.

[HeavyRescueTech]

Well it sounds like an overwhealming vote for the St. Florian medal!

Do you think he'd still apreciate it as much since he is non-religious?

I'm jewish as well, I have a maltese cross that never leaves my neck. I had one that my then gf got me, and when she got me a new one, I gave the original one to my baby brother when he joined the FD (which he promptly misplaced for like 9 months, and has since located).

i think even better than the St. Florian medal would be a maltese cross with his badge or station number on it, but that can be a little pricey, so i would take into consideration how long you have been dating.

[Paddiegrunt]

polished axe, there are some on this website.