Gloved hands: opening and closing the red lion
Rescue work is done in gloves, so practise with the pair you actually wear:
- Hold the closed knife firmly, with your index finger resting on the flipper tab.
- Press the tab in one firm movement; the assisted opening carries the 8.5 cm tanto blade out to a stop.
- Check that the blade is fully open before using it.
- To close, keep your fingers clear of the slot and fold the blade back with a deliberate, controlled movement, guiding the spine.
- Repeat ten times; gloves change the feel of the tab, and repetition builds the habit.
That gloved-hand practice is the core of training with any of the knives for firefighters in this range.
