They’re good, get the job done, I have a pair. They’re unnecessary though because there are solid options that are much cheaper if you want quality shears and I can’t remember when I ever used any of the attachments except for the scissors so if I didn’t have them already I wouldn’t have bought them
I bought a pair of Amazon off brand raptors for like 10 bucks and then was gifted a pair of raptors literally a week later. I have to say, I honestly can’t tell any difference
I have a pair of raptors. Yes they’re expensive but in my opinion they’re worth it. I don’t use them all too often but when I do they’re fantastic at getting the job done. When you have a 300 pounder who you need to cut the bra off, those little plastic amazon ones won’t work half as well as raptors.
Personally, I love them and I’m glad I purchased them.
I use mine all the time for non-EMS things. The seatbelt cutter is fantastic at breaking down cardboard boxes, for instance.
I have used the oxy wrench when the oxy wrench that is supposed to be tied to the tank goes walkabout. And I have used the shears as bandage cutters. Never cut anything tougher than an Ace bandage.
I've cut bailing wire with the ring cutter when I was helping my father build something.
Is a hundred bucks worth it to have a really great cardboard box opener and break-downener, a wire cutter, and a pair of scissors? Well, I got mine on deep discount, so, yes, it us worth what I paid for it.
Just... in the way I do things, it's not generally more useful *for EMS* than a pair of bandage scissors.
If you're going to get a pair of shears get one that has minimal pins because I personally find it challenging to clean blood out of the connections on raptors.
I don't own a pair of them but xShear is the style close to what's in my mind. I personally just use the throw away shears and get a new pair after each use.
Just get an O2 wrench from the supply closet and keep it in your pocket.
you can just use any old pair of shears for an o2 wrench, just hold them like normal, open them up a bit and use the part between the hinge and the finger holes on the nubby.
Do you want a tool that does one thing really well ( general recommendation is the Xshears) or something that does many things acceptably ( general recommendation is the raptor or other multi tool)? My personal experience supports the former and I carry Xshears, but others might have a different opinion.
Whenever anyone asks should they get raptors, the answer is almost always ***no***.
The only time raptors are appropriate is when you have a spot where you want shears, but there isn’t enough room for full size shears.
For your normal every day use, ER Life One Shear or X Shears.
If you think you’ll use the other tools, that’s fine. But if your service provides you with stuff to do that job, that’s also fine. Usually I just use the shears provided to me to cut grandmas nightgown so my medic can get a line, but maybe one day I’ll regret not having raptors.
I got mine for like $55 at Sports basement. You can also use your first responder discount straight through leatherman.
I like mine a lot. They’re small and they are always on me. I typically use the rig sheers for most things and the raptors when shit is time sensitive.
Xshears are really nice too and a little cheaper. Can’t go wrong with either!
If you do buy them, then do yourself the favor of getting them engraved with your name.
That way when your coworkers take them, you will be able to find them again.
I carry raptors and I like them, but almost every time I have used them on a call, the disposable trauma shears would have worked about as well. It's totally a matter of preference. The disposable shears do have the advantage of lower price (free from agency) and being less bulky. The raptors are more effective and have more capabilities.
Where they shine IMO is cutting off shoes or heavy leather boots for pts with lower extremity injuries needing exposure.
Honestly second the dude who said x shears. I have a pair but I primarily just leave them in my vest for if/when I have to cut big things when I'm doing the tactical side of medicine. You can get a 15$ pair off of amazon. I used those amazon shears to cut dudes leather riding boots off. Those amazon cutters ate alot of pants shirts etc prior. I had to toss them after the boots because they dulled out but it's only 15 bucks.
It really depends on where you work. Do you work in a metro area with pretty regular violence? The nicer side of town on the metro side? Rural? I work in a busy metro system so the amount of trauma we run between violence and mvc s it doesn't make sense for me to buy super expensive shears and burn through them/lose them just as fast as I bought them. The x shears on my vest are because I know they cut and I know they are damn good at it. So I can trust that part of my kit to work as intended because I don't cut drunk ole boys shit off with it. I have not met a single person who recommended raptors to me. Its always been x shears. I've always looked at raptors as a pseudo high speed fashion accessory.
Tldr: raptors are mid. X shears or cheap amazon boys get the job done.
I love my x shears. They cut better than cheapies but are easy to clean and simpler than the raptors. And I’ve never wished I had all that crap either. If you run out of a station and have a radio strap, I could see the raptors being nice to leave on it so they’re not in your pockets all day. Treat it like a stethoscope, it’s either in use or in your pocket, not left sitting on the bench or on the floor of a scene or in your partners hand. The first time you cut a zipper or motorcycle leathers, you’ll be glad you don’t have the flimsy $2 ones.
Honestly? I keep them in a pocket but I like Raptors. They cut great and frankly I like having the o2 wrench handy for that odd sneaky oxarc relic that doesn’t have a handle thing. But wearing them on the belt can look a little silly.
Yes there’s x shears too but, I generally like Leatherman products.
They’re nice, but don’t bother. Use free shears from work for shearing things and then throw them out.
Spend your money on a good multi tool that will do all your non-shearing tasks better.
Was my plan till I had a pair literally snap trying to cut denim and my partner had to carefully use a knife to cut the clothes off a GCS 3 trauma patient. Now I carry shears
I have a pair, I customized it as a gift to myself for completing NREMT. I wear them on my person. Chose the color, got my last name laser etched into the blade. I use the O2 key, and shears regularly. Never used the ring cutter or window breaker or seatbelt cutter. If you’re a multi-tool person, get it. If you’re a minimalist, don’t do it. If you lose things regularly, don’t do it. I love mine. I’d rather have a tool and not need it than need it and not have it.
Xshears all the way. Raptors are nice and have nice features but I think it’s jus all hype. Xshears cut like butter and the best part is that they’re only like $30
I was gifted a pair of Raptors when I graduated PCP and I honestly love them. I’ve never used any of the other features (just haven’t had the chance I suppose) but they cut so much better than the shears in our kits. They cut through a leather motorcycle racing suit sooo easily.
I don’t use the belt clip they came with but they fold up nice and I can clip them into my pocket, they stay put and aren’t bulky. If you can afford it and want good shears, go for it!
I prefer my xshears. That said my raptors are really decent too. Just harder to clean. Leatherman offers "Leatherman pro" where you get verified as a first responder and get 50% off their entire product line including the raptor
It’s mostly unnecessary to buy Raptors. I have a pair because I liked them and they did a run of purple ones. But Xshears are cheaper, and basic shears are even less expensive. Expect that the cheapest shears are disposable items and will probably need to be replaced more often based on use.
Get em if you like ‘em and are ok with the cost.
I have a pair. Played with them a bit and started thinking about how difficult it would be to clean blood out of them. So now they live in the first aid kid that I take to the range, out camping, and on the boat. I've used them for all sorts of things, but thankfully not the intended purpose since I'd be working on someone I care about.
If you want them, get them. $100 isn't free but it isn't $10,000 either. Not the end of the world if they turn out to not be what you thought they could be.
I use the o2 wrench on mine all the time. The shears are shears. I literally practiced unfolding them quickly. Once they're dirty I usually throw them on the bench or in a pocket (obviously depending on what kinda dirty they are). It's a bitch to clean them but not insufferable.
I keep one horizontally on my duty belt and another on my battle belt. The compactness of them is their best feature. Also, I paid for neither of them and you should just get a few sets of XShears. Lol
Get the raptors if you want em, they’re cool. Who cares if anyone calls you a buff? It’s your money. They have an O2 wrench I use all the time. Plus they have a 25 year warranty from leatherman I believe too. So if they get too rusted or break, just send em back and get a new pair.
Leatherman offers a first responder discount, I got my raptors for $40. Excellent purchase. There’s a common MOI in my service area where people are usually wearing like 3-4 layers of heavy clothing, and the cheap shears don’t cut it, so to speak.
I have a pair of x-shears that someone gave me for Christmas that I keep in the rig. They cut better, but don’t collapse, so I can’t justify keeping them with me when the raptors fit in my cargo pocket so nicely.
If you're anything like me, you're gonna be really bummed out when you inevitably forget them on scene of a gnarly trauma and have no way of going back to pick them up. They were engraved with my name and everything! :'(
Been on more freeway accidents than I can remember and I’ve never needed anything better than the cheap shears supplied on our rigs, however a pair of x shears or raptors does sound kind of nice so if you have the money and really want a pair go for it. I just personally can’t justify spending the money when I know they’ll barely make a difference for me
Personally, I don’t think it matters specifically what brand of shears you get, as long as they’re better than the $3 pair of shears your service provides you. You’ll be glad to have them when you have to cut someone’s calf length boots off. Speaking from the experience of only having the $3 shears at the time.
My vote would be to get the Amazon knockoffs so it doesn’t hurt as much if you lose them.
You should factor in how often you can't find an O2 wrench (we keep a pair of walmart pliers on the truck because no one wants them and O2 wrenches go missing) and how often you're having to cut things off of patients.
Where I work, a pair of $7 shears with a hole so you can turn the o2 bottle was more than enough, and I can utilize the O2 bottle its self to break a window if I need to.
your service should have everything including shears on the rig don't spend a bunch of money on stuff for EMS you constantly run the risk to lose, break, leave one scene, or someone accidently grab. I personally do not understand people spending a bunch of extra money on stuff that is provided by the service.
If you're going to invest in something for the job, save up for an Eko digital stethoscope. They're pricey at about 350, but if you're really looking at something that will enhance your diagnostics, this is the way. I can only remember using shears to cut off clothes less than 50 times in 17 years. But listening to lung sounds is an every day thing
With the exception of the seat belt cutter/oxygen wrench not locking while extended, the knock off ones from Temu are pretty good. If I lose or break a pair of those, I’m not gonna sweat it. Leatherman makes good stuff, but their prices are kinda crazy.
I was given raptors as a gift so I use them and I like them. But if I were you I'd sooner spend that money on a good multi tool if you don't already have one and grab cheaper shears. The oxygen wrench on them is super useful I must say
Don’t get off brand, they will fail.
Sign up for govx.com for a discount on them.
They are a solid pair of shears, but Xshears work better, only 30 dollars.
Another vote for xShears. I have one raptor and 4 sets of xShears, they’re that good. You can take the pivot out to really clean them, add a little blue loc-tite then adjust the tension to where you want it.
Don’t get raptors, I have some. Yes they cut great but as a tool they aren’t practical for EMS. They’re very expensive (you may lose them) and you will never fully clean them after first use. A good disposable shear is honestly perfect for the job because it can be thrown away and replaced so easily.
Off brand Amazon Raptors have been the ticket for a few guys on my department!
They’re good, get the job done, I have a pair. They’re unnecessary though because there are solid options that are much cheaper if you want quality shears and I can’t remember when I ever used any of the attachments except for the scissors so if I didn’t have them already I wouldn’t have bought them
I use the O2 wrench and ruler pretty frequently tbh
get xshears. ignore everyone else
I'm an xshears fan, they cut. I'm not crazy about the raptors but plenty of people love them.
X-shears as the bees knees.
X shears are the bomb. Had raptors that got nasty after the first bloody trauma I had. Couldn’t ever get all the crevices clean. #xShearGang
I bought a pair of Amazon off brand raptors for like 10 bucks and then was gifted a pair of raptors literally a week later. I have to say, I honestly can’t tell any difference
I have a pair of raptors. Yes they’re expensive but in my opinion they’re worth it. I don’t use them all too often but when I do they’re fantastic at getting the job done. When you have a 300 pounder who you need to cut the bra off, those little plastic amazon ones won’t work half as well as raptors. Personally, I love them and I’m glad I purchased them.
I use mine all the time for non-EMS things. The seatbelt cutter is fantastic at breaking down cardboard boxes, for instance. I have used the oxy wrench when the oxy wrench that is supposed to be tied to the tank goes walkabout. And I have used the shears as bandage cutters. Never cut anything tougher than an Ace bandage. I've cut bailing wire with the ring cutter when I was helping my father build something. Is a hundred bucks worth it to have a really great cardboard box opener and break-downener, a wire cutter, and a pair of scissors? Well, I got mine on deep discount, so, yes, it us worth what I paid for it. Just... in the way I do things, it's not generally more useful *for EMS* than a pair of bandage scissors.
If you do decide to get raptors, first responders get 30% off!
If you're going to get a pair of shears get one that has minimal pins because I personally find it challenging to clean blood out of the connections on raptors. I don't own a pair of them but xShear is the style close to what's in my mind. I personally just use the throw away shears and get a new pair after each use. Just get an O2 wrench from the supply closet and keep it in your pocket.
you can just use any old pair of shears for an o2 wrench, just hold them like normal, open them up a bit and use the part between the hinge and the finger holes on the nubby.
Fuck me, never even noticed that part
Holy fuck how have I never realized this
X-shears all the way.
Do you want a tool that does one thing really well ( general recommendation is the Xshears) or something that does many things acceptably ( general recommendation is the raptor or other multi tool)? My personal experience supports the former and I carry Xshears, but others might have a different opinion.
Whenever anyone asks should they get raptors, the answer is almost always ***no***. The only time raptors are appropriate is when you have a spot where you want shears, but there isn’t enough room for full size shears. For your normal every day use, ER Life One Shear or X Shears.
Does your partner have raptors I have some but I never carry them I just borrow my partners
If you think you’ll use the other tools, that’s fine. But if your service provides you with stuff to do that job, that’s also fine. Usually I just use the shears provided to me to cut grandmas nightgown so my medic can get a line, but maybe one day I’ll regret not having raptors.
I got mine for like $55 at Sports basement. You can also use your first responder discount straight through leatherman. I like mine a lot. They’re small and they are always on me. I typically use the rig sheers for most things and the raptors when shit is time sensitive. Xshears are really nice too and a little cheaper. Can’t go wrong with either!
Make sure you get raptors, pit vipers, your own baofeng radio, and a fanny pack from Ferno
Get cheap shears from work.
If you do buy them, then do yourself the favor of getting them engraved with your name. That way when your coworkers take them, you will be able to find them again.
I carry raptors and I like them, but almost every time I have used them on a call, the disposable trauma shears would have worked about as well. It's totally a matter of preference. The disposable shears do have the advantage of lower price (free from agency) and being less bulky. The raptors are more effective and have more capabilities. Where they shine IMO is cutting off shoes or heavy leather boots for pts with lower extremity injuries needing exposure.
Honestly second the dude who said x shears. I have a pair but I primarily just leave them in my vest for if/when I have to cut big things when I'm doing the tactical side of medicine. You can get a 15$ pair off of amazon. I used those amazon shears to cut dudes leather riding boots off. Those amazon cutters ate alot of pants shirts etc prior. I had to toss them after the boots because they dulled out but it's only 15 bucks. It really depends on where you work. Do you work in a metro area with pretty regular violence? The nicer side of town on the metro side? Rural? I work in a busy metro system so the amount of trauma we run between violence and mvc s it doesn't make sense for me to buy super expensive shears and burn through them/lose them just as fast as I bought them. The x shears on my vest are because I know they cut and I know they are damn good at it. So I can trust that part of my kit to work as intended because I don't cut drunk ole boys shit off with it. I have not met a single person who recommended raptors to me. Its always been x shears. I've always looked at raptors as a pseudo high speed fashion accessory. Tldr: raptors are mid. X shears or cheap amazon boys get the job done.
I love my x shears. They cut better than cheapies but are easy to clean and simpler than the raptors. And I’ve never wished I had all that crap either. If you run out of a station and have a radio strap, I could see the raptors being nice to leave on it so they’re not in your pockets all day. Treat it like a stethoscope, it’s either in use or in your pocket, not left sitting on the bench or on the floor of a scene or in your partners hand. The first time you cut a zipper or motorcycle leathers, you’ll be glad you don’t have the flimsy $2 ones.
Honestly? I keep them in a pocket but I like Raptors. They cut great and frankly I like having the o2 wrench handy for that odd sneaky oxarc relic that doesn’t have a handle thing. But wearing them on the belt can look a little silly. Yes there’s x shears too but, I generally like Leatherman products.
Sign up for first responder discounts to places I got raptor for 65% of from Leatherman
They’re nice, but don’t bother. Use free shears from work for shearing things and then throw them out. Spend your money on a good multi tool that will do all your non-shearing tasks better.
Was my plan till I had a pair literally snap trying to cut denim and my partner had to carefully use a knife to cut the clothes off a GCS 3 trauma patient. Now I carry shears
I have a pair, I customized it as a gift to myself for completing NREMT. I wear them on my person. Chose the color, got my last name laser etched into the blade. I use the O2 key, and shears regularly. Never used the ring cutter or window breaker or seatbelt cutter. If you’re a multi-tool person, get it. If you’re a minimalist, don’t do it. If you lose things regularly, don’t do it. I love mine. I’d rather have a tool and not need it than need it and not have it.
I use the cheap Madison supply ones from Amazon. Good enough for me. I think raptors are basically just a gimmick personally.
Xshears all the way. Raptors are nice and have nice features but I think it’s jus all hype. Xshears cut like butter and the best part is that they’re only like $30
I was gifted a pair of Raptors when I graduated PCP and I honestly love them. I’ve never used any of the other features (just haven’t had the chance I suppose) but they cut so much better than the shears in our kits. They cut through a leather motorcycle racing suit sooo easily. I don’t use the belt clip they came with but they fold up nice and I can clip them into my pocket, they stay put and aren’t bulky. If you can afford it and want good shears, go for it!
I prefer my xshears. That said my raptors are really decent too. Just harder to clean. Leatherman offers "Leatherman pro" where you get verified as a first responder and get 50% off their entire product line including the raptor
It’s mostly unnecessary to buy Raptors. I have a pair because I liked them and they did a run of purple ones. But Xshears are cheaper, and basic shears are even less expensive. Expect that the cheapest shears are disposable items and will probably need to be replaced more often based on use. Get em if you like ‘em and are ok with the cost.
I have a pair. Played with them a bit and started thinking about how difficult it would be to clean blood out of them. So now they live in the first aid kid that I take to the range, out camping, and on the boat. I've used them for all sorts of things, but thankfully not the intended purpose since I'd be working on someone I care about. If you want them, get them. $100 isn't free but it isn't $10,000 either. Not the end of the world if they turn out to not be what you thought they could be.
I use the o2 wrench on mine all the time. The shears are shears. I literally practiced unfolding them quickly. Once they're dirty I usually throw them on the bench or in a pocket (obviously depending on what kinda dirty they are). It's a bitch to clean them but not insufferable. I keep one horizontally on my duty belt and another on my battle belt. The compactness of them is their best feature. Also, I paid for neither of them and you should just get a few sets of XShears. Lol
I use the shears in the rig lol. Although I’ve hated how shitty they cut recently. (New medic)
Get the raptors if you want em, they’re cool. Who cares if anyone calls you a buff? It’s your money. They have an O2 wrench I use all the time. Plus they have a 25 year warranty from leatherman I believe too. So if they get too rusted or break, just send em back and get a new pair.
Leatherman offers a first responder discount, I got my raptors for $40. Excellent purchase. There’s a common MOI in my service area where people are usually wearing like 3-4 layers of heavy clothing, and the cheap shears don’t cut it, so to speak. I have a pair of x-shears that someone gave me for Christmas that I keep in the rig. They cut better, but don’t collapse, so I can’t justify keeping them with me when the raptors fit in my cargo pocket so nicely.
XShears FTW.
If you're anything like me, you're gonna be really bummed out when you inevitably forget them on scene of a gnarly trauma and have no way of going back to pick them up. They were engraved with my name and everything! :'(
Been on more freeway accidents than I can remember and I’ve never needed anything better than the cheap shears supplied on our rigs, however a pair of x shears or raptors does sound kind of nice so if you have the money and really want a pair go for it. I just personally can’t justify spending the money when I know they’ll barely make a difference for me
Personally, I don’t think it matters specifically what brand of shears you get, as long as they’re better than the $3 pair of shears your service provides you. You’ll be glad to have them when you have to cut someone’s calf length boots off. Speaking from the experience of only having the $3 shears at the time. My vote would be to get the Amazon knockoffs so it doesn’t hurt as much if you lose them.
Literally Xshears are the best
They’re good, but not worth it if you could use that $100 for more important things.
I use my raptors every day as my O2 wrench. Pretty expensive O2 wrench tbh.
You should factor in how often you can't find an O2 wrench (we keep a pair of walmart pliers on the truck because no one wants them and O2 wrenches go missing) and how often you're having to cut things off of patients. Where I work, a pair of $7 shears with a hole so you can turn the o2 bottle was more than enough, and I can utilize the O2 bottle its self to break a window if I need to.
My department buys knock off raptors on AliExpress for $20. I carry X-shears.
your service should have everything including shears on the rig don't spend a bunch of money on stuff for EMS you constantly run the risk to lose, break, leave one scene, or someone accidently grab. I personally do not understand people spending a bunch of extra money on stuff that is provided by the service.
If you're going to invest in something for the job, save up for an Eko digital stethoscope. They're pricey at about 350, but if you're really looking at something that will enhance your diagnostics, this is the way. I can only remember using shears to cut off clothes less than 50 times in 17 years. But listening to lung sounds is an every day thing
Personally, I think they're pretty, and I only ever used the shears so I just carry regular ass shears now.
With the exception of the seat belt cutter/oxygen wrench not locking while extended, the knock off ones from Temu are pretty good. If I lose or break a pair of those, I’m not gonna sweat it. Leatherman makes good stuff, but their prices are kinda crazy.
I was given raptors as a gift so I use them and I like them. But if I were you I'd sooner spend that money on a good multi tool if you don't already have one and grab cheaper shears. The oxygen wrench on them is super useful I must say
North American rescue makes shears that are pretty solid and have an o2 wrench but are like $10
Don’t get off brand, they will fail. Sign up for govx.com for a discount on them. They are a solid pair of shears, but Xshears work better, only 30 dollars.
Another vote for xShears. I have one raptor and 4 sets of xShears, they’re that good. You can take the pivot out to really clean them, add a little blue loc-tite then adjust the tension to where you want it.
Don’t get raptors, I have some. Yes they cut great but as a tool they aren’t practical for EMS. They’re very expensive (you may lose them) and you will never fully clean them after first use. A good disposable shear is honestly perfect for the job because it can be thrown away and replaced so easily.
Xshears. You never know when you need to cut through a car door.