BM Rescue Hook - alternative use?

Quiet Storm · Feb 26, 2003

In this thread, martin j asked for alternative uses for the Benchmade Rescue Hook (besides cutting seat belts and opening bottles). He didn't receive a reply though. Since I might get one of those and I'm also interested if this item can be used for different purposes, I'd like to start a new thread solely dedicated to posting special uses of it.

Input appreciated.

Medic1210 · Feb 26, 2003

Given the design, you are very limited on what you can cut. It has to fit in the space where the edge is sharpened. IMHO, not very practical for EDC carry, unless you are in the Emergency services of some sort, ie; EMS, Fire, Rescue, Police.

Could be a good tool if you are into skydiving though.

Mike

Normark · Feb 26, 2003

Hey QS...

Funny you should ask that tonight...

Tonight I just unzipped a deer's belly that my parents hit on the way over to my house..

Made a little cut at the ribcage with my Marbles Trailcraft(first knife I grabbed on my desk) Inserted the BM hook and unzipped the belly almost to the anus.

Worked just like the finest US made YKK zipper.. No nicks to the gut sack.. Just Beautiful. I was Highly impressed with that little bugger...

The BM hook for sure will be mounted on my favorite hunting knives...

I'll get far more use out of it gutting deer than I will cutting seat belts...Try it,,works like a charm...

ttyle

Eric...

Quiet Storm · Feb 26, 2003

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Nomark,
this alternative use is probably a good idea, but hunting is limited to licenced (semi-)professionals over here in Germany.

Keep it coming!

satin · Feb 26, 2003

Well, I want one with the Oxygen bottle key, because my mother is on oxygen, and it will be handy to her to have it... compressed gas form oxy bottles (Sizes E, D & M6) come with a plastic wrapper around the valve, and this has to be cut off for the regulator to be put on... they can be rather tough... so the hook could cut those (slide between them and the bottle and *slice* and turn on and off her oxygen bottles. She's always losing the black plastic keys that turn the valve on the bottles, but having a BM rescue hook on her key-ring she'd always have something.

Thats my use for one, at least until I get my EMT certification.

Medic1210 · Feb 28, 2003

Originally posted by satin
come with a plastic wrapper around the valve, and this has to be cut off for the regulator to be put on... they can be rather tough... so the hook could cut those (slide between them and the bottle and *slice*

Nice thought, but not gonna work. The white seal that holds the plastic O ring and is wrapped around the neck of oxygen bottles is too tight to fit anything but the thinnest of blades under. The BM 5 is at least an 1/8" thick with no sharp point to slide under it. They have a pull tab with perforations on either side of it. They are relatively easy to open unless you have arthritic hands. In that case, I would recommend using a flat blade and press it down on those perforations to cut them. As far as the O2 bottle key feature, it is handy, but any home medical supply store will be sure a bottle wrench is tied to the regulator so it will always be available.

Mike

ako Knife Lady · Feb 28, 2003

Quiet Storm,

I keep a rescue hook attached to the chain on my neck knife. It is great to zip open bags of chips and open the caps on bottles of beer!

I haven't figured out a way to use the slot shaped hole yet.

BTW the hook part is sharp enough to to slice through a credit card.

Pam
alchemyknife

satin · Feb 28, 2003

Originally posted by Medic1210
Nice thought, but not gonna work. The white seal that holds the plastic O ring and is wrapped around the neck of oxygen bottles is too tight to fit anything but the thinnest of blades under. The BM 5 is at least an 1/8" thick with no sharp point to slide under it. They have a pull tab with perforations on either side of it. They are relatively easy to open unless you have arthritic hands. In that case, I would recommend using a flat blade and press it down on those perforations to cut them. As far as the O2 bottle key feature, it is handy, but any home medical supply store will be sure a bottle wrench is tied to the regulator so it will always be available.

Mike

Actually... these are different. The o-ring stays on the regulator (can use those dinky solid plastic ones, but the rubber one with the metal rim works the best and lasts longer), and the bands around the bottle are little paper thin plastic bands that are almost like shrunk on there, no perforations, no pull tab... but they do have a little elasticity, so something can be put in there and pulled through to cut them. They generally need to be cut as they are tougher than can be torn with a fingernail, usually. If nothing else the R-hook could be modified a little to do that, without making the rounded end sharp, just make it thinner. I've seen the kind of seals you talk about on other suppliers bottles, but they dont come on the bottles we get from our oxygen supplier. Been doing this for six years now, and thats the way its always been.
The do supply bottle wrenches. Sometimes they do tie them to the regulator, yes, but usually they dont, and mom doesnt like them tied on the regulator... she keeps a couple in the car, but when she goes inside someplace, like work etc. and needs to change a bottle, its going to be handier for her to have something on her key-ring that can cut the plastic seal and turn on the bottle for her since she often forgets to take a key in with her.

Been doing this since 1997... 24/7, 2 liters per minute for six years... soo... I do know what works/is needed for her. Thanks anyway.