Compact rescue hook for discrete carry

Joined
Dec 6, 2009
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I have a rather unusual request for a long-term EDC for a job. Well, not so much a job as an odd lifestyle, I'm in the process of selection for an RA position at my university. As a representative of the college, obviously the most I'll get by with on the clock is a school-colors SAK or Leatherman depending on my mood. However, there have been a couple incidents where oddly enough, RAs in this relatively tame complex have suddenly needed some heavy duty cutting tools. Thankfully it was mostly reacting to pranks and unusual incidents, nothing dangerous, but it got me thinking and talking to current RAs and staff members about people-friendly options. An RA pulling out a blade, even if it's to cut some one loose from a prank or try and get through a duct-taped doorway...Not exactly what other staff members and nervous residents want to see, this is a liberal arts college. But a blunt-tipped, professional looking rescue hook...The idea clicked with who would be my future supervisors, and I'll be contacting other officials to make sure it's all green, otherwise I'm fine with a SAK.

I'm quite find of tiny fixed blades for EDC, and even if this doesn't play into my duties I'm rather interested in a rescue hook just to have around in my bag for long-term thinking. The Benchmade line is appealing so far, but pricey. I'm looking for something as small as possible while still being usable, coating and finish doesn't matter, preferably kydex sheath but I can make my own readily. It'll be worn as a pendant under a polo shirt or similar outfit, or mounted on a pack strap, in a vehicle once I'm mobile, etc. All this on a college budget. I traded two packs of ramen for a stamp earlier this week, but long-term I can save some change for it when I work through the summer.

I'd rather it be uncoated, the tactical black coating is less eye catching but still too aggressive even for a cutting hook. Ideally nothing designed solely for seat belts, I will be using this mostly for event setup and takedown, careful responses to situations , and thoughtful carry in vehicles. For tasks that require detail, an SAK should handle it. I do have some suitable stones to sharpen it occasionally, I'm not a novice with such tools, but have never actually held or used a design like this.
 
A rescue hook is very single-purpose and not much use for anything else. They are also sightly awkward to sharpen. I think you'd be better of with a small SAK. If you get a model with scissors (I like the Compact and Super Tinker) you can use them in situations when a knife blade may raise eyebrows.

I do carry a Benchmade Model 5 Rescue Hook in my fire jacket, but my knife sees a lot more use for general tasks around the station and out on jobs.
 
Blackhawks hawkhook is quite nice but its a folding knife. CRKT's EXTRIK-8-R also works quite well in my opinion. Good luck with your purchase. :D
 
Have you seen the new Benchmade Bone Collector guthook? It is made to be a guthook but should easily cut through a lot of materials. You probably won't like it because it is only one tool and can't be used for multiple things really, but it is fairly cheap at $25. Just thought I would throw it out there since it is new.


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Your college sounds a lot more fun than mine haha. Most pranks we get are fire alarms pulled at 3 in the morning.
 
Why not carry a pair of EMT shears? You can get them for $2-5 if you look around. Blunt tip, fits in a pocket or tucks into a belt/waistband no problem, very non-threatening. It might even be more effective than a rescue hook if you're not using it for that specific purpose...

That said, I'm personally planning to buy a Hawkhook soon to wear around my neck as well. I'm not going to be using it in the same context you are; it's going to be an emergency knife I wear around my neck along with medical ID tags, but my consideration is that I'll be using it as a seatbelt/etc cutter specifically, and anything (rope, etc) that can't fit inside the hook can be taken care of by the serrated edge.
 
ZOMBIE THREAD!

Funny story...I actually did the job, am now one of the most senior staff members on advisory councils and committees, train all the new people, and spend my life slaving away with corporate crap between classes. I also have gotten tight with various departments, and the general consensus after getting through the orientation period is, 'If it ain't scary, you're fine'. I carry a pink Delica most days, a Hideaway Knife in my jean change pocket others, usually have a Victorinox Cadet around if I'm in a more formal and tense situation. My bosses know about my hobbies and will recommend people to find me if something needs to be fixed or cut, I've talked to a few newer staff members about just carrying IWB or selecting less over the top models.

I've also been around the world a couple times and gotten a couple extra degrees since that first post, as well as grown out my hair to my shoulders. Odd how a thread necro gives off that kind of nostalgia.
 
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