Glass Breakers

Hi Bleed,

Windshields on automobiles are not the same as side windows. Side windows are tempered glass. Hard to break but once broken, shatters into many small pieces. The best place to strike a side window is near a corner. A properly sharpened piece of carbide is best. I had an opportunity on several occassions to break a lot of windows in a wrecking yard while testing one of our models.

Windshields are laminated glass. Even after the glass if broken, there is an inner core of plasic that must be cut. First responders will usuall break the glass and then use a saw. This plastic can be cut with a knife. Obviously a thinner blade will have an easier time getting in between the pieces of broken glass than a very thick blade.

sal
 
Thanks for all the replies, especially your's Sal. I knew windshields were tough but had no idea the side windows could be so hard to break. I just thought the glass breakers were primarily for a more controlled entry and didn't realize that auto glass could be that hard to break. That is, I understood why certain professionals may need them, but I wondered if it was something everyone may need.

Although it's unlikely I would personally need one, I think I will pick up a couple of inexpensive knives with a glass breaker to keep in the truck and car. After all, I live in SC but still keep a blanket and a couple of very inexpensive fleece pullovers in our vehicles just in case.;)

Any recommendations?
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I have always wondered if you took the tip of a knife and gave a window a quick jab if it would break? It would be a very small area so the pressure should be quite high.

Yeah you might bend or snap the knife tip depending on how thin it is but if you needed to get in or out of a car would be worth it.
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I'm going to say... NO, I have good reasons.

1. your knife will slip across the glass, you have effectively lost control of a razor sharp cutting implement with the full power and momentum of your arm behind it.

2. IF you happen to connect chances are it will ONLY break/round the tip of your knife.

3. Miracle of miracles it actually breaks through, if you're the one inside breaking out, no biggie, if your breaking the window inward... again you have unleashed the power of a full on swing with momentum while holding a razor sharp implement designed to cut.

4. Chances are if you're around cars, you will likely be in or around YOUR car, which can be outfitted with a cheaper, more effective and safer alternative.
 
Thanks for the tip Walkabout,

My wife and I just watched the video for the ResQMe and we're going to get one for our cars maybe a couple of extras for gifts.

Looks like a super tool and priced right at $12.50
 
You can shatter a side car window with a small piece of ceramic off of a spark plug by just throwing it at the window. I guess it's like the bb, it's the resonance or whatever that causes it to shatter. I didn't believe it until I saw it done.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I have always wondered if you took the tip of a knife and gave a window a quick jab if it would break? It would be a very small area so the pressure should be quite high.

Yeah you might bend or snap the knife tip depending on how thin it is but if you needed to get in or out of a car would be worth it.
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I tried to break car window with knife jab...DONT DO IT! I was lucky that I didn't cut my hand off!!!!!!
 
My car is haunted. Once it locked itself in my driveway while running. Spare car key inside locked house and spare house inside locked car!!! Unlucky for me, as I was mad.... got a small hatched and rag from the woodpile. Place rag over window and used the hatched a la "ice axe" --voila......glass everywhere and a $200 bill. Now I carry a spare in the wallet. No trouble breaking the side window at all.
 
Toughend glass is very difficult to break unless you use something sharp, hard and fast.
Dedicated "pull back and let go" glass punches work best:




I carry a ResQMe in my firejacket and have found it to be an effective little tool.



Laminated glass is a different animal. For this we use a GlassMaster saw.
I recently tried to cut out laminated screen with a plain edged stainless Mora Clipper (860F). Although the objective was achieved it took a lot of effort to cut the glass, and the blade's edge was totally blunted afterwards.
 
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I always chuckle at the people who say a window breaker on a knife is a gimmick and they can just use the knife blade to punch out a window. Well too them I say good luck and let me know how many stitches you get.
 
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