knife with spring loaded glass breaker

[r8shell]

About 15 years ago, when my friend graduated paramedic school, I bought her a Smith & Wessen rescue knife. It had a glass breaker on the butt end. The cool thing was that rather than just a carbide tip, it had a thing you pulled back on to load a spring. She liked it a lot, because there is less risk of cutting oneself by trying to hit the glass- you just hold it against the glass and release the tab.

Last year, it was stolen from her car, and I tried to find a replacement. I found one, and bought it, but the new ones just feel cheap. It has a plastic liner lock, so I don't really trust it.

Has anyone ever run across a better brand or model of rescue knife with this type of glass-breaker? One with a better lock?

 

[Nic S.]

I haven't seen any with a spring loaded glass breaker. But if you are wanting one where the glass breaker is concealed when not in use take a look at the spyderco assist

 

[KNaB]

Yup. Spyderco assist. When the blade is closed, the breaker is concealed. To put in to use, you just squeeze the closed blade and the breaker protrudes from the bottom of the handle.

 

[r8shell]

It's not so much that the breaker is concealed, but that releasing the spring makes the breaker snap out to break the glass. Almost like a center punch, but even those, you have to push hard onto the glass to engage it. (not sure if I'm explaining it well) I'll try to find a picture later.