Rescue Knife ! Is this a concern for you ?

rje58 said:
I think most of us, even knife knuts, probably expect that we can cut seat belts with whatever we're EDC'ing that day, even most traditionals.
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Some years ago I bought some seat belt material and tried cutting it with a Case Tiny Trapper with Tru-sharp (420HC at 55 HRC). I had no difficulties cutting it. So, yes, pretty much any sharp knife blade can cut a seat belt.

And no, I don't carry a rescue tool. I've been driving for 50 years now (learner's permit at 15 1/2.) Never had occasion to have to extricate anyone from a car. The likelihood that I would require more than my daily pocket knife is infinitesimal.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
No, I don't carry or consider carrying "rescue knives." Any knife is a rescue knife when used to rescue someone. A dedicated rescue knife is generally pretty useless the rest of the time though.
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This was my first thought too. I've never needed to be rescued or save myself but I use a knife for something or another everyday. If I drug around everything I may find useful a handful of times in my life I'd need a lot of luggage, and a trailer.
 
I have a little bit of first hand experience with this, I rolled my Jeep last year and had a seatbelt cutter in the bag in my cargo area. The Jeep ended up on its side with the drivers side in the ground, so I cut the seatbelt with the ZT0566 I was EDCing and climbed out. I gave a rats ass about what I used, I was just concerned with getting out. Any sharp knife will work.
 
Unless you find yourself in emergency situations very often I doubt it really matters what kind of sharp edge you have on you.

With that being said, I do have a BM Triage in my car's glovebox just in case I find myself having to break the windshields to escape. That's about the only thing my rotation can't do that the Triage can without trouble. But in a life and death situation where a knife would make a difference, I'd definitely trust my muscle memory that I've developed with my rotation rather than the my glovebox knife that I haven't bothered looking at since I first got my car.
 
I was in a massive car pile up a couple of years ago.

Idiots driving way too fast, way to close in dense fog.

Mine was one of the few cars involved which got away unscathed hence I was able to assist dazed people getting out and away from their smashed up cars.

Cars kept comming at speed and ramming the pile of cars already crashed.

I wish, Id had the ResQMe with me then.

Amazing, how confused people are in that situation.

They fumbled with seat belts and door latches and took their own sweet time although cars kept comming.

Of course an accident and air bags going off tend to distract people.
 
sabre cat said:
As a retired medic, I love a good rescue knife but, I carry a regular knife. I do have a strap cutter and a pair of shears in the trauma bag, though.
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Yup. I carry shears and a sping-loaded metal punch to break glass. I've worked in EMS and that experience taught me I'd rather have that tool set than a dedicated rescue knife.
 
The first knife I bought (Chinese Buck tanto blade) is a budget knife. I quickly passed the entry level knives but hate to throw anything out, so it got delegated to the car glove box. It is now given the title of rescue knife.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Yup. I carry shears and a sping-loaded metal punch to break glass. I've worked in EMS and that experience taught me I'd rather have that tool set than a dedicated rescue knife.
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Yeah, a spring-loaded punch really is the way to go, IMO. Much better than the carbide tip on many rescue knives. I gave my punch away years ago. Either that or it is buried in my storage shed, never to be found again.

As for rescue knives, I've owned Gerber, SOG, and Spyderco. Out of the three, I liked the Spyderco the best, overall. I really liked the blade of the SOG Flash 2 but, the handle had much to be desired. Also, I enjoy the concept of Benchmade's Triage but would never purchase one because of cost. I have never spent very much $$ on my rescue knives. There is always a chance of gear getting left behind or someone grabbing your gear.

I have often felt that using a plain edge Spyderco Tenacious as your off-duty knife and a serrated version as your rescue knife would be a neat combination. Just blunt the SE blade tip with a file and your set. You have the same ergos for both knives and you're not out a fortune if it gets lost.
 
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I built this for a Junior Rodeo judge to his specs. His concern was to be able to get in and cut loose a hung up kid without stabbing the kid or the animal. He carries it in a horizontal crossdraw sheath.

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It sure cuts rope. I have fixed several horse wrecks by cutting them loose. I've never felt the need for a specialized knife.
 
Dave, that surely is a gorgeous knife. Just one example of what you do every day.
I'm one of your happiest customers.
Don
 
Fixall said:
I don't really place a lot of stock in those emergency tools because you have to have the presence of mind to use them. You're much more likely to reach for the pocket knife you use on a regular basis because of muscle memory when the shit hits the fan, rather than go looking for a tool you've never had to use. If I was a first-responder who was much more likely to use a tool like that on a regular basis (and thus have a reason to have it in my pocket), I think it would make a lot more sense.
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To each his own and all that but I dont necessarily agree with the above.

Clip a ResQme tool to your vehicle keys. What could be more instinctive than to reach for your vehicle keys within said vehicle.

Just my opinion of course.
 
I keep a SOG Escape in my car for emergencies. It's the model with the glass breaker, belt cutter, etc.

Of course, I have a knife on my belt and one in my bag too so I'm never far from a blade.
 
I keep a Gerber River Shorty on my life vest for when I'm out on the water. Never have needed to use it, but it's always there. It would probably make an okay rescue knife for a vehicle as well and they're cheap. Not something I would want to use a lot, but I feel sure it works just fine for cutting rope, net, cloth, a seat belt and so forth. Probably would do just fine on glass as well although you might get cut a little in the process.
 
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