Spyderco Assist vs. Emerson SARK vs. Benchmade Rescue Stryker

trout #2

trout #2

Joined
Jul 22, 2004
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I'm looking for a good rescue/ultility knife. I'm a semester into a 2-year paramedic program, just got my EMT-B, and will starting clinicals/ride-alongs in Feb. I'd greatly appreciate any input on these knives in particular or any other recommended models.

Also, the Rescue Stryker I found has a GIN-1 blade. I'm not very familiar with this steel; how well does it perform? I did a search but didn't find too much info.

thanks
 
I personally prefer the Spyderco rescue knives to almost anything else out there. I have done a fair bit of testing of rescue knives - for whitewater applications - and the main thing that Spydies have going for them is the effectivness of the serrations. When tested against kayak plastic, no other serrated knife even came close to the performance of the Spydies.

Having said that, my primary rescue knife is a BM Rescue hook. For cutting clothing, rope, and webbing, in a high stress situation, with virtually no risk to a victim, the Hook is almost untouchable in the current rescue knife world.

I do like the shape of the emerson the best. I have ground several Spydies down so that the spine of the blade is the same shape as a SARK. It slides under clothing much easier than a "sheepsfoot" style blade.

Good luck,
Thom
 
My personal favorite is the BM Rescue Stryker, but I don't use it as an EMT in a day-in, day-out application. It's a great knife, but I don't think it would be too easy to keep in clean in that kind of environment, and in the situations when I'd have to use mine, I wouldn't care.

Like Thom said, I'd think the best option would be the Rescue Hook. It would handle most all of the stuff that you'd need to do, even opening those pesky O2 bottles. As a backup, I can work the Spyderco better with gloves on, so I guess that's how I'd go.
 
i would say go with a 93mm spyderco rescue for 2 reasons. cost and serrations. why spend at least 3 times as much, on an emerson, for a knife that will probably be lost or broken. and, as stated above, spyderco does have the best serrations. i find the assist to be too gimmicky, if i wanted a whistle, i would carry one, which i do. so, get the regular rescue and spend the rest of the money on a good light.

k
 
Another thought:

I don't have one, but I noticed that Spyderco now has the Atlantic Salt folder.
It seems to be like the older Rescue model but has H-1 steel that will not rust, and it's available in black or yellow handle, and serrated or plain-edged.

I like my old ATS-55 Spyderco Rescue very much, but this new Atlantic Salt has me very curious.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Opening the choice up to include other options, I'd say get a Benchmade Rescue Hook for extrication, and also just carry a plain old normal folder for the other 95% when you just need normal everyday utility and cutting jobs performed. One huge advantage of the Rescue Hook is patient safety. If they move suddenly, or start thrashing around any other open blade can cut them, but with the RH it's impossible. additionally, the O2 wrench in the Rescue Hook comes in pretty darn handy sometimes. The Rescue Hook is also small enough to greatly increase carry options.


Coming back onto focus with those three choices, I would suggest the Spyderco. Better serrations, more reliable lock, lighter weight, and cheaper being some of the primary reasons. And speaking of Spyderco knives, (drifting off topic again) have you checked out the Dyad? it has a nice thin plain edged and pointy utility blade as well as a serrated sheepsfoot style blade in a pretty reasonably sized package. They're a$$ ugly, but purty is as purty does....Spyderco discontinued them, but there's still plenty floating around to be had. Anyhoo, good luck to ya'!
 
I can't comment from the perpective of an EMT because I'm not an EMT, but I work closely with you guys (because I am a surgeon), so I hope this helps.

1) A knife in most medical appplications, except for the operating room, is a personal tool. I use mine to open packages and cut fruit and cheese (for lunch).

2) EMT Shears (scissors) are safer for cutting webbing and clothing and work better.

3) You won't want to use your good knife to cut your apple or to pick a splinter after you used it to cut off some heroin addicts bloody pants.

It's really cool to always carry a knife, but I don't think you need a specialty rescue type knife unless you are willing to designate it as a work/'dirty" knife, because you probably won't want to carry it as your EDC pocket knife on your days off after it's been bloodied.

Not to ruffle feathers ... just my opinion ... everyone has one :) .

Mike
 
Actually, I think you're just about right on with your perspective, only disagree verrrry slightly about the shears because on some ocassions they'll clog and don't cut the thicker nastier stuff you tend to find in the field. (Lined Carrharts being a sterling example here in AK) Other than that, I think you hit the mark.
 
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