Story time with a question...

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Gideons

Gold Member
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Dec 9, 2015
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Hey BF,

Here is a small story and a question. Last friday after my last lecture (I'm a university student), I got a rext from a friend who wanted to go out later so I taxi'd to his place and didn't go home because I was just planning on crashing at his place. On campus, I never carry a larger knife than a SAK Alox Cadet. It was a busy time (rush hour) and my taxi driver was being extremely impatient on a bridge so pulling out into on coming traffic but he didn't see another car coming that just turned came onto the bridge, it was very close to an accident, we both slammed on our breaks, and ended up about a foot or two apart (we were dead stopped in the opposite traffic lane). I'm canadian, and it is winter, and it left me thinking if we did get into a collision it is very possible that we would of went over the side of the bridge into the water. Then I was thinking, how would I of gotten out? These are freezing cold waters so hypothermia would set in quickly, would by SAK really be able to cut a seatbelt quickly enough compared to a slightly bigger folder? How would I get out of the car? Most likely I would need to break the glass, how does my SAK help me with that? My Backpack was in the trunk of the taxi so I had nothing heavy on me either in the back seat. I looked up my campus laws, it says weapons are prohibited, but in Canada according to the supreme court knives are only a weapon if used to harm or threaten somebody. So, technically allowed, also I carry discretely with a black deepcarry pocket clip on dark jeans. Not like I go around opening it or boasting I'm carrying a knife.

One of the main reason I EDC, is because who knows what is going to happen? Knives are extremely useful tools in many disastrous situations. Earlier that day I wasn't planning on going out after my last class, and being on a campus I didn't think I would need a larger knife. I'm not some extreme survivalist guy, just a university student... but after the almost accident, I was left thinking... carrying something that weighs 0.25-0.5 pounds could be the difference between dying, or living... I love my family, and if something did happen to me and it could of been prevented by carrying a knife or a lighter I would be ashamed how I failed my family by not being at least a little prepared. Now, I don't think a knife as a weapon, just an extremely versatile tool that can be extremely helpful in natural or man-made disastrous.

Ironically, my family and the my friends into university are very anti-knife. Which has left me kinda torn... it is very much like a catch 22. Now, I'm considering EDC a blade on campus more because I don't always stay on campus, or just EDC more than a SAK on general. I would still EDC a SAK for small cutting tasks make sure not to upset the non-knife people... I know this may seem extreme, but this is what I have kind of thinking about the past few days, what do you guys think?SAK is fine, is it okay to carry something bigger maybe? Why do you EDC?
 
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If you're worried about a taxi going in the water and you have to escape have one of those escape tools with you.

It's clearly intended for that purpose only and won't worry the anti knife folks.

Living in a part of Canada that is full of outdoors folks I don't need to agonize over what kind of knife I have on my belt or in my pocket so I've never made a list of "why". I just need a knife to cut stuff so I carry one.
 
Danke42 said:
If you're worried about a taxi going in the water and you have to escape have one of those escape tools with you.

It's clearly intended for that purpose only and won't worry the anti knife folks.

Living in a part of Canada that is full of outdoors folks I don't need to agonize over what kind of knife I have on my belt or in my pocket so I've never made a list of "why". I just need a knife to cut stuff so I carry one.
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That isn't a genuine fear of mine, that was just a recent experience that maybe me reflect on how prepared I was for any sort of disaster man-made or nature that if I ran into how prepared would I be. Most people carry those escape tools in their car or backpacks... which neither would of helped me here.
 
Chances are you could just un-fasten the seat belt in the normal way. If the car was crumbled up so bad you couldn't, then you'd probably be in bad shape also. That said, I don't think a seat belt strap is all that hard to cut and the sharpness of the blade would be more of a factor than the blade itself.
 
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jill jackson said:
Chances are you could just un-fasten the seat belt in the normal way. If the car was crumbled up so bad you couldn't, then you'd probably be in bad shape also. That said, I don't think a seat belt strap is all that hard to cut and the sharpness of the blade would be more of a factor than the blade itself.
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If you read the whole post, I do explain how this is just an example of an extreme situation that I really wasn't planning for. This could be about if I'm caught stranded in an ice storm, or my apartment building catches on fire...
 
For the auto overboard scenario, provided the fall isn't that far, it should be a matter of just unbuckling. If you needed to egress through a window and didn't have a tool to do so, removing the headrest from a seat will provide you with an good implement.

The biggest issue in any emergency like this is probably going to be your reactions under stress. A study was done of military helicopter crews to try to deduce the high rate of drownings when helicopters make emergency water landings and it turns out many crewmen simply cannot figure out how to detach their harnesses. In a high-stress situation, they revert to muscle memory and try to operate the harness like a traditional three point car safety belt, which of course it isn't.

Point is, your mental state and prior exposure to the circumstances are much more likely to influence the outcome as what tools you have available.
 
I agree with the post above about carrying a key-chain size E-tool if concerned about that. Victorinox also makes a special Rescue SAK for car egress that can of course be used for lots of others purposes. A little strap-cutter with a window-break point isn't much weight and can be easily carried as well as a primary knife.

Honestly, i think the biggest difficulty is here:

Gideons said:
...I love my family, and if something did happen to me and it could of been prevented by carrying a knife or a lighter I would be ashamed how I failed my family by not being at least a little prepared...

Ironically, my family and the my friends into university are very anti-knife. Which has left me kinda torn...
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Don't feel torn. Like you said, a knife is not a "weapon" unless used against another being. If your friends/family are anti-knife, it is likely because they see them only as weapons. Accept the fact that your family and friends are idiots with regard to knives and move on. It would indeed be shameful for you to be unprepared by not carrying such simple tools specifically because you were catering to the prejudice of fools. Ignore the fools, be wise in your selection of EDC items, err on the side of over-prepared, and move on.

How many of your friends/family carry a phone everywhere they go? Is it really necessary for them to do so, especially given how much most people pay ($$$) to carry said phone? How many people die every year because of drivers distracted by their phones? I am willing to bet that the number is FAR HIGHER than victims of knife use/mis-use. Perspective.
 
If ypu like your alox sak, Get yourself a lionsteel sr2a.

Nice contoured aluminum handle, tough sleipner steel blade, window break tool on the but end, and a decently sized blade, large enough for tougher tasks but small enough not to intimidate (most) folks...
 
an ontario spax is a good thing to have in your car, especially if your car goes offroad somewhere you are less likely to be noticed(and more likely to survive).
 
Gideons said:
If you read the whole post, I do explain how this is just an example of an extreme situation that I really wasn't planning for. This could be about if I'm caught stranded in an ice storm, or my apartment building catches on fire...
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Good points, in an ice storm or in a fire how do you plan to employ your knife?

We get it. You want a knife and you feel the world is against you. Life isn't fair and unfortunately all your life you've been bombarded with messages that it is fair and being in a university you're surrounded by people determined to legislate their version of fairness onto all.

Cast your vision further than your current situation and look for fellow outdoor enthusiasts in person instead of constantly seeking validation online.

In a survival situation the only tool you can be sure you will have at all times is your brain. Unless you sharpen that by action no brand or kind of knife will save you.
 
Kudoz, for situational awareness and thinking logically about possible emergency situations and being prepared to handle them accordingly.
Unless you are a genius like "McGuyver" SAK is not the right tool for all jobs/emergencies, so yes you definitely should consider carrying bigger folder.
I suggest carrying folder with maximum legal size blade in you local jurisdiction, better have it and don't need it, just in case of emergency.
For all your regular tasks you can still continue using your SAK to appease sheeple :)

One negative I should point out, if your school has metal detectors on every entrance, leave all your blades in your car or dorm.
Most inconvenient but less problems.
Lost couple keychain SAKs to overzealous cops/security guards working metal detectors at court house.
Most colleges have rules against having knives on their property, you want to avoid hassle of dealing with both security and administration :(
 
My thoughts:
1. Stop worrying about perception. Carry what you like within the confines of the law that applies to your area.
2. If you're wondering if your SAK can do the quick escape tasks inside a car, find a junkyard, talk to the manager and explain that you want to cut a seatbelt and smash a window, then pay him a few dollar to do that with a car that i destined for the wrecker (Almost all Junkyards do that)
3. Don't worry too much about having to cut your seatbelt, I know from personal experience that even in a really bad accident it generally is still operable as normal and the whole -cutting somebody out- is more about getting somebody else out who can't move, if you can still move you can operate the release, if you can't a knife won't help either. And you can always add a pen sized carbide glass breaker as a backup inside your car. Additionally a good thing to have inside your car (ideally either behind the sun visor or glovebox is a rescue/extraction data card, which shows EMT/Firefighters what to look out for in your car (Battery/Reinforced Parts) which can possibly safe them a few seconds to get you out in case, especially if it's a less common car.
4. Take a step back and don't try to run through too many disaster scenarios in your head. Things can happen, but will they? It's unlikely, and if something happens it's most likely a scenario you ended up not considering. So don't stress.

But that's just me. I got one of those data cards in my car because I was in an accident, I carry a "big bad" knife at work because I use it there and can legally do so. I don't have a glass breaker in my car because I don't drive past any bodies of water 99% of the time and if I did I would probably rather try to open the door in time instead of trying to find my glassbreaker, I keep a bottle of water, a snack and an extra sweatshirt in my car in case I get stuck in traffic when it's cold. That's the extent of the prepardness I feel I need.
 
Wolf7 said:
Kudoz, for situational awareness and thinking logically about possible emergency situations and being prepared to handle them accordingly.
Unless you are a genius like "McGuyver" SAK is not the right tool for all jobs/emergencies, so yes you definitely should consider carrying bigger folder.
I suggest carrying folder with maximum legal size blade in you local jurisdiction, better have it and don't need it, just in case of emergency.
For all your regular tasks you can still continue using your SAK to appease sheeple :)

One negative I should point out, if your school has metal detectors on every entrance, leave all your blades in your car or dorm.
Most inconvenient but less problems.
Lost couple keychain SAKs to overzealous cops/security guards working metal detectors at court house.
Most colleges have rules against having knives on their property, you want to avoid hassle of dealing with both security and administration :(
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The university campus I go to has no metal detectors, and is a very large and open campus. I sometimes have to walk 1-2km between classes which for americans is 0.62 - 1.24miles. Yes, my campus does have rules against "weapons" they refer to as firearms or "other weapons". Unsure exactly what that means, there is no specification for that. So, I'm going by what the canadian law & confirmed by the supreme court what the defintion of a weapon is. I will look for later to see if their is specifics but I haven't found any yet.
 
Carry discretely, IWB, or in a pocket or pack or briefcase. Then it's there if you need it, and if not, no one else is the wiser. Spyderco has a variety of small-ish 'rescue' blades that are highly utilitarian and sheeple-friendly.
 
Gideons said:
The university campus I go to has no metal detectors, and is a very large and open campus. I sometimes have to walk 1-2km between classes which for americans is 0.62 - 1.24miles. Yes, my campus does have rules against "weapons" they refer to as firearms or "other weapons". Unsure exactly what that means, there is no specification for that. So, I'm going by what the canadian law & confirmed by the supreme court what the defintion of a weapon is. I will look for later to see if their is specifics but I haven't found any yet.
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If there are no metal detectors than it's much simpler, carry any legal size folder but put it in your pocket DO NOT clip it to your clothing no need to attract unnecessary attention from administration/security or fellow students, what they don't know you carry can't hurt you ;)

In my local jurisdiction anything under 4" is legal as long as not clipped to pocket. It's perfect size for my hand and pockets, no need for anything bigger.
Find out perfect size for you that's legal and EDC it.

My load:
All season or summer BM 710 & BM Stryker - slim, light weight.
Winter ZT0200 heavy duty for outside, easy to open with winter gloves, needs deep coat pocket to carry preferably one with zipper to keep it from losing & BM 710 or BM Styker for indoor use suit/jeans carry.
 
Gideons said:
All my keys are RFD, which means I don't actually carry any keys. But something small like this could be a good idea. As the story stated however, it was more a general thought vs. this specific incident.
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The 'Resqme' dont have to be carried with keys - you are allowed to carry it all by its lonesome:D;)

The tool on a carabiner clipped to a belt loop etc or carried in the pocket is always a good idea for a peace of mind.

The tool is cheap, light weight and useful - it doesnt have to be directed at a specific incident.

I have witnessed several more or less serious vehicle accidents (as Im sure most us who drive on a frequent basis have).

One was a multiple car pile up, where cars kept crashing into other vehicles in dense fog.

I and another guy helped dazed drivers get out of their cars and kept them from wandering into the path of cars driving into the pile up (several drivers hat gotten a hit on the noggin' and were disoriented from the air bag charges exploding).

Just one incident where a tool like the above come in handy, as car doors are often jammed.

Luckily none got killed and no cars caught on fire.

The ridiculous low price for the US made glass breaker/seat belt cutter is well worth it IMO.

Further more, that specific tool is security and people friendly.
 
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Wolf7 said:
If there are no metal detectors than it's much simpler, carry any legal size folder but put it in your pocket DO NOT clip it to your clothing no need to attract unnecessary attention from administration/security or fellow students, what they don't know you carry can't hurt you ;)

In my local jurisdiction anything under 4" is legal as long as not clipped to pocket. It's perfect size for my hand and pockets, no need for anything bigger.
Find out perfect size for you that's legal and EDC it.

My load:
All season or summer BM 710 & BM Stryker - slim, light weight.
Winter ZT0200 heavy duty for outside, easy to open with winter gloves, needs deep coat pocket to carry preferably one with zipper to keep it from losing & BM 710 or BM Styker for indoor use suit/jeans carry.
Click to expand...

You a student? and I think in canada you're suppose to (don't have to, but depending on the cop) have it clipped to your pocket.
 
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