Victorinox Rescue Tool?

[Wolfeye]

Hey, everyone. How do you guys like the Victorinox Rescue Tool? I was looking at it & figure I might get it, since it has that glass breaker (which seems to actually work- not all of them do, from what I understand) & a GLASS SAW (which is a great idea, given that a lot of glass is laminated or whatever it's called).

I remember a demonstration where the firefighter cut the rubber from around a windshield with the knife part & used the flathead/bottle-opener to pry it out, which was cool (I didn't know about that- how come they don't have something like that on the inside with a pull tab so people can get out?).

For the glass breaker & glass saw, he smashed the glass breaker against the window at a few different points that lined up with each other, stuck the tip of the saw through the glass at those points, then ripped back with the saw as he was pulling it up/out. So he connected the dots with the cuts. Both of those are replaceable, by the way.

The other screwdriver & other stuff wasn't demonstrated, I'm assuming because those are fairly obvious. Still, it's nice to have tweezers & an awl (although I think I would drill a hole through it, just to have it be more multi-functional). It seems at least one style actually glows in the dark, too.

 

[gzb]

IMO, it would be a stretch to effectively use the Victorinox as a windshield remover tool for extrication in a practical time frame.

For years, many Fire/Rescue services have used the Glasmaster for such duty: http://glasmaster.com/glas_main.html if a manual tool was called for...

 

[sabre cat]

True, the Glas-Master is better but how many of us are willing to carry one around? Show me a better windshield removal tool/EDC that can be easily carried by an average joe.

 

[gzb]

True, the Glas-Master is better but how many of use are willing to carry one around? Show me a better EDC tool that can remove a windshield that can be easily carried by an average joe.

Not too many "average joe" type folks walking around looking to remove a windshield AFAIK. Why would they?

Talk about a *what if* situation. Call 911 or use a punch/knife tip on a side window if emergency access is needed.

FWIW, I've removed more than a few windshields during my career as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Couldn't imagine doing even one with that Victorinox.

But as with all things on these forums, YMMV...

 

[fivesense]

On its own merit, the Rescue Tool is a good utility knife. It's value for every day applications is rarely discussed, but the blade is a great cutter, and the extra utility tools are above average. It's a great knife for your car or truck and will definitely do its job in an emergency, should you come across an accident. The tweezers and toothpick are always nice. And, you won't lose this knife in the dirt- the yellow is like a beacon!

I've got one in each of the family vehicles and I wouldn't hesitate to use it around the campsite.

 

[Citanhable]

Hey, everyone. How do you guys like the Victorinox Rescue Tool? I was looking at it & figure I might get it, since it has that glass breaker (which seems to actually work- not all of them do, from what I understand) & a GLASS SAW (which is a great idea, given that a lot of glass is laminated or whatever it's called).

I remember a demonstration where the firefighter cut the rubber from around a windshield with the knife part & used the flathead/bottle-opener to pry it out, which was cool (I didn't know about that- how come they don't have something like that on the inside with a pull tab so people can get out?).

For the glass breaker & glass saw, he smashed the glass breaker against the window at a few different points that lined up with each other, stuck the tip of the saw through the glass at those points, then ripped back with the saw as he was pulling it up/out. So he connected the dots with the cuts. Both of those are replaceable, by the way.

The other screwdriver & other stuff wasn't demonstrated, I'm assuming because those are fairly obvious. Still, it's nice to have tweezers & an awl (although I think I would drill a hole through it, just to have it be more multi-functional). It seems at least one style actually glows in the dark, too.

Having been a firefighter for over a dozen years, repeatedly certified and recertified in auto extrication, train extrication, aircraft extrication, and heavy rescue, I have learned a touch about the tactical and ", so-called tactical" knives and tools. "Windshield breakers" are mostly effective if a person has been trained on how to use them. We all carried seatbelt cutting tools, which were pretty much the same as on the current tactical knives. But when it came to windows and windshields, they were two very different animals. Side or rear windows are tempered glass and don't require someone to beat them with a sharp tool to break. Most of us carried a machinist spring loaded center punch. All one has to do is go to a corner of the glass and give a solid tap to totally crystalize the window. Then, the glass can be carefully removed pulling it out rather than getting glass shards all over the wreck victim. The windshield has the plastic coating on it to prevent shattering. It also prevents a first responders from being able to break it like the side windows. Firefighters normally pull a windshield if they have to in order to pull someone out. Problem is, this greatly endangers the victims! Best bet for windshields for lay people (not professional first responders) is to leave it alone, and let the firefighters deal with it if necessary. If a lay person can't safely remove a person then don't! I know how we see these guys pulling people from burning cars and etc. But the truth is, if you don't have the means of stabilizing someone's neck, back, and injured limbs, you could do more harm than good unless they're going to burn up or something of course. In which case, you get them out as carefully as possible and HOPE that you haven't worsened their injuries.

 

[fivesense]

Having been a firefighter for over a dozen years, repeatedly certified and recertified in auto extrication, train extrication, aircraft extrication, and heavy rescue, I have learned a touch about the tactical and ", so-called tactical" knives and tools. "Windshield breakers" are mostly effective if a person has been trained on how to use them. We all carried seatbelt cutting tools, which were pretty much the same as on the current tactical knives. But when it came to windows and windshields, they were two very different animals. Side or rear windows are tempered glass and don't require someone to beat them with a sharp tool to break. Most of us carried a machinist spring loaded center punch. All one has to do is go to a corner of the glass and give a solid tap to totally crystalize the window. Then, the glass can be carefully removed pulling it out rather than getting glass shards all over the wreck victim. The windshield has the plastic coating on it to prevent shattering. It also prevents a first responders from being able to break it like the side windows. Firefighters normally pull a windshield if they have to in order to pull someone out. Problem is, this greatly endangers the victims! Best bet for windshields for lay people (not professional first responders) is to leave it alone, and let the firefighters deal with it if necessary. If a lay person can't safely remove a person then don't! I know how we see these guys pulling people from burning cars and etc. But the truth is, if you don't have the means of stabilizing someone's neck, back, and injured limbs, you could do more harm than good unless they're going to burn up or something of course. In which case, you get them out as carefully as possible and HOPE that you haven't worsened their injuries.

WELL STATED.

 

[sabre cat]

Not too many "average joe" type folks walking around looking to remove a windshield AFAIK. Why would they?

Talk about a *what if* situation. Call 911 or use a punch/knife tip on a side window if emergency access is needed.

FWIW, I've removed more than a few windshields during my career as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Couldn't imagine doing even one with that Victorinox.

But as with all things on these forums, YMMV...

As a retired medic, I have to agree with you 100%. However, we live in an age where many people try to prepare for the unexpected. You and I both know that chances are slim to none that these rescue knives will ever get used for any sort of rescue but, IMHO, the Vic Rescue Knife is better than most. Most that I've seen, anyway. Look how many people buy those junky rescue knives for $9.95 thinking they are set to take on the world.

If someone wants a rescue knife to carry in their car, let them. You and I both know a punch would be better but, so what. It's their money. They could do a lot worse than a Vic. With it, they at least have a half way decent cutting tool and all the other goodies a SAK comes with.

 

[gzb]

As a retired medic, I have to agree with you 100%. However, we live in an age where many people try to prepare for the unexpected. You and I both know that chances are slim to none that these rescue knives will ever get used for any sort of rescue but, IMHO, the Vic Rescue Knife is better than most. Most that I've seen, anyway. Look how many people buy those junky rescue knives for $9.95 thinking they are set to take on the world.

If someone wants a rescue knife to carry in their car, let them. You and I both know a punch would be better but, so what. It's their money. They could do a lot worse than a Vic. With it, they at least have a half way decent cutting tool and all the other goodies a SAK comes with.

And on that^^^ we can agree...

 

[Wolfeye]

What about building glass? Is that generally laminated or what? I remember a thing on commercial buildings (which I'm in most of the time) having laminated windows most of the time to prevent break-ins. I guess most of the time someone would be able to get right out of those, being as the door's open, but I figure there could be occasions where getting out is a problem & it wouldn't be obvious until after the fact. Maybe someone takes over the building & gets distracted, then you can make your move to get out?

 

[gzb]

What about building glass? Is that generally laminated or what? I remember a thing on commercial buildings (which I'm in most of the time) having laminated windows most of the time to prevent break-ins. I guess most of the time someone would be able to get right out of those, being as the door's open, but I figure there could be occasions where getting out is a problem & it wouldn't be obvious until after the fact. Maybe someone takes over the building & gets distracted, then you can make your move to get out?

*Real Life* just isn't this complicated...^^^