Why have a glass breaker on a knife?

[moonwilson]

The main reason you see glass breakers on knives? Because it's "tacticool"- and plays into fantasy scenarios.

How often do you find yourself needing to break a car window? Does the likelihood warrant carrying a purpose-built solution 24/7?

 

[DutchV]

The main reason you see glass breakers on knives? Because it's "tacticool"- and plays into fantasy scenarios.

How often do you find yourself needing to break a car window? Does the likelihood warrant carrying a purpose-built solution 24/7?

If everyone followed your logic, Opinel would sell a lot more knives.

 

[shecky]

That's why I never leave the house without a pipe wrench. Because if there's ever an emergency requiring one, nothing else will do.

FWIW, Opinel sells lots of knives.

 

[drail]

Try breaking a tempered piece of automotive safety glass with the blade of your knife and let us know how it worked out. I have a nephew who was trapped in a burning automobile with both doors jammed shut. I always carry a glass breaking tool.

 

[motard2]

For me this is quite impressive. Admit I have one secured under the seat of my car in a very accessible folder just in case of an unwanted dive, or if driving to the scene of an incident. Glass-breacker point and glass-saw blade are fully replaceable by the owner. I like, and is no worth spending 15000 us d on a car (with full elecronics controls) and been at risk of endig like a mouse in the trapp just becasue you don'nt have a 5-10 or 50 buks item handy.


http://www.victorinox.com/index.cfm?page=491&lang=E

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Victorinox-Rescue-Tool-53900-Swiss-Army-Knife-Product-Review&id=501904


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zApUSw0xsRY

 

[oli]

Admit I have one secured under the seat of my car in a very accessible folder just in case of an unwanted dive, or if driving to the scene of an incident. I like, and is no worth spending 15000 us d on a car (with full elecronics controls) and been at risk of endig like a mouse in the trapp just becasue you don'nt have a 5-10 or 50 buks item handy.


Don't forget, some sturdy gloves need to be keep WITH the knife at all times. And don't even think about cutting a windshield without eye protection. You don't really want to breath that glass dust also. It looks impressive in the video but that wasn't the first time that guy cut out a windshield. Having the tool is half the battle.

 

[stabman]

The lock would fail before the tip broke in my opinion

Not always so; I've broken WAY more tips on folders over the years stabbing wood and things than I've had lock failures.
I've never yet had a lock failure when it counted.:thumbup:

 

[stabman]

How often do you find yourself needing to break a car window? Does the likelihood warrant carrying a purpose-built solution 24/7?

On a device good for cutting seatbelts, why the hell would a glass-breaker be a bad idea?
Makes the TOOL aspect more apparent as well.

 

[motard2]

Don't forget, some sturdy gloves need to be keep WITH the knife at all times. And don't even think about cutting a windshield without eye protection..[/QUOTE]

You are right, I know if I wasn't a kinfe nut probably I would better buy one of those 10 dollars gadgets with pneumatic point, seat belt cutter etc etc. But I like the idea of having a suitable blade near me, that's why I whent for the swiss gear, wich also has a reputable knowing as beeing functional and reliable. As for gloves I usually I have a spear havvy leather one in just in case I need removing one wheel. But in case of life's danger, mine or someonelese I'll probably won't mind too much about some cuts on hands and some risky breathings. last, but not least, I liked this stuff.

 

[bluep3ace]

don't forget that there are those people that break windows for a living, namely firefighters and EMTs. it'll probably be more handy for them to have multiple glass breaking implements, so one on a knife wouldn't be too wrong.

 

[DRider]

Ok, so the tip of a knife, not so good.

How about the fairly sharp end of the pliers on a multitool like a leatherman or swiss spirit. flip it open, hammer it into the glass. think it will work?

 

[nodh]

There was an article in a newspaper recently about someone who managed to lock a 4yo in a car. After some time a guy managed to smash a side window with a hammer. The article was mostly about how strong that guy had been doing his national service and just two lines about the actual thing.
Anyway. In my car there is a 4D Maglite, a decent axe and some other special tools. I could probably open a car in seconds. Just take the 4D and hold it like a bat. Then a side window will most likely explode. The axe is not useful on front windows because it just makes a hole.

If you take one of those pointy things you mark metal with before you start drilling.
Cut it off so you have about an inch.
Drill a hole in the top of one of those very small Fiskars axes (very hard) and superglue the pointy thing in it.
Now you have the ultimate glass breaker.
Wrap the hole thing in a regular bathroom towel and you are set.
When used, place the towel over the window and smash through it.

Philips screwdriver and a hammer?

A knife might work if you have something to hit it with. Like when you do batoning on wood.
Place the knife tip on the window and hit the knife with something heavy.

 

[DutchV]

Don't bet the farm on using a Maglite to break a car window. See the videos on the BustaCap site - car windows are pretty tough.

The center punch on a hatchet idea sounds like a winner.

 

[nodh]

The center punch does not have to protrude much. Just enough so it hits the window before the axe does. If you want extra protection you could just clue a piece of sleeping mat or other type of foam over the pointy thing. When hitting something with force it compresses and the point comes out. If handled normally it is protected
Now I just have to find a center punch and a tool shop

 

[tom19176]

Spark plug...that is all you need. I have seen 90 lb drug users break into five cars before the team could get to move in to get him....very easy to use just push the porceln plug up against the glass, not even a strike just a good push...

 

[D25]

I pull people out of mangled cars with far too frequent regularity. 99 times out of 100, if you are in an incident that is bad enough to necessitate self-extrication via a window, one of two things has also happened. First, the windows will already be gone- no need to break them. Or, second, unconsciousness will make self-extrication impossible.

Another thing to consider is the necessity of self-extrication. Sure, if your car is on fire, sinking to the bottom of the sea, or teetering on the edge of the Grand Canyon then, sure, get out! But if none of these environmental threats exist, you are jeopardizing yourself- or whoever it is that you are trying to Ricky Rescue. Think about it- the vehicle in question just sustained enough damage to render the doors inoperable. Even with a seatbelt and airbags, occupants of the vehicle will have sustained some damage as well. What if that damage is to the spine and wiggling around is the last wiggling you do? Will shimmying, or being yanked, out a window exacerbate internal bleeding?

It is definately a cool tool- I enjoyed the one time that I used it- 6 years ago?, but I think that there are negative consiquences that are rarely considered with its use.

 

[Miasma]

quick question; does ceramic need to be thrown to cause tempered glass to shatter? or could you theoretically tape it onto the butt of a knife and just hammer with the grip. lets say it's zytel or something similar.

Great thread!

 

[These_Nutz]

The best way to break glass is with a sharp hard point.
Thats why a centre punch works so well and a emergency hammer has a sharp point.
Id be willing to snap the point of my knife if the situation needed it.
It takes very little force to break a window with a hard pointed object car windows go a lot easier also.

 

[Lew/Silat]

The main reason you see glass breakers on knives? Because it's "tacticool"- and plays into fantasy scenarios.

How often do you find yourself needing to break a car window? Does the likelihood warrant carrying a purpose-built solution 24/7?

I always carried a glass breaker in my vehicles. Only needed to use it once. And that one time was enough to make it clear to me the need for having one in my car.

 

[Bumppo]

Another reason to use a dedicated glass breaker is if you have to reach past an unconscious person, or a frightened person to break the glass, you don't accidently cut him. (or her)