Rescue

Special purpose blades

Modern materials require a serrated or wavy edge to be able to cut modern webbing, rope and materials.

A serrated blade is a poor edge to be used on wood but It got several other special abilities not only to hold a sharp cutting edge for a longer time but also the most important ability is the cutting effect on some materials.

Some fabrics, webbings and rope require a serrated edge to be used in a saw motion. A plain edge will sometimes just slide over the material without biting into it. One will have to use force to push the edge into the material. Or one may have to use the edge with a chopping motion. The wavy edge got a completely different ability here, it will with a saw motion cut almost any modern material used by services. A wavy edge with the curve may also cut a belt by just pulling the edge through the material.

Then the ability to open a blade with one hand is extra important because every second counts and one may not have the use of the other arm in a situation. This blade should also have a locking mechanism. With the factors a wavy edge, lock and one hand opening then you have a special purpose rescue blade.

A combination edge is interesting because here we meet the dilemma of where one should put the wavy and plain edge. If one only have one blade to choose from. The Wenger blade may have a better configuration because the wavy edge is on 2/3^rd of the inner part of the blade. The plain edge is on the outer part. The blade is just a bit longer as well. As a safety locking blade this is a very good configuration. To use the outer part on wood is not so easy. The Victorinox combination edge is opposite and it works too. The outer part is wavy and one does not get the fully force or control on the surface because using the tip part may not work well. One have to use the wavy edge from the center and backwards. Victorinox got an advantage with the plain edge on 1/3^rd inner part for cutting on wood. The absolute best control and momentum is on the inner part when cutting wood.

A combination edge for me works better as a general purpose blade and not as a special purpose blade. In the normal day cutting a wavy edge is not needed. To rely on one blade for survival and utility the combination edge is not recommended. Two blades are the best with one plain and one wavy. This way one is much better secured for situations.

Special purpose blades are not new in history and different shapes and edges has been used much in history. A belt cutter blade with lock and waves is a formidable tool. The same blade with the tip, wavy edge and curve may work very well for gutting an animal as a hunting purpose tool.

For a safety blade in a canoe or kayak then a rescue blade like I explained above will work very well!

On the picture above and on the side you can see the Victorinox 0.8341.MC9 also called Hunter XT. This tool fit hunting purpose as well as being a rescue knife. For me this tool is almost the perfect rescue knife and tool. This tool got two locking blades with one wavy and one plain edge, both with one hand opening. Not forget the saw and an easy to see color.

This tool got a lanyard for pouch purpose or holding. This knife is just superb and interesting.

We can maybe call the Dual Pro to be the civilian model of the new DAK Dutch Army Knife 2010. The difference on my Dual Pro is that it got a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver. The DAK is for me rescue tool or special purpose tool designated for an army purpose. Why the Dutch decided to use a combination edge I do not know?

The Dual Pro I have is a very good knife and remember the DAK got olive green handles and not the dual density injection molded handles like the Dal Pro or Hunter XT. The rubberized parts in black work well with gloves to secure a good grip in wet conditions or cold weather. Maybe the dual density scales is not so good in very warm situations. The 111mm knives have a certain ergonomic design to them so with the dual density combined you get a very solid grip.

In army or services purpose a Swiss Army Knife is a tool for in the field or work, for rescue and utility. Locking mechanisms on a SAK is designed to prevent accidental closing and safe performance in a situation. All my information and research suggest never for combat. These knives are not designed for combat but for the Swiss Army Knife purpose as a helpful tool for soldiers or a special purpose for safety. A SAK is a tool only for all other purposes than combat.

A larger Swiss Army Knife or any knife in the hand of a professional is dangerous and any sharp tool is a danger in the hands of a professional.

Any knife designed for combat should be a fixed blade and most would say in a rescue purpose as well. In a Rescue purpose the carry is just as important as the knife itself. For rescue purpose a folding knife with a good lock + functions like i have explained will work just as good as a fixed blade in my mind. It can be secured to the body in almost any place. A fixed blade attached at the side in a situation may not be the best. To carry a knife around the neck is not recommended, it is dangerous!. The absolute best or most safe is to have a fixed blade secured to the body and a folding knife in reserve in a pouch and sheath. For kayak purpose a SAK alone work very well for me.

A wavy/serrated edge can be sharpened with the Victorinox carbide sharpener 7.8715. This is what I call a “fast sharpener” and all you have to do is drag it along the edge a few times. All the fast sharpeners should be used with care and not often.  Most of the cut and grind on a wavy blade is on one side if I may say so. A chisel type edge will perform and cut wood a bit different, by this I mean the non wavy part. This you will feel when testing for yourselves.

Most people does not like a serrated or wavy edge because of the problem with sharpening. If you have one blade with a standard plain edge as the basic blade used then the rescue blade will be sharp and ready if you need it.

It is possible to sharpen the wavy edge with the 7.8715 it works ok but it is absolutely possible with a stone as well, by just sharpening the opposite side. A few times with a water stone along the opposite side then it will be sharp again. There will be some burr on the main wavy side after the stone and this can be removed with a round diamond sharpener if needed. Some burr will not affect the cutting performance much. To sharpen each wave individually is not needed.

Wenger and Victorinox locking mechanisms

The locking mechanisms used on the Wenger 130mm and Victorinox 111 liner locking are good and they will perform. I call them a “bjelkelås”. Usually people just call them a liner locking type.

The mechanisms are absolutely not a normal liner lock type! The construction is also with a back spring.

It is normal that you will have some play against the lock, by this I mean if you push the blade against the lock then there may or can usually be some play. This is not dangerous and since the locks are designed so specially they will not release.

If you cut very hard into wood and the blade gets stuck it is better to pull the blade out sideways and not force it backwards because then there will or may be a strong force against the lock.

The locking mechanism is solid and they are used by professionals all over the world in services.

The key factor of a one hand opening blade with lock is that it can be opened safe and perform safely.

Rescue blades:

The possibility to use gloves is very important on a rescue blade knife.

In the marked today there many knives and one hand opening systems. The hole in the blade is a very secure mechanical way to open the blade with the thumb.  It is important when using a knife that one does not have to take one glove off to open the blade. Because then it will not be a rescue blade. Victorinox and Wenger knives work with gloves. Dual Density or RangerGrip works very well for this purpose.

The glove feature is a detail that is part of both philosophies.  Special purpose jobs need this possibility.

There is a factor with gloves that may influence the comfort and safety and that is the size of the handle or lenght.

Next factor:

The ergonomic shape of a handle is also interesting here and the design to prevent twisting of the handle when in the hand.

A very important factor is the possibility of a lanyard.

On some of the Victorinox knives I have shown there is a small lanyard attached. This is a helpful feature to pull a knife out of a pouch but it is not helpful when the knife is in the hand. It is very smart to have a lanyard that may be attached around the wrist. This will secure the knife and if the grip should fail then it will not be dropped on the ground or in the sea. For use in service that needs a rescue blade this is many times not used because of time reasons and more. A lanyard must be attached to the key ring and this will or may hook on to different devices or things. It may or can be in the way. This is why I believe the small lanyard is used and not the larger ones.  So here we have a dilemma. There are situations that would require a lanyard possibility that can be attached around the wrist as soon as the knife is out of the pouch. This will have to be a factor that people will have to decide for themselves or by the services.  The key ring is there on the SAK so a lanyard can be made very easy.

Rescue and services

Some would say that a one hand opening locking blade is a modern gadget invention. This is not so because it is evolution of a knife for a special purpose. Who was first in the world with this invention I do not know.

A fixed blade will always be a very good choice for a knife for utility, survival or rescue. A folding one hand opening locking blade is very important and useful like I have explained on this page.

A Swiss Army Knife may have advantages over fixed blades because it can have certain functions in combination with the blade.  The need for a flat screwdriver or a large saw is not to be under estimated. A SAK may have a blade with a serrated, plain or combination edge depending on what you prefer. A combination edge would go a long way! Best is two blades!

I know for a fact that a large wood saw has been used in situations by special police outside this country.

A SAK with a large locking one hand opening blade, large saw and functions to operate machinery or equipment can be a lifesaving tool.  

A large plier can also be a very useful tool in situations.

A Swiss Army Knife got advantages because it is small in size and it can have many tools needed for everyday purpose at sea or by special services in the world.

A one hand opening locking blade is a very smart and useful invention and it can be combined with functions to make a set for almost any task.

On the picture above from the top is the Fireman blade and it is possible to use the thumb for support when using it but not comfortable and safe. It got no lock.

Next is the RescueTool and here you can see that it is possible to use the thumb for support in a more safely fashion but not comfortable enough. It got no lock.

Then on the bottom is the Hunter XT blade. Locking one hand opening and it is the most developed blade i have seen.

The saw on Wenger knives.

Take a look at my pages " large saw philosophy and facts on wood saw "

The Wenger wood saw is the best I have seen and it is a multifunction tool that could be used to cut thick rope or materials.

Carabiner carry

The key ring attached on a SAK is solid enough to be used for carabiner carry. I would replace the key ring with a more solid one to be sure. Make sure the loop in the belt or other is strong enough as well.

 I have explained before about the locking mechanism on a SAK that it got a back spring to hold the blade out in position.  This spring will also hold the blade in when the blade is in closed position to prevent it to accidental open.

On the knife marked today with knives that got a one hand opening and lock it is usually just held in by a small notch. This blade can or would not be recommended for a carabiner carry system.

A SAK can be used with good result for such carry.

Riveted design

A SAK is usually always with a riveted design and construction and require no need for adjusting.

Victorinox enhanced the strength and construction when the 111mm liner-locking category knife was introduced in the early 1990s. The first may have been the Dutch Army knife in 1993. Let me know if other information exists.  

What I do know for sure is that it is a tank built knife that would take harder use by services. My information mentioned this specifically that it was a category knife that could be used by them. See my Fireman page.

The Wenger 130mm category is a knife made for harder outdoor use and for special purpose needs.

This category knife is used and tested by professionals.

I strongly recommend looking closer on the construction on Victorinox and Wenger knives. The construction and mechanism can be interesting and educational to see. The opening and closing is mechanical and there is no spring assist opening. The spring on a SAK is advanced but it is mechanical.

11.02.2016

Rescue-blades Development

Time and time again i find articles across the world that confirms all my philosophies and the impressions on the importance of rescue-blades. It is important for me to continue to underline the need to remember the safety. The key factors in the outdoors are light, knife and fire possibilities.

If you are around moving devices and mechanical or electrical machinery then you know about the danger of getting stuck or tangled into rope, lines and belts. One swing with a quality blade may save your life.

In the modern world you must have in mind when you are around in the outdoors that other people may have forgotten to bring a cutting device or a knife. You will therefore have a certain responsibility for the people around you and the situations. People get stuck in places that can be rather unbelievable with tragic end.

If you have safety in mind you automatically train yourself for situations that may happen. The key to avoid panic is to have an automatically reaction. This automatically reaction comes from the prepared mind. The unprepared mind may panic and use too much time. Panic is the last thing you want. To prepare must not be considered a weakness that some may say. It is not a weak act to prepare for situations. It must be considered important and fun!