Gear Rescue Knives – Unusual Suspects Patrick Vuong August 21, 2017 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More We prefer an everyday carry (EDC) knife that is slim and built to last, with a quick opening. But there is some logic in carrying a slightly brawnier knife if it can do more than just slice or penetrate. This month, we shine the spotlight on rescue knives, from those that help extract an accident victim trapped in a car to the kinds that can give you an edge in a survival situation. There’s sure to be an EDC blade you’ll find worthy, whether you’re a first responder, a service member, or just a prepared citizen. Buck Knives Redpoint Rescue OAL: 7.13 inches Blade Length: 2.75 inches Blade Material: 420HC Weight: 2.9 ounces MSRP: $55 URL: www.buckknives.com As the lightest and most compact of the bunch, the Redpoint Rescue is an EDC tool that's easy to operate. Plus, the yellow handle makes it easier to find if it's dropped out in the field or in low-light conditions. Pros The rubberized handle offers an assured grip in wet weather Affordable three-in-one tool: blade, glass-breaker, seatbelt cutter — all Titanium coated Lightweight and compact Cons Buck's patented SUR-Lock SafeSpin opening mechanism is a cool concept, but also slower to operate than conventional folders The seatbelt-cutter guard digs into our palms when we grip the handle tightly For right-handers only Kershaw Funxion EMT OAL: 7.25 inches Blade Length: 3 inches Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV Weight: 5 ounces MSRP: $60 URL: kershaw.kaiusaltd.com The Kershaw Funxion EMT is more than just a knife; it's a well-designed multi-tool for paramedics, firefighters, or good Samaritans. It has a blade, cord cutter, hex-bolt wrench, glass-breaker, screwdriver tip, and built-in carabiner. Pros Smart engineering in a sleek package The blade features both a flipper and large thumb-studs for easy opening Glass-breaker is at the top of the handle — not on the butt-end — so it doesn't dig into your palm when you hold the handle or poke your thigh as you clip it to your pocket Cons More tools means jamming all that good stuff in a plump handle The pocket clip has only one position CRKT M16-12ZLEK OAL: 7.31 inches Blade Length: 3 inches Blade Material: AUS-8 Weight: 3.6 ounces MSRP: $90 URL: www.crkt.com Built on CRKT's respected M16 platform, this rescue knife is compact yet sturdy and made with high-quality materials. It was designed by Kit Carson, a renowned knife-maker who retired from the U.S. Army as a sergeant major. Pros The semi-serrated, AUS-8 tanto blade is as impressive as it is aggressive looking The versatile flipper contains a seatbelt cutter that doubles as a finger guard once the blade is deployed The textured glass-filled nylon scales provide a confident grip Cons The tungsten carbide glass-breaker protrudes 1/4 inch from the handle's butt-end, which could catch on your clothes or poke your leg as you clip it to your pants Like the glass-breaker, the flipper is rather obtrusive when the M16 sits clipped in your pocket Coast Products DX335 OAL: 8.12 inches Blade Length: 3.25 inches Blade Material: 7Cr17 Weight: 4.2 ounces MSRP: $33 URL: www.coastportland.com Low on funds? Then consider the DX335. Designed with first-responders in mind, the blade is curved so you can slice clothes or seatbelts without harming the person you're helping. There's also a glass-breaker and a dedicated seatbelt cutter in the handle. Pros At just $33, this is an affordable option that you can put to hard use and not be too broken up if it gets thrashed The ergonomic handle is relatively narrow with finger groves The blunt, rounded blade tip prevents accidental harm to anyone you need to free or assist Cons The pro is the con: a blunt tip means this blade can't be used for penetrating The aluminum handle's coating scratched almost immediately under light testing The glass-breaker sticks out an annoying 1/4 inch from the handle SOG Escape OAL: 8.2 inches Blade Length: 3.4 inches Blade Material: 9Cr18MoV Weight: 4.8 ounces MSRP: $55 URL: www.sogknives.com The Escape makes for a good medium-size EDC knife, while working double duty as a rescue tool. Integrated into its hard-anodized aluminum handle is a line-cutter, glass-breaker, and wire stripper. Pros Large thumb-studs make for a smooth blade opening Integrated rescue tools means fewer moving parts and less chance for breakage Comes with extra line-cutter blades, which can be accessed by unscrewing the handle cover Cons While it has various grooves and a good shape, the handle is made of aluminum, which can get slippery when wet A lock-back mechanism means a two-handed operation when closing the blade Spyderco Assist Black Blade OAL: 8.44 inches Blade Length: 3.69 inches Blade Material: VG-10 Weight: 4 ounces MSRP: $155 URL: www.spyderco.com The high-quality Assist is a formidable tool for both survivalists and those who arrive first on the scene. As the name implies, it can help you in numerous ways, whether you need to cut rope, shatter glass, slice seatbelts, or get someone's attention with its whistle. Pros Incredibly lightweight for its size A genius blade design, constructed from awesome VG-10 stainless steel and a non-reflective, carbon-nitride coating The glass-breaker is retractable, extending only when you squeeze the closed blade into the handle Cons Due to a sizeable but comfortable handle, Spyderco's Cobra Hood-and-thumb-hole design, and the way the blade rests when closed, the Assist will take up plenty of real estate in your pocket Did you glance at the MSRP ($155)? Ouch Gerber Hinderer Rescue OAL: 8.5 inches Blade Length: 3.5 inches Blade Material: 440A Weight: 5.6 ounces MSRP: $100 URL: www.gerbergear.com This Gerber was designed by Rick Hinderer, a firefighter and knife-maker who took vital compact rescue tools and combined them in a folder. There's a serrated blade, hook cutter, glass-breaker, and oxygen-tank valve opener. It even comes with a sheath and tool head bits. Pros Large thumb-studs make opening the blade a breeze The ergonomic handle has subtle finger grooves and textured scales, providing a great feel in hand When closing the blade, the liner lock can be disengaged quickly by pulling down on a thumb-stud on the side of the handle Cons The glass-breaker juts out from the handle way more than we'd prefer The safety feature of a blunt tip means the blade is not meant for penetrating Boker Plus CFR OAL: 9 inches Blade Length: 3.88 inches Blade Material: 440C Weight: 6.2 ounces MSRP: $129 URL: www.boker.de/us Its name stands for Combat First Responder, so it's no surprise that this model can serve as a tactical folder knife and an emergency tool. The CFR has a seatbelt cutter on the blade's spine and a removable glass-breaker on the butt-end. Pros Large thumb-disc works better than most thumb-studs The glass-breaker is stubby and conical, so it won't snag like other models The textured handle has deep finger grooves The seatbelt cutter is used when the blade is closed, ensuring no harm to the ones you're helping Cons The high-quality materials and design don't come cheap at $129 Another lock-back knife, another two-hand operation when closing the blade MORE OF THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS AND OTHER KNIVES Balisong Knives Knives with Glass Breakers Spikes Non-Ferrous Blades Wharncliffe Blades Historical Asian Swords Damascus Blades Exotic Knives Tanto Knives Push Daggers Paracord Wrapped Knives Affordable Blades Assisted Opening Knives Daggers Explore RECOILweb:Meprolight R4E Optimized Duty SightTYR Tactical NGW Bowl Video ContestGemtech Integra 15-22 Integrally Suppressed 22LR UpperFN 509 Series Review: Due Diligence NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. 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