It’s one of those things you won’t miss until it’s too late, so throw a Rescue Knife in your glove box or center console this holiday travel season. It could come in very handy in the worst of situations, and you’ll be glad you have it.
Rescue knives were initially designed for emergency first responders (EMT, Fire Rescue, Police, etc.), but we’ve come to find that they have some serious advantages over a standard pocketknife when it comes to accidents on the road. While there are a wide variety of knives in this category, rescue knives normally feature a partially serrated, locking blade, a seat belt cutter, and a glass breaker. They come in very handy at the scene of a automobile accident, because they allow victims to escape dangerous situations more quickly.
While there are plenty more on the market, here are five rescue knives that you can throw in your glove box until you need them. We’ve put them in no particular order, and each differs just a little from the others.
Kershaw Knives Barricade with Orange Glass-Filled Nylon Handle
Item Number: KS8650 Price: $29.99
The Kershaw Barricade has almost everything you need in an emergency knife all wrapped up in a bright orange “see me” package. A carbide glassbreaker is built into the butt end. The sculpted orange glass-filled nylon handle offers a secure grip whether in glass-striking position or while using the blade. If needed to free a trapped victim, the built-in cord cutter will zip through seat belts and cord quickly and easily.The blade steel is 8Cr13MoV, which can take and hold a sharp edge, yet resharpens easily.
This is an assisted-opening knife – SpeedSafe to be exact, which means that one-handed opening is a breeze every time. The only drawback we see here is that the blade is not partially serrated. That partial serration comes in handy when a seat belt cutter just won’t get through what you need it to get through.
Features: Black oxide coated 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade. Orange glass-filled nylon handle. Linerlock. Blade flipper. Thumbstuds. SpeedSafe assisted-opening mechanism. Tip-down carry pocket clip. Carbide glass breaker. Built in cord/ seat belt cutter. 3-1/2″ drop point plain edge blade. Blade thickness: 1/8″. 5″ closed. 8-1/2″ overall.
Benchmade Knives 915SBKOR Triage with Orange G-10 Handles
Item Number: BM915SBKORG Price: $165.75
The Benchmade Triage is a top of the line Rescue Knife. It’s been tested by some of the world’s foremost rescue experts. This dynamic triple utility tool includes a knife, safety hook and glass breaker. While it’s not an assisted-opener, the AXIS locking system allows the knife to be quickly swung open with one hand and locked into place.
This knife also features a unique strap/line cutter that folds into the handle of the knife and locks in place when open.
Features: N680 stainless steel blade. Thumb stud. AXIS locking mechanism. Texturized G-10 handle. Pocket clip. Cord/strap cutter. Window/glass breaker. Lanyard hole. 3-1/2″ Sheepsfoot blade. Blade width: 1-1/8″. Blade thickness: 1/8″. 5″ Closed. Made in the USA.
Boker Magnum Compact Rescue
Item Number: BKMB456 Price: $14.99
We liked this Rescue Knife because it retains the strength and features of a larger knife in a stout but compact size. The Boker Magnum Compact Rescue knife is just 3 5/8″ closed and features a partially serrated blade that is only 1″ long. The blade locks in place and the handle features strap cutter and glass breaker as well.
You can easily stow this little guy in your glove box or center console, and it will take up very little room. This knife, however, is not an assisted-opener and relies on ambidextrous thumb studs for one-hand opening, which could make it a bit harder to use in an emergency situation.
Features: Black coated 440 stainless steel blade. Dual thumb studs. Black anodized textured aluminum handle. Recessed seatbelt/strap cutter. Glass breaker tip. Pocket clip. 2-1/4″ Modified clip point blade. Blade thickness: 1/8″. 3-5/8″ Closed.
Buck Redpoint Rescue Folder with Black Rubber Handle
Item Number: BU3983 Price: $39.99
For around $40, the Buck Redpoint carries Bucks Forever Warranty and has a unique look. It comes equipped with a titanium-coated, partially serrated blade, Buck’s SUR-Lock SafeSpin opening technology for safe and easy deployment, and a rubberized handle for a sure grip in any type of weather.
We particularly like the jimping on the spine and the multiple ways you can open this knife one-handed.
Features: 420HC stainless steel blade with titanium coating. Thumb hole. SafeSpin open/close technology. SUR-Lock mechanism. All weather grip ETP handle with rubber overmold. Removable discreet carry pocket clip. Titanium-coated integrated strap cutter and glass breaker tip. 2-3/4″ drop point blade. Blade thickness: 1/8″. 4-3/8″ closed. 7-3/16″ overall.
Smith & Wesson M.A.G.I.C. First Response 3rd Generation Linerlock
Item Number: SW911N Price: $49.99
This Rescue Knife come with a unique opening system and main blade. They call it guthook tip saw blade, but that’s not wholly acccurate. The tip is blunt and the blade is a double-ground saw blade with a recessed strap cutter. It’s assisted opening and features a unique locking mechanism and spring-loaded glass breaker.
If you like bells and whistles, this one has bells and whistles.
Features: Satin coated 4034 stainless steel guthook tip saw blade. Thumb studs. Black and green composition handle. Safety. Stainless steel liners. Spring-activated glass-breaker with steel striker release. Pocket clip. 3-7/16″ blade length. Blade thickness: 1/8″. 4-7/8″ closed.
There are plenty of rescue knives on the market that we weren’t able to touch on. If you’d like to see more, you can find them here.
