Snapped his knife... Hahahahaha... Chris, yer killin' me... keep 'em comin' <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Troy

Try a couple pieces of nylon webbing or rope. I've found they cut better with a partially or fully serrated blade. A serrated portion can be good to get tough items started. They are also good to use as a pocket to keep the blade from slipping in the plastic packaging that is all the craze lately. Some of that rated five stitches last Christmas.

They have identical blade sets. They renamed the Trailmast to the Trekker for some reason here in the States. The Victorinox site lists it as the trailmaster. The US regional site lists it as the Trekker.

Chris, I used to make fun of hunters who bought gut hook knives. After using one it's my prefered method to make the initial cuts before skinning whitetails or axis. Try one you might change your opinion.

SGB

ironraven,

My experience with rope is very positive with serrated blades. Some of my "sharp" knives seem to slip a bit on slick plastic/nylon rope, where the serrated edges will dig in and rip its way through.

Kind of like a cutting a tomato. Using only the weight of the knife, a shaving sharp blade may sometimes slip over the skin. Take the same knife and touch up the edge with a courser stone and the rougher edge will dig right in.

Serrated knives have their place, I just personally hate sharpening them.

re: cardboard. I used to like using serrated blades to tear through the cardboard. After buying a new Al Mar Nomad I put it to work cutting up some cardboard. The flat grind and perfect edge on this knife cut through cardboard like a lesser knife would cut through note paper. I just used push cuts. No sawing motion, no slicing, just put the blade at one end and push. It was a real eye opener and one of the final clinchers for me with regards to flat grind blades.

In my infinite wisdom I thought I could improve the Al Mar edge with a bit of "pizzaman polishing". What the hell was I thinking??? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> It's still a wicked cutter, but I have yet to match the factory edge.

Per a number of folks on knife and blade forums, I now use a course stone on my plain edge utility blades. It seems to be a nice way to keep a plain edge, while getting a touch of the positives of a serrated edge.

TR

I've never been a big fan of serrations, so far plain edges have managed to take care of anything I needed to cut, and that includes rescue work (cutting seatbelts and even boots).

I find plain edges more visually appealing and easier to control and field sharpen. My only serrated blades are on my multitools and a Spyderco Rescue knife I bought a while ago but never used.

BTW, removing the serrations from the Victorinox OH-Trekker is easy and it makes a great knife with a proper edge!

For recreational cutting, I prefer non-serrated blades, but all of my "automotive rescue" knives have serrations (and Spyderholes). Based on the experience of others, the time saved counts. I've not had to use them yet, but I've not ever had to use seatbelts or airbags yet either. If the time ever comes, I'll be happy to have them all.

I might add that at the last several accident scenes that I've stopped to help out at, there seems to be an increasing number of airbag related injuries. One elderly gentleman was quite dazed after his deployed, and it had evidently smashed his left hand into his window. His wrist was swelling up rapidly, and he was in a lot of pain. I witnessed the accident, and was in his car in 20 or 30 seconds, so this didn't take very long. I seriously doubt that he could have had the dexterity to open a stockman or SAK. It made me re-think my whole strategy. I vacillate between a Spyderco Rescue (fully serrated) and a pair of crash shears.

Sodak - Interesting observations, thanks for sharing. I have the S&W rescue knife (fully serrated/with glass breaker) in my vehicle, and the Spyderco rescue in my pocket.

"I vacillate between a Spyderco Rescue (fully serrated) and a pair of crash shears."

(TR thinkin' out loud)

Normally I would prefer the portability of a folding knife over shears. That said, if I had a hand injury and had to extricate myself one-handed, I think the shears would be much safer.

I try to picture how I would use the knife one-handed, using force to cut the belt. I can see the blade flinging around too much. I'd hate to gash my thigh or the arm of the person next to me as the belt lets go, or gets to the end of the blade without cutting (all this being done in a pressure situation with injuries). It just seems to me that I would have better control with a pair of shears.

I recall a discussion on a knife forum where some rescue personnel prefer the shears for the significantly improved control of shears over a blade (they also have to cut away clothing at times). You don't want to add injuries to a crash victim.

Maybe the solution is to pack a Spyderco rescue knife in your pants and keep some rescue shears in a holster securely attached near your driver's seat.

TR

I just sliced through a scrap seat belt with minimal effort using my full size Ritter. I take pains to keep it sharp though.

Regards, Vince