<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Are these crash shears the same as the emt-shears?
If so I love them! Much safer in a confined space, seem to never go dull, and anyone can use them. I keep a pair in my urban utility bag (aka purse) People are also amazed that they can cut through a one cent peace. Caution if you cut enough pennies in half the joint will start to fail.
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am partial to the Jump Master version. It has both, a plain and a curved serrated blade, saw and a few other useful tools.

Jump Master


Pete

They do weaken the blade. But I think Chris was primarily poking at people who use gutting hooks stupidly

Oh, I wasn't saying they weren't better on rope. I've just noticed when I've cut webbing, the cut isn't as clean. Faster, but a little fuzzier edge left behind.

Lazermonkey,

Yes, they are the same shears. Good stuff!

Here in Australia our airbags dont have as much grunt as the US cars.
Seatbelts are compulsory here so the airbags take a secondary role. In the US they are designed to be used without a seatbelt, and when talking to car safety reps and instructors here they actually describe different sorts of injuries that you get over there and a lot seem to be wrist related as they are blown away from the steering wheel.

I have a Life Hammer in my car, and a ResQMe that travels with me. They have a protected blade that can slice a seat belt one handed. I used the Life Hammer for 5 years when I used to attend car accidents etc so I bought one for my car. Some knives designed for rescue work have a similar design, where the blade acts as the cutter when closed and there is a slot to slip the seat belt though.

Biggzie,

Using two hands so you can control the position and tension of the belt, these cutters (ResQMe) would seem to be efficient tools.

How do these slicers work when used one handed? It would seem there might be problems if the belt edge folds or there is too much slack on the belt. Any experience with one handed extrication?

Thanks, TR

If I had the pick I would choose the Lifehammer, but the ResQMe is nice and small and portable.
I've never needed either for myself, but as a rescuer, Ive found the Lifehammer is quite easy 1 handed.
If I was the one in the need and only had 1 hand, chances are that the belt would have tension, or I could move my body a little or push away with my hand as I cut to give a little tension. There is not that much gap on the ResQMe for the belt to fold, and the blade is on an angle so it pushes the belt edge flat against the plastic prong. (look at the pictures to see what I mean) The Life hammer has a bigger gap, but you also have the leverage of the handle to assist.

Another problem with the ResQMe is, dont let your wives/girl friends (or husbands) use theirs (or yours) as a letter opener. Little bits of paper clogs up at the blade edge so it wont cut the belt when needed, and its not as sharp after doing this for a while. (Dont ask me how I know this <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

I believe that Cold Steel has the name Trailmaster trademarked in the U.S., and uses it for their large bowie knife. They asked Victorinox to stop using the name, and changed the name of their knife (at least here) to the Trekker.