Which rescue knife?

[Andy in NH]

Yes! So what are the options or procedures for regular folk faced with a laminated side window? The SAK knife has a saw blade - any use?

I don't know how the SAK saw blade would perform on laminated glass.

I've used a manual saw like this one to remove a front windshield from the outside in training.

One of the problems from the inside is generating enough force with a limited range of motion to create the initial hole.

Also, the reduced range of motion inside the vehicle would limit the sawing action of the tool.

I'd like to have more solutions at this time instead of pointing out just problems, but that's the current situation.

[BobM]

This is what you're up against


So far as I know-and someone who's still active correct me if I'm wrong- the back window is not required to be laminated and you should have better luck there. I would be planning on bracing myself and trying to kick the window out, over relying on anything SAK sized to get me out.

I was in a class in December where we discussed this. I believe you are correct in that the rear windows so far aren’t required to be laminate. The instructor suggested I exit the rear window of my F150 if I had to exit by breaking a window.

He also suggested that one of those drywall jab saws could be used on the laminate.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

I recall this - in a Dave Spaulding class, we shot side windows to show the effect on tempered glass. One thing though was that on a old junker car that had tinted side windows, the tint membrane held the window together instead of falling to pieces.

So I'm still at loss that if I was trying to break a front side window and it was laminate as a average guy - what to do?
From the inside, if I'm conscious, should I just unload 10 rounds into it (just to be extreme). From the outside, what? The little spring tool and knife are not that useful.

[Paul D]

I guess the glass breaker on my tool is not useful here. I guess I need whatever that guy was using. However, to do that same action from the inside is going to be uber challenging with any tool.

[Andy in NH]

I guess the glass breaker on my tool is not useful here. I guess I need whatever that guy was using. However, to do that same action from the inside is going to be uber challenging with any tool.

That tool is linked in Post #41.

[Paul D]

That tool is linked in Post #41.

Thanks! I missed that. It is definitely a professional, job specific tool and is priced accordingly. I don't think I would ever use it for anything but that. However, I think I can do the same job in a pinch with the tools I have in my emergency tool kit in my car: Saw and hammer.

[Andy in NH]

Thanks! I missed that. It is definitely a professional, job specific tool and is priced accordingly. I don't think I would ever use it for anything but that. However, I think I can do the same job in a pinch with the tools I have in my emergency tool kit in my car: Saw and hammer.

Available on eBay also sans the blade, but you are correct - not cheap*.

IMO, any item or tool used for escape from the inside of the vehicle needs to be accessible from the driver's seat.

Certainly a difficult situation to solve.

*(Seems like anything marketed as "fire" or "rescue" increases the price by 50%. )

[Coyotesfan97]

Available on eBay also sans the blade, but you are correct - not cheap*.

IMO, any item or tool used for escape from the inside of the vehicle needs to be accessible from the driver's seat.

Certainly a difficult situation to solve.

*(Seems like anything marketed as "fire" or "rescue" increases the price by 50%. )

As does Police or Tactical. Police uniforms are notorious for being over priced.

[willie]

Serious question. Would firing bullets into laminated glass make smashing it easier?

[MountainRaven]

Spiky end of a tomahawk?



(Obviously Bill Blowers is using the tomahawk outside the car, but the same principles should apply, yes?)