Need an alternative for the discontinued Spyderco Whale Rescue Blade

J

JeffDavid

Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
10
Hi all, totally new to this community and message board. Want to request some advice from the experts here to help the United States Bomb Technician Community. A few years ago a bomb technician in New York used a Spyderco Whale Blade and made some modifications so his robot could use the blade to cut into packages or other possible threat devices. Following his example, bomb squads across the country built similar versions and some saw operational use against actual IEDs. Unfortunately, Spyderco discontinue the Whale Blade and bomb techs can no longer buy it. Anyone familiar with any manufacturer offering a similar style blade? Or maybe someone willing to make something similar in the future?
 
JeffDavid said:
Hi all, totally new to this community and message board. Want to request some advice from the experts here to help the United States Bomb Technician Community. A few years ago a bomb technician in New York used a Spyderco Whale Blade and made some modifications so his robot could use the blade to cut into packages or other possible threat devices. Following his example, bomb squads across the country built similar versions and some saw operational use against actual IEDs. Unfortunately, Spyderco discontinue the Whale Blade and bomb techs can no longer buy it. Anyone familiar with any manufacturer offering a similar style blade? Or maybe someone willing to make something similar in the future?
Click to expand...
If you google it, there looks to be a store that has it in stock. Can't post the website because it's not a vendor.
 
We reached out to every vendor we could find on google and while some "claimed" to have it when pressed they really didn't.

We also want more than one. We want more for all the bomb squads that want to make this tool for their robots.
 
Check out Silky Saws and the like. Very much the same idea. And check out Country Comm if you need a custom part built in a bulk run built with a CAGE or NSN.

IMG_1504_grande.jpeg

IMG_2646_1024x1024.jpeg

RAFT7LARGE_1024x1024.jpg

IMG_1164_1024x1024.jpeg
 
It is also difficult to make a recommendation without knowing more details on the modifications that were done and maybe a few more details on how the knife was used or what specifics of that model made it so great.
 
Hi and welcome to the forums.

As D Danke42 said, there are similar blade profiles out there. Does it need to be curved?

038313072414.jpg

The above pics is a Corona Tree Pruner Razor blade saw. It is about $20 at Lowes. You can find similar pruning type saw blades. These tend to be curved.

Below is a 12" reciprocating saw blade. Also easy to find but they tend to be straight.
09215249.jpg
 
PirateSeulb said:
It is also difficult to make a recommendation without knowing more details on the modifications that were done and maybe a few more details on how the knife was used or what specifics of that model made it so great.
Click to expand...
Ill see what I can share on a public forum. but easy to share things are --bare blade (no handle) was attractive for how its attached to robot, very smooth back of blade so it does not cut by accident away from the blade, rounded tip, we might be inserting it into materials we don't want to poke and get stuck in. and of course amazingly sharp and retains an edge so it lasts awhile.
 
We liked the curved blade because if you inserted the blade and lifted, the curve kept things on the blade until we fully cut through. Otherwise it might slip off and we have use the robot to pick it up again.
 
JeffDavid said:
Ill see what I can share on a public forum. but easy to share things are --bare blade (no handle) was attractive for how its attached to robot, very smooth back of blade so it does not cut by accident away from the blade, rounded tip, we might be inserting it into materials we don't want to poke and get stuck in. and of course amazingly sharp and retains an edge so it lasts awhile.
Click to expand...
That's pretty much a pruning saw. If you have a place near you you that supplies the logging industry or arborists you can go hands on with a few. Then you just have to make the interface to the robot
 
Danke42 said:
That's pretty much a pruning saw. If you have a place near you you that supplies the logging industry or arborists you can go hands on with a few. Then you just have to make the interface to the robot
Click to expand...
A pruning saw might work, but the Whale Blade was very attractive because if you put the blade in the materials you wanted cut and lifted, gravity did all the work and it just cut through everything. With a pruning saw you would expect to have to saw back and forth more. But might need testing to verify. There were a few possibilities on the Silky Saws page we will buy and try
 
I found a curved pruning blade with rounded tip. Made by Fiskars.
1210736-21.jpg



Jeff, contact Silky Saws, Corona, Bahco, etc (companies who make pruning blades) and see if they would make a small production run of a modified pruning saw blade. I would like to think someone would step up and help law enforcement in this day and age.

I don't see how you can get around the sawing motion tho.
 
gazz98 said:
I found a curved pruning blade with rounded tip. Made by Fiskars.
1210736-21.jpg



Jeff, contact Silky Saws, Corona, Bahco, etc (companies who make pruning blades) and see if they would make a small production run of a modified pruning saw blade. I would like to think someone would step up and help law enforcement in this day and age.

I don't see how you can get around the sawing motion tho.
Click to expand...
Many thanks, definitely reaching out to Silky Saws and will research the other suggestions today. Silky has two profiles that are fairly close to what we had so I will likely buy a few and remove the handles to see what kind of modifications we need to make it work with the current robot gripper block and how well it cuts our materials of interest.
 
JeffDavid said:
We liked the curved blade because if you inserted the blade and lifted, the curve kept things on the blade until we fully cut through. Otherwise it might slip off and we have use the robot to pick it up again.
Click to expand...
Jeff just a thought........Les George was a Marine EOD specialist and is one of the best knifemakers in the US.
He currently makes some blades for EOD use and as he certainly has a good understanding of your usage he may be able to make you what you need or point you in the right direction. Here is his website and bio....... http://georgeknives.net/about.html
It may or may not be of use to you.

In normal times I pass through US airports on a regular basis. My thanks to you and your colleagues for all you do to keep me safe.:thumbsup::)
 
Last edited:
Steven65 said:
Jeff just a thought........Les George was a Marine EOD specialist and one of the best knifemakers in the US.
He currently makes some blades for EOD use and as he certainly has a good understanding of your usage he may be able to make you what you need or point you in the right direction. Here is his website and bio....... http://georgeknives.net/about.html
It may or may not be of use to you.

In normal times I pass through US airports on a regular basis. My thanks to you and your colleagues for all you do to keep me safe.:thumbsup::)
Click to expand...
Ill reach out to him. thanks!
 
I look at this and think a rescue blade. Would the blade of a SOG Flash 2 Rescue Knife or an Emerson Rescue Knife be to small?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top