- Joined
- Jul 9, 2000
- Messages
- 1,654
I've been interested in the Rescue for some time, but it always seemed to me that something was missing or not quite right with design. The knife is in essence an FRN Mariner without the drying vent, and it has been copied by most other companies making "rescue" knives.<img align = right src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/p67c6e4c119d78f8ea7ad8ed2de8eeea6/fe5a38af.jpg.orig.jpg">
One thing that bugs me is that according to every real rescue worker I've heard comment on the subject (firefighters, etc), they would never use a knife at the proximity to a victim that would require a knife with blunted tip -- they all use EMT shears for cutting seatbelts or clothing. So IMO the sheepfoot is an unnecesary hindrance if this is in fact supposed to be more than an FRN Mariner.
Another point brought up by someone, was that a rescue/firefighter's folder would also probably serve well as a dive knife -- given sufficient corrosion resistance. So I was thinking about how one would "upgrade" or evolve the Rescue to become more truly a rescue/emergency folder, and perhas with added functionality for diving (which is itself another search and rescue application). I am not suggesting a new SKU, as the Rescue is already a strong brand, but possible refinements of the established pattern.
I like the use of orange FRN and a polished steel ambidexrous clip, and the basic pattern of the knife handle and blade. I wont suggest G10 since the knife has to remain accessible, and be inexpensive enough to damage or lose.
Here are my inexpert ideas for evolution:
Item #1. Nested compression lock. (At the very least, a Boye indent in the lever if a lockback.)
Item #2: A reinforced tip that allows both prenetration and prying -- perhaps a modified sheepsfoot blade with a slightly raised plainedge tip (akin to the old C15/19 Bob "T"s).
Item #3. Saber grind (flat ground where the hollow grind is now). I normally dislike these, but for a cutting tool/prybar, the extra strength is needed.
Item #4. Drying vent. I am unsure about this one since the Rescue used to have one. I assume it has been removed for a reason but I don't know what it is.
Item #4. Mark the spine of the blade as a 3" ruler.
Item #5: More appropriate steel? I'd leave this to the steel experts, but perhaps something with better corrosion resistance than ATS-55 (AUS-8?).
I only have crude graphics software, but these modified images illustrate the basic ideas. At the top is pictured the present Rescue. Next is a Rescue with compression lock and modified blade. Then a Rescue with compression lock and a sabre-ground modified blade. The last has a drying vent added.
What are your thoughts on upgrading the Rescue into a universal Rescue-Emergency-Diver?</align>
One thing that bugs me is that according to every real rescue worker I've heard comment on the subject (firefighters, etc), they would never use a knife at the proximity to a victim that would require a knife with blunted tip -- they all use EMT shears for cutting seatbelts or clothing. So IMO the sheepfoot is an unnecesary hindrance if this is in fact supposed to be more than an FRN Mariner.
Another point brought up by someone, was that a rescue/firefighter's folder would also probably serve well as a dive knife -- given sufficient corrosion resistance. So I was thinking about how one would "upgrade" or evolve the Rescue to become more truly a rescue/emergency folder, and perhas with added functionality for diving (which is itself another search and rescue application). I am not suggesting a new SKU, as the Rescue is already a strong brand, but possible refinements of the established pattern.
I like the use of orange FRN and a polished steel ambidexrous clip, and the basic pattern of the knife handle and blade. I wont suggest G10 since the knife has to remain accessible, and be inexpensive enough to damage or lose.
Here are my inexpert ideas for evolution:
Item #1. Nested compression lock. (At the very least, a Boye indent in the lever if a lockback.)
Item #2: A reinforced tip that allows both prenetration and prying -- perhaps a modified sheepsfoot blade with a slightly raised plainedge tip (akin to the old C15/19 Bob "T"s).
Item #3. Saber grind (flat ground where the hollow grind is now). I normally dislike these, but for a cutting tool/prybar, the extra strength is needed.
Item #4. Drying vent. I am unsure about this one since the Rescue used to have one. I assume it has been removed for a reason but I don't know what it is.
Item #4. Mark the spine of the blade as a 3" ruler.
Item #5: More appropriate steel? I'd leave this to the steel experts, but perhaps something with better corrosion resistance than ATS-55 (AUS-8?).
I only have crude graphics software, but these modified images illustrate the basic ideas. At the top is pictured the present Rescue. Next is a Rescue with compression lock and modified blade. Then a Rescue with compression lock and a sabre-ground modified blade. The last has a drying vent added.
What are your thoughts on upgrading the Rescue into a universal Rescue-Emergency-Diver?</align>
Perhaps if we get some more input here, some of it might be useful to the project.