Strap cutter trend

Will Batayte

Will Batayte

Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
640
So what's with all the strap cutters lately? Why are these so popular? I get it for rescue personnel I guess, but even then it seems redundant to put a strap cutter on a knife of all things lol. I really don't see the point at all for a regular joe. How many straps do you cut per day? for me its zero. and if I came across one I'm pretty sure my knife could handle it without burying the blade in someone.
I was looking at multitools and a lot of them are adding these. I find it to be a waste of valuable space inside a multitool. Why would you take the time to open the tool and dig in for a strap cutter in a time sensitive rescue scenario when the blade is more accessible? Just exercise a little care with the knife blade. Same thing with the package opener in the wingman. It works great but I'd never end up using it because the knife blade works great at package opening too. Instead of that we could of had any number of more useful implements. Anyway what are your feelings on this trend? Hate it? Love it? Indifferent?
 
I find the one on my Triage really useful for things like zip ties, or when I have tape I want to cut that's wrapped around something I don't, like loading straps. And I've used it randomly at times where I've needed to cut something in close proximity to my or someone else's hand. Its nice to have at times
 
The military issued me a dedicated Gerber strap cutter on the weekend. I have no idea what to do with it because it takes up more room than my knife and does less than half of what my knife can do.
 
I have a Benchmade 5 that is relagated for hunting duty. With larger game, it's very usefull to skin with as you don't open up organs as you cut.
 
I never understood the strap / seatbelt cutter fad.

All of my knives came equipped with a seatbelt cutter - it's called the Blade - so I never have found a use for another one.
 
Seatbelt cutters are issued to police, fire and rescue staff because they protect agencies from liability versus you pulling out your EDC and possibly giving someone an accidental cut. I can't think of any other reason. Most states would cover a private citizen using their EDC to help someone under Good Samaritan Laws but licensed professionals have to follow their agency guidelines or they are on their own or could lose a job if a victim sues their employer.
 
The strap cutter I can do with out. The blade works fine. But a glass breaker is something that I like to have handy.
 
In my work, I regularly rely on what I always presumed to be a strap cutter that is factory ground into the tip the serrated blade of my Charge XTi - cutting cable ties and opening packages that have items inside I want to avoid cutting too close to. I prefer this design to the version of serrated blade used on other Leatherman tools.
 
willseeyalater said:
Seatbelt cutters are issued to police, fire and rescue staff because they protect agencies from liability versus you pulling out your EDC and possibly giving someone an accidental cut. I can't think of any other reason. Most states would cover a private citizen using their EDC to help someone under Good Samaritan Laws but licensed professionals have to follow their agency guidelines or they are on their own or could lose a job if a victim sues their employer.
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My dept has no such by-law. Use what you can, if it comes down to it suprisingly most people are happy to be out of a burning vehicle or crashed vehicle any way possible.
That being said they can be useful but it's something I can go with out. I absolutely despise them gut hooks on a hunting knife. If you can't gut a deer without cutting into organs you need more practice.

CLICKBANGBANG said:
The strap cutter I can do with out. The blade works fine. But a glass breaker is something that I like to have handy.
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Now that is something when done right is a great addition to a edc or first responders knife.
 
The hook shape of the blade makes for more efficient cutting with less applied force (think of it like a small recurve blade), which minimizes the chance of a blade going in a direction it's not supposed to. Stabbing someone by accident while you're trying to save them is a little counter-productive, don't you think? It's a solution to a niche problem (rescue work, etc.), not a solution looking for a problem as you all make it out to be. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Strap cutters also afford you the option of cutting very difficult materials while keeping your primary edge sharp and keen.

My flamesuit is prepared and ready, so bring it on.
 
Yeah, well Virginia may have some more common sense overall. Here in the People's Republic of MN we have as many lawyers as snowblowers, in fact I am not sure what the difference is....ba dum dum.
 
willseeyalater said:
Yeah, well Virginia may have some more common sense overall. Here in the People's Republic of MN we have as many lawyers as snowblowers, in fact I am not sure what the difference is....ba dum dum.
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Hahaha, Heyyyooooooooo!!!


Hadji Flip Me Over said:
The hook shape of the blade makes for more efficient cutting with less applied force (think of it like a small recurve blade), which minimizes the chance of a blade going in a direction it's not supposed to. Stabbing someone by accident while you're trying to save them is a little counter-productive, don't you think? It's a solution to a niche problem (rescue work, etc.), not a solution looking for a problem as you all make it out to be. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Strap cutters also afford you the option of cutting very difficult materials while keeping your primary edge sharp and keen.

My flamesuit is prepared and ready, so bring it on.
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I get it, but I don't carry a different tool for every job its in the tool chest on the truck.
I carry my edc under my bunkers, and a multi tool in my coat pocket along with a few shims that's plenty enough to carry for me along with a pack, mask, light, radio, and tool. I would never want to carry a separate hook, I'd probably loose it!. When I cut someones seat belt it isn't directly over them, it is to the side exposed either on the pillar or at the base of the seat. Unless it is really messed up, there is a tiny chance you will cut the individual, like I said we have no by-laws saying you have to use a hook. I have seen the ems crew use them for removing pants and clothes more than any of the guys( might be one) on the other companies.


They work well yes, but we don't use them.

Maybe if I had one on my multi tool or one of those rescue knives I would think differently.
 
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I use one at work all the time. It is great for cutting open plastic wrapped items that have machined surfaces that you do not want to score. Some materials like bearings are so hard that they will dull any type of steel with the first contact of the blade. A strap cutter is also great for cutting tack, cinches or cribbing collars off of horses that their idiot owners have put on so tight that the horse is rubbed raw past the hide. Believe me, you don't want a 1200lb+ animal freaking out while you try to slide a blade between thick leather and raw flesh. A strap cutter is great as you just come in slow from the outside of the tack and apply a little pressure. The horse will do the rest! The Boker Plus Rescom is the best I have found as it is evenly beveled and large enough to easily sharpen with a small ceramic, glass or diamond rod. The AUS8 works suprisingly well as long as it is kept sharp and the knife is small enough to take anywhere.
 
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I'm no emergency responder but I know more than a few cops, and they swear by strap cutters for the following reason- Not every car accident victim will sit peacfully and wait patiently for you to cut them free. "Victims" that are drunk or high might become combative and fight against you, even when the car is on fire. Accident victims are also prone to panicing and might thrash around or flail their arms. Also, brain injuries can turn otherwise normal and peacful individuals into violent raving maniacs.

We had an incident here recently where a guy was in a car accident, and after receiving some medical attention from paramedics at the scene, he bolted up onto his feet and started attacking both the paramedics and the cops. It took multiple guys to get him under control. At first everyone thought he was under the influence of something but he wasn't, it turned out his combative actions were the result of a brain injury.

If you don't like or don't feel the need for a strap cutter on a knife, don't buy a knife with a strapcutter. Lots of options out there.
 
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Hmm, those are a few things I never thought of. Especially the uses with livestock (people who neglect their animals long enough to have straps dig in make me sick by the way), and inebriated or confused drivers. Makes sense. Don't get me wrong I don't dislike them or think they shouldn't be on some knives/tools. Although I do find it a bit senseless to bury one inside a multitool where it's not likely to be used often or at all. I was just kinda curious about the general opinion on them. Overnight they seem to have become a very pervasive part of the knife world and i was wondering if i was the only one out there that didn't really see a need for em in my day to day life.

I definitely agree about the glass breaker, it takes up such a small amount of space and would be a huge help if your car ends up in water or you get locked out and have no choice but to break the window. Most glass breakers also would make a great impact device or kubaton if needed.
 
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The DEDICATED strap cutters are a God Send to military medical personnel. When you are evaluating a casualty you need to check carefully for entrance/exit wounds and there may be a lot of small ones you won't see if you don't strip them down. My Benchmade tool (forgot the model number) can make removal of uniform and equipment much easier. Getting the boots off only takes a few seconds with one. They beat the Hell out of the old trauma shears we used to use. As to one built into a knife? Never had a use for it.
 
One of my regular EDCs is a Victorinox Hunter. I was originally sent it for review 20 years ago by Victorinox, and recomended that they use the scalloped curved gutting blade for an emergency release knife for the emergency services. I also tested a Buck knife as an ERK, but it didn't work so well. I can post both articles if anyone's interested.
 
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