Carbide Glass Breaker
 

Do any of you folks have any experience with carbide glass/window breakers? I don't but have been asked to consider this as part of a folding knife design for emergency services people. Would this have any use for you guys?

A few guys have them on folders in my department. I think they are a cool idea, but on the other side of the coin cops carry batons (or atleast they should be carrying batons with them) and the only thing I'm going to use that sissy ass colaspable baton for is breaking a window. :)

That's the kind of answer I'm watching for...

Ah, a sparring partner! If you think the ASP is sissy, you have not been properly trained, my fine Johnny Law friend. I highly suggest you enter The Crucible in Virginia and tell my good friend and H2H mentor Keldog about the sissy-assed ASP. LOL

Be sure you take a trauma surgeon, a paramedic will do you no good. :lifter

Here's what I've been told about the carbide points used to break out auto glass, side windows of cars are supposed to break out easy and the fine/sharp carbide point makes these shatter pretty good. Yes I asked this question to a group who uses the "properly applied" amount of (ok, usually overwhelming) force. These could seem to be pretty dainty feature to some. Anyone else?

Uh Oh, NDD is awake...

Always Maestro.:D

I never thought otherwise.

An automatic center punch is supposed to work well too.

Yes I've heard of the automatic type (self firing with applied pressure) center punches working for this purpose.

Here is what we use around the fire service and EMS. With its spring loaded punch and serrated edge it is very handy around auto-vehicle accidents.

http://store.smith-wesson.com/conten...0000_large.jpg

Were you thinking of integrating the punch into a knife or a stand alone item? S&W pretty much has the market sewn up with the knife above, as there is no other widely marketed knives with such a feature.

Is the punch on the knife mentioned spring loaded or fixed? There are a no. of folders with the carbide tip fixed at butt end of handle. (MOD comes to mind) Thanks for showing me that!

Yes I was thinking of how to put the carbide point in the folding knife, that way one article has both tools, blade and punch. This may not be of much praticle use to you guys unless it can reak plexiglass. Lexan ("bulletproof" plexiglass) is too good a stuff to try and break, I can hammer on it at the anvil and it will just deform like steel without cracking.

spelling sure sucked on that last post...sorry.

The springloaded punch is the way to go, but I have heard that a "Broken piece of ceramic", as in a peice of Spark Plug will uncork a piece of Safety Glass when struck. Something about the irregular/crystalline nature of the ceramic disrupting the molecular integrity of the safety glass.

Lexan /Polycarbonate "Plexiglas" is totally different from automotive safety glass.

EMTs, what can you folks expand on this. Bill is looking for ideas here to make a life saving tool for you and the rest of us.

Thanks, and take care.
Martin