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Guylee
07-20-2013, 15:31
So a few weeks ago my friend was killed on a jump and it was determined that it was the risers that wrapped around his neck that killed him. Since then I've been told to keep a knife on every jump in case something like this happens to me. now I'm wondering what the best knife would be...I have a buck skinning knife that holds a fantastic edge and would probably work well, and I have a SOG with a seat belt cutting notch, but I was wondering if you guys knew of anything that worked particularly well for this application? basically I want something that will cut a thick nylon strap as quickly as possible. Any info would be gratefully accepted by several folks around here.

Gman
07-20-2013, 15:49
I saw a knife specifically suited for parachutists back in college...was like a switchblade with a hooked cutting surface.

ETA: do a search for hook knives

Rooskibar03
07-20-2013, 15:51
Benchmade Triage has a hook cutter. I've been eyeing one for a long time.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/916

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm251/cmuthard03/c98dc3e93d8b63591cdadef738903d43_zps52fe33fb.jpg

TFOGGER
07-20-2013, 16:04
Spyderco makes the Rescue and the Assist. I'm a dealer for them.

http://www.spyderco.com/pix/products/large/C79BBK_L.jpg

Guylee
07-20-2013, 16:28
Tfogger, I've heard about the spyderdo. With their pocket assist that might actually be a good way to go.

mdsmd
07-20-2013, 16:56
I have the spyderco and would not trade it for any other. I purchased the rescue salt best I have ever had.

cmailliard
07-20-2013, 17:04
Benchmade Rescue Hooks. Cut what you want and nothing else. Never been skydiving but I would image if something goes wrong it can be stressful, this is the wrong time to try and open a knife and use it effectively. Rescue hooks are nice, ITS Tactical makes Kydex sheaths for them that I image could attach to you harness. Paracord the hook to your harness so you will not lose it.

Sharpienads
07-20-2013, 17:34
Benchmade 7 Safety Cuter. http://www.benchmade.com/products/7 (or any of their hooks/safety cutters)

It's what I carry in case I need to cut a seat belt, sling, clothes, basically anything that could get snagged in a burning vehicle.

http://www.benchmade.com/images/products/model_main/7.jpg

ray1970
07-20-2013, 17:40
I cut heavy nylon slings all the time. Way heavier than anything you would find on a parachute rig. The fastest way through them is with a good serrated blade. I'd definitely look at one of the Spyderco blades. Personally, if I was falling through the air with something wrapped around my neck, I wouldn't want one of those seatbelt/hook type cutter things. Seems it would be a bit difficult to work above your head without seeing what your doing while you are starting to black out from lack of oxygen and try to get the strap into the small opening of the cutter.

That's my two cents.

JM Ver. 2.0
07-20-2013, 17:42
So a few weeks ago my friend was killed on a jump and it was determined that it was the risers that wrapped around his neck that killed him. Since then I've been told to keep a knife on every jump in case something like this happens to me. now I'm wondering what the best knife would be...I have a buck skinning knife that holds a fantastic edge and would probably work well, and I have a SOG with a seat belt cutting notch, but I was wondering if you guys knew of anything that worked particularly well for this application? basically I want something that will cut a thick nylon strap as quickly as possible. Any info would be gratefully accepted by several folks around here.

Hooks will work well...

Most important thing is to get one without any sort of sharp point.

5.11 makes a safety knife that is pretty bad ass... We've replaced all our old ones at the jail with the 5.11 knife.

Sent from my teepee using smoke signals.

daemon
07-20-2013, 17:55
If you're looking for a hook knife for your rig, just be careful to mount it somewhere that doesn't create a snag hazard or interfere with your handles. My Icon rig had a hook knife which snapped in to a pocket on the left side of the harness just below the three rings. It was easy to access if needed and protected. Luckily I never needed to use it. Check out Chutingstar for rig-specific hook knives, or talk to Dave B. up at Mile High, he should be able to help out. The knives mentioned earlier in this thread look great, but may not work as well for a skydiving rig. You may want to try them out in the hanging harness to see if you can find them if you get spun up. Blue skies to your buddy...

BushMasterBoy
07-20-2013, 17:58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sr7AbLHL0M

sniper7
07-20-2013, 19:03
I have this one: http://www.ar-15.co/webkit-fake-url://9A0E7A1E-199D-470B-A8C3-E128CF186F0F/imagejpeg


Smith and Wesson first response knife, one had use. Seat belt cutter, flat tip, spring loaded window breaking tip.

Paid stay away from a single hook. That isn't much room to play with while spiraling out of control and a strap wrapped around your neck.

Wulf202
07-20-2013, 20:54
http://compare.ebay.com/like/290942058035?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

275RLTW
07-20-2013, 22:11
As a parachutist and EMT...go with the safety hooks mentioned above. You don't want to open blades in freefall and you want to only cut what is necessary. Open blades are a no-go for self use. Then again, what do I know...I haven't had a parachute incident since 2002.

Mick-Boy
07-20-2013, 23:27
I don't know how well it would work in a parachute but I carry a Leatherman Vista (http://www.leatherman.com/product/Vista) on the outside of a go-bag for cutting folks out of MRAP harnesses and such. Works much better than trauma sheers or hooks for thick nylon.

rondog
07-20-2013, 23:44
You get a riser around your neck, and there ain't no knife gonna save you. A good hook knife will help with a lineover malfunction though, or any other line tangle. We always had a small plastic hook knife in a pouch on the chest strap, made just for cutting paracord and lightweight, seems like it had two fingerholes in the handle, been a long time ago.

RMAC757
07-21-2013, 09:00
Benchmade 7 Safety Cuter. http://www.benchmade.com/products/7 (or any of their hooks/safety cutters)

It's what I carry in case I need to cut a seat belt, sling, clothes, basically anything that could get snagged in a burning vehicle.

http://www.benchmade.com/images/products/model_main/7.jpg
This is what I carry in my truck....plus it's Benchmade, you can't go wrong. Also keep one on my Kayak PFD. In a no shit, I can't breath, muscle memory situation I don't want anything sharp next to my neck.

Ah Pook
07-21-2013, 12:14
I'm not a parachutest and have no idea what a riser is. I'm guessing that deploying a tool to cut a cord from around your neck, during a jump, will be in a "panic" situation. I would want something with a full size handle and a hook only.

cjmore
07-21-2013, 12:57
http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_531327_999_03?hei=380&wid=380

The bottom knife is the Buck Paklite guthook. I've been very surprised with the performance of this knife in various "non skinning" applications.

rondog
07-21-2013, 14:09
I'm not a parachutest and have no idea what a riser is. I'm guessing that deploying a tool to cut a cord from around your neck, during a jump, will be in a "panic" situation. I would want something with a full size handle and a hook only.

Risers are the four thick, heavy nylon straps that all the suspension lines are attached to, and the risers are then attached to the harness at the shoulders. They carry the entire load of your body weight suspended from the canopy. If you manage to get one around your neck, you are fucked, IMO. IF you managed to cut through a riser, your canopy would immediately go into a violent spin, and you're even more fucked. Your only hope would be to pull the cutaway handle and hope you can deploy your reserve in time, and that you're not spinning enough to twist the reserve into a noodle as well.

And Guylee - I'm terribly sorry to hear about your friend! My condolences. Skydiving was the most fun I ever had in my life, but bad things can and do happen, tragically. I broke a leg once and also suffered a compressed vertebrae that still haunts me 32 years later.

I tell ya what though, if I ever manage to lose enough weight to safely make another jump, I'd be sorely tempted.....

Guylee
07-21-2013, 14:31
Thanks for the input guys. I'm more tempted to go with a serrated folder because I know those will cut faster...and for those talking about cutting while in the air, I'm more concerned about landing and getting dragged. On the last jump my canopy releases got turned inside out and I was dragged a good 300 feet before the wind died down enough for me to get myself untangled...a knife would have been real nice haha.

rondog
07-21-2013, 14:36
Thanks for the input guys. I'm more tempted to go with a serrated folder because I know those will cut faster...and for those talking about cutting while in the air, I'm more concerned about landing and getting dragged. On the last jump my canopy releases got turned inside out and I was dragged a good 300 feet before the wind died down enough for me to get myself untangled...a knife would have been real nice haha.

"Canopy releases"? What kind of rig are you using? Doesn't have a single-point cutaway handle? Granted, I've been away from it since '82, no idea what rigs are like these days. We used 3-ring riser attaches with two coated cables attached to a beanbag cutaway handle, worked great. Yank that and the canopy was off instantly.

Guylee
07-21-2013, 14:39
"Canopy releases"? What kind of rig are you using? Doesn't have a single-point cutaway handle? Granted, I've been away from it since '82, no idea what rigs are like these days. We used 3-ring riser attaches with two coated cables attached to a beanbag cutaway handle, worked great. Yank that and the canopy was off instantly.

T-11. There are two releases just below the clavicle that separate the risers from the harness.

rondog
07-21-2013, 15:24
T-11. There are two releases just below the clavicle that separate the risers from the harness.

Wow, the really old kind? Each side has a cover you have to pull down and then a little cable ring to yank on?

Guylee
07-21-2013, 15:50
Wow, the really old kind? Each side has a cover you have to pull down and then a little cable ring to yank on?

Yuuuup that's the one.

SA Friday
07-21-2013, 16:03
Benchmade Triage has a hook cutter. I've been eyeing one for a long time.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/916

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm251/cmuthard03/c98dc3e93d8b63591cdadef738903d43_zps52fe33fb.jpg
We have on of these at Grand Prix Guns if you want to look at one in person. We have one of the Spyderco knives too.

275RLTW
07-22-2013, 19:51
Thanks for the input guys. I'm more tempted to go with a serrated folder because I know those will cut faster...and for those talking about cutting while in the air, I'm more concerned about landing and getting dragged. On the last jump my canopy releases got turned inside out and I was dragged a good 300 feet before the wind died down enough for me to get myself untangled...a knife would have been real nice haha.
Put your harness on the right way and wear it snugger. Who JMPI'd you...Stevie Wonder?