Whilst recovering from a surgery, (being bored…) I endeavoured to do some “testing”, I had my wrists secured with disposable plastic cuffs (hands behind my back) and tested some available EDC tools for self rescue from a potential hostage situation (bank robbery, kidnapping, terror plot etc, assuming of course, the tools haven’t been removed from your person!!)

 

Purely from a 'speed' aspect of both accessing the tool and cutting free, the items placed accordingly:

 

Tool                                          Time                        Carry Method

1. Wilson Cop Tool –                   2 seconds                    IWB - Rear Right Hip

2. Spyderco UK Pen Knife -         4 seconds                    Rear Right Pocket

3. Swiss tech Utili-key -              10 seconds                   Key Chain - Cargo Pocket

4. Hideaway Knife (HAK) -          25 seconds                   Key Chain - Cargo Pocket

 

With the HAK I just couldn't apply enough pressure to make the cut from the angle I had, very disappointing really. I wound up taking small sideways cuts to bite into the material. Probably would have worked ok if the bindings were rope or 550cord (might have to give that a go?).

 

The Utili-key took some sawing but was quite good and I was surprised how well it worked for a small easy carry item and being the cheapest here too, at only £10!

 

The UKPK sliced through very well, I think it was the keen edge on the S30V steel that did the trick, it just bit in and cut.

 

The Wilson was outstanding, I used the strap cutter and it cut like a hot knife through butter, it cut so quickly I thought the cuff had come undone and fallen off, almost like I hadn't secured it properly?? The Cop Tool design really lends itself to being slid under a ligature you just have to be aware of the razor sharp front chisel edge and the serrations.

  

Both the Utili-key and HAK took longer to deploy as they were on my key ring in my cargo thigh pocket, making accessing a little awkward but do-able. The Cop Tool was right hip IWB and UKPK was rear right pocket. Despite some carry locations being more accessible and favourable than others, all were accessed from where they would be realistically carried.

 

The star of the show really was the Wilson. For those unfamiliar with it, the WT Model-22 Cop Tool is made from 3/16” D2 tool steel (RC 59-60) by Wilson Tactical (famous for its 1911 pistols and 12gauge shotgun’s in less restrictive parts of the world). It is 6” long and comes with a kydex sheath and either a black or blaze orange 550 cord wrapped handle. The exposed tang acts as a great glass breaker/window punch if needed (or for just general pounding).

 

The sheath allows for IWB carry or belt carry between an on-duty police officers belt rig and inner belt (hence the Cop Tool name). 550 cord allows for a secure hold in various grips and also easily replaceable. This allows for easy decontamination if the tool were to come into contact with blood, chemicals etc.

 

The main cutting edge is a heavily serrated 1.75” section, capable of cutting through thick rope, thin metal, bone and all manor of things in between. Serrations, although frowned upon by some, allow the lazy man (like me) to not worry about sharpening and still are left with a serious cutting tool. The front edge falls into the category of ‘scary sharp’ and is designed for scraping and aiding inserting of the CT to be used as a pry bar. Although pry testing was not conducted by me, other testers have proven the CT’s ability to pry open a closed car door, along with various locked windows and doors.

 

The rear spine has a deep strap/line cutter ground into it, this again is razor sharp and will cut most things that will fit into the channel, designed with cutting seat belts in mind, it handles a large variety of straps, belts, 550 cord etc and due to it’s sharpness easily works as a cutter to slice through an injured persons clothing, giving easy access for medical treatment. Not suitable for everything but I believe it to be an extremely worthy tool to be added to anyone’s tool box, whether you’re LEO, EMS or just a plain ol’ concerned citizen. YMMV.

 

Available from around $90 in the U.S. a UK importer has yet to be sourced for these excellent tools, it is a case where the “internerd” is your friend.

 

 

Dan Webster