Benchmade 7 BLKW Rescue Hook Strap Cutter with Tan Sheath (USA)

I'm a paramedic on a service that uses tibial IO as our primary vascular access on pretty much any pulseless non-breather. We also see a fair amount of trauma, so we tend to cut a lot of pants legs and clothes. I've been using the seven hook for a few years now. It's blindingly fast compared to standard trauma shears, and I haven't found anything, including leather boots, that it won't cut through easily. The included sheath rides well on a uniform belt, and the hook is out of the way until needed, but very fast to deploy.

The only down side is cost - I've 'lost' two to date, and just bought my third. At ~30 bucks a pop, they suck to lose, especially when trauma shears are dirt cheap. After falling back on shears for the past couple months though, I just shelled out for another hook.

Oh, and another cautionary word - they slice through ECG leads every bit as easily as clothes.

Some people claim that you should just get rid of your medical shears/scissors. I would not go that far - for smaller bandage/fabric cuts the strap cutter will not work as well (at least it does not seem for me). But if you have a bigger issue to deal with (seat-belt, clothing, strap, etc.) this will serve you well. So I kept my medical scissors in the field med kit and added this (it's actually very compact for what it is capable of). 4.5 stars.

This rescue cutter is an incredible little tool that can rip and tear almost anything (that fits under the hook) apart in an instant. The only product that you can really compare this to is the smaller Benchmade 5 hook, both of which are at the top of all strap and cloth cutters. Benchmade 7hook: 4.3 Inches long, 1.6 oz hook and 3.2 oz with nylon sheath. Benchmade 5hook: 2.9 Inches long, 1.2 oz hook and 1.8 oz with nylon sheath.

Pros:
Ultra sharp
Retains edge well
Extra size makes it more comfortable to use than the Benchmade 5
High quality nylon sheath
Sheath makes for fast deployment
Jimping bites well into the fingers
440 Stainless steel is very resistant to corrosion
Cheaper than the Benchmade 5 (When I ordered mine it was 5 dollars cheaper with free shipping)
Vinyl grip makes the Benchmade 7 much more comfortable than the 5
Tears through almost anything like butter

Cons:
Not as portable as the Benchmade 5
Lacks the oxygen wrench and bottle opener of the Benchmade 5
Cannot sharpen with a standard flat whetstone