Breaking a car window in an emergency?

[markof]

Hi guys,
I was just watching MythBusters and I was wondering if it was possible to break a car window (that drove off into a lake) with the awl on my Leatherman Surge?
What would be the best part on the multitool to break the car window?

[Gadget Guy]

I think leaving the tool in the closed position would be a better idea. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I would use the tip of the pliers if I was going to do it.  I haven't tested it myself as all my neighbors are light sleepers, but I feel if I got into a situation where I needed to break glass, the tip of the plier head would concentrate the force of the impact and break the glass nicely.

Of course there are other problems with that- such as whether or not you'd even be able to get your Surge (or any other tool) out of the sheath on your belt while you are trapped in a car, and whether or not you'd have the time or thought ability to open it up.  

Def

[lovenhim]

I would be willing to think that in that situation time is critical, so I would think pull the tool and expose the pliers and use the length of the tool to keep your hands the farthest from the glass and use the plier tip to break the glass.    I pray I never have to find out. 

[markof]

I understand that time would be of the essence.
I don't believe that you could break the window with the multitool itself (in closed position).
The glass is tempered and it should be hit with a sharp object (?)

[DaveK]

I keep a Res-Q-Me in the central console of my car for this purpose. They are so cheap, and are proven in use, that it's almost a question of why wouldn't you get one.

[markof]

Is the Res-q-me's spring-loaded spike reloadable or is it for single use?

[Gadget Guy]

You can use it as many times as you like. It's a great little tool!   

[DaveK]

Yep - you can smash as many windows as you like

[Gadget Guy]

Yep - you can smash as many windows as you like

    

[DaveK]

There has to be a plus side to being stuck in a vehicle wreck

[jzmtl]

Yep - you can smash as many windows as you like

I've always thought it was the ultimate vandal tool (not that I have experience with either breaking windows or vandalism). Just walk through the parking lot and plink plink plink plink plink...

[Gadget Guy]

There has to be a plus side to being stuck in a vehicle wreck

Heck, I might just carry a portable sawzall so I can cut the roof off myself!      

[markof]

I was reading about res-q-me knockoffs and they only work for 2-3 times. I will order few and give them as gifts.

Man, I never go out without my Surge. I really helped me in numerous occasions. It maybe heavy but it's a perfect tool (only downside are the fragile nose pliers (have read a few threads about broken Surges))
I have to say that that is one of my favorite birthday gifts.

[evil510]

I saw the title of this post had breaking car windows in it so I figure I would chime in. This is what works for me. Tested over a dozen times so I know it will serve its purpose when need be..... (don't worry, I am not a vandal, they were cars at the junk yard  )

~ evil ~

Tungsten carbide tip for my Leatherman Crunch.....

[Grant Lamontagne]

All I can say is....



I made the mistake once of pressing the button....

 

Def

[josekym]

About using the plier tips as the impact point, wouldn't the "shape" of the opened tool work against you?  The triangular shape would make it difficult to maintain a firm grasp at the other end (especially with wet or smaller hands) at impact time, I would imagine...

[John]

Yep - you can smash as many windows as you like

I've always thought it was the ultimate vandal tool (not that I have experience with either breaking windows or vandalism). Just walk through the parking lot and plink plink plink plink plink...

I've heard peeps using small pebbles here in the UK,they think if caught with stones in their pockets they could use the excuse: it's ok officer I'm just of to a local stoning (lapidation) 

[ryan1835]

All I can say is....

(Image removed from quote.)

I made the mistake once of pressing the button....

 

Def

do we get a picture of your shattered thumb? lol if i got one id do it too if that helps

[turbov21]

I might try the Phillip's head on my Crunch first if I needed to break the glass.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I still think the ceramic on sparkplugs work best

[Neil]

All I can say is....

...

I made the mistake once of pressing the button....

 

Def

do we get a picture of your shattered thumb? lol if i got one id do it too if that helps

Been there, done that    I think I pulled a face a bit like this    and may have uttered "ooh"  or something similar

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

All I can say is....

...

I made the mistake once of pressing the button....

 

Def

do we get a picture of your shattered thumb? lol if i got one id do it too if that helps

Been there, done that    I think I pulled a face a bit like this    and may have uttered "ooh"  or something similar

[Mercury]

I understand that time would be of the essence.
I don't believe that you could break the window with the multitool itself (in closed position).
The glass is tempered and it should be hit with a sharp object (?)

Actually, if you focus the force of your swing in say, an ST300's plier tip, it would absolutely bust a window.  The window does not need to be hit with a sharp object, in fact, my Shift partner is a Fireman and he says that a sharp object is likely to hurt you instead of bust the window.  He also agrees with just buying a tool that is designed for this, like a Res Q me.