The window punch is a simple piece of gear you can throw in your Bug Out Bag or Get Home Bag, but a lot of people will question the need of a window punch when you could obviously just use anything that was heavy enough.
Quieter Than A Rock
The short answer: Because it’s quieter than a rock. I can imagine many situations where it would pay off to be quiet and unnoticed in a survival scenario, especially in an urban environment.
Finesse
Not only is it quieter than smashing a rock through a window, it could be used for a job that requires a little bit more finesse. Maybe there is someone in the car you are trying to get out and tossing a chunk of concrete through the window just isn’t safe.
A window punch could be useful for any number of urban survival scenarios and I would put it in the “Why Not” category. Do you absolutely have to have it? No. Could it possibly come in very handy? Absolutely.
It only weighs a few ounces and costs less than ten bucks, there will be one in my bug out bag. This one has a clip and the point is hardened steel.
*Special Note: A window punch can be very dangerous, even when used correctly. Be extremely careful and try to wear gloves and long sleeves if you have to use one.
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Looks like a something a burglar would carry and might be considered as such. I have one in my truck tool box but am hesitant to carry one in my BOB for that reason.IMHO
David,
Your probably right is does look like something a burglar would carry, but I don't really worry about putting one in my Bug Out Bag because it has guns in it as well.
Also, I am more likely to put a window punch in my Get Home Bag or Urban Survival Bag.
I guess it depends on what you are more worried about, but if your GHB also has a big First Aid Kit, and Food, and other emergency supplies they might not be so quick to judge you as a burglar.
This is not a tested idea but was inspired by this article. Could the spring loaded hand launcer for miniflared be used as a punch.Slightly less questionable if stopped by LEO.
Bri,
Honestly, I have no idea. BUT if you want to test that and report back I'd love to hear about it
i kinda doubt it because on the ones ive seen the firing pin does not extend past the lip
you might be able to just put a strong steel pen in the bag though
Just one quick thing about the "being caught by a local Leo" with a window punch…
Thing is, window punches are 1) Completely legal and legitimate to carry, 2) a safer way to break a car window if you're stuck in the car, or if you're stuck outside a car and someone needs to be saved inside, and 3) It can be misconstrued as a dangerous instrument, yes, but especially if you're carrying either a volunteer fire or EMT card, you're that much more in the right with it, than without.
Just a thought, everyone.
Very good point.
I think the important thing you said is: If you are a volunteer fire or EMT
Having one of those can open so many doors for you around the community and gain credit and leniency with law enforcement.
Another alternative to the window punch would be for someone to add a "Bust a Cap" end to their Mag-Lite (and they make them for other lights as well). They are specifically made for breaking windows and probably wouldn't even be noticed by people unless they knew exactly what they were and in that case they'd probably have one too!
Good idea.
I believe SOG has a couple of knives that come with a hardned polymer handle with a similar glass shattering point on the end too. I can't remember which model though.
I have an SOG Seal Team Elite Knife that has the hardened polymer handle and an ~7" blade. I paid about $85 for it on Amazon (normally about $155). I love it and it has many uses.
Love the bust a cap! Have one on my streamlight stinger and it works very well. Hardly any effort needed to take out a car window (except the windshield). Here is the website: http://www.bustacap.net/
Anyone who questions the need for a window punch should watch the Mythbusters episode were they attempt to escape from a vehicle under water. They make a punch designed to help escaped from a vehicle, sometimes called an emergency hammer it usually has a built in set belt cutter as well. Having one of these is not illegal and shouldn't raise any suspicions.
Mythbusters are great and if I'm remembering the episode you're talking about that is when they dropped a car into a pool to test how to get out of it. Very cool.
I've got the emergency hammer (with seatbelt cutter) in the storage space in my drivers side door always.
if your stuck in a car and you cant get out and you dont seem to have something to smash a window with use the head rest. if you take your headrest off your seat the metal prongs can be used to break the window.
Smith and Wesson make a couple knives with built in window punches. I have the Boarder Guard, which also has a seatbelt cutter. It's a really big and kind of heavy knife, but if you're looking for a more inconspicuous window punch, no one is going to question your need for a single blade folding knife in your pocket. I picked mine up at Big 5 on sale for under $20.
Oh, and gloves are a must for any of the above methods. Eye protection would be good too.
even if you think one would cause trouble with the local LEO and you didn't buy or couldn't afford to buy a Bust a cap ends for your light then just use the back of your light, you don't need a fancy end cap to break a window or like i said above a strong pen would do the trick as well
Not just car glass but office windows too. say you work in an office on the 3rd floor and u have your GHB under your desk, there is a problem and the way out is blocked. i have 50 feet of strong repelling rope in my bag in case i have to clime down. then again you don't have to worry about being low-key, just toss that dang computer out the window like you wish you could.
I know I'm new to the whole survival enthusiast game, so I hope the more seasoned people here don't bash me too badly for pitching my two cents in.
I've run across quiet a beautiful knife that has a tip on the handle that can break glass, it's small so I don't know if that matters or not but it's just something for consideration if you want to cut down on the amount of stuff you have to carry. Also the knife has the perfect tip for stabbing in fights and a serrated edge for any less violent activity.
http://www.boker.de/us/fixed-blade-knife/boker-pl...