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Comment by jerlam | Hacker News Reader

There is a video of this tool being used to cut windshield (laminated) glass. It is not remotely practical:

https://youtu.be/LEHl6_ye9as?si=68rwouxAHWcurZ5O&t=73

Seems like they did it the by-the-book way for the commercial, rather than the panicked-escape real-world way... i.e. I'd do one vertical cut in the middle, then I'd be frantically pulling the glass shards out by hand (or claw hammer if available).

It's a shame AAA's testing wasn't more extensive. They should have determined the best tool for a quick exit... Crowbar, wood saw, large serrated knife, or can opener for example.

Multitools with glass breakers seem likely to be more durable and not fall apart like the cheap plastic hammers. e.g. Leatherman SIGNAL and $35 clones like B0BRRXVW9T. They also have knife blades, saw blades, pliers, and can openers for a good selection of alternative options to test out.

Because it's slow to use? The video does show it working fine. For the "someone locked me in the car" use case it seems OK?

I think it's fine for the "sinking in a lake" case too? The water pressure prevents the door from opening, and my understanding was you want the car to fill with water fast enough you can take a breath, let the pressure equalize, then open the door. You're likely not going to get out through a broken window while the water is pouring in through it (I guess if you're fast enough to still be above the water line), so by the time that stops it doesn't seem like there'd be much difference between opening the door and maneuvering through the much smaller window.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC68mflUEwc

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