Posted: 4/13/2012 3:59:00 PM EDT
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I have been wondering what would be a good lightweight, compact tool for cutting through a fence should the need arise in an emergency situation. I think that the most common fence types that would present a challenge would be chain link or razor wire.
I am not a fence expert so I did a little bit of research on the internet to try to understand more about these types of fences. If there are any fence experts out there I would appreciate hearing your opinions. It looks like the heaviest chain link fences are 6 gauge steel. 6 gauge steel is 0.192 inch diameter or about 4.9 mm. I assume that it is fairly mild steel but I am not sure of that. Razor wire is typically barbed steel (galvanized or stainless) tape (typically 0.55 - 0.58 mm) wrapped around a 2.65 to 3.0 mm high carbon spring steel wire core. So, my conclusion is that I should look for a tool that is as compact and lightweight as possible while having the capability to cut 5 mm mild steel and 3 mm high carbon spring steel wire. After looking around, again on the internet, I have selected KNIPEX CoBolt model 71 12 200 link. They cut 6 mm soft wire, 5.2 mm nails, 4 mm hard wire, and 3.6 mm piano wire. They are 200 mm (7.9 in) long and weigh 345 gram (7.1 oz). Obviously, large bolt cutters will cut better but would be more difficult to transport. Does anyone have any useful information about fence characteristics or tools? |
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I'd recommend a Bangalore torpedo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangalore_torpedo |
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I am looking for something that is not banned in California. |
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Quoted: SanFran Torpedo?I am looking for something that is not banned in California. |
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Quoted:
I am looking for something that is not banned in California. How about a hypoallergenic, organic pillow? |
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Fence pliers. All else fails, you can beat somebody to death with them. No shit, no question. http://www.channellock.com/85-Fence-Tool.aspx I carry one in my pickup and it's good for a number of things, including a good melee weapon. |
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My first choice would be a bolt cutter. Fencing tool works but it is slower as you tend to only cut 1 strand at a time. I loved my linesman (wonder where I put it - I don't think it had a side cutter though), I also found another similar pliers that had a side cutter like a fencing tool.
Other than those... My father started carrying a mini bolt cutter when he started loosing hand strength - it would make fast work of a fence and was no larger than a fencing tool (which required a bit more hand strength to operate). I also had an odd fishing plyers with a compound leverage side cutter that would probably work real well on mild steel. I snapped the jaws off on it trying to cut hardened steel though. |
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Quoted:
My first choice would be a bolt cutter. Fencing tool works but it is slower as you tend to only cut 1 strand at a time. I loved my linesman (wonder where I put it - I don't think it had a side cutter though), I also found another similar pliers that had a side cutter like a fencing tool. Other than those... My father started carrying a mini bolt cutter when he started loosing hand strength - it would make fast work of a fence and was no larger than a fencing tool (which required a bit more hand strength to operate). I also had an odd fishing plyers with a compound leverage side cutter that would probably work real well on mild steel. I snapped the jaws off on it trying to cut hardened steel though. I am not sure that a fencing tool would handle the 3.0 mm high carbon spring steel wire core found in some razor strip. A standard bolt cutter would work but it would be large and heavy to carry around. The Knipex tool that I linked is pretty much a mini bolt cutter as you suggest. I was wondering if anyone had experience with it but I guess not. 
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