Spyderco Assist vs Rescue 3?

[kennethsime]

Hi guys,

A question that's plagued me for years now, but which I never thought to ask about on the forum:

What are the differences between the Assist and the Rescue 3? To the untrained eye, there is quite a bit of overlap here: serrated sheepsfoot blade, similar size & length, FRN handle, etc. The Assist's cobra hood is an obvious difference; I guess my question is larger, beyond these small differences: what is the sales case for the two distinct knives? What are their different markets/audiences? This question arose when I was perusing the new 2015 Calendar.

Interestingly, I notice the Assist seems to have a 4th-gen bi-directional FRN handle, while retaining a 3rd-gen style clip screw, albeit paired with a wire clip. I also note the Rescue 79mm, which seems a bit out of place next to it's newer, larger cousin (the Rescue 3), retains the old 3rd-gen volcano-texture FRN.

[The Deacon]

Hard to say for sure, as I haven't seen MSRP for the Rescue 3 yet, but cost will probably still be one. Beyond that, the Assist is heavier and considerably thicker, so it's bulkier. Some folks won't feel the whistle and glass breaker are worth the tradeoffs, some will. Some will find the Assist's safety tip to be an asset. Some will figure that, although they don't want or need a "splinter picker" tip, they'd still like to have the ability to occasionally do things that are most easily done using the knife's tip, and consider the total lack of one a deal breaker.

Beyond that, I'll just say that I'm sure Spyderco researched this pretty well before tooling up for a brand new handle but, in the end, only time will tell.

[zhyla]

My guess is the Assist was market-driven. Other emergency-oriented knives from other companies have glass breakers, so even though I've never seen a fireman working on a car door with a knife it was necessary to add one to compete. Sometimes you gotta just give the people what they think they want.

I've seen some Assists with the blunt tip ground down. I'd do that if I bought one.

[JD Spydo]

I'm in no way trying to hi-jack this great thread and I do like both models listed>> but I got one in that category that is the best that Spyderco has made up till now in my humble opinion>> and I base that opinion on actual usage and first hand experience against it's competitors.

The C-14 & C-45 Stainless handled RESCUE models from the late 90s are truly the Trojons in the Rescue/Emergeny group of Spyderco folders.

I truly think that the Stainless handled Rescue models are the most ridgid and solid of all those type of sheepsfoot rescue/emergency blades that Spyderco ever made IMO. The Stainless handled Rescue is so solid I feel like I'm using a first class, heavy duty fixed blade with a huge power rating.

It's one of Spyderco's most obscure and best kept secrets. It's truly a tank of a folder.

[zhyla]

Were the stainless Rescue models any different than the Mariner in terms of rigidity? Mariners are a lot easier to come by.

One of my earliest Spydies was a Rescue and sadly it was lost. I'm not sure it was as good an EDC as more normal designs but at the time I was pretty happy with it. Nice and slim.

[timlara]

As Deacon said, the Rescue 3 is smaller and more streamlined than the Assist, and doesn't have the extra features like the glass breaker and whistle. I've always thought the Assist was cool looking and have thought about picking one up to keep in the glove box "just in case", but it's certainly very purpose-driven and seems like it would make a pretty clunky EDC if you're not serving in a First Responder type of role.

The Rescue on the other hand has enough of a tip and carries light enough that you could probably get away with it as a fairly decent EDC, even though it would still be quite handy in the hands of a save-n-serve professional.

[kennethsime]

Relevant to this discussion: Blade HQ has the Saver Salt on sale for (slightly less than) $30, for anyone who's been waiting to try one of these.

[JD Spydo]

Were the stainless Rescue models any different than the Mariner in terms of rigidity? Mariners are a lot easier to come by.

One of my earliest Spydies was a Rescue and sadly it was lost. I'm not sure it was as good an EDC as more normal designs but at the time I was pretty happy with it. Nice and slim.

YeS!! ABsoluTELY!! The Mariner was a great stainless folder and it was the very first Spyder I ever owned. But the stainless handled RESCUE model was truly much more bulky and ridgid than the Mariner. I've owned and used both folders and the stainless Rescue wins easily.

I've had just about all of those sheepsfoot/Rescue models including the D'Allara, ASSIST I and they are all good folders but none of them stack up to the stainless RESCUE models C-14 & C45. Their tenure was short and they didn't sell well which really puzzles me because if anyone would try it they would instantly fall in love with it.

The CHINOOK III comes about as close as being bulky and ridgid as the stainless RESCUE.

[dirtpig67]

Hi guys,

A question that's plagued me for years now, but which I never thought to ask about on the forum:

What are the differences between the Assist and the Rescue 3? To the untrained eye, there is quite a bit of overlap here: serrated sheepsfoot blade, similar size & length, FRN handle, etc. The Assist's cobra hood is an obvious difference; I guess my question is larger, beyond these small differences: what is the sales case for the two distinct knives? What are their different markets/audiences? This question arose when I was perusing the new 2015 Calendar.

Interestingly, I notice the Assist seems to have a 4th-gen bi-directional FRN handle, while retaining a 3rd-gen style clip screw, albeit paired with a wire clip. I also note the Rescue 79mm, which seems a bit out of place next to it's newer, larger cousin (the Rescue 3), retains the old 3rd-gen volcano-texture FRN.

The Assist is targeted for first responders. I am a firefighter and it is a great purpose built knife. The oversized handles and cobra-hood are great for use with heavy gloves on and makes it significantly easier to handle and use than a regular sized knife with gloves on.

[OldHoosier62]

Hi guys,

A question that's plagued me for years now, but which I never thought to ask about on the forum:

What are the differences between the Assist and the Rescue 3? To the untrained eye, there is quite a bit of overlap here: serrated sheepsfoot blade, similar size & length, FRN handle, etc. The Assist's cobra hood is an obvious difference; I guess my question is larger, beyond these small differences: what is the sales case for the two distinct knives? What are their different markets/audiences? This question arose when I was perusing the new 2015 Calendar.

Interestingly, I notice the Assist seems to have a 4th-gen bi-directional FRN handle, while retaining a 3rd-gen style clip screw, albeit paired with a wire clip. I also note the Rescue 79mm, which seems a bit out of place next to it's newer, larger cousin (the Rescue 3), retains the old 3rd-gen volcano-texture FRN.

The Assist is targeted for first responders. I am a firefighter and it is a great purpose built knife. The oversized handles and cobra-hood are great for use with heavy gloves on and makes it significantly easier to handle and use than a regular sized knife with gloves on.

Exactly, several of my closest friends are firefighter/EMS folks and I have gotten them all converted to the Assist. They love the utility it provides.

In addition, I was Life-Flighted twice earlier this year due to my cardiac issue....All 3 of the flight crew now carry the Assist in their flight suits. (I was very appreciative of still being alive.)

[JD Spydo]

The Assist is targeted for first responders. I am a firefighter and it is a great purpose built knife. The oversized handles and cobra-hood are great for use with heavy gloves on and makes it significantly easier to handle and use than a regular sized knife with gloves on.

The ASSIST is a great knife/tool for first responders>> if I were filthy rich I would give every firefighter here in Kansas City one for free. It's one that I would recommend for everyone to keep on the sunvisor on their vehicle. it's also one model beside the ATR which has had good success with the Cobra Hood feature. Again I marvel at how good the carbide glassbreaker works.

Spyderco's sheepsfoot model Rescue type knives will be with us for many years to come because for their intended purpose they work great. The D'Allara is probably second in line for me after the Stainless handled Rescue model. For those of you who like these type of blades I encourage you to chase down a D'Allara model. It's got a handle sort of similar to the ASSIST and it has the ridgidity of the Stainless Rescue to a degree. Another one of Spyderco's well kept secrets.