Rescue hooks—or strap cutters, whatever you wanna call ’em—are just one of those things you should have lying around. For most of us regular folks who like to be ready, that means tossing one in every vehicle. But man, they’ve got some wilder uses too, as you’re about to see in this little review of the Benchmade 8 Hook.

The Benchmade 8 Hook

Honestly, there’s not a ton to it. It’s one of three rescue hooks Benchmade makes—this one’s the long version without the O2 wrench thingy.

It’s carved outta a single chunk of 440C stainless steel, slapped with a Cerakote finish, clocks in at 6.5 inches, and tips the scale at a featherweight 1.43 ounces. For your $80, you also get a black nylon sheath that plays nice with MOLLE and a Malice clip.

The Usual Suspects

Yeah, $80 for a seatbelt cutter? I hear ya—sounds steep when you can grab something similar for twenty bucks. But come on, this is Benchmade. They don’t do junk. Their stuff holds up when lives are on the line, and that price? It’s not crazy once you think about it.

I’d bet good money their main crowd is cops, firefighters, paramedics—the folks who cut people out of wrecks way too often. This thing would fly through a seatbelt, no question.

I’ve also heard it’s a solid swap for trauma shears—cuts clothes faster, slices through boots like butter. Can’t confirm from experience (I’m not out there saving lives), but the chatter checks out.

Me? I’ve got a Benchmade 8 Hook in the truck just in case. Still keep shears in the med kits, though. Belt and suspenders, baby.

The Weird One

Here’s where it gets fun: I’ve got another Benchmade 8 Hook in my hunting pack. Not for seatbelts. Not for boots. Nah—I use it as a gut hook for field-dressing deer.

I know, I know—“Eighty bucks to gut a deer? You nuts?” Maybe. But here’s the thing: cheap blades go dull fast, and then you’re sawing away like a caveman. I’d rather pay once and be done.

Last deer season was the test drive. Hung the deer, made two little cuts just below the knees, slipped the hook in, and riiiiip—all the way to the jaw. Did the other leg for the Y-cut. Skinned it, pulled the shoulders, grabbed the backstraps, dropped the guts, snagged the tenders and hams. Boom. Done.

Season ended, I mailed the 8 Hook back to Benchmade for their LifeSharp tune-up. Came back razor-sharp, ready to rock again this year. Worked so good I’m just gonna run it back.

Worth the cash? Jury’s still out. Give me four solid seasons and I’ll shout “hell yes” from the rooftops.

Warranty & The Nice Folks at Benchmade

Never broken a Benchmade, so I can’t vouch for the lifetime warranty. But LifeSharp? Real deal. Customer service? Top-tier.

Lost the sheath last year. Called to buy a new one. They just sent me one. Free. No questions.

Little stuff like that makes the price tag feel a lot less punchy.

Wrapping It Up

Look, the Benchmade 8 Hook ain’t cheap. But it’s tough, it works, and it’s earned its spot in my kit. If you want gear you can count on—whether you’re cutting seatbelts or gutting bucks—it’s worth a look. Your wallet, your call.