Multi-function tools are usually modified pliers with a built-in secondary blade. But the BriteStrike Brite-Blade Tactical Lighted Survival Knife (hereafter the TLSK) is a multi-function tool that keeps the knife primary. It’s also packed with useful secondary tools, making it a great choice for those of you who like to travel light — but prepared. BriteStrike markets this tool to first responders, hunters and survivalists. Retailing for $150, the TLSK is made from Mil-Spec 6061 aluminum with a hard anodized finish. It measures 5.1 inches in length (closed), 8.6 inches in length (opened), and weighs 5.35 ounces. It’s 1.45 inches tall and 0.375 inches thick. As such, I’d put it in the category of larger folding knives. As for the blade, that’s a 3.5-inch assisted-opening 440c piece of stainless, 0.125 inches thick at the back, with a proprietary titanium coating. It opens with a push of a thumb against a thumb stud and the combination serrated and plain edge makes short work of light- to medium-duty cutting tasks.
Love
Lots of features, one tool. Besides the blade, the TLSK sports a carbide emergency window punch, a seat belt cutter/wire stripper/line cutter, a fire starter striking tool, and a 45-lumen mini-flashlight which you can remove and magnetically attach to some metal surfaces. In fact, the TLSK comes with a second mini-flashlight with a red light. All of these tools work very well for light- to medium-duty use. The fire starter and flashlight are both removable but held in place in the handle by magnets. Mine haven’t fallen out yet. The seat belt cutter is quite robust, capable of taking on some more serious cutting tasks.
Love
Assisted-opening knife. A well-engineering spring system gives the blade a boost when deployed via either of the two thumb studs. It opens with a sharp snap and locks in place due to the liner lock. With a little practice, opening and closing this knife is a one-handed operation. Very handy.
Love
Carbide window punch. Possibly the strongest part of the TLSK, the window punch is far larger than most and can deliver a leveraged blow to a window. It could also serve as a striking tool in a self-defense situation. Moreover, no matter how you grasp the TLSK to use the window punch, you get a very good purchase. And you can rest your thumb on the opposite end to apply maximum force.
Hate
Pocket clip location. Located in the middle of the TLSK, the pocket clip leaves well over an inch of tool sticking out of your pocket. That makes it a bit easier to grasp but it also makes it very visible. Since it’s the black and silver window punch sticking out, the contrast in colors makes it even more pronounced. The clip, however, can be installed on either side of the TLSK, making it friendly for lefties and righties. There’s even an extra clip included in the box. Regardless of the side on which you install the clip, the carry is always tip-up. This means your thumb naturally falls to the thumb stud for fast knife deployment.
Hate
The flashlight gets in the way of your thumb. While that handy little flashlight stored in the handle can be turned on to illuminate what you’re cutting, it also keeps your thumb from obtaining maximum leverage on the back of the blade. You can choke up a bit on the handle and blade but it’s a bit of an awkward grip at that point. Removing the flashlight helps.
Neutral
I’m ambivalent about the fire starter. It works fine, sending a shower of hot sparks into a cotton ball and tinder pile, igniting them easily. I just don’t know if it belongs on this tool. A small screwdriver or a punch or even a sharpener might be more useful.
For more information on the TLSK visit BriteStrike.com.
What multi-tool do you keep handy? What’s your favorite tool or feature?
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$150 on mfrs website, $85 on Amazon with 2 day delivery if you have Prime.
I have an almost identical knife I bought for postage only ($9.95) from one of those websites that is always selling these type of tactical/self-defense products. Mine has only one thumbscrew, a different pocket clip (same location) and a square rather than round glass breaker. $9.95 vs. $150– you make the choice. It is a good, rugged all around knife (esp. for $9.95). I always carry it except when I’m not wearing my $9.95 belt with the built-in knife!
Funny stuff, thank you.
In response to Mr. Raygun, your description of your EDC load is enlightening, however much of what you are carrying could be better placed in something other than a pocket. Firearms are not pocket filler. If you used a discrete holster and magazine pouch that would lighten your pocket loading considerably. The point of this EDC knife is to be able to have the basics of a rescue kit in one compact package. Suppose you are the first person on the scene where a car has been swept off the road and is sinking upside down. What do you do? If you have this in your pocket, you can dive next to the driver door, break the window, cut the seatbelt and help the driver get out alive. Suddenly this unwieldy pocket knife is the means of saving a life.
I noticed you stated your pistol can start a fire, break glass and light up the sky with it’s laser plus stop a perp as you put it, however your one tool approach is somewhat problematic because two of those functions require discharging the weapon which may not be appropriate or discrete in every setting. The purpose of the little LED light is for you to be able to see things around you, not in the sky, and your index finger can stop a perp if properly applied. Another bonus is that LED light has a magnet on the back end which enables it to be placed on any steel surface, such as over the engine on the inside of a car’s hood allowing you to inspect the compartment with the light, hands free.
I’m not being critical of your choices, but no one tool is suited for every job. If that were the case, we’d all carry 5 pound hammers. A knife can be used in many ways, from opening the mail, to preparing your lunch, or if need be lacerating the brachial or femoral artery of said perp, and it can do all of those things discretely, possibly silently. It’s always been my opinion that responsible people should be capable of multiple methods of self defense. One has to train with their weapon for a concealed carry permit, and so too it is with other weapons and methods of self defense. Knife use in hand to hand combat is a valuable second line of defense should your weapon fail or you run out of ammunition, or in cases where a firearm would be inappropriate. Hand to hand weaponless defense skills are also valuable and each of these “disciplines” of self defense should have equal weight for any serious person to be able to use. Be prepared – the Boy Scout motto was never more appropriate than in discussing self defense.
Perhaps this knife isn’t what you’d pick for yourself, but it has multiple purposes packed into a fairly compact and solid package. The point of it is you can get more use out of it than simply as a cutting tool, but it has two cutting tool roles, the first is the primary blade, the second is a seat belt cutter at the end with the glass breaker. I don’t believe your Ruger will cut a seatbelt without some ugly consequences. While your bug out bag may be loaded with many more features than this knife has, I doubt you can carry that bug out in your front pants pocket.
Anecdotally, a friend of mine whose father was a Green Beret in the 70’s told me his favorite knife was a Girl Scout pocket knife. Essentially the same as a Boy Scout knife, but green. It had one blade, a can opener, a screwdriver and a loop on the end bolsters for putting it on a lanyard. He said he liked it because the blade was big enough, sharpened easily and held a good edge. Was that the ideal carry knife? Not by most people’s standards, but it did the job and served him well the ten years he used it in his career. That’s right, ten years because no one would steal a Girl Scout knife. Maybe this one isn’t for you, seems your Kershaw O-so_sweet is what you prefer, but there are as many ideal carry knives as there are people who choose and carry them.
Wow, you took me way too serious. Your response was way too long for me to get through. I was having fun and apparently you were not.
My pants are Carhartt rip stop with more than enough pockets to carry “My Stuff.” I also stated I have a “Bugout bag” that I keep in my F250.
For your entertainment, I decided to weigh my stuff ,,,,,, LCP with laser and pocket holster, extra mag, wallet, pocket knife, Mege2 phone, lip protection and keys weighs 2.5 lbs. The knife in question weighs 5.35oz. Way to much for what it does
I do not see the need for this all in one knife, as I stated before I have a Leatherman and tools, survival gear, gunsmith tools and much more in my bugout bag. I am sorry you did not take it in stride,m but thank you for your response
One more point and I will surrender.
A retail price of $159.00 for this “Knife”,,,,, I could throw in another $50 and I could purchase an Ruger EC9 and start twice as many fires…………. Humor is me
At 5.35 oz, it is not really a comfortable pocket carry all-in-one knife. My pockets are already filled with an LCP, extra mag, keys , lip balm, phone, keys, Kershaw O-so_sweet, change and a wallet. I refuse to get on a scale when clothed and my belt is working overtime. All funny stuff aside, my bug-out bag has all of what that knife can do and more. Might work for those nanny states that prohibit C.C. but my pistol can start a fire, break glass and light up the sky with a green laser and stop a perp..