That's a knife...

[Kravenar]

Originally posted by Vaer
I really don't think that that knife will slow an elephant down enough to stop it from crushing you if that is its intent. It would probably make it go rapidly mad and the goring/crushing/bashing will go that much worse for you.

If you are using this knife against an elephant is charging it is well and truly moving and already close to you with enough momentum that you're probably about to be ground up into dust anyway.

Anyway... I'm not a doctor, BUT........

In terms of this being an effective killing weapon... I don't think the article was written by someone with a medical background. They seem to have completely forgotten to mention what I would think would be reasonable potential for an air embolism, that lodged in the heart or brain could kill very quickly.

Also, I don't think you'd expect to see someone with a basketball sized leg, arm, etc. This is suggested by their comments regarding its use underwater. I think in most cases the initial release of are would not only result in a severe amount of trauma, but rupturing of the tissues and skin, meaning the immediate release of the vast majority of air from the body, leaving a rather brutal looking wound I would think. This may be different in the case of a abdominal or chest wound where the air release may be contained to a large degree within a body cavity. Certainly I think a chest wound would almost immediately result in a collapsed lung and possibly even exert a crushing force on the heart to inhibit its operation (Cardiac tamponade?? Not sure if thats the right term)

As far as temperature drop, yes I am sure it would have a rapid cooling effect, but again this may be restricted to the localized area aroung the release point. The body acts gairly effectively to insulate itself in most cases, so you're not likely to see any "Terminator 2" style body shattering. This effect may be increased though if the cartridge contained cryogenic gases........now THAT would be nasty..

Maybe I've thought too much about it and all I really need to do is sit back and go, " WHOA! Cooooooooool!"

[Jidoe]

Sounds to me like this knife will find home in Newark far before it finds home within hikers and researchers in Africa.