Possible Wasp Knife Misuse Troubles Some, Terrifies Others

Before anything else, a disclaimer: This is disgusting.

I usually put the title first, then a short excerpt, then what I think of a post or article. Not this time.

"Wasp Knife?" Never Heard of It

The Wasp Knife can be a lifesaver for a pilot who was obliged to land in water occupied by sharks, or a hiker with an aversion to becoming a bear's main course.

Wasp Injection Systems, Inc makes it clear on their website's homepage that the weapon is not to be misused -

"The WASP Injector Knife is ideally used as a:
- Diving Knife
- Hunting Knife
- Tactical Knife

WASP Injection Systems, Inc. does not condone the killing of innocent creatures."

That warning may be justified, since the "Wasp Knife" is a bit unusual. It injects compressed gas into its target, through channel in the blade. I couldn't recommend it as a hunting weapon.

On the other hand, given a choice between letting sharks convert someone to chum before having a quick snack, or providing a bear with an easy meal, and letting people who are likely to encounter large carnivores with a Wasp Knife, I'd say let them have the knife.

"Knife Crimes," British Police, and Scary Things in the News

No surprise - there are (reasonable) concerns that someone, sooner or later, is going to misuse this technology.

"Britain on alert for deadly new knife with exploding tip that freezes victims' organs"
Daily Mail (UK) (July 17, 2008)

To begin with, unless British English is a great deal more unlike American English than I think it is, the Wasp Knife doesn't have an exploding tip. It does, however, release compressed gas. Back to the article:

"Senior police officers have been warned to look out for a new knife which can inject a ball of compressed gas into its victim that instantly freezes internal organs.

"The 'wasp knife', which can deliver a ball of compressed gas capable of killing its victim at the press of a button, may be heading for Britain, the Metropolitan Police fear.

"A needle in the tip of the blade shoots out the frozen ball of gas which instantly balloons to the size of a basketball, freezing organs.

"The Metropolitan Police have told colleagues in the West Midlands to be on the lookout for the blade, which is designed to kill sharks and bears...."

That bit about "freezing organs" actually is on the company's website, in the "Hunting" page.

I'm inclined to agree with at least one statement in the article: "Labour MP for Perry Barr in Birmingham, Khalid Mahmood, said: 'Weapons like this are absolutely disgraceful and there is no reason at all why people should be walking around the streets with them.' "

True enough. There just aren't that many bears and sharks roaming the streets in Birmingham, England. And, it sounds like the British police are, quite sensibly, trying to prevent a problem, rather than react to one.

A little more background: England has had a bit more than the usual number of stabbings lately, including a high-profile crime earlier this month: "Students stabbed and set alight" (BBC (July 3, 2008)).

Facts and Fears

The Wasp Knife is a fine survival tool, and could save lives in some of the wilder parts of the world. On the streets of Birmingham, I'm almost inclined to go with the Labor MP's take on the topic. It doesn't belong there. My exception? I'll get back to that.

The British police and the Daily Mail are being calm about this new technology. Predictably, others aren't.

From comments on "
Britain on alert for deadly new knife with exploding tip that freezes victims' organs" (Current.com (July 17, 2008)):

• "Who on earth was twisted and demented enough to create a weapon like this?"
• "Just a second - 'Police are concerned that the knife could fall in to the wrong hands'.
  "Surely this thing is deadly whoever happens to be holding it! Why on earth is it even legal to build something like this?"
• "This is just terrible, what is their problem? Why can they not just be normal!"

My guess is that most of the people writing comments like this live in a paved and patrolled area.

As to "why is it ... legal to build something like this," there are places on Earth where large things with sharp teeth try, and sometimes succeed, in converting a person to kibble. The Wasp Knife could save someone's life, and is small enough to fit into an emergency pack.

Why Bother Posting About the Wasp Knife and British "Knife Crimes?"

There seem to be at least two ways of looking at this bit of technology:

1. Calmly - As a practical concern for law enforcement
2. Anything but calmly -
   • By people who are terrified of the scary knives
   • By people who are disturbingly eager to use the things

I'm in the first camp, and want to get some facts together, in one place, that may help others make rational decisions.

I will admit to a bias. I come from an area that's mostly agricultural, and have been aware of potentially dangerous technologies all my life. I know that it's not a good idea to step in an operating grain auger, or grab an electric fence.

That may be why I'm cautious, but not terrified, of things like bang sticks, cattle prods, and mousetraps. Both are, used properly, useful - and might save a human life.

I still run into people who think that particular devices, like cattle prods, are evil by themselves. I don't agree - but I'm more inclined to look at who is using a technology, than the device itself.

Two more points, then I'll stop:

• I posted about the funny side of dangerous technologies last year: "Tale of a Man and a Pocket Taser" (November 23, 2007)
• Words of wisdom: The only dangerous component in any piece of equipment is a daft operator.

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Update (July 18, 2008)

What a coincidence. I post this, then:

"Bear bites camper sleeping inside tent; authorities close 2 campgrounds near Yellowstone park"
Minneapolis Star-Tribune (July 18, 2008)

"...The camper suffered bite and claw marks on his arms while protecting himself. His name and age weren't disclosed. Authorities said he was taken to West Park Hospital in Cody, Wyo., which refused to release any information...."

Don't worry too much about that poor bear. "...The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks will decide how to deal with the bear. In previous cases, problem bears have been relocated to more remote areas."