Although hacking knives are made by several manufacturers, their basic design does not differ significantly enough for most of them to be grouped into different types of hacking knifes. The one notable exception to this, however, is insulated hacking knives.
What are insulated hacking knives?
Insulated hacking knives are specialist tools designed for electricians and engineers working with live electrical equipment and cables.
Insulated hacking knives must meet strict industry standards to be considered safe for live line working. These include passing an electrical test of 10,000 volts for three minutes whilst submerged in water, in order to be given a safe user protection at 1000 volts.
The materials from which they are made must be capable of functioning at temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) to 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) whilst withstanding impact and being flame retardant. The current standard for insulated hacking knives is IEC 60900:2004.
What is category “C” ?
Category “C” is a stricter standard specifically for use in countries with cold climates. As some countries regularly experience temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) or less, IEC 60900:2004 does not offer a sufficient safety margin. To meet category “C” a hacking knife must be able to withstand impact testing at a temperature of -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit).
