When seconds matter and your gear has to perform without hesitation, the Spyderco Assist Black is built to be the knife you’ll be glad you have. Designed with rescue and emergency use at its core, it’s a pocket-sized cutting tool that fits the needs of first responders, outdoorsmen, and prepared everyday carriers who want a purpose-driven blade that’s ready for the unexpected. With an 8.42-inch overall length and a 4.87-inch closed length, it offers serious capability in a carry-friendly package, and its 4.1-ounce weight keeps it substantial without feeling bulky.
The Assist’s 3.68-inch blade is crafted from VG-10 stainless steel and ground for strong slicing performance. It’s built around a safety-first profile with a blunt, rounded tip that’s designed to slip under seat belts, clothing, webbing, and similar materials without the risk of an accidental puncture. That design choice also helps protect inflatable or flotation gear in critical situations, giving you added confidence when space is tight and tension is high. With a 3.15-inch edge length and a .118-inch blade thickness, it balances strength and cutting efficiency for real-world rescue tasks.
Deployment is fast and reliable thanks to Spyderco’s oversized Trademark Round Hole, which gives you an easy purchase for one-handed opening. That advantage becomes even more important when you’re wearing gloves or working in bad weather. The Cobra Hood attachment adds another layer of assurance, providing an accessible surface to help drive the blade open decisively when conditions aren’t ideal. Once open, the Assist locks up with a dependable back lock, delivering the stability you want when you’re cutting with purpose.
The handle is built from tough FRN and shaped with pronounced finger grooves to anchor your grip. Spyderco’s Bi-Directional Texture pattern adds extra traction, helping you keep control when your hands are wet, cold, or moving fast. Those finger grooves do more than improve comfort—they also enable a scissor-like cutting action on rope and cord, letting you pinch and slice through stubborn line with a controlled, efficient bite.
This model is packed with rescue-minded features that go beyond the blade. A built-in survival whistle is integrated into the handle for signaling when visibility is poor or help is needed. At the butt end, a retractable carbide glass breaker is designed to break windows safely and efficiently, and it’s activated by compressing the closed knife—an intuitive system that keeps the tool compact until it’s time to act. Carry is equally thoughtful, with an ambidextrous clip position and tip-up carry that supports quick access for both right- and left-handed users.
The all-black format is ideal for environments where minimizing reflection matters. It pairs a non-reflective blade coating with matching dark hardware for a discreet, mission-ready look that stays consistent from blade to clip. If you want a rescue knife that’s highly specialized yet incredibly versatile, the Spyderco Assist Black delivers a rare combination of safety, speed, grip security, and built-in emergency capability.
Get the Spyderco Assist Black from the world’s largest knife store, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, the best online knife store for trusted tools that are ready when it counts.