Hot Knife Tool Kit – Cordless EOD Render Safe Tool for Plastic Barrier Access

The Hot Knife Tool Kit is a cordless, handheld EOD render safe tool engineered to create controlled access through dense plastic and other non-ferrous barriers. Purpose-built for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations that require the operator to penetrate a Pelican® case or other plastic barriers, the Hot Knife uses electrically heated interchangeable blades to penetrate materials that are easier to melt than to cut using conventional hand tools.

Best For: Controlled plastic barrier penetration and access creation.

(Hot Knife with Straight Blade and Hole-Maker Blade)

Create Controlled Access Through Dense Plastic Barriers

The Hot Knife is a cordless, handheld battery-powered cutting tool capable of heating its blades to temperatures up to 1300°F, allowing operators to penetrate heavy-duty plastics and other non-ferrous materials with ease. Rather than relying on mechanical cutting force, the heated blade melts through the material, creating controlled access where conventional tools may be less effective.

Designed for the unpredictable challenges encountered during render safe operations, the Hot Knife includes two interchangeable blade options. The Straight Blade enables narrow, controlled cuts that can be widened or extended as needed. The Hole-Maker Blade creates a 2.1-inch diameter access hole for a functional entry point in a single action, allowing operators to rapidly establish access for inspection or subsequent operations.

The Hot Knife kit weighs only 16 ounces (454g) (excluding battery), allowing operators to comfortably maneuver the tool during extended operations while maintaining excellent control.

Engineered to perform with the Milwaukee® M12 battery platform, the Hot Knife affords the operator exceptional field portability with the flexibility to accept the variety of batteries available in the M12 series.

Mission Applications

Pelican Case Entry Applications

Designed for Pelican® cases and similar plastic device containers.

Designed specifically to penetrate Pelican® cases, the Hot Knife enables operators to easily create controlled access into heavy-duty polypropylene equipment cases, and similar plastic protective containers.

Both the Straight Blade and the Hole-Maker Blade are capable of penetrating Pelican® cases and similar protective cases.

The Hot Knife blades are made from a rigid Nichrome heating element that rapidly reaches operating temperature, producing a visible orange glow during use.

Designed for repeated heating and cooling cycles, the corrosion-resistant blades deliver reliable performance during demanding EOD render safe operations.

Hot Knife Straight Blade and Hole Maker Blade used in Pelican Case demonstration
(Both Hot Knife Blades on Pelican Case)

Plastic Barrier Penetration Applications

Capable of making entry in plastics frequently found in EOD render safe operations.

Beyond Pelican® cases, the Hot Knife is capable of penetrating numerous dense plastics commonly encountered during field operations, including PVC, polycarbonate (Lexan®), nylon, polyethylene, Delrin®, PEEK, Teflon®, and similar non-ferrous materials.

The Hot Knife includes five adjustable power levels which allow operators to match the blade temperature to the material being penetrated, improving control while reducing unnecessary heat buildup or battery drain.

Plastic TypeHot Knife Capable?Melting Temp (°F)Melting Temp (°C)
Polypropylene (Pelican case)Yes170°77°
PVC (water pipe)Yes180°82°
Acetal/Delrin (hard plastic)Yes230°110°
Polyethylene (bags & bottles)Yes219°-278°104°-137°
Lexan/Polycarbonate (bullet glass)Yes266°130°
Nylon (tool bodies, rope, packaging)Yes356°-572°180°-300°
Teflon (sheets, tubing)Yes500°260°
PEEK (plastic bearings)Yes649°343°

Why EOD Operators Choose the Hot Knife

Engineered for precision. Built for Safety. Designed for mission success. 

Controlled Plastic Penetration

Electrically heated blades allow operators to penetrate dense plastics with exceptional control. Melting action creates access while reducing the physical effort required by conventional cutting methods.

Cordless Field Mobility

Operate anywhere without external power sources. Powered by the Milwaukee® M12 battery platform, the Hot Knife provides portable performance for field deployment.

Single-Action Hole Creation

Rapidly establish a functional access point using the 2.1-inch Hole-Maker Blade. Create consistent circular openings in a single operation, reducing time spent creating entry.

Precision Straight Blade

Create narrow entry cuts and progressively widen access as required. The Straight Blade gives operators precise control when working around confined areas and protective enclosures.

Adaptable Blade System

Interchangeable heated blades allow the Hot Knife to quickly adapt to different cutting tasks without changing tools, increasing operational flexibility during evolving missions.

Lightweight & Field Ready

Aircraft-grade aluminum construction keeps the Hot Knife lightweight without compromising durability. The compact design is easy to transport, deploy, and operate during demanding field conditions.

What is included With the Hot Knife

The Hot Knife kit comes nearly field-ready for EOD render safe operations, battery not included.

Hot Knife Handle

The Hot Knife Handle is a sturdy, lightweight device that allows operators to penetrate plastic barriers with a single-hand. Aircraft grade aluminum body ensures long field life. 

Designed to accommodate a Milwaukee Red Lithium M12 48-11-2420 battery (battery is not included in the kit).

Hot Knife Straight Blade (Pt#610)

The Straight Blade allows the operator to make a narrow entry, widen an entry and expand the entry with precise cuts. Made from high-grade heating element material, and an electrically isolating base, the Straight Blade performs reliably under repeated use.

Hot Knife Hole-Maker Blade (Pt#620)

The Hole Maker Blade allows the operator to make a Ø2.1 inch diameter entry hole in a single action. Made from high-grade heating element material, and an electrically isolating base, the Hole Maker Blade performs reliably under repeated use.

Case with Foam Cutouts

The Hot Knife kit comes complete in a case with foam cutouts uniquely shaped to house each component of the kit.

Hot Knife Technical Specifications

Primary FunctionAccess creation and barrier penetration
Tool TypeHandheld Electrical
Max Straight Blade Temperature1300°F
Max Hole Maker Blade Temperature734°F
Max Single-Action EntryØ2.1 inch (53.3 mm)
MaterialAircraft-Grade Aluminum / Nichrome
Weight (Full Kit)16 oz (not including battery)
Case Dimensions7.5in x 5in x 3in
Country of OriginUSA
Hot Knife Kit (PT#600) Includes:
Hot Knife handle (Pt#601)
Straight Blade (Pt#610)
Hole-Maker Blade (Pt#620)
Case with foam cutouts
*Requires Battery (not included):
Milwaukee Red Lithium M12 series
**additional components can be purchased separately

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Best For: Shielded cable, heavy-gauge wire, and cable shunting.

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Best For: Adapting to changing field requirements.

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Best For: Access creation and barrier penetration.

Depth Control

Best For: Controlled entry for precision depth management.

EOD-1 Render Safe Tooling

Precision-engineered tools for cutting, gripping, penetrating, shorting and manipulating components during explosive ordnance disposal render safe operations. Professional Explosive Ordnance Disposal tools trusted since 2012. 

Built for Those Who Protect Others

The EOD-1 platform is trusted by military, law enforcement, federal, and international defense organizations since 2012. Sales of EOD-1 render safe tooling are restricted to qualified Government, Military, and Law Enforcement organizations.

Disclaimer: We provide services/products to the U.S. Military and various government agencies, and defense contractors. However, this implies no official endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation.

Includes Lifetime Manufacturer's Warranty

These products are used to help protect lives around the world, and therefore we take tremendous pride in the production of our EOD-1 render safe tooling. So while we hold the license for the EOD-1 suite, we include a lifetime warranty on our manufactured parts. This is just one of our ways to ensure you receive the highest quality, longest-lasting tooling. If your tooling ever fails, contact us and we will work with you to repair or replace the tooling.

Sales are Limited to Government, Military, and Law Enforcement

Export Control Notice: These EOD-1 documents and subsequent information contain technical data, the export of which is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. §2751, et seq.), the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. §2011), or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. §2401, et seq.). Violations of these laws may result in severe administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. Prospective purchasers are responsible for complying with all applicable U.S. export control laws and regulations. Please review our Export Control Notice before requesting technical documentation or placing an order. Therefore, all EOD-1 Tooling sales are limited to Government, Military, and Law Enforcement only.

Order Your EOD-1 tooling Today

Fill out the form if you have specific questions regarding the tooling, or are ready to order your EOD-1 tooling. 

During business hours, we respond to phone calls within 2-hours and forms within 24-hours. Otherwise leave a message and we will return your call.

Sales are limited to Government, Military, and Law Enforcement only.

+1 (505) 662-9313

7am-5pm, Monday-Thursday

+1 (505) 662-9806 (fax)

EOD@yeamansmachine.com

Request Your EOD-1 Tooling Quote

Order Your EOD-1 tooling Today

Fill out the form if you have specific questions regarding the tooling, or are ready to order your EOD-1 tooling. 

During business hours, we respond to phone calls within 2-hours and forms within 24-hours. Otherwise leave a message and we will return your call.

Sales are limited to Government, Military, and Law Enforcement only.

7am-5pm, Monday-Thursday

+1 (505) 662-9313

+1 (505) 662-9806 (fax)

EOD@yeamansmachine.com

Request Your EOD-1 Tooling Quote

Order Your EOD-1 tooling Today

Fill out the form if you have specific questions regarding the tooling, or are ready to order your EOD-1 tooling. 

During business hours, we respond to phone calls within 2-hours and forms within 24-hours. Otherwise leave a message and we will return your call.

Sales are limited to Government, Military, and Law Enforcement only.

Yeamans Machine Shop

7am-5pm, Monday-Thursday

+1 (505) 662-9313

+1 (505) 662-9806 (fax)

EOD@yeamansmachine.com

Request Your EOD-1 Tooling Quote