Duty Knife Recs.

[ad40]

Good afternoon,

I would like some suggestions on a quality duty knife, preferabley assisted opening. I'm not going to name the knife I currently carry but it's laughable. Also, I really don't want to spend over $250 for a knife.

Also, any suggestions for a inside the vest emergency fixed blade knife?

Thank you and stay safe.

[ElvenSoul]

Go check out the blades and tool section

[Samuelx]

What does your policy allow/prohibit?

[LtJim]

We bantered this around years ago at the department. Everyone tried to get the latest, greatest, coolest looking blade / dagger ---whatever! Everyone who would spend lots of money came up with lots of hypotheticals they could use the blade for if that crazy wild made up situation ever happened.

What REALLY happens on the street was the people that bought expensive blades - they were rarely used them! The real cops carried the Basic Model 110 Buck Knife ($77.00 current MSRP) in a sheath on their Sam Browne.

Those are the blades that are rugged enough to last a career, and practical for everyday police work.

Forget all the wild crazy stories about being trapped in seatbelts, taken hostage, having to take out a bad guy by throwing it ---- That's Hollywood!

K.I.S.S. Principle definitely applies. Call me old fashioned-- That's what worked a career in LA.

[RedVines]

Speaking from my own experience, just stick with whatever cheap knife you're using. It will do the same exact thing as the high dollar blades and will sting a lot less when you eventually lose it.

[Spyder]

I like the cheapo $15 when they're on sale Smith and Wesson made in china knives. They hold a decent edge, break every 6 or 8 months (if they don't get lost or fall off of a boat before then), and are cheap enough I can give 'em away or not care if they disappear.

[IrishJoe3]

I'll echo everyone else. I carry a single blade assisted opening buck knife. Used it for everything from scraping off a fraudulent registration sticker to cutting a trauma victims clothes off. Cheap, straightforward, holds and edge.

Good enough.

[pterrell]

I carry a buck folder that I've used for years and my leatherman. Perfect combo

[asphaltcowboychip]

Seems like the $15 dollar big5 specials always stick around while my Spyder co. And Kershaws all run and hide. I 8.5 years I've had 4 Spyder co. 3 Kershaw and about 6 big 5 special of the weeks.

If you're not pushing a desk they're going to get lost : )

[razorscs]

I want one of these reviewed in this article and would carry it in the same manner Here. I carry a KaBar TDI on my duty belt right now, but I don't like the crappy retention and the fact it is visible to anyone with a close eye. I like having a dagger that is ready to go, and like how concealed his setup is. And it's $89 which, while I wouldn't say is cheap, is reasonable for a Benchmade.

[samsigsauer]

Kershaw Emerson...There are several models out there, most at 40 or less.

[ptmn]

Before you start looking, you should take Samuelx's advice, check your department regs or general orders regarding carrying a knife. Once you have review what is allowed and what is not allowed, then start working within those parameters to find a knife that fits your needs AND your budget.

The reason why you need to be within the regs is if something bad goes down and you have to use your knife and there is a law suit. One of the first things that IA is going to look into is whether or not you were within regs with you knife.

The second issue is the law suit itself. Personal injury attorneys sometimes specialize in suing us in the blue uniform. They know that dept's have regs and general orders and they will immediately scrub them. If you are getting sued and you request a qualified immunity summary judgement, your request will be denied if you are outside of your regs or G.O's.

Under case law, a judge must review evidence and facts for any request for a summary judgement in the most favorable light to the plaintiff, not the defendant (you).

A simple example is if you use your knife and something bad goes down and you get sued and your regs state that automatic or assisted opening knives are not authorized and that's what you have, then you're screwed when it comes to qualified immunity.

My dept. has a reg that states fixed blade knives are not authorized. On SWAT, we carried them...but we stopped after finding that reg.

So now that we got the unpleasantness out of the way, I carry a simple Spyderco Delica on duty. I got the model with the fully serrated blade, which is much better for cutting through seat belts. It is a smaller folding knife, so it fits well in my pockets and is very light, but it is still big enough to accomplish the tasks that I need it to do. The Spyderco Endura is the model that is one size larger if you so desire. Both are reasonably priced and sometimes you can get one in excellent used condition from eBay. I bought mine on base (still in military reserve), so it was only $40.00, but that was quite a while ago. No idea how much they are now.

[Petro6golf]

http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/78

TDI is what I carry. Great knife. Only sued for defensive stuff and nothing else.

[KrisDSA]

Couple a years ago I got my friends and family member who are LEO in NJ this knife for Xmas.

http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-1660-Onion-Folding-SpeedSafe/dp/B0009VC9Y0

You can also get them here.

http://kershawguy.com/products-page/kershaw-blems/

It's been 5 years with mine and not one problem.

[SDDAVE56]

I carried a Buck 110.