I'm looking to buy a knife for my son who is going to be sworn in as a LEO in the coming weeks. My son is a south paw so the knife has to ambidextrous in order to reverse the belt clip. A knife with a 3-4” blade, assisted opening, semi serrated, tanto or drop point (not sure which) I have narrowed it down to the Kershaw Black Blur Serrated Edge Knife or SOG Ageis or SOG Flash II. My hesitation with the Kershaw is that I have read and heard first hand about problems with the locking mechanism. I'm looking to spend under $100.00,Any input or other knife options would be appreciated. Thanks

I just got a Benchmade 555HG Mini-Griptillian. It has a 2.9" blade. It's big brother has a 3+ inch blade. Got the Mini for $88 plus tax at LGS. It is a fantastic knife. My first really great knife.

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M&P45, 9L, Shield9

A good knife could save his life or that of another. Some LEO like a partially serrated blade to cut through things like seat belts. I would urge you not to skimp too much.

I would go with a Benchmade Black Class knife. Cost more but worth it. Made in the US and their service is second to none.

I have this one. Excellent knife. Strongest locking mechanism you can buy. 908 AXIS® Drop-Point Stryker® Product Detail

Cost me $153.00.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Here is what I have carried for years...both are ambidextrous....the SOG trident (black) is an assisted opener, it has a feature where you can lock the blade in the closed position and use the strap cutter slot to cut restraint straps....w/o endangering the occupant. I like the partially serrated blade, cause I can cut rope, webbing, flex cuffs, hose or whatever handily with it. The trident also has a "glass breaker" on the butt end for breaking glass, which is handy for vehicle extractions.
The tan folder is a Columbia rivers M-16....when you draw it from the pocket, it automatically opens, no manipulation of thumb studs, buttons, etc....draw it, it is opened & locked. Again I prefer the partial serrations for the same reason. The M-16 has a big thick beefy blade. Both of these are under $100, hold an edge well and have served me well on and off duty for years. These have been "working knives" and "have been there and done that". When I put on my pants, one of these is riding in my pocket.
Two of the "Best of breed" in my book.

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I only have one of the knives you mention, the SOG Flash II. This knife has all the features you are looking for, and has a lot of fans. I am not one of them. Mine does not open as smartly as a lot of knives (some more expensive, some less) and feels a little cheesy in the hand. I would suggest you handle one, and see how it feels to you.

If you hear the Blur is having troubles, I wonder if it isn't due to the liner lock, which does not respond well to being pounded on. I like every one of the Kershaw flippers I have tried, and have purchased several, but they all have the liner lock, and I don't beat on them.

If the lack of assist is not a deal-breaker, then I would suggest the BM Griptilian, probably full-sized if you want serrations. The Grip can be found for under $100, and is about as tough a folder as you will find. I find the Axis lock to be as quick and easy as an assisted knife, with the added benefit of one-handed closing. You shouldn't beat on this one either, but it will take it.

If the assist is more important to you, check out the Mini Barrage. It will take you over $100, but not far over if you look around. Its assist is so slick and strong it will make me take back all the good things I have to say about the unassisted Axis lock. It just makes me chuckle to flip the thumb stud and feel the blade clack into place. This is a really tough knife, well suited to a lot of hard use.

Kanewpadle makes a very good point above, however. Some of the BM black box knives are going to be even better suited to police work. They will be well worth the extra cost.

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Not in jail.

spend a little more and get the kid a Benchmade he will have it forever. Benchmade is the best soutpaw knife out there it is truly one hand operational if need be.

I have a columbia river M-16 not like above. I thought there was only one blade style. Its a nice light strong knife.

I am a fan of SOG knives..They are reasonably priced and fit my needs..Fklash II, half serrated, Blink is a great pocket knife..The other knife was a freebie from SOG..

I have a Sog flashII and like it alot. He may need to tighten or loosen the hinge nut to get the action how he likes it.
My blade felt a little loose so I tightened it just a smidgen and that took care of it.
If you decide on Benchmade, once he's sworn, they give about 40% off all their knives. It makes a great knife even better and for $100-$130 you can get one of the best.
He would just need to register with them on their website. It's easy and I did it with no fuss. The nice thing about it is when you sign in afterwards, all the new prices pop up on their items.

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“Look life in its iron face”

Thanks for all the great info. They all have some great qualities,I wish I could just create my own knife.sometimes I feel I over think things, It was the same when I bought my M&P 40. I'm way to analytical. sort of leaning toward SOG, still looking an Benchmade, CRKT is now in the mix but a little to cheap. I might email Kershaw and ask about liner lock problems, maybe it's a thing of the past.

I've carried a Benchmade 710 w/combo blade for the past 17 years as my on-duty knife. Alas that model is no longer made. If I were shopping for a duty knife now I would probably go with the full size Benchmade Griptilian with the combo blade (serrations work great on seatbelts and rope). The axis lock is very strong, ambidexterious and easy to close with one hand. I have a mini-grip on order now as an off-duty EDC knife.

A Benchmade or Emerson, with the features you mentioned. Will be north of $100, but well worth it.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I've had two SOG Flash II's--gave one to my sister--and like them very well. Required no adjustment of tension, quite sharp out of the box, god value for the money. If you go that route I would suggest you choose the drop point blade without coating. The black looks cool, but at least one extremely successful knifemaker I know shares my opinion that the uncoated blades cut better.

I see the American "tanto" blade, which is very different from the true Japanese tanto, as excellent for stabbing but far less versatile than a drop point or the Spyderco blade shape. They can stab also if needed, but do other things more efficiently in my opinion.

Having said all that, I believe my Spyderco Endura with flat-ground VG10 blade is a better knife, stronger, with a very positive lock and pocket clip. It's ideal for a left-handed user, completely ambidextrous. Many LEO's carry some version of the design.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Since none have asked thus far...what is his new job's policy on knives? Before making a purchase, I would check on that to see if there are any prohibitions or specifications that he would be required to abide by.

My wife gave me a Benchmade Griptilian 550 for Xmas a few years ago. It has been awesome. Before that I carried a Cold Steel Recon 1. I briefly carried a Spyderco but not sure what model. In the past I always found Kershaws or SOGs too lightly made to stand up to hard use.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

You also may want to consider that he may wear gloves.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Well after a long process I settled on the SOG Aegis Knife , it has all the features I think will be useful. I would like to present this to him after his swearing in. I figure if he needs something different, he can keep this knife as a general everyday knife and the get a knife more to his liking or to dept. specs as doc 84 indicated.

Thanks everyone
Phil