Patrol duty folder reccomendations

[Izzydog]

Hi guys? Recently a police officer "I forget where" was almost choked unconscious by a teenage perp. This kind of thing "keeps me up at night". I was thinking that, If the officer had had a knife available to his left hand, He could have made a valiant effort at removing the perps arm. If not, just cut him bad enough to let go. I had a Benchmade automatic folder, but I gave that to my father, after he broke his right arm. So now I'm in the market for a quality automatic knife. I'd prefer not to pay $100+ for it, but will if necessary. I might even be able to convince my "Financial Manager" that it's the perfect Fathers Day gift Even if she doesn't buy that, I believe that I have a convincing argument. Anyway, do you have any recommendations for a police knife? I kind of regret letting my Benchmade go, but Pop couldn't open a regular pocket knife, while his arm was messed up. I look forward to hearing from yous Guys.

 

[6518John]

Izzy--one can't go wrong with Benchmade as you know. They are expensive, but I have never seen a quality automatic knife that wasn't at least $100--$150 on up. You should check out Piranha Knives--a little custom knife maker in Idaho I beleive. They make exclusively high-quality automatics, life-time warranties, etc. I stumbled onto them a few years ago and have been VERY impressed. Piranha Knives PM me if you would like to talk about models.

 

[holo]

Check the knife forums you can easily replace your benchmade for around a 100.00 a lot of the army issued auto show up there.

 

[Fishinfool]

Might also want to take a look at a quality assisted opening knife. They work just as well as an auto, and can be had for about half the price for the same quality. Benchmade, SOG, CRKT, for example, offer nice options. I have a GT and a S&W auto, but seldom carried them after some of the quality assisted openers came out.

Larry

 

[Frizzman]

I agree with Fishinfool that many of the assisted openers are just as fast or faster and ambidextrous as well. I have a few Kershaw folders that are very quick and opening by pushing on the flipper is easier than finding the button on an auto. In many areas, the assisted avoids the legal complications of an auto and they are less expensive than equal quality autos. The Wave feature on Emerson knives is also very fast with practice. Emerson knives are fairly expensive but Kershaw is making authorized copies that appear to be good values...I Virginia, I have a carry permit that makes it legal to carry ANY handgun I want concealed but I cannot legally carry a concealed auto knife...There are many equally stupid legal restrictions on auto knives in other states and localities.

 

[WC145]

I carried a Benchmade HK auto, the one with the serrated blade, in my right pocket and one of the smallish Ka-bar TDI fixed blades on my belt on my left. I think the Benchmades still run around $100, LA Police Gear has the Ka-Bars for around $35 for the one I have.

 

[Ματθιας]

With knives, like anything else, you get what you pay for.

 

[TeaDub]

Anyway, do you have any recommendations for a police knife?

Another vote for the Ka-Bar TDI. It is a small(ish) fixed blade that is made for LE offhand use. Very fast and easy to deploy. It is also made to place behind ammo pouches on the duty belt to keep it somewhat concealed. Before I retired, I wore it but also kept a small spyderco clipped inside my offhand front pocket.

Youtube has a couple good videos showing the speed vs a folder.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I agree with Fishinfool that many of the assisted openers are just as fast or faster and ambidextrous as well. I have a few Kershaw folders that are very quick and opening by pushing on the flipper is easier than finding the button on an auto. In many areas, the assisted avoids the legal complications of an auto and they are less expensive than equal quality autos. The Wave feature on Emerson knives is also very fast with practice. Emerson knives are fairly expensive but Kershaw is making authorized copies that appear to be good values...I Virginia, I have a carry permit that makes it legal to carry ANY handgun I want concealed but I cannot legally carry a concealed auto knife...There are many equally stupid legal restrictions on auto knives in other states and localities.

Get your Dad a Kershaw "assisted opening/speed safe"....... I've had a "Blur" (Ken Onion) for about 6 months..... Amazon for $54; free shipping w/ Prime.


Get your auto back.......

 

[Muss Muggins]

Benchmade automatic. Not sure why we're having this discussion. After all, you're only trusting your life to the knife . . .

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have a Benchmade 9100 SBK, which has been discontinued. This was replaced by the 9101 SBK, which has an open spine to facilitate cleaning. I bought my son the new version about two years ago, it was just over $200.00 then.

Money well spent.

If you decide to carry a fixed blade knife, the Kershaw Amphibian is a fine choice.

The Gerber Guardian is also a good knife.

 

[Sgt.Peck]

A colleague of mine and myself were both carrying the same model automatic knife. It did not have a lock. One night he got in a fight with a dirt bag and during the struggle his knife opened up in his pants pocket !! He was only slightly injured from that experience. After that neither of us carried an automatic knife anymore. Other models have a lock, but that involves implementing extra motor skills during a fight to deploy it. I prefer a good folder. I own several but my favorite is the Benchmade Axis Stryker. It is very ergonomic. Thing about a Benchmade, if taken care of they don't depreciate.

 

[alwslate]

I would choose a good fixed blade knife.

 

[Sgt.Peck]

Another choice would be a neck knife. They're easily accessible.

 

[Sgt.Peck]

defensive blade choices

Another colleague I forgot about is partial to the Microtech. The blade is spring loaded projecting the blade straight out of the handle. Benchmade has one called the Infidel. Both well made but pricey.

 

[PatriotX]

I would choose a good fixed blade knife.

This.

There may be a situation where deployment of a folder (or OTF) could be difficult or impossible.

 

[shouldazagged]

I prefer, and mostly carry, a Spyderco Endura, which I can deploy quickly enough one-handed; but the SOG Flash II assisted opener is my preferred alternative. Both are well under your $100 figure, and I like both quite well.

 

[durango]

I carry a crkt fossil clip point, non serrated folder. It is the smoothest opening folder i have, with a glass-smooth ball bearing mechanism. I am not sure how well it would work for a lefty but for right side deployment it is great. It is just under 4 inches. It is scary looking tho, so I keep it hidden. Another great folder for self defense is the cold steel ti-lite - not as smooth as the fossil but just as impressive.

 

[A10]

For a folder I'd go with a Benchmade assisted opener. For a fixed blade I'd go with a Bark River Gunny.

 

[wildenout]

Benchmade makes a sweet knife, can't really go wrong and you can find them for around your price on Amazon. Not automatic though, I'd have to say Spyderco! That goes for Fixed Blades too.