Best Knife for a police explorer.

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Maxamillion_16

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Nov 13, 2012
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Hey guys i am i Leo in training and am looking for a good quality folding knife. I have narrowed it down to a couple but am open to suggestions. It has to be assisted opening, it has to have a Tanto blade, and it has too have a black coating on the blade. I am looking at either the Sog Flash 2 Tanto black Tini blade. Or the Sog Aegis Tanto black Tini blade. It also has to be under 70 bucks. I also would like too Edc the knife. I think these two would be good choices.



Please reply with suggestion, comments.
Thanks, Max
 
I wouldn't spend a ton or get too attached to any knife used for duty, they tend to get broken, lost, and junked up beyond use. Buck Knives make great products at a good price point. I would look to be spending the majority of your money on a good flashlight at this point.

Another piece of advice, if you will. I would not refer to myself as an LEO in training until I was in the academy at least, FTO preferably. Experience as an Explorer is nice, but it is not "police in training."
 
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Stongly recommend the Kershaw Blur. "Tactical Blur" = the DLC coated tanto. It's a better knife than the 2 you listed plus it's well under budget. Kershawguy (dealer member here) recently had a package deal: 4 tanto Blur blems for $100. I bet you could find 3 other people to go in with you. If you don't want a group buy or if you don't want a blem, these can be found new on the big river site for a pretty low price - especially when they're running an instant rebate on Kershaw like right now.
 
Maybe we can help you ore if we know why it has to be assisted opening, have a tanto blade, have a black coating on the blade. I guess I can see assisted open (though as a LEO I'd assume you could go full auto), but I don't get why it has to be a tanto or black-coated.
 
Kershaw Blur, you would be better off getting the regular blade with the dlc coating and the scalloped serrations. The Tanto is nice but less practical with the 2-1 serrations and the tip is thin.
 
Thanks for the replys, and I have decided it doesn't have to be tanto or have a black coating, I am trying to decide between a drop point and and tanto point. Any suggestions? And I have decided on the Aegis.
 
Ditto on Unistat76 on LEO in training.

Tanto and black coated blades may intimidate the public and set a bad image as a Tactical knife which could be a negative as far as the city sees it. Many departments have rules regarding assist opening, blade length among other things.

Serrations could help when cutting through seat belt or tangled things. A few officers I Know carry fixed blades either on their vest (pull down to draw) or on duty belt on off weak hand side. One did carry in small of his back but realized that was a poor choice. Also know that you will lose it, get blood/gunk/gross bodily fluid on it. Thus a cheap easier to open Spyerco might be the better call. Also do you live somewhere where salt water is present or winter gloves be worn? Theses are also things to consider.

Some officers do carry two knives either 1 fixed and then a cheap one as the throw away or 2 folders. One to use as dispensable and the other as your sturdy go to. Mainly see what people in the department carry as they have the experience and know what can be useful.
 
Get yourself an Emerson CQC7 with a wave feature. I know its past your spending limit but it’s worth every penny and it’s what a lot of professionals carry. Get one with serrations, utility wise you will need them if you forget to sharpen your blade.

[video=youtube;tw43GwN6M_M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw43GwN6M_M[/video]

I carry an Emerson every day, I highly recommend them.
 
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As a LEO., I'd strongly recommend following Unistat76's advice. The knife I carry on duty the most is probably my large Kabar Dozier. It's cheap, but sturdy and takes a sharp edge. You'll eventually end up using your knife for all kinds of silly stuff that I wouldn't want to subject my more expensive knives to. Besides, the odds of using in a SD situation are basically zero with all the other tools you'll have on you when you do become a LEO(not to mention the legal issues of it), so save the money you'll spend on a fancy tacticool black AO knife, and get something a bit more utilitarian that you're not afraid to abuse should the need arise.

Unistat76 also had another good bit of advice.., invest in a quality flashlight. You'll use it about 1000x more than you will use your knife and your life is much more likely to be at risk if you can't see than if you can't stab someone.

examples:
Kabar Dozier
Ontario Rat-1
Buck Vantage line
Cold Steel Recon or American Lawman
the list goes on...

Or better yet, invest in a good multi-tool. I've used my Leathermans more on duty than my knives by a long shot.
 
Some thoughts-

Why do you want this knife? Is it for daily/everyday life EDC? Or is it for carrying on-duty if you one day become a real LEO?

If it's for possible use as an LEO I think you have plenty of time to decide. And If I were in that situation I would ask for a recommendation from fellow cops who work in that area, know what tools the job requires, and know the department regulations. I don't imagine there is any city or county LEO department that allows it's personnel to carry whatever they want.

I'm not entirely familiar with the police explorer program, but if I recall correctly it involves ride-alongs with real LEOs. I hope you aren't looking to arm yourself for these ride-alongs as this could prove disasterous for your hopes of becoming an LEO.

And if you haven't already, make sure you know your local knife laws before carrying any knife. You wouldn't want to ruin your chances of becoming an LEO by getting arrested for carrying an illegal knife. And I sure hope you aren't under the impression that because you are a "police explorer" that you automatically have the right to carry any knife you want.

Good luck.
 
What about something like a Leatherman Wave in black oxide? Your knife probably will never be used as self defense, but in helping others. Police officers are foremost there to help civilians (both in helping to keep the bad guys away and lending a hand). What if the task a citizen needs help with involves pliers, wire cutters or something else? Will a black coated AO knife do that? I don't mean to be rude, but it sounds like your perception of a knife is Rambo like, and if you're going to be a mature police officer, looking professional should be first and foremost.
 
Obviously its up to you what you want to call yourself and to know the laws where you live. The setup that would use in your situation would be a KERSHAW BLUR, lots of options as far as blade shape, edge, color. It's a spring assist and whips right open, great size for almost all EDC chores. And usually only about $60.00. Also i'd do what some of the others have already posted and get a Leatherman Juice/or any multitool will work(lots of good choices). Between those 2 tools you should be able to handle most tasks. After FTO and probation then i'd worry about a blade as a backup weapon(weapon retention,etc). Best of luck!
 
I'd speak with your leadership in Explorers and see what is appropriate as far as a knife goes. It could be pretty specific and you don't want to stick out for a bad reason.
Right you want to stand out by your performance, ability to learn things quickly and your ability to take correction properly.
Don't focus on the gear too much right now.
You want the leadership/trainers you deal with to be talking about how sharp you look in uniform, how you have done the book work needed, what a great attitude you have, etc.

I understand your eagerness, cause the stuff we get to carry is COOL. NO DOUBT about that.
I like to joke with people that Batman had a yard sale !
You'll get there.
 
I wouldn't worry about the black coating, unless you don't want it to show up on video:D. It's mainly going to see the same use any other person's pocket knife would see, except possibly vehicle extraction seat belt cutting and such. I once carried a CS large voyager tanto. The CS was carried because it's what I owned at the time, and cost me nothing, and a police officer's salary was barely enough to buy food! The tanto point sucked for everything and I'd never buy another tanto folder. Serrations would help in any rescue cutting. I would get a decent knife, nothing fancy, and try to avoid being too tactical at this point. If you show up with crazy gear, you'll end up being called "Tackleberry" the rest of your career:D You'll probably have to google that one. Anyway, good luck and keep your mouth closed and your ears open.
 
Most of the LEOs in my town carry Emersons or Benchmade Autos and I think 1 or 2 of them have cheaper CRKT M-16s that they seem to like. I think both Emersona and Benchmade have programs set up to deal with LEO/ Fire rescue departments that might save you a few bucks. Also pick up a real nice Pen that uses Fisher Space Pen refills those damn things will write just about anywhere from Under water to in outer space. Later on down the road once you have settled in with your new Job / lifestyle give rick Hinderer Knives a call and get a XM-18. They are affordable if you are a LEO because Rick will sell you a knife directly with out the HUGE markup you get on the secondary market.

Good luck and I hope you never need to write me a damned speeding ticket
 
Max- Please save up for a Strider Folder, like their SnG. This is more folder you'll ever need.
Rolf
 
Maxamillion_16 said:
Hey guys i am i Leo in training and am looking for a good quality folding knife. I have narrowed it down to a couple but am open to suggestions. It has to be assisted opening, it has to have a Tanto blade, and it has too have a black coating on the blade. I am looking at either the Sog Flash 2 Tanto black Tini blade. Or the Sog Aegis Tanto black Tini blade. It also has to be under 70 bucks. I also would like too Edc the knife. I think these two would be good choices.



Please reply with suggestion, comments.
Thanks, Max
Click to expand...

Would you like serrations with that?
 
Maxamillion_16 said:
Thanks for the replys, and I have decided it doesn't have to be tanto or have a black coating, I am trying to decide between a drop point and and tanto point. Any suggestions? And I have decided on the Aegis.
Click to expand...

Dude, don't get the aegis. Anything by kershaw or spyderco in your price range will be a million times better.
 
If I were a cop I'd carry a RAT-1. Affordable, quality, easy to sharpen and if I lose it or it breaks, no big deal. Now if my department provided a knife, well that's a different story altogether.
 
I'll second Kershaw or Spyderco. One of my favorites though is the Hogue. It's a little over your price, but worth it. I would avoid SOG and Cold Steel knives
 
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