Best knife for LE

T

thomas.cory.5

Joined
Jun 15, 2015
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Currently have a few: CRKT M16 and M21, CRKT boot knife, and a few others.

Kinds curious if any other LE are on here, what they carry on/off duty, and the rationale behind it [emoji1]

And yes I am looking for another knife to add to my collection. Requirements: folding, less than $100, prefer tanto blade, black in color.
 
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On duty a Benchmade 810 Contego and a Leatherman in a pouch on my belt. The Leatherman comes in handy quite often. Seems I always needing a screwdriver for something. The Contego has never been used for a darn thing, which I guess is a good thing. I carry it only as a backup weapon to my sidearm and backup gun. If i need to cut a package or some rope I use the Leatherman. The Contego was a gift and it seems fitting for carry on duty, but it is not a knife I would have bought for myself. Its a beast of a folding knife. For many years I carried a Case Trapper or a Leatherman as my only blade on duty.

Off duty a Victorinox of some sort, usually a Tinker or Farmer. I may or may not also have a Griptillian on me depending on what I am wearing. The Contego and the Leatherman are a bit much to carry off-duty.

I often carry a Gerber Guardian clipped inside my shorts when heading to the gym or the pool and can't carry a firearm. Its rare that I don't have a firearm on me outside of the house, so in that case I like having a concealable fixed blade on me for self defense.

Outside the city limits I almost always have a Mora no 1 around my neck backed up by the Farmer or a one hand Trekker. Locking pocket knives with clips are not my thing I guess. I only own two, the Contego and Griptillian.
 
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On duty I carry a Buck CrossLock Deputy [now discontinued] but are still available on EvilBay and an Original Leatherman

Off duty, I carry a KABAR Dosier Design

http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...k=dozier&wnDESCRIPTIONdatarq=bobcat&a=folder&

KA4062ZG.jpg


but for your Tanto blade request:

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...ife-3-38-inch-Black-Tanto-Blade-Green-Handles

KA5698nw.jpg


Or you can carry a KABAR Mule:

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...uty-folder-ii-4-tanto-combo-blade-g10-handles

KA3065n.jpg




and a Gerber Flik:

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/GB01638/gerber-flik-one-handed-opening-multi-tool-black

22-01638.jpg
 
Currently on duty I carry a Benchmade grip tanto in my left pocket and usually switch between a Benchmade Stryker auto or my Sebenza 25 in my right pocket. Occasionally my Medford Pretoria G will also get some on duty pocket time. I also swap between a Microtech combat troodon SE and a Ultratech DE.
 
When I worked patrol I carried a Cold Steel recon in tanto. It was a great knife and I still carry it; however, after workings special UC assignment the last three years I ve carried some of my mid techs. Ultimately just buy a event knife from a reputable company with good customer service and warranties.
 
You can get an all black Kershaw Blur with a glass breaking tip for around $60-70.
Great blade steel for a non-super steel, fast assisted action, and still has that potentially handy extra on the job tool.
 
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Not a cop, but check out the HK 14715. I have been eyeballing it for a few months. Lots of knife for $100.
 
On a side note, I got my son-in-law a Spyderco Endura with the WAVE feature. He tells me it's a good knife. The wave feature can come in handy if you need it quickly...to open a beer. Emerson has sold a heck of lot of knives,...DUE to this feature alone. Apparently, it sold well to Seals...
 
Jesus guys, I'm on about 20 different forums ranging from: guns, cars, motorcycles, diy, etc and ive never had this strong of a response and so quickly. Once I get about a solid hour of free time I'll look into all the knives everyone suggested, and most likely come back with some more questions, thanks for everyone's quick responses!
 
thomas.cory.5 said:
I've narrowed it down to these 3 knives:

Spyderco Delica or Tenacious

Benchmade Mini Griptilian

Lettuce discuss!
Click to expand...

I really like the Delica and the Mini Grip, but for a duty knife I would really like to see you go with the Endura or the Griptillian. I like a little larger knife for carry on duty for many reasons.
 
thomas.cory.5 said:
Jesus guys, I'm on about 20 different forums ranging from: guns, cars, motorcycles, diy, etc and ive never had this strong of a response and so quickly. Once I get about a solid hour of free time I'll look into all the knives everyone suggested, and most likely come back with some more questions, thanks for everyone's quick responses!
Click to expand...

We care more than most. That thin Blue Line must never be crossed :)


thomas.cory.5 said:
I've narrowed it down to these 3 knives:

Spyderco Delica or Tenacious

Benchmade Mini Griptilian

Lettuce discuss!
Click to expand...

Not a fan of the mini myself but others may love them:

[video=youtube;BF0BWzRBPTs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF0BWzRBPTs[/video]

Given your list, I'd pick the Tenacious over the Delica. Reason, personal preference. Tenacious is larger...I just like it more.

It's not on your list but I like the Endura 4 over all others myself...

[video=youtube;XgnNQBlkbfU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgnNQBlkbfU[/video]
 
Check out the Kershaw Emersons, you get the basic Emerson design features (wave) at a much more affordable price but still using decent steel and with good manufacturing. At $30 or so, it won't be a big loss if (when) you break or lose it.

I'm not a LEO, but my younger brother is an 1811 with a well known 3 letter agency and he carries a Spyderco Resilience in a pocket on his plate carrier he wears for raids. It is mainly intended as an emergency tool and to open up packages of the nation of Colombia's chief export product, which he sees on an almost daily basis.

I have joked to him before that the $45 Resilience is probably worth more like $100 now if you count the residue that's probably on it!
 
Mini Grip, Delica, 940 and PM2.
18264246444_7f0c643241_z.jpg


Delica > Mini Grip. The handle is better, but the Grip is no slouch.
I included the two at the bottom because I think they may be better options. I prefer the 940 to the PM2, because it's way smaller and easier to carry. My knives share a pocket w/ my wallet, and the PM2 is cumbersome. Though most will tout its ease to carry.
 
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