Best Police Duty Knife??

I was a UK LEO for 30 years. I never needed anything more than my Victorinox SAK, though a multitool of the Leatherman/Gerber type would also be of great use. Carry one or the other, not both.

You are already carrying pounds of kit. Don't be tempted to add to it by lugging around a big, heavy knife which will do a fraction of what an SAK will do, and at only ten times the cost!

If you must carry a conventional knife, choose a small, inexpensive folder. I'd suggest something along the lines of a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. Pick a distinctive, unusual colour. I'd recommend pink! This will make it more obvious if you drop it, or if it ends up in a colleague's pocket... ;)

As for self-defence with a knife, don't even consider it. I can't recall any instance where an LEO has used a knife to defend himself. The hundreds of dollars you'd spend on a Strider or Busse would be more usefully spent on an anti-meteorite hat!

maximus otter
 
I spent a couple of years on a city PD in Colorado and never needed anything more than my Victorinox tinker.

With the wieght of a Smith and Wesson model 64, three HKS speed loaders, mace, stick, cuffs, back up gun concealed, Safariland vest, I had all the weight I wanted, let alone weapons.

Use a knife for SD and you are apt to find yourself in the State Atorneys office on charges. Cutting seat belts? a sak does it just fine.
 
Not too long ago I picked up a Benchmade 722SBT (Black Class, G-10 version) for something a little smaller than the 910 I was carrying. Been with me ever since and a great knife.

One thing I really like about this one is how easy it carries. Nice rounded corners on the handle and a sturdy blade. Don't even notice it clipped in my front pocket--especially when seated in the car. Favorite duty knife...............so far! 942SBT off duty.

I've never been too crazy about autos. I have always been concerned about them deploying at the wrong time in the pocket, but some Officers do carry them.

My only other advice about a duty knife is to pay attention when handling suspects. The knife will probably never be used for a self-defense situation (never say never?!), but you'll be handling prisoners all the time. Don't let some joker snatch that thing (depending on how you carry it) and force you into a deadly force scenario--especially if the original crime was something like shoplifting. This could be a bad thing in the long run and a sticky situation best avoided. SK
 
what about the kershaw blur. rounded nose for cutting seatbelts or clothes and a glass breaker in the handle. it also has assisted opening which is fun to play with and really helps in one handed opening
 
The DOD guy that recommended the Delica was on to something, great knife (what I EDC) and very light. Though for a LEO, I'd recommend his big brother, the Endura, same design, very light, but with a 4in blade, can't go wrong with one. Though I'd still check out a Strider, Buck/Strider, Chinook II, Manix, or AFCK:)
 
My son's a LEO here in Canada and he carries and alternates a pair of CRKT LE models. Seem to work well for him.
 
Never rule out possible need for a SD knife. A GUN can jam (esp. a Glock, no flames please), or even misfire, but a sharp knife will always work. It seems we've limited our discussion so far to folders, and folders are good, but while you're looking check out the Camillus Cuda CQB fixed blades, not much larger/heavier than some of the folders already mentioned, either a 4 or 6in 154cm blade, combo or plain edge, also the knife carries in a Kydex sheath with a Tek-Lok which can even be positioned for inside the waistband. The only carry knife I can think of that may be better for SD is Boker's Applegate-Fairbain, but I like the CQB better overall:) Good luck, and let us know what you end up with.
 
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