Best type of folder for police work

[roughneck427]

Smudge, step over to the bali forums, lol, we'll teach ya about a strong folding knife.....
Happy New Years all

 

[Gryffin]

Now, I am not saying this in a mean way but I just don't consider Spyderco a combat knife.

Guess you've never handled a James Keating Chinook. Or a Jot Singh Khalsa. Or a Bram Frank Gunting. Or a Yojimbo. Or the Massad Ayoob. Or any of the other models designed in collaboration with some of the leading practitioners and instructors of edged-weapon combat.

 

[Slvgx]

Slvgx, it's ok to have your own opinion or to engage in intellectual arguement but why be so insulting?

Sorry if it came off a bit harsh, but I think you should do some searching on the forums.

I am not into MBC or SD, but from hanging around these forums for so long I've picked things up.

I never said anything about framelocks, even though I think if I wanted a lock of similar action I'd go with the Compression lock because it is a better design.

Really? I don't know which lockbacks you are thinking of? When I think of combat knives, I think of Airkat, Combat Elite, MercWorx, Microtech, MOD, Strider or R.J. Martin, Brian Tighe, or Darrel Ralph? AFAIK, they are all linerlocks and framelocks. I think that says something about the best lockup for the job. If lockbacks were superior, these manufacturers would use them. They are not avoiding lockbacks because they are an old, proven design... that would be nonsense.

Just because certain companies that target to hardcore users use a certain type of lock it means that lock is superior? I don't think so. Also, many other companies will not tell you what their liner lock is rated at. There is no universal system, and no company has to release this information. Most people here just say, "it locks up solid" or "locks up like a bank vault". None of this means anything. Another reason why many makers do not make lockbacks is because they are harder to refine. It is a lot harder for a custom maker to make a lockback vs. a liner lock (or frame lock). Some testing on these forums can be found by looking at some of Cliff's testing of liner locks and lockbacks. The liner locks tend to fail easier than lockbacks, and from various different ways. A lot of your questions about the locks would be answered by doing a search on the forums.

Some lockbacks resist accidental release better than others. Do you not understand that a lockback is more easily released by one's own hand (when improperly gripped during a struggle), without any torque or outside help at all.

There are also liner locks that can be disengaged by squeezing the handles tightly. My point is, you look on the forums for accidental closings on a lockback, and there are not many. I've been using lockbacks for years and ever had one even come close.

Now, I am not saying this in a mean way but I just don't consider Spyderco a combat knife.

Warren Thomas Karambit, Jot Singh Khalsa, Ronin, Lil' Temperance, Yojimbo, Gunting, Massad Ayoob, Chinook, Civilian, Matriarch, even the Manix is MBC rated. Many of those were designed by top MBC instructors for Spyderco.

I'm not going to write an essay about liner locks. It's been discussed too many times on these forums. Do a search.

 

[T.K.C.]

I don't think a Bali would be useful in a Law Enforcement environment at all. Nor would it be practical. I can just hear the sheeple complaining now!!

 

[Death's Head]

My first choice would be a fix blade. Something designed so it is difficult to remove from the hand. Karambits are fine if you are trained. I have read posts of people saying that knives with rings are dangerous because you could lose a finger. Basic self-defense teaches a person to avoid and escape basic holds like someone grabbing the wrist. A person who grabs the arm which you have your knife in will get seriously cut. It is just stupid for a person to do so and is asking to be cut. A knife like a karambit, or more so a Hideaway knife, will allow you to open your hand to grab someone without losing your weapon. I personally like the fastest folders like Emerson or Waved Spyderco. For police work, I would get the Emerson because of the choils. Choils are very important when using a knife for in a stabbing motion. But because Emersons are framelocks, I would be sure to maintain the knife well.

 

[Death's Head]

By the way, the karambit is just an example. If you are not trained in it, than I would not recommend it. Emerson makes karambits with straight blades that would not require much training to use. The are not really karambits because of their blades, but the ring is great for retention. I recommend some kind of training in knives, but in an emergency situtation, its better to have a knife with no training than no knife and training at all.

 

[DaTrueDave]

The best type of folder for police work will be the kind that you're not afraid to use to scrape registration stickers off of license plates/windshields, that can cut through plastic zip ties easily without even scratching someone's wrist, that can pick pebbles out of your boots and that will cut police tape quickly.

That said, I want to start carrying an assisted opening or automatic knife in my left front pocket specifically to foil a gun grab.

Cops will not be getting into a knife fight with anyone except in the rarest of situations.

 

[Porkchop3223]

Short and Simple! I used a Buck 110. Fits nicely in A 9MM mag pouch that matches the rest of your gear. It will cut flex cuffs, seat belts and the butt will smash a car window.

 

[proguide]

Never let a situation get out of control to the point of a knife fight. Don't you remember weapon retention and knife disarming drills (my arms were bruised for a week). Create distance and gain advantage through position. Number one rule is to come home safe.

 

[Jim Craig]

Smudge,

I am an LEO, and currently carry the Native in VG-10. It is excellent for the job, mainly due to it's light weight, and the good lock. I like to have the sharp tip, just in case. When I need to cut something close to someone like flex cuffs, shoelaces or a seatbelt, I just use caution. If the person is moving around, I get my Hatch gloves in there, and I'm ok. I just find so many uses for the point, that I don't like to give it up. You could get a third knife with a sheepsfoot type blade like the rescue, and have another knife with you.

I won't spend more than $100 CDN on a duty knife anymore. I lost my Microtech Lightfoot, my MOD, and a Smith & Wesson, all while on duty. And that sucked. I find the Native performs well, and is not too expensive. So far I am 300 % more likely to lose a knife than break one....

And I have never had a problem with the lock back.

My two cents..

 

[Live2cut]

The best type of folder for police work will be the kind that you're not afraid to use to scrape registration stickers off of license plates/windshields, that can cut through plastic zip ties easily without even scratching someone's wrist, that can pick pebbles out of your boots and that will cut police tape quickly.

That said, I want to start carrying an assisted opening or automatic knife in my left front pocket specifically to foil a gun grab.

Cops will not be getting into a knife fight with anyone except in the rarest of situations.

I would only add that you should be able to open and close the knife with one hand. Duty knives are hard use.