I currently carry a Benchmade Auto as a duty knife. I really like the knife, but it has fired inside my pocket for the last time. I am looking for a good replacement. Ease of one handed opening is important. I have been looking at a Commander. Would this funtion well in this role (some general cutting/backup safety)?
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Commander
- Thread starter Branspop
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 8, 1998
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- 8,917
I am assuming that you are a Police Officer as you have used the term, "Duty Knife."
There are a couple of issues to discuss really.
Are you right or left handed? If you wish to maximize the potential of a Defensive Knife and you are carrying a Handgun, you really need to have the knife on the other side of your body so that when everything goes wrong and you have three toads on you fighting you for that Pistol, you have something else to give them for a present.
Most friends of mine that are Police Officers, the Commander will not work strong side because the Duty Holster is in the way and if they could get it out fast, they would probably slice the leather up, etc.
I know that your belt is probably already crowded a bit, but have you considered putting a folder in your off side pants pocket and then putting the Benchmade in a Folder Sheath on your Duty Belt?
I draw a very strict, unbending line between Utility and Defensive Weapons.
I think the knife you carry to aid you in retaining the firearm must be as sharp as it can possibly be, period. No debate there. It has to be, nothing else will suffice when you need it.
That is just a start, we need to have an active exchange involving how tough the material is on your Uniform, because the Wave Opening on the Commander can be absolute hell on some material, etc.
Like I said, this is a start.
There are a couple of issues to discuss really.
Are you right or left handed? If you wish to maximize the potential of a Defensive Knife and you are carrying a Handgun, you really need to have the knife on the other side of your body so that when everything goes wrong and you have three toads on you fighting you for that Pistol, you have something else to give them for a present.
Most friends of mine that are Police Officers, the Commander will not work strong side because the Duty Holster is in the way and if they could get it out fast, they would probably slice the leather up, etc.
I know that your belt is probably already crowded a bit, but have you considered putting a folder in your off side pants pocket and then putting the Benchmade in a Folder Sheath on your Duty Belt?
I draw a very strict, unbending line between Utility and Defensive Weapons.
I think the knife you carry to aid you in retaining the firearm must be as sharp as it can possibly be, period. No debate there. It has to be, nothing else will suffice when you need it.
That is just a start, we need to have an active exchange involving how tough the material is on your Uniform, because the Wave Opening on the Commander can be absolute hell on some material, etc.
Like I said, this is a start.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 1999
- Messages
- 3,180
I tend to agree with Don. Utility is utility and a defensive knife is a defensive knife.
One word (actually four) of advise on carrying a knife with duty gear on . . . "support side rear pocket".
You will NOT find a folder faster to deploy then a Commander or other waved design. Faster even then an auto. I highly recommend them.
Edit:
I should also mention that a right handed Commander deployed from the left side comes out in an "Ice Pick" hold.
John
[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 01-11-2001).]
One word (actually four) of advise on carrying a knife with duty gear on . . . "support side rear pocket".
You will NOT find a folder faster to deploy then a Commander or other waved design. Faster even then an auto. I highly recommend them.
Edit:
I should also mention that a right handed Commander deployed from the left side comes out in an "Ice Pick" hold.
John
[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 01-11-2001).]
I carry a Commander strong side, front pocket on duty all the time. I carry a Glock 22 in a SSIII holster and have NO problem with the knife clearing my duty gear and holster. My uniform pants pockets open on a slant, so the knife sits well below my belt. I don't know whether any duty pants are made with horizontal opening front pockets, but it obviously wouldn't work then. If the pocket opens along the vertical line of the pants stripe, it should work just fine.
The only problem I have had is that the pommel is so pointed it has worn clean through all layers of material down to my skin. I guess I will either get the pommel blunted a little or stitch on a heavy piece of canvas or leather to protect my britches.
-Scott
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Usual Suspect In Training
The only problem I have had is that the pommel is so pointed it has worn clean through all layers of material down to my skin. I guess I will either get the pommel blunted a little or stitch on a heavy piece of canvas or leather to protect my britches.
-Scott
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Usual Suspect In Training
Yes, I am a police officer. I carry my knife in my right side pants pocket (I am left handed). Weapon retention is the main reason I keep it there. I don't really do too much utility work. I am not a hard user on knives. More occasional than anything else.
What exactly is the wave?
What exactly is the wave?
Branspop,
I asked the "what is the wave?" question a few months ago. I think the post was titled, "I didn't catch the wave". You could probably search the site for it. I think it was John who posted a lovely clip of how exactly the wave works.
Check it out!
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Ors, SMT
"In the end, there can be only one"
"Paranoia is just reality on a finer scale"
I asked the "what is the wave?" question a few months ago. I think the post was titled, "I didn't catch the wave". You could probably search the site for it. I think it was John who posted a lovely clip of how exactly the wave works.
Check it out!
------------------
Ors, SMT
"In the end, there can be only one"
"Paranoia is just reality on a finer scale"
- Joined
- Feb 3, 1999
- Messages
- 3,180
What exactly is the wave?
john
john
- Joined
- Feb 3, 1999
- Messages
- 3,180
As you might guess, I draw mine more then the average fella.
When I'm not working, I wear Royal Robbins Bluewater shorts or 5.11 pants. I have a couple of dozen pairs. None show wear, but they are heavy canvas.
At work I wear shorts made from a nylon material (like medium weight fishing shorts, made by "Sportif". After about two years, the right pocket is getting a bit frayed. But their due for replacement due to just plain wear anyway.
Overall, there is some wear, but it's not unacceptable at all.
John
When I'm not working, I wear Royal Robbins Bluewater shorts or 5.11 pants. I have a couple of dozen pairs. None show wear, but they are heavy canvas.
At work I wear shorts made from a nylon material (like medium weight fishing shorts, made by "Sportif". After about two years, the right pocket is getting a bit frayed. But their due for replacement due to just plain wear anyway.
Overall, there is some wear, but it's not unacceptable at all.
John