Good knife for a cop?

kamagong

kamagong

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My best friend's brother is going to graduate from the police academy in a couple of months. I want to get him a good knife for a graduation present, but I haven't really paid attention to the new designs that have come out during the past couple of years. Do you guys have any recommendations?

Requirements -
One hand opening capability
<$125
Relatively tough, as this is probably going to be used as a duty knife by a non-knifenut
 
There are a lot of good choices. If he's an NKP looking for "something" for duty EDC, I would imagine he's going to consider size and weight to be pretty important.

A folding duty knife like a Spyderco Delica 4 (FRN/VG10 version), a BM mini-Grip or mini-RSK, a Ka-Bar/Dozier spearpoint in D2, a Kershaw S30V blur, or one of the 5.11 folders might be something that he would actually carry and use.
 
I vote for a Rat Cutlery RC-3 -- they are really catering to the LEO market and doing a fine job of it.
 
Spyderco Endura with G-10 handle.:thumbup:
Solid enough, light enough, enough blade length, and slim in the pocket.
AND it fits the budget you provided, unlike some of the other suggestions.
 
How about a Benchmade 710 or Benchmade Rift. In Spyderco how about a Military. GOOD LUCK! Kevin :thumbup:
 
Has the g10 spyderco. police model came out yet?

If it has that would be the one I would get him...

If it hasn't than I'd get the regular spyderco. police model.
 
Hi,

This Dale has to agree with dalefuller, for a duty knife, size and weight is far more important then ant other aspect. Lighter and smaller is better.

Think about it. After strapping on a belt with a side-arm, spare mags, mace, cuffs, baton, radio, handcuffs, tazer, and a few other misc. items. Do you really want to find space for a something as large as a Spyderco Police? And then still be able to fit in a squad car, let alone run a suspect down.

Choose something with a 3" or slightly less blade, and as light as possible.

dalee
 
As a retired 20 year city copper (who has moved to the Fed side) I can tell you that the knife that I got the most use out of on patrol was a Victorinox Soldier. Your friend's brother is not going to need a knife as a weapon (I hope) that why you have a firearm and the option to carry a backup. What he is going to need is a tool that he can beat the hell out of. I mostly used a knife for scratching my initials into evidence like a seized firearm for example or cutting open seat cushions during a search, cutting off clothing of aided cases (injured people), cutting open the pockets of arrested heroin junkies (you don't want to stick your hand in there). I used the screwdriver as a pry on many occasions, I once cut a tranquilizer dart out of a pitbull. Interestingly enough I never had to cut a seatbelt, probably because I worked in the "inner city" and there weren't that many serious MVA's. So I would recommend the ultra sturdy, multi tasking, affordable and replaceable Victorinox Soldier. Just an old street cop's opinion.
 
I agree with scars, good experience there ;) I'd get him a set of SAKs, this way if he loses it, no biggie he has more, not a dangerous blade for someone to find and way more usable tools in it, and it's really light.
 
Spyderco Military? Tough, rugged knife. One-handed opening, easy one-handed closing.
 
Personally, I used a CE Emerson CQC-7 for yrs while in Patrol (Unwaved model, since it was well before that). I see nothing wrong with a waved CQC-7 & I think you can find them within your budget. However, a waved Delica/Endura CE would work just fine, but a G-10 version would be good, too. I've never been a big fan of Spyderco Delica/Enduras & I think it's the FRN & the fact that they didn't have a liner. The newer ones & of course, the G-10 models change that.

The ZT's are great, but they're a little big. Most Patrol guy clip their knife in their sap pocket (There's usually one on each side, below the back pockets). It's also normal to carry it weak side for use against a gun grab (Which is why a waved CQC-7 or Delica/Endura would be good). Autos aren't bad, but personally, I prefer simplicity & a waved knife will be open in his hand by the time he has the knife out.

Good luck with your choice.
 
I go with Scars. Small swiss army is great. He will be a rookie and maybe be subject to restrictive rules that will not allow him to carry certain knives ( In NYC Patrolman's Guide). Gun belts are fun to wear for about a month at best, so the lighter the better or as his leather gets warn in, a heavy knife will end up in the back of the locker.
 
I have a ZT 0200 and while it's a great, tough, ergonomic knife, I have to think it would be pretty large for a cop's EDC.

I think the versatility of a SAK is a good idea, but I don't know if you could count on it performing under tough conditions. How about something like a Wilson Tactical Coptool?

 
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