Help With 5.11 Knives

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Nephron44

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
979
Hey everyone!

I am looking at a few knives from 5.11 and can't find any reviews to support or deter my decision. Anyone have any experience with these? I will be using it for general EDC tasks and while on duty. Any help will be much appreciated! Thank you!

5.11 Wharn for Duty

http://www.511tactical.com/wharn-for-duty.html

5.11 DTP Knife

http://www.511tactical.com/dtp-knife.html

5.11 Prefense Courser 2.5 and 3.5

http://www.511tactical.com/prefense-courser-2-5-knife.html

http://www.511tactical.com/prefense-courser-3-5-knife.html
 
I can tell you from having had two of these knives gifted to me that they are cheap junk with handles that aren't very ergonomic for large hands. Your mileage may vary. For that kind of money, I'll take a Utilitac II or a RAT 1/2 all day long and twice on Sunday.
 
Quiet said:
I can tell you from having had two of these knives gifted to me that they are cheap junk with handles that aren't very ergonomic for large hands. Your mileage may vary. For that kind of money, I'll take a Utilitac II or a RAT 1/2 all day long and twice on Sunday.
Click to expand...

Which ones did you have?
 
The first 2 look like the ones that were being given away with an order from one of their dealers awhile back. It appeared that they were having a hard time moving them. I remember reading somewhere that they were functionally substandard but I don't recall where.
 
I only own the 5.11 Turani Karambit (s30v) and it is a very sturdy well made knife and blade.
I can't speak on any of their other Knives let alone their aus8...
 
Have you ever thought about going to a Spyderco Delica or a Native 4 or 5 ....???? Just an idea ~~ as that is what I carry 99% of the time and I have never had a problem.!** To each there own and you have live with it before you learn.!!*****
 
I do want to add; the first one, "wharn for duty," reminds me a lot of a cold steel "tuff lite," little wharny, which has gotten some high praise from a couple folks around here.

Now I'm no steel junky, nor am I an anti-china knife activist, but comparing the two;

hate 'em or not cold steel are known for a good quality aus8 batch, it was their flagship steel for years.
same price range
Same L/R hand clip option
Similar size
Made in Taiwan instead of China
Biggest difference is a tri-ad lockback (which is one of the strongest in the business), instead of a liner lock, if I had to choose between the two, it's a no brainer...
 
Nephron44 said:
Hey everyone!

I am looking at a few knives from 5.11 and can't find any reviews to support or deter my decision. Anyone have any experience with these? I will be using it for general EDC tasks and while on duty. Any help will be much appreciated! Thank you!

5.11 Wharn for Duty
Click to expand...

Have the 5.11 drt folder
http://www.511tactical.com/drt-folding-knife-plain-edge.html
Which shares a common handle design as the wharn for duty.
Can't fault it for what it is.
Ergonomics pretty much assured.
Hasn't failed or anything.
Just the thing for light task.
But I guess that's why I had gotten a side pick to deal
With the unexpected or possible failures if any.
http://www.511tactical.com/sidepick-plain-edge-159571.html
5.11 is not exactly the first name to pop up
When it comes to knives.
I guess it is an acquired taste.
 
The ones I have handled usually wind up in the hands of rookie police officers because they are made to look "tough". They don't seem to perform well, very heavy, and poor blade geometry. I know a lot of officers that were given these knives when they made a large uniform purchase. Most were not still carrying them a few months later. Similar performance to the Smith and Wesson knives that were being pushed so hard a few years back. Functional, but better options in their price range.

In the $30 to $60 price range there are much better options IMO.

If you shop around you can find the Spyderco FFG Endura, Cold Steel Code 4, Cold Steel Recon 1, Kershaw Blur and Spyderco Delica for under $60.
 
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