I Notice many LEO Carrying Cheap Knives?

ponykid said:
Don't know where the concept of LEO not making much of a salary comes from. The state police in my state make $250,000/yr and there are a bunch on the hook for Overtime Fraud and trying to retire to keep their big old pensions intact . I do not believe they carry cheap knives cause they cant afford better. they just don't care about knives like most people do not. Now if its their personal vehicles then you will see the money being spent.
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My county sheriffs make from $28,000 to $36,000 a year gross income. NM State Troopers make $27,000 to $39,000 a year.
They deserve much more but regardless of money Leos are no more likely to be a knife enthusiast than an average civilian.
 
ponykid said:
Don't know where the concept of LEO not making much of a salary comes from. The state police in my state make $250,000/yr and there are a bunch on the hook for Overtime Fraud and trying to retire to keep their big old pensions intact . I do not believe they carry cheap knives cause they cant afford better. they just don't care about knives like most people do not. Now if its their personal vehicles then you will see the money being spent.
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What state pays that much for cops salary?????
 
skyhorse said:
My county sheriffs make from $28,000 to $36,000 a year gross income. NM State Troopers make $27,000 to $39,000 a year.
They deserve much more but regardless of money Leos are no more likely to be a knife enthusiast than an average civilian.
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Wow, that's terrible. I wouldn't risk my life for that shit salary. I can go work at best buy and make 35k with no skillset knowing I'll go home at the end of the day.
 
Cops don't get rich, nor are many paid appropriately, so many will not spend money on tertiary gear. Personally, I don't see a need to carry a Sebenza or super high dollar knife on duty, when a moderately priced Endura or CRKT can do an equal job. I've also lost several over the years, incl. a Protech TR3, Buck 110, Emerson Hardwear (was a crappy knife anyways), Benchmade Panther. Currently, I rotate either an Endura or a Benchmade AFO.
 
VernonRemington said:
ponykid, what state do you live in? I’m moving there and applying.
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jackknife said:
What state pays that much for cops salary?????
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When he said that I did a bit of googling and ran across a NYT article that said that cops and firemen in Cali can make close to 300k a year with over time because it's cheaper to give the folks overtime than to hire another person. Silicon Valley cops make the most in the nation at 119K a year followed ver closely by most other major cities so it's reasonable to see how with time and a half and holiday time to make that kind of money.
 
GermanyChris said:
When he said that I did a bit of googling and ran across a NYT article that said that cops and firemen in Cali can make close to 300k a year with over time because it's cheaper to give the folks overtime than to hire another person. Silicon Valley cops make the most in the nation at 119K a year followed ver closely by most other major cities so it's reasonable to see how with time and a half and holiday time to make that kind of money.
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Remember, though, how expensive California is...Average house is 1 million. One bedroom apartment...3000 a month. Gas is 4 bucks a gallon, sales tax 10% or more. 6 dollar bridge tolls (going up to 9 bucks in a few years), etc etc...
 
dano said:
Remember, though, how expensive California is...Average house is 1 million. One bedroom apartment...3000 a month. Gas is 4 bucks a gallon, sales tax 10% or more. 6 dollar bridge tolls (going up to 9 bucks in a few years), etc etc...
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I understand but the initial comment made me do some research.
 
The state I unfortunately reside in is Massachusetts . Just look up the State Police scandals . I have great respect for LEO and all 1st responders but this state is so corrupt its just disgusting.
 
I just read a March 2018 article stating 245 Massachusetts State Troopers made $200,000+ last year.
 
A friend of mine retired as a sergeant from our local police department. About two years before that, he was telling me that his retirement should be right around 75-80K.

All of the LEOs that I know don't care about what type of knife they have. One carries a nice little Kershaw that came from someone that he picked up.
 
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I carry both of these on duty. My 804 is my user/offdduty knife. I carry it on my strong side cargo pocket and the knockout goes on the support side since its assisted opening. I rarely use the 804 but I beat the knockout like it owes me money. A few guys at my department carry nice knives, I've seen two zt 350s, several Benchmades and even an Emerson. Most cops do just carry cheap Wal-Mart knives though.
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With some of the scum they deal with, a cheap knife makes a more appropriate "throw down" weapon...;)



:D
 
19-3ben said:
Of the cops I know who I have discussed it with, they told me that from a practical standpoint, the knives they carry were mostly "acquired" from crime scenes, seized cars, etc... They carry whatever was "free" to them. At least the ones I know...
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I hope they are ready for a session with Internal Affairs if they are ever caught doing so! And always remember, if IA ask a question...they ALREADY know the truth. They ask the question because if they catch you lying, its automatic termination, whereas, unless the supposed infraction is extremely serious, the punishment is USUALLY not termination! And..... the accused does not have the rights a citizen enjoys! 36 years LEO weighing in.
Unkei
 
ponykid said:
Don't know where the concept of LEO not making much of a salary comes from. The state police in my state make $250,000/yr and there are a bunch on the hook for Overtime Fraud and trying to retire to keep their big old pensions intact . I do not believe they carry cheap knives cause they cant afford better. they just don't care about knives like most people do not. Now if its their personal vehicles then you will see the money being spent.
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WOW, wish I had worked there! In Ohio, our LEO wages were passable. Retirement pay sucks even after 36 years on the job! Retirement insurance, which we pay for sucks also!
Unkei
 
Minnesota Man said:
Hey fellas, I work at a large convenience store and many Law enforcement officers frequent the place. I know almost all of them by name. I've made countless blue lives matter paracord bracelets and knife fobs for them. Most of the guys carry some form of multitool, mostly Leatherman. Often times old vintage ones. That's a different thread for a different sub- forum.....
I ask to see what primary knives they carry. It's almost always a beat up and a dull knife? I always offer to lend them a knife that doesn't mean anything to me overnight (a much better loaner than their EDC). While I sharpen, oil, tighten pivot or whatever is in my skill set for free. I'm happy to help out LEO anytime I can. They almost always say no, thank you it's a "pig sticker" or it's fine. I have known them for awhile plus their cops so they aren't concerned about me stealing.
My biggest question is why do they mostly carry Winchester, tac-force, Smith and Wesson, and countless Gerber Para-frames? I would imagine having a semi decent primary folding knife would be a priority. I'm not talking carrying a custom made with Damascus steel, woolly mammoth bone scales and a hand made cocobolo thumb studs. I mean a benchmade, spyderco, Cold Steel, ZT, or any other above average production knife? I know not all cops are automatically knife nuts but it seams like it would be a worthy piece of gear.
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Think, for a second, what a police officer uses a knife for at all, while on the clock...

Generally some use which would immediately destroy a nice edge/knife. Scraping, light prying, prying empties out of asphalt, etc.

Rare is the cop who wishes or has $400+ to spend on a knife for such uses, or even $150.
 
12 yrs an LEO... On shift I carry an old Benchmade Griptilian and a Leatherman. The Leatherman sees more use to be honest. Off shift is a different matter... Its either a small custom fixed blade or my CRK. Most of the guys I work with are amazed I "spent so much" on the Griptilian :) If they only knew how much I spent on the CRK or my customs...
 
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