Recommendation? Knife for a Police officer

19-3ben

19-3ben

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Jul 27, 2015
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A coworker of mine wants to get a knife for her husband, who is a retired CT State Trooper, and currently serving on a local town PD here in CT.

Here's what we're looking for:

NEEDS:
-Pocket clip
-Modern folder (with OHO/OHC)
-Locking
-Micarta scales, either linen or canvas, with preference to canvas.
-Roughly 3-4" blade
-Plain edge

Budget is going to be about $100-125 although that may be pushing it so let's try to keep it more budget conscious in the recommendations.

He does NOT need serrations, seat-belt cutter, glass breaker. He has specialized tools for such things.

He uses it for things like digging into car consoles looking for stashed drugs, cutting open evidence bags, and apparently cutting up his lunch... after cutting open evidence bags... which grosses out my coworker, so i don't know if he really does that or if it's just something he tells her for gits and shiggles.

If it matters to the recommendation, based on the clip shape, he wears BDUs at work.

So I'm thinking something strong enough to do a little light prying, like if he has to pop a door panel, but something that still cuts well enough to be good at cutting tasks. His current knife is apparently a 5.11 which is years old and beat to crap.

The problem I'm having here is the micarta scales... Many knives fit this description perfectly but they either have Aluminum scales, steel, or G10. I can find micarta scales on pocket knives, but it is always a traditional. I love traditional, but it's just not what he's looking for.

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head, is the C&C edition of the Buck 922, which has linen micarta and S30v. I have the knife and I love it, but a lintless micarta handle for those tasks? I question it.. ya know?
 
Looks good. As you say, there isn't a lot of choice with micarta scales! Will he be happy with 440-C? I don't have any Kizlyar Supreme knives, but I do have a Kizlyar fixed blade, which is great TBH.
 
I can think of a lot of knives that would suffice, but the micarta is an issue. A police officer already has a ton of stuff on his belt and a heavy knife is not a great thing to carry. I would get him a Spyderco Manix 2 of some sort. It will hold up to hard use and still does not weigh a ton. There are several online retailers that are offering special editions, though none have micarta. knifeworks.com has a version with 52100 carbon steel that has a DLC coating to prevent rust. It is tough as nails but easy to sharpen.

manix-2-52100.3.jpg


Here is my favorite with the back lock:
c101mbgp2.2.jpg

The spine is thicker on this one and the handle is a little thicker but because it is linerless G10 it is not heavy. It is a real tank!
 
jc57 said:
Being locked into micarta severely limits your options. G10 is essentially fiberglass micarta.
Click to expand...

Oh, I realize. He hates the feel of G10. Feels too plasticky to him.

I can understand that. he likes the more organic feel of micarta, and i can't blame him. I prefer it as well... Micarta on FB knives, we see aplenty, but I do wish we'd see more micarta on folders.

Before I totally give up and suggest she try G10 for him, I wanted to exhaust all options...

DocT said:
I can think of a lot of knives that would suffice, but the micarta is an issue. A police officer already has a ton of stuff on his belt and a heavy knife is not a great thing to carry. I would get him a Spyderco Manix 2 of some sort. It will hold up to hard use and still does not weigh a ton. There are several online retailers that are offering special editions, though none have micarta. knifeworks.com has a version with 52100 carbon steel that has a DLC coating to prevent rust. It is tough as nails but easy to sharpen.

manix-2-52100.3.jpg


Here is my favorite with the back lock:
c101mbgp2.2.jpg

The spine is thicker on this one and the handle is a little thicker but because it is linerless G10 it is not heavy. It is a real tank!
Click to expand...

Yup!!! If not for the micarta requirement, a Manix 2 would have been my very first suggestion! It's a wonderful sturdy beast yet comfortable and a great cutter... I know. I've had a few and I love 'em!
 
Another thing, there are some good custom scale makers out there. So, you could get a Spyderco Manix 2 or an Endura and send the knife to a custom scale maker and they can fix you up with micarta.
 
I would look at the Cold Steel offerings. While they don't have Micarta handles, they are incredibly tough and lightweight. Many of the police carry them around here (favorites: Amercian Lawman, and one of the versions of the Recon) and they serve well. Tough steel, very grippy clips that hold onto you gear belt when running, climbing and jumping, and well within your price range. You will see that some don't like the pocket clips because they are too grippy for them, but these were intended to be service knives and to be clipped to what ever they need to be clipped to in order to stay on the carrier's person. BTW, on my American Lawman, I adjust the clip tension and holding as I clip it to my jeans pocket (similar to BDU) and it took a whopping 10 minutes.

As a sidebar, an all Micarta handle seems to be pretty rare. G10 and Micarta are not the same animal, but they are related. Both are resin based impregnated material. True Westinghouse Micarta ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micarta) was a paper based material although now other materials are commonly used to make micarta. G10 is essentially fiberglass matting (or chopped) that is impregnated with resin, and the finishing of pressure and heat to form the product is different from manufacturer to manufacturer.

The point is that both would serve well, and in my personal experience they serve interchangeably. I would tend to look a the knife blade shape and its purpose if it had either of those handles.

Robert
 
In my day, before pocket clips were common, you carried on your uniform belt. I started with a Buck 110, and then later moved to a Gerber Bolt Action Folder, both in belt sheaths. Almost never used either of them, though perhaps policing is different these days, and I didn't need to cut up lunch. I had a briefcase in my patrol car where I kept whatever odd tools I might have needed. Screwdrivers make a better pry tool than a pocket knife.

Of the knives I own today, if I were to take one back in time with me 40 years, I'd take my ZT 0566 (which yes, uses G10). Good sturdy knife, good ergonomics for my needs.

And I'd keep an inexpensive paring knife that came with a blade guard in my briefcase for lunch-making, or an Opinel or Case Slimline trapper.
 
sharp_edge said:
Forget about micarta. Get a CS Recon 1.
Click to expand...

Great knife, and "forget about micarta" is nice in theory, but the wife came to me because I'm the "knife guy" and if anyone can find her what she's looking for, it's me. I loath the idea of "forget about micarta" since I'm trying to find the odd, less common beast here. There's a reason they came to me... If I was going to give up and tell him to get the thing he doesn't want but is easier to find, then what good is my input...
 
GEC 72 Cody Scout in micarta, locking blade.
May not be able to find one.
 
I'm probably going to catch a lot of hate on this one but
image.jpg
This kershaw 3160 meets all the requirements, solid knife for $20.
Knife and a dinner out all on budget
 
Last edited:
How about the KW exclusive BM Grip with the black paper micarta scales and M390 blade?

I have one and I Love the thing.

ETA: Ah, my suggestion is way over budget. Sorry. Still, the paper micarta scales are really nice.
 
Take a look at the Enzo Birk or borka. They'll be at the top of your price range but they fit all of the requirements. The Birk is a 3 inch liner lock, the borka is a 3.5 lock back.
 
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