L.E. Duty Knife

wedgehead30

wedgehead30

Joined
May 16, 2003
Messages
20
Please excuse me if this is an old question. However I'm new to the forum and hope to gain some lessons learned from the members. I'm a police officer and I've carried a locking folder every day since I started 13 years ago. I've carried mainly Spydercos and for a short time a CRKT M-16 spear point. I'm looking to purchase a new duty knife to replace my well worn Endura. I've been leaning towards one of the Benchmade models with the AXIS lock system. What I'm looking for is a strong locking system, plain blade with good edge retention, and a moderate price $125 or less. I would appreciate any suggestions or past experiences.

Thanks,
Wedge
:D
 
My biggest advice is to choose what size blade you like, and handle the axis locks in that range. For example, I have a 710 and a griptilian for my main blades, I prefer the size and ergonomics of the 710, but find the lock to be much smoother and preferable on the griptillian. My brother enjoys the switchback for edc while I consider it a special occasion knife. Each person is different so hit up a knife shop or gun show and just handle different axis till you find the one you like. After you find that perfect axis, its hard to go back to other lock mechanisms.
 
Well wedgehead30 makes a good point it is all about the feel of the knife but it also depends on what you do with it.

Since you are a police officer I assume that it might just be a weapon of last measure on top of being a work tool. Tell us what you do with it and we can make a better recomondation.

Do you have the time to care for your knife. Is the blade often exposed to the elements. Is there a grip material you prefer.

Have you considered the option of getting an auto knife. Might be a bit more but what a piece.

Recomendations. 55X series 705 or 710 both great. 72X, 80X, 921, 94X.

For the priceof 125$ or less will not buy you much AXIS at BM.
The only two that fit here are the 705 and the 55X both great knives.

With BM it is always spend more get more and alot more too.

Good luck hope this helps a bit.
 
Take a look at the 940. I wish I'd bought this one a long time ago.

It's a flat design that'll stay out of your way until you need it and actually quite sturdy for it's size and weight. And like your old Spydie, it doesn't "look" like a tactical folder so most of the time, the public won't give it a second glance. It's kind of a purty knife so you might have to beat on it for a while to get it to look like a piece of "duty gear," but this knife can take it. The Axis lock is just plain handy--I've used one for a year and it's great.

edited to add: And there are plenty of vendors right here that can hook you up for just over $100. SK
 
how about trying the SOG Vision in G10? Do a search on this knife and you'll see lotsa good feedback. It's got SOG's arc-lock, great ergonomics and will come around $125 with some online dealers.

As for BM, try getting them from NewGrahamKnives? - I think I saw the AFCK in D2 for around $125...plus Mike Dye is real nice...
 
Hi and welcome. I am have been messing around with all sorts of knives over the past few years. On duty however I like my Spyderco Police with a Carbon fiber handle and VG-10 blade. I also swap around with my Benchmade 921.
 
I like the Spyderco and Cold Steel folders for duty. I've been carrying a Cold Steel on duty for the past few years, mostly because it's strong enough to take abuse and cheap enough to be expendable.
 
I have a carried a Al Mar SERE 2000 as my main duty knife for several years now and find it to be the pcik of the litter in stong folding knives in the price range you say, It is a liner lock but I have yet to see one fail and haev yet to see BM make a knife as solid as the SERE all around. The BM axis lock is very strong and very smooth and worth a look also. But I recommend the SERE 2000 as I awlays do :)
 
I just picked up a Benchmade 805 for that purpose. AXIS, G10, secure handle, general purpose blade. Less than $85 so if it gets lost or destroyed, I will not be too terribly upset.
 
Thanks for all the input. I just tried out a buddies griptilian and really liked it. I ordered one and I'm looking forward to getting it. From what I've read the 440C steel is a pretty good all around knife steel. I hope it's comparable to the AUS-8 of my spyderco which has held up pretty well. That's why I got rid of my CRKT M-16, seemed like I was always having to sharpen it and even then it wasn't that sharp. I see some additional knives in my near future. There's so many nice choices out there. Damm between guns, knives and musclecars it's a wonder I make my mortgage payment every month......... ;)

Thanks again,
Wedge
:D
 
I would look into the MT UMS like Horus mentioned. If you are a LEO, I would carry an automatic for the ease of use.
 
Steven,

Actually in a suprising number of places, not even LEO's can carry automatics as a duty piece. Many small towns have stringent laws about what can and can't be carried. I use to sell speed assists to a number of police officers in Hagerstown, MD because they couldn't carry automatics.

Pam
 
An auto is not a requirement for a LEO anyway you can open most any good knife with one hand just as easy and fast if not faster and no one looks at you funny for carrying it or thinks your somthing special, auto's are neat but have no advantage over modern opening knives.
 
Is there also a potential disadvantage to a push-button-only auto? If the opening mechanisim fails, and there is no manual method, is not the knife rendered useless? It might seem that unless the auto is D/A, a manual might be more "fail-safe".
 
I think you'll like the Griptillian. I often carry one, 550, as a duty knife. It is a good performer and the price is such that I don't mind using it.
 
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