LEO knife suggestions

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!!

I think I will throw my old Leatherman on my belt (or find a way to attach it to the LBV) and see how often it gets used.
I may also try the ebony 110 in the leather sheath on my duty belt sometime... But my belt always feels so crowded, real estate is a premium. We will see...

For an update: I tried out about 20ish knives at the shop yesterday (and looked at about 100 behind the glass) - Mostly SOG, Cold steel, spydercos, benchmades...

My favorites I tested:

- Benchmade Barrage (assisted). It seems like a basic and well functioning knife.
- Benchmade shootout - if the blade wasn't cerakoted to look like baby food... Cleaning it seems like a bit of a chore.
- Spyderco para 3 (I loved this one) - the size was perfect, and opening it is second nature after having the para 2 for so long.
- SOG pentagon (but only as a weapon) - or something like this.
- (the Benchmade bugout feels like a $120 plastic utensil - not a fan for duty use)

I didn't realize how much I like the "Spider-hole", very easy to open with gloves. I tried to like the cold steel knives... But they didn't have any there that spoke to me.

I haven't needed a knife for a backup weapon (🤞), a nice and justified knee thrown (or 3) and good backup sure takes the starch out of a scumbag - but the idea of a fixed blade behind the mags is a neat idea.

Still undecided. Waiting to see if there will be any 4th of July sales. Leaning toward the Para 3.
 
Rubythroat said:
I didn't realize how much I like the "Spider-hole", very easy to open with gloves. I tried to like the cold steel knives... But they didn't have any there that spoke to me.
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I am with you, with or without gloves. It's more controlled and positive for me than many/most thumb studs and disks. That's just my reality from carrying folding knives of different designs for almost 45 years... Spydercos since the late 80s. I have owned/carried/handled folding knifes that "felt" stronger but the Spydies strike a good balance between practical strength, weight, and quality, along with that positive deliberate opening motion. Also, I only use the thumb and control it the whole way-I do not "flick" it.
 
I agree about the spyderhole, it is the most positive opening method that I have found to deploy a folding knife especially in a high stress situation such as a rescue.

I avoid “super steels” in working folding knives and periodic touch ups keep them sharp. I prefer ease of sharpening to edge retention but ymmv there. 8CR is fine for law enforcement/search and rescue use. Plain edge is more convenient for me.

I usually have a second knife on me and a third in my war bag along with a multi tool and sak.

I like the stainless police because it is a robust knife with a time proven lock and opening method. I take some jewelers files and put about 30 notches in the grip and that aids in retaining the knife with slippery hands. The steel is fairly soft and it takes about 45 minutes to finish. With the Police i dont have a preference for an edge style, i currently carry a used SE that someone (professionally) ground into PE.

For an automatic I like the AFO 2 or the Infidel but i would use them solely as a defensive weapon for my offside.

I keep a blunt tipped serrated spyderco or byrd in my war bag for SAR operations primarily and a large m-tech fixed blade that i won’t cry over losing or breaking (for the times when a chopping or prying tool is needed, again primarily for SAR ops)

In the winter i often go to a long bladed folder on my offside that would penetrate heavy winter clothing. This past winter it was a 13” Cold Steel Ti-Lite.

I like my Paramilitary but it is in storage now and the Tenacious is close to the same specs for half the price.

I don’t carry all of this at once but i am not a police officer and have much wider latitude with my kit.
 
eveled said:
I recommend the same thing. Its a brilliant design. I’ve carried one for years at work.
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How is the TDI sheath for retention? I have not handled or carried mine in a decade- i do remember a case where a police officer was stabbed in the throat with his own TDI when the suspect gained control of it. The department determined that it was not safe and prohibited the carry of fixed blades after that incident. I will have to do some digging to find it.
 
The original sheath is ok. I had a better kydex one made for it.

The design makes it very hard for the knife to be used against the person holding it.
 
eveled said:
The original sheath is ok. I had a better kydex one made for it.

The design makes it very hard for the knife to be used against the person holding it.
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I sometimes use a push dagger mounted horizontally for access with my off hand- i could never get comfortable with the TDI grip vs a conventional push knife.
 
Cold Steel. You may not like them but the triad lock models are offered in a large variety of sizes, weights, and designs as well as price. They have the best locks and are generally serious no nonsense designs. Pick according to what kind stuff you anticipate using it for.
 
Even though an automatic the benchmade mediator is a great choice. You can find some occasionally for sale here at $200 or less especially the discontinued combo blade. S90V steel. Great contoured G10. All blacked out. It’s a great knife. Very lightweight and disappears in pocket. Reverse tanto blade is tough. Similar to the benchmade osborne
 
It's already been mentioned but you should try Bucks newish 110 and 112 slim series knives. They're great.
 
Don't know if it's been brought up, but the microtech Ultratech line of knives, automatic opening for the stressful situations, easily retractable without putting your fingers in the path of the blade, one handed open/closing, low profile, and a glass breaker as well.
 
If you decide on any folder, ensure that the lock is tight and will not fail. Most modern folders are of good quality and don’t have this issue, however I see too many cops, firefighters, and EMTs carrying total POS tools that were either purchased at a swap meet because they looked cool or were given to them by someone who didn’t know better that are just trips to the Emergency Room waiting to happen.

If I were to go back “on the road” (I was a firefighter/EMT and a Reserve Police Officer) I would choose a Cold Steel Lawman and a Leatherman Wing man as my tools of choice.
 
While I enjoy OTFs, I won’t carry one on duty, and would never suggest one for my fellow LEO’s. That said, I do know a few who carry them.
 
Honestly I'd say just look around at cold steel and find one that you feel suits you with their wide variety of knives from common use to more preferable for combat/self defense
 
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