Military or police/firefighters

M.FREEZE

M.FREEZE

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Dec 13, 2012
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What do guys or gals like you prefer when it comes to a fixed blade knife? What is a priority and what aspect of the knife can " take a back seat?"
Please respond with the following:
Ideal blade size/shape
Handle shape- does it need contours for the fingers?
Handle material
Steel preference- stainless or carbon steel?
Edge sharpness- steep or wide angle of sharpness?
Does corrosion resistance matter ?
 
How do you plan on carrying a fixed blade while on duty? There are several types that are applicable to different styles. I carry a Cold Steel Peace Keeper II on my SWAT plate carrier. It comes with a plastic sheath, which is paracorded through the Molle in an inverted position. That's not exactly practical for every day patrol carriers though. Are you looking for a small fixed blade for your belt? Like a claw style or something? Or maybe a neck knife to wear under your uniform as a last resort weapon...? Or a boot knife? Or maybe all of the above..? As you can see there are a lot of considerations.

For patrol style work I'd prefer something a little more concealable for a fixed blade because chances are it's a last resort weapon. I personally would not wear a fixed blade on my gun belt for several reasons: the only real place to put it is opposite your gun side, most likely toward the front. Someone looking for a fight will focus on your gun belt because they know everything that can hurt them is coming from there. A handle sticking out of a plastic sheath would be the first thing I would go for if I was a bad guy...especially knowing most officers will first protect their gun side. Chances are the retention won't be very secure and during a scuffle or wrestling match it's a liability...sure, it may be easily accessible for you..but that also means it is for the bad guy.

A pocket knife will handle all the EDC responsibilities during normal duty, so for a fixed blade I'd just worry more about what is comfortable and convenient and what you'll actually keep putting on every day. If you get something large, uncomfortable or cumbersome it doesn't matter what the steel or edge style is because you'll quit wearing it. I never wore a fixed blade on patrol, but if you could find a comfortable boot knife, that would probably be a good bet. Sorry I don't have a good suggestion on the actual knife...but once you narrow down the type there are plenty of people here to help you pick one out.

And this is all different for firefighters and military I'm sure...
 
I haven't carried a fixed blade on duty since ETSing and then it was a traditional Ka-Bar. On patrol I do carry two folders, a primary and a hold out. I do keep a fixed blade in the cruiser though. Up until recently it was that same Ka-Bar but I've switched to a SURVIVE! GSO 5 in Elmax. It is used generally for finishing deer that don't need to be shot. Good luck with your decision.
 
I never carried a fixed blade while active, Always a folder.

I really wish I could be more helpful but couldn't say from personal experience. A lot of infantry types carry fixed blades. Perhaps some will chime in with some insight.

I think Tango Down gave you some good advice. If you narrow it down and explain exactly what you would be using the knife for and what qualities your looking for there's a lot of folks that would be able to give you some good suggestions.

Best of luck!
 
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I keep a Ka-Bar TDI on my duty belt, but I couldn't tell you the last time that it was removed from its sheath. I carry a ZT 0550, and that it out all the time.I would just pack a neck knife, but during the summer here I think you could make g-10 rust!

DD
 
I have an ESEE 3mil that has a MOLLE attachment sold with it. This is very common for LEO's and military, and formerly was NOT sold to civilians.
Great knife.
 
I will take into account that you dont want a HUGE blade on you for EDC on patrol... (i'd suggest folders for edc duties ... such as a strider sng or smf .. which you prefer..which is also capable for SD usage..

Please respond with the following:
Ideal blade size/shape--not too big i'd max it out at 5 inches, or you just wont carry it.. i'd suggets a spear-blade..considering you'd be using it for last ditch effort of self def... (strider WP comes to mind..spear blade version)...no utility purposes ... just SD although its heafty...
Handle shape- does it need contours for the fingers?--well if you have gloves on your traction should be enhanced no matter what blade... its not necessary to have contouros, as long as it offers good traction in other ways..
Handle material---you might want paracord wrapped handle.. even when wet it provides amazing traction.. honestly if its wet its almost better traction lol!... with something like G10..if its wet/and a little muddy... traction will be lost...
Steel preference- stainless or carbon steel?--stainless wont rust..but carbon will be more easier to sharpen and carbon naturally gets VERY VERY SHARP...very easily.. if your leo.. i'd say nothing is wrong with either as you can go home and maintain the blade..so it wont rust..but if your infantry military i'd opt for stainless as you wont have to worry about maintaining it as much... + it will hold the edge longer than carbon will...
Edge sharpness- steep or wide angle of sharpness?really depends on you.. the steeper the angle the faster the edge will need resharpening but the SHARPER it will become...the wider angle will hold a blade for longer.. just not 1 AS Sharp as a steeper angle... (again it comes down to if you have the capability to re-sharpen your knife)... as a leo you will obviously.. but as a soldier im not so sure..
Does corrosion resistance matter ? really depends on your environment and where you live.. i used to live in a place in the medetterainian and i would go out at 4 am to hunt... by the time i got home at around 4-5 pm.... my carbon blades already started to rust... it was the sea salt in the air from the sea... that why it depends on where you live...

I hope this helps... and honestly man.. you might want to look into the Strider WP... its a solid blade all around.. its offered in clip-point ...spear point....or drop point... and only $175 new from dealer.. you can score 1 on here for less... and the sheath is pretty compact..

GOODLUCK!
 
I wear a Cold Steel Kobun in Carbon V on my vest straps, support side concealed. Worn it that way for years.
The only use it gets is when someone needs to cut something, and sees it hanging on my vest in the locker room...!
 
Majority of my career were these two....(yes, I know, the uniform is "old"...so am I!)

knives.jpg
 
The ESEE-3 would be a great choice. If you like a sharpened reverse edge, the '3 Clip Point has half the rear edge sharpened so that you can still get a good Fillipino grip with your thumb up the back of the blade.

The sheath that the ESEE-3 comes with has MOLLE clips that work very well, or you can use a large Teklok. This is a very flat, light knife that carries well on a vest or belt.

Sonnydaze said:
I have an ESEE 3mil that has a MOLLE attachment sold with it. This is very common for LEO's and military, and formerly was NOT sold to civilians.
Great knife.
Click to expand...

The only difference is that the SUPERSECRETSPECIALNINJALEOSWATSEAL version was marked "MIL". It is the same knife otherwise, anyone could buy an equally functional ESEE-3/RC-3.
 
Actually, ya... An Essee is on my short list.

If you're looking for an all around knife, tool, check out the Boker Cop Tool. Very useful and you'll probably find a lot more uses than a fixed blade. It's a pry bar style blade.... The belt sheath is a little pricey though.
 
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