Question: LEO's, please, for knife preference

Sonnydaze

Sonnydaze

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Jul 6, 2009
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Hi,
I have this son-in-law cop, works patrol, who's a big horse of a guy, 6'4", maybe 270# and SWAT and Firearms Instructor, with 20 yrs on the force. I want to get him a knife.
What would he like (be able to use) the most?

Strider SMF
ESEE 3mil version with MOLLE
ZT 561 (Elmax)
Spyderco Endura with Glock take-down tool-punch (Lone Wolf collab)

or a combination of a couple of these? Keep in mind that there's an off-duty component to this also... I can give him a couple (good son-in-law).

Thanks. I've been thinking about this for a while, but you guys already know this stuff.

Sonnydaze
 
Strider or ZT 561, ......just going by what I would prefer. Personally hate gimmicky combination items, and my department has a "no fixed blades" policy. Even if they didn't, mounting a fixed blade takes up "realestate" on either a
Vest or belt......just prefer folder while on duty, but fixed while off. But at the cost of the SMF, there is the chance of losing it and the "cost" of replacing it. I stopped carrying my Sebenza, just if it did get lost on duty for one reason or another, at my wage, it would be DIFFICULT to replace it. Since then sold it and got a ZT300 blem for 125. Also carry a Severtech Auto occasionally......
 
Gravelface, thanks for your reply. You gave me good information. Strider or ZT561 it will be. I won't take a chance on a "no fixed blades" policy.
Stay safe, thanks for your service.
Sonny
 
Or give him the cash and let him order an XM-18 from Rick. Sounds weird for a gift, but he'll appreciate the knife, and the value.
 
Strider SMF or Emerson Super cqc-8 Or Super Roadhouse If you want to get him a big blade, If the blades too big on the emerson super models check out the regular models or get the SMF I carry mine daily and it's the strongest folder I've ever owned or held, And even with a blade thickness of .190 that cpm 154 slices like a laser.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Or give him the cash and let him order an XM-18 from Rick. Sounds weird for a gift, but he'll appreciate the knife, and the value.
Click to expand...

Forgot about that he can get a hinderer for 375.00 bucks , That would pretty cool and you could be like get me one too at that price!
 
I say let him get a Hinderer.

If not, Strider SMF all the way. It's a big tough hard use blade but can handle the small stuff relatively well too. Oh, and they're really light considering how big and beefy they are.
 
Personally id go with the 0561. A guy his size probably has big mitts, so a proper sized knife is a must. I dont know where hes at, but if the weather gets cold, then the knife must also fit his hand while wearing winter gloves. the flipper is also easily operated with gloves. Only thing i dont like about it is the deep carry clip, which in my experience can be a hassle to get out of a pocket while wearing gloves.

Id also ditch the fixed blade for the reasons mentioned. Besides a folder has many more carry options ie. front pocket, cargo pocket, shirt, external carrier, etc.

I know you didnt mention it, but another knife worth looking at is the Benchmade Contego. Its got a great handle, M4 blade, carbide glass breaker in a stainless backspacer, axis lock and a tough as nails construction.

By the way....You always hear the argument "get something cheap for a cop, cause he might lose it, lend it out, etc". Thats bull. A good cop takes care of his equipment. He doesnt go around losing his flashlight/cuffs/extra mags/radio/etc, and his knife isnt any different. Your partners, your own and the publics health and safety depends on your professionalism and most cops (should) know this, so dont worry about him carrying a expensive knife.

If something ends up lost, then he probably had more serious things to think about that particular instant.

Oh, and he might be a good son-in-law but you sound like a good guy too. Heres a virtual pat on the back :D

ETA:
I carry a Benchmade rescue hook and a Leatherman Wave on my belt. Ive got several folders on rotation. My favorites are the Pohl Force Bravo 2, Benchmade Contego and Triage, Spyderco Endura and Extrema Ratio BF2 Pitbull.
 
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I'd lean towards the endura. It is not a fancy knife, but it is a workhorse that will get the job done. For the price of some of the other knives listed he could have a few endura's and some trainers.

Of course the winning strategy would be to buy the hinderer, flip it here for twice the money, then buy the endura's and trainers with the profit. :cool:
 
Personally a knife is pretty personal as a tool in a cops arsenal. I don't keep my knife to cut zip ties, or bundles of dope. We have pliers and cutters in out patrol bag. My knife has to be able to be deployed one handed, as it could be used for weapon retention, or hold up some one while they dangle from a rope, seatbelt, etc. I have a microtech scarab on my weak side for these purposes. I'm buying a Hinderer flipper that should be here next week. I think the spanto blade and flipper will serve a great one handed knife as well. A big guy with gloves will have a hard time using finite motor skills during a stressful situation. Big buttons, big flippers, tend to work best.
 
Take a look at the Spyderco Police 3. Mine goes on fire calls with me, and I know several LEO's. So far I have converted two of them into carrying the Police 3. :)

All the firefighter knives are cheap Chinese crap. :( Have to carry a police knife.
 
I ride a desk for a living and get tired walking to the fridge, but, here's my 2 pence. Can you take him to a local knife shop and let him pick out what he wants?
 
Another vote for the Spyderco Assist. I carry one every day on duty. 1) super tough knife 2) VG-10 is great blade steel 3) big, beefy, grippy handle 4) huge hole and a "hood" on it for use with gloves 5) glass breaker tip in back 6) designed to cut rope using the handle and blade.

When I got mine it was and has continued to be super sharp. The Spyderco serrations cut like a chain saw.

All in all it is an incredibly practical knife for duty use. I have Sebenzas and Striders, and a XM-18 on the way, but the Spyderco is incredible and reasonably affordable.

P.s. been on 16 years and I have carried a ton of different knives. This is my "current" favorite. :-)
 
If he were my son in law i would get him two knives: a fixed blade (if allowed) on weak side for weapon retention, something like the Kabar TDI, and also a Spyderco Assist or Rescue for seatbelts, nooses, and zip ties.
 
Bill1170 said:
If he were my son in law i would get him two knives: a fixed blade (if allowed) on weak side for weapon retention, something like the Kabar TDI, and also a Spyderco Assist or Rescue for seatbelts, nooses, and zip ties.
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The Kabar TDI is an incredibly dangerous knife. Its carried on the duty belt in plain view without any form of built-in retention. It doesnt take much skill for an offender to grab the knife and use it against the officer. Id strongly advise any LEO against carrying the TDI or any fixed blade in plain view.

Back in 2010 a officer from the Austin Police Department found out first hand how dangerous it can be. The officer chased a offender down on foot. He caught up with him and a fight ensued and the offender was able to grab the officers TDI and slash his throat, severing his cartoid artery. The officer was able to get to his gun and shot and killed the offender. Luckily the officer survived thanks to the quick action of his partner and EMT's. IIRC Austin PD ended up banning all knives carried on the duty belt.
 
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