What knife gift would you give to a friend in military/law enforcement?

I like Spydercos fine, but I’d go with the Cold Steel Talwar (regular size). That’s what I carry on duty, because:

Relatively inexpensive if lost
Very light weight
Extremely durable lock
Blade/handle shape is good for utility and defense

Many Departments these days have policies against fixed blades, and I’ve heard the military can be finicky as well, so if you go fixed blade just be aware they might not be able to use it at work.

Very thoughtful gesture!
 
scdub said:
I like Spydercos fine, but I’d go with the Cold Steel Talwar (regular size). That’s what I carry on duty, because:

Relatively inexpensive if lost
Very light weight
Extremely durable lock
Blade/handle shape is good for utility and defense

Many Departments these days have policies against fixed blades, and I’ve heard the military can be finicky as well, so if you go fixed blade just be aware they might not be able to use it at work.

Very thoughtful gesture!
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You won’t see many people carrying fixed blades in the military. It’s really a misconception, military people aren’t knife people any more so than civilians. The military is a cross-section of society. They don’t automatically become knife hobbyists when they finish basic training.

One person commented that the likelihood of losing the knife is high. I agree. Nice things have a tendency to grow legs. Rarely did we catch a thief, if we did, well, it was over for them, however they prefer the usual thief stuff like iPhones/iPads/computers/video game systems. But between thieves, and falling out of the pocket in woods, etc… cheaper is better. It will really be used for two primary tasks: Opening MREs (a pain in the ass without a knife), or cutting paracord. People that do carry knives probably won’t sharpen them. I think I had a serrated aus-8 dragonfly my first few years, moved to a CRKT M16 in the middle, and finished up with the spyderco delica. Hated the CRKT. The spydercos did well. Kept the dragonfly in a Velcro pocket on my chest to keep from losing it.
 
I carry a Benchmade Presidio 5000 Auto on duty every day. It has been my go-to for several years now. There are several reasons why I like it, both practical and potentially tactical, whether those tactical eventualities are likely to occur or not. No, it does not see much “real” on-duty use, but the same argument could be made about any cop’s sidearm. I want it to work when I need it to, and it’s one I trust. I also carry a SAK in a cargo pocket for on-the-fly screwdriver needs. All the other tools I could possibly need that I don’t want in my pockets are in the car. Personally, I like Benchmade, Spyderco, and Cold Steel as duty options. Durable, practical, and useful, but not so expensive the worry about losing them keeps them from getting carried regularly.

That said, I agree 100%, most cops are not knife guys. They’re ok spending $400 on a Yeti cooler, fashionable HSLD sunglasses, off-duty pistol/gun gear, or who knows how many tens of thousands on truck/jeep lift kits (c’mon you know it’s true, rookies), but they won’t invest $100 on a decent pocket knife for some reason.

On the military side, my son is currently home from the Army. For Christmas, he asked for a decent knife for camp chores during field exercises. I gave him a few options, and he picked the KaBar/Becker BK10. Durable, useful, no frills, and not at all expensive, but it’s definitely not something he would (or would be allowed) to carry every work day.
 
Depends if the gift is intended for work or show.

If for show, I think that anything would do. If for work, I'd echo other's recommendations of a multi-tool.

I carried a Gerber multi-tool (one w/a slider that pushed the plier head forward and that released the handles) on my duty belt in a nylon sheath for years. Still have it sitting on my "work" bench. It's one of the most useful tools that I ever purchased.

Otherwise, a folder w/a FRN handle and a medium sized PS or SE blade (in the steel of your choice) would also be useful. Something like a Spyderco Endela (rather than a Endura or Delica) would be the one I'd select, even better if you can find one of the "Thin Blue Line" variations to give to an LEO.
 
I am in maritime and conservation law enforcement and carry a Spyderco Tenacious with a plain edge and occasionally a Police with a combination edge. I also sometimes carry a Byrd hawkbill that is serrated.
Anything from Spyderco, Benchmade or Cold Steel would be good IMO depending on how much you want to spend or the officers’ preference.
I mostly see inexpensive folders clipped to duty vests or pockets with the occasional Spyderco or Benchmade mixed in.
 
As far as a "knife-knife" (blade only, as opposed to a multi-tool), I'd say either a Spyderco Delica or Endura, saber-ground version, with either partial or full serrations (probably full). Basic VG-10 blade steel. Good quality, but not overly expensive if lost or stolen.

Jim
 
If they aren't a knife person, a fixed blade will probably just get in the way.

I think a Cold Steel Airlite would be a good choice. They are light, durable, and low profile. Depending on their job, a heavy bulky knife (in the pocket) can cause chafing, and weight adds up. I might recommend an Endura if they are a knife person, but if they are not a knife person, the knife WILL be abused and the airlite will hold up better due to the more robust blade profile.
 
Fixed blade - TOPS knives CAT
Multitool - Any 8-10 cm long victorinox with 4-6 functions
Folder - Benchmade bugout or CS tuff lite

Lots of people above me are not wrong with the fact that serving doesn't make you a knife person. I even know hunters that are not into knives although they buy only quality stuff. I even know people in military that don't sharpen their knives for years. I would not buy Gerber or Leatherman multitool unless he will use it frequently while on duty because (at least for me) they are quite big and heavy. SAK with 6 functions is good alternative. Fits perfectly in most hands and you have saw that works quite well.

Also bear in mind that many police officers or military members won't wear fixed blade visibly (they will leave it in car...) until they are literally going to fight because you don't want to look intimidating or scary.
 
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One folder that I'd really recommend in this situation is a Kershaw Skyline. They're SUPER lightwieght, yet also very solid. I like how It's bladestop is the thumbstuds, that makes for a more solid lockup and less chance of side to side play, not that many high quality knives have side to side play anyway. Also, it's a great starting point to get someone introduced into knife collecting as there are aftermarket scales available for it.
 
I'm in the military. Most servicemen and women are not knife enthusiasts, so unless your buddy happens to be the exception, I would bear that in mind when making a selection. With that, I would stick with an entry-level or mid-tier stainless steel for corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. I would also get him something reliable and durable. Servicemen and women travel to austere locations where environmental conditions can be extreme. If a knife mechanism is so delicate that it requires a teardown simply because it was dropped in the muck, it's not going with me when I deploy. I want a knife that I can clean under a faucet and put back in my pocket. Additionally, if he is new to knives, he is more likely to abuse your gift while learning its limits.

I concur with those who have recommended a folder over a fixed blade. Most fixed blades that deploy with service members never see the light of day. Instead, they sit at the bottom of gear bags "just in case." However, a good folder is likely to see daily use. Multi-tools are a great option too, but I prefer a folder for its ease of access. I always deploy with a multi-tool, but I keep it with my gear for emergency repair work, whereas my folder is on my person every day.

One final word on edge configuration. A lot of servicemen and women love partially serrated edges. That usually stems from a fear of getting trapped in a downed vehicle and needing to self-extract by cutting through a heavy safety harness. I share that concern, but I'm a knife enthusiast, so I keep my blades sharp. But perhaps a partially serrated blade isn't a bad idea for someone who lets his blade go dull. Serrations will usually cut, even when they've been neglected. Meanwhile, others avoid using them so that they are sharp when needed. Something to think about.
 
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For a first responder I'd recommend either the Benchmade Triage or the Victorinox Spirit multi-tool.

For a soldier it really depends on the kind of knife person they are, because there are all kinds of different preferences by soldiers depending on priority of: bushcraft, heavy use tool, look cool, tactical, or "Look I just want something small, dependable, and light because I'm already humping around more weight than I ever wanted to".
 
Kels73 said:
I'm in the military. Most servicemen and women are not knife enthusiasts, so unless your buddy happens to be the exception, I would bear that in mind when making a selection. With that, I would stick with an entry-level or mid-tier stainless steel for corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. I would also get him something reliable and durable. Servicemen and women travel to austere locations where environmental conditions can be extreme. If a knife mechanism is so delicate that it requires a teardown simply because it was dropped in the muck, it's not going with me when I deploy. I want a knife that I can clean under a faucet and put back in my pocket. Additionally, if he is new to knives, he is more likely to abuse your gift while learning its limits.

I concur with those who have recommended a folder over a fixed blade. Most fixed blades that deploy with service members never see the light of day. Instead, they sit at the bottom of gear bags "just in case." However, a good folder is likely to see daily use. Multi-tools are a great option too, but I prefer a folder for its ease of access. I always deploy with a multi-tool, but I keep it with my gear for emergency repair work, whereas my folder is on my person every day.

One final word on edge configuration. A lot of servicemen and women love partially serrated edges. That usually stems from a fear of getting trapped in a downed vehicle and needing to self-extract by cutting through a heavy safety harness. I share that concern, but I'm a knife enthusiast, so I keep my blades sharp. But perhaps a partially serrated blade isn't a bad idea for someone who lets his blade go dull. Serrations will usually cut, even when they've been neglected. Meanwhile, others avoid using them so that they are sharp when needed. Something to think about.
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I completely agree. The knife I used most was a half-serrated Spyderco Walker. I've always been someone who wants a knife handy to use, but only got serious about them about ten years ago. When I bought my first Spyderco I would have been the first person to balk at the prices I regularly pay for knives now.

​

 
This is what was carried by a couple generations of servicemen, starting around 1947 until after Desert Storm.
Might still be able to get one from the quartermaster.
Someone in the military doesn't have free choice on what knives and other non-issue gear they can carry when on duty. Everything non-issue has to be approved by the company commander.
Since the Demo knife was, or is, military issue, I can't see a company commander refusing the venerable 4 blade "DEMO" Knife.
View attachment 1713109View attachment 1713113
(I was issued this one in 1975.)
As an alternative to the Demo Knife, I would suggest a Leatherman Multi Tool, maybe a Supertool 300 or similar.

For law enforcement, I'd suggest a multi tool.
 
When my nephew was deployed to Djibouti and Somalia about 3 years ago, he asked us to buy and send him a fixed blade about 7", as apparently they are no longer issued a knife in the infantry (Oregon National Guard). Ended up sending him a Becker BK7, and later on we heard that his knife was so popular among his unit that at least a few other soldiers had family back home send them similar knives. Probably situationally dependent, though.
 
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