Advice on knife for daughter

[rperyam]

Our daughter is getting started in law enforcement. A friend of hers just showed her the boot knife that she carry's at work. I would like to get her something she could actually use at work. For those of you in this field, what would you suggest? She has carried a small SAK forever and is very comfortable with all types of knives. So folder, fixed blade, serrated? Pocket, belt, boot? We are rural if that would make a difference. Thanks

 

[rabid wombat]

Not my business area, so my recommendation should be pretty far down your list…I have always admired this:

https://www.benchmade.com/triage-family.html

 

[The Night Rider]

Our daughter is getting started in law enforcement. A friend of hers just showed her the boot knife that she carry's at work. I would like to get her something she could actually use at work. For those of you in this field, what would you suggest? She has carried a small SAK forever and is very comfortable with all types of knives. So folder, fixed blade, serrated? Pocket, belt, boot? We are rural if that would make a difference. Thanks

I'm going to second the Triage.

Nick Shabazz review of the Triage.

 

[jmr40]

Not a cop, but I work with and know a bunch personally. At least where I live, they don't make a lot of money and few of them carry an expensive knife. Most will carry a moderately priced (sub $100) folder with a 3"-3.5" blade. While Benchmade or Spyderco are at the top of my list I can't recall ever seeing a cop carry one.

I volunteer with a SAR team that is run by our Sheriff's department, so I've spent a lot of time working alongside many over the years helping with missing people searches and assisting after floods, tornadoes etc. I have several good options and which one I carry on any given day will vary, but I find myself reaching for a Benchmade Barrage a lot.

Buy Benchmade Knives: 580 Barrage - Assisted Opening - Ships Free (knivesshipfree.com)

Another new Benchmade that I like is the Claymore. It is a reasonably priced automatic with a lightweight handle. They make serrated, or non-serrated. I prefer a non-serrated blade.

Benchmade Knives: 9070SBK-1 Claymore - Push-Button Auto - Textured Ranger Green Grivory - CPM-D2 - Cobalt Black Cerakote (knivesshipfree.com)

 

[JohnKSa]

If she wants it for last-ditch self-defense, I would say a double-edged fixed blade carried somewhere that lets her easily get to it with either hand. If she ends up in enough of a jam that she's forced to resort to a knife, I would want it to be as easy as possible to get hold of and I would want it to be ready to use as soon as she draws it.

If I were in her place, I would carry a utility folder to use for typical knife stuff and (if self-defense were an intended use) a second fixed blade knife just for self-defense.

 

[BoBo522]

Sorry, had to:

86958692-9CB2-46DD-AA4B-A6C735BDC2F0

• BoBo522
• May 20, 2022

https://images.app.goo.gl/LPLZ8b8mpk1Jk7Sj6

 

[CodeSection]

Below are my EDC knives that I've carried for years....one is a regular "working knife" that I use regularly. The other with the serrated blade has never been used, though has signs of wear due to being carried. It is only to be used in an emergency and/or as a last resort. Though, I also carry a BUG. I feel a serrated blade is needed, especially if I need it to cut through a seatbelt. Good luck with your choice.....

 

[The Night Rider]

True story Bro, I had a gig in an impound yard and I got a chance to try this out on some seat belts and it sliced them right up.

But I'm still recommending the Triage as a congratulatory gift and a damn good knife

 

[bigger hammer]

I'd suggest a fixed blade knife for her boot/ankle, and a multitool. I like the Leatherman Charge Ti. but there are many others.

 

[sgt127]

I carried a Dozier Model 6 for 15 years in uniform.

Depending on how much you want to spend, a fixed blade, accessible with either hand, in front of your body is the answer.

Many of the guys I worked with saw how I carried and I recommended this:

https://www.crkt.com/obake.html

I’ll post pics of how I carried it in a bit.

 

[shafter]

AMTAC Blades Northman would make a great fixed blade for pocket carry. They are expensive but I can't think of a finer knife for a cop to carry for defensive use.

 

[Spats McGee]

I haven't paid enough attention to their knives to tell you what's popular with officers around here. With that said, I do know what one of them (a good friend of mine) carries: a fully-serrated Spyderco Police

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Someone once told me he carried two spyderco's, one in each pocket, because if he ever got to rolling around on the ground with a perp, and the perp put his knife arm in an arm bar, he could just switch to the other hand and get back to cutting. If nothing else, that advice was good for a smile.

 

[hso]

I would like to get her something she could actually use at work.

Great idea since most LE that can't put a blade on the "uniform allowance" at the local police supply don't have the money to spend on a better knife.

For a rescue folder to cut seat belts look at the Spyderco Rescue knives.

For defensive use while entangled, look at a Spyderco Ark (JShirley's knife), a TDI Investigator, or a La Griffe as they can be attached behind a magazine pouch or inside the belt near the center line.

 

[WrongHanded]

I'm not a cop. I did (a decade or more ago) spend some time doing martial arts with some police officers. They were actually being taught "ground defense", which was really just a street oriented and simplistic version of Brazilian jiu jitsu. Based on defending attacks and improving position for subduing and handcuffing a suspect.

A boot knife seems like a good idea if you have someone trapped in your guard, of it side mounted on the ground or curled into a defensive ball. But why not just carry a backup gun on the ankle instead?

A pocket clipped auto opener seems like the most practical option. Depending on dexterity level with the non-dominant hand, that would be the preferable side to carry it. Then it can be deployed to defend against an attack where the gun or gun hand has been compromised. An auto opener is much easier to deploy because it requires far less dexterity to lock the blade open.

I think the chances are that the knife will be used more for utility, and a fixed blade would (considering everything else cops carry) become an unnecessary encumbrance. So as I said, a folding auto opener seems most practical to me. Benchmade make some nice ones.

 

[Mk-211]

How big are her hands?

Most women have small hands, so a knife that might fit a guys hand, could be a bit big.

If she has the same size hands as your wife, take her to the nearest sporting goods store and have her try some out.

If she can buy and carry an auto or assisted, I would go that route. Less to deal with if she has to use it. I don't see a boot knife as a good option, try grabbing that while rolling in the dirt with someone.

If you find one that you think she'll like, look up the reviews on it. And like her service weapon, tell her to keep it clean and in good working condition.

 

[Speedo66]

A few people I worked with carried the Ka-Bar TDI on their belt as a "get off me" knife.

I carried a Microtech Lightfoot LCC auto, heavy duty partially serrated blade. But not in production and stupid expensive as a collectable.

A combination of the TDI for defense and a strong folder as a tool should work.

 

[sgt127]

The knife has two lengths of P Cord. Match the uniform. The sheath end loops around your inner belt or, connect to a keeper.

The knife sits almost horizontally behind your belt.

The handle end P Cord tucks inside the inner belt. Adjust the P Cord so the knife can’t fall down on either end.

Draw consists of grabbing the handle or hooking under the handle P Cord to get it started out.

Draw and the knife and sheath come out as one unit. Until the sheath hits the end of its travel. The knife pops free. Accessible to either hand.

The handle was behind my mag pouch.

I used to bust my guys butts for carrying folders clipped to their back pocket or sap pocket. If you are hands on with someone, you have provided his friend a weapon to attack you with from behind.

Even when I carried a folder. It was in my front waistband and as close to invisible as I could make it.

 

[JShirley]

If she wants it for last-ditch self-defense, I would say a double-edged fixed blade carried somewhere that lets her easily get to it with either hand. If she ends up in enough of a jam that she's forced to resort to a knife, I would want it to be as easy as possible to get hold of and I would want it to be ready to use as soon as she draws it.

If I were in her place, I would carry a utility folder to use for typical knife stuff and (if self-defense were an intended use) a second fixed blade knife just for self-defense.

I would suggest a single-edged blade, because they're more versatile. You have the option of putting the spine against your body should you need to cut something off you, without the risk of cutting yourself badly. A single edge also allows a reinforced cut, pushing against the spine with the off hand, while controlling with the dominant hand.

You don't lose much, if any, penetrating ability by going to a single instead of double-edged blade.

 

[Slamfire]

Suggestions for combat and weapon knives dominate this thread. Oh sure, for Zombie Apocalypse, one of these would be appropriate for the fashionable Police Officer:




A top choice for head chopping



However, I do not believe that combat knives are something that a female cop should be using. Someone with a weak upper body should not be wresting with Zombies, but should be using their service weapon to pop Zombies in the head. And the same basic idea is probably good for rascally social warriors.

I am not an LEO, but I did buy a couple of these Boker Plus 02BO300 Cop Tools, which is primarily a prying and cutting tool.



And multi tools or Swiss Army knives are useful, when she is not beheading Zombies

this one is out of production, but it pulled ten thousand paper staples! And helped repair lots of office equipment that only needed a nut or bolt tightened.



this has scissors, a couple of flat bladed screwdrivers, a great can opener, and a couple of knife blades. What is not to like?

 

[sgt127]

Well. The thread started with: “a friend showed her a boot knife…”

And included: “She has carried a small SAK forever….”

Then the question: “folder, fixed blade, serrated? Pocket, belt, boot?”

I was leaning towards a knife that could be used as a weapon.

No matter the stature of the defender, a good knife is a formidable force multiplier. Arguably, a small statured Officer could benefit from a quickly deployed, close quarter weapon more than a big, strapping 6’3” 240 pound Officer and, might easily find herself on the ground fighting for control of her primary weapon.

Pretty much everyone has posted pictures that are about the same size and weight as your suggestions. No one has recommended a full size Bowie.

 

[rust collector]

Claiming no experience or expertise, and depending upon local laws and policies:

1. A boker strike, in blade of choice, as an easy access and inexpensive user
2. A push button or flipper Civivi elementum in blade of choice.
3. For rescue work, an Outdoor Edge folder with safe-cut blade. https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Edge-Razor-Pro-Folding-Blades/dp/B0178BDH44

 

[MtnHiker]

Any of the KBAR TDI knives carried at the waist in front of the body are great. Several outfits used to provide training with this blade geared for LE. Ie Close quarter, weapons retention, last ditch defense, etc.. plus the TDIs are innexpensive. Combined with a leatherman that is a pretty good system. I would keep the gear mainstream production items that are easily replaced and budget price as it probably will get hard use, lots of abrasion banging against gear getting in an out of cars and loss is an issue

Off topic The Dozier that sgt127 posted are great blades but his waiting list is too long these days. His horizontal carry system is really neat. I have a toothpick in a drawer that I may dig out and try that with. Thanks.

 

[Boattale]

I've never been a cop or a woman. But if I was ever either or both and wanted a fully capable knife that was easy to carry, easy to open or close and was enough blade to be SD, it would be the BM Barrage. It is a no joke honest to pete good knife for just about anything.

 

[JShirley]

Suggestions for combat and weapon knives dominate this thread. Oh sure, for Zombie Apocalypse, one of these would be appropriate for the fashionable Police Officer:


...

However, I do not believe that combat knives are something that a female cop should be using. Someone with a weak upper body should not be wresting with Zombies, but should be using their service weapon to pop Zombies in the head. And the same basic idea is probably good for rascally social warriors.

]

Nobody said anything about combat knives. The ARK, for example, weighs about an ounce. Less than 2, including sheath.

You're also betraying how little you understand knives and force, to go along with your heaping helping of sexism. LEOs have no option but to be within contact distance at times. If grabbed, a blade means less force will have to be exerted to escape. The whole point behind at least 2 of the 3 knives hso suggested is not to "behead" anyone, but to make an aggressor let go, whether of the person, of the person's firearm.

I get that it's super easy to ridicule things you don't understand, but maybe next time, you could just ask.

John