To all in Law Enforcement

[TRM]

What do you carry and why? :)

[pinepig2]

Probably not what you want to hear, but I carry a Benchmade 940 Osbourne. I hope to replace it with the CTS-204p Para II whenever it ships (ordered two). This is more for utility than defense (I work in Nat'l Forests). I don't like the compression lock as much as the Axis lock, but in total should be the better knife.

For pure defense I used to carry a Spyderco P'kal in a back pocket, but it kept falling out. I have an Elmax Mule for which I need to find a sheath that will integrate well with my duty belt (riding inside the belt). I've discovered through some practical knife training we had that fixed blade is the only way to go for a LE application.

[3Speedyfish3]

Right now it's a modified Emerson-opening Endura swapped with black scales or a Coast Knives Rapid Response 3" black assisted folder in the support-side pocket. Depends on the day...

Randall

[bakercountyboy]

Para 2

[Detdaddy]

I work detective bureau. Many of the knives I'd like to carry, I don't, because they are too heavy or too harsh on my dress pants. I love G-10 but it really wears on my pockets.

I've been carrying a Sage carbon fiber for the past year. It's an excellent choice for me. Great steel. Awsome ergonomics and light. Goes in and out of my pockets easily. And clip does not stand out if I'm in court. What a great knife! And it looks classy, too.

Recently, I've been considering others just for a change. Last week I picked up a Chockwe. I absolutely love it, and carried at work 2 days. I don't know if it's going to bump the sage, though. I'm not liking the way the clip grabs my pants when putting it back in my pocket. It's not the titanium, rather, I think the clip is touching the scale too close to the edge of the hole in the scale. I feel like I'm going to rip the seam of the pocket because of the force it takes to clip it in. I'm going to bend the clip a bit and see if that helps.

When working extra jobs (in uniform) and back when I worked patrol, I preferred a beefier, longer blade. The Manix was awsome and a favorite. I also carried Enduras, Paras, and Military. I often had a Camillus Heat AO in my left (offhand) pocket.

Welcome to the forums.

[Mr Blonde]

I used to be in Law Enforcement, but I was an office geek who only occosionally had to go out. Subsequently, I used to carry office-type knives like the Lava, Kiwi or Kopa. A good friend of mine who does work in the front lines of law enforcement doesn't seem to have a particular preference to be honest. He loves the one-hand opening action and overall quality of any Spyderco. He has been abusing a FRN Native, Rescue 93 mm and a foliage green G10 UKPK Drop Point. Occasionally these knives come to my house for a spa-treatment. They're all equally abused cutting and prying all sorts of inanimate matter.

[46Alpha]

Para2 in uniform, Dragonfly in suit. Like Detdaddy said, most G-10 knives kill suit pant pockets.

[kbuzbee]

None of these seem like LEO specific criteria or issues. Maybe that's the point, if unforeseen by the OP.

Ken

[3Speedyfish3]

Let me clarify then, Ken,

I work Patrol. I carry the Waved Endura, since I can deploy it quickly and easily from my support side front pocket either for utility or as a back-up weapon. I am half-Filipino and have studied some Visayan knife fighting, so I feel I have some rudimentary blade skills. I try to use some of the fixed blade knives in the cruiser for mundane tasks so my defensive folder stays keen. Since I carry a back-up handgun to my duty gun, I hope to not have to transition to a knife, but you never know...

Randall

[zhyla]

I would imagine a LEO would be most likely to use a knife in a rescue situation (cutting people out of cars, cutting off clothes for CPR, ...) than as any kind of weapon. I've never heard of an officer drawing a knife in my entire life. There's a lot of things they're trained and authorized to use hanging off those belts :) .

[Detdaddy]

Our department officially approved a knife as a back up weapon around 5 years ago. In order for us to carry one, we had to take a week of instruction. The department also listed some criteria regarding the size of the knife (basically anything under 5" blade, fixed or folding), and stated it should be carried as discreetly as possible.

Many of us carried knives as a tool, prior to that, knowing we could always use it as a weapon if need be. However, due to liabilities and some lobbying by our training bureau, the training and procedure was added. I've been here for 17 years and we have never had an officer (400 officer department) use a knife as a weapon, that I'm aware of. But there have been a few incidents of struggles for officer's gun, and 2 take aways that I can think of. I do not know if those officers were not carrying a knife, didn't think to use it, or were afraid to resort to that. Thankfully those officers survived, but a knife would have provided a life saving option and would have been justified in all of them.

Another way of looking at it might be like this. I have carried a pistol every day of the 17 years. I've never had to fire at someone. But I have it if I need it. If it's happened to other officers or in other places, it could happen to me. I don't get to pick my opponents or choose how I may be attacked. If the department is willing to allow me to carry another weapon, I'll take it. I'm not going to throw away that option. So when I carry a knife on duty, I do want something that can perform in a combat situation.

I've never used my knife for rescue situations, either. I've never cut anyone's clothes off :eek: . I have seen firefighters and EMS personnel carrying Spyderco Rescue knives. But thats something we generally don't do. But, again, always possible. But I wouldn't choose a rescue blade just for that. The only rescue activity I remember is my partner cutting a seatbelt, one time. And I think he used his Buck 110 hunter.

So I suppose most of my usage is doing similar things that everyone else uses a knife for, and the same things I use it for off duty. Cutting crime scene tape, packaging evidence, cutting a sandwich, chipping off a piece of crack for field tests (no, not done at home, and not prior to cutting the sandwich :D ), opening envelopes, etc. I think you get the picture.

Basically, I want it to carry easily, with good ergonomics, my own personal size/weight requirements for the clothing worn. And I want it to be easily deployed in a stressful situation (with training).

[SCARLETT]

I carry an ATR plain edge black for duty.
Reason #1 Is the slim profile it has. I have 30 plus spydies and it is the slimist it's the easiest to grab from the front pocket from under my duty belt.

Reason #2 When wearing my slash gloves the cobra hood makes it easier to open.

Reason #3 Open design makes it a breeze to clean.

Reason #4 It demands respect when eyes fall upon it.

The only thing I would improve upon is an all salt model hmmm think I will start another thread :D

[kbuzbee]

I work Patrol. I carry the Waved Endura, since I can deploy it quickly and easily from my support side front pocket either for utility or as a back-up weapon. I am half-Filipino and have studied some Visayan knife fighting, so I feel I have some rudimentary blade skills. I try to use some of the fixed blade knives in the cruiser for mundane tasks so my defensive folder stays keen. Since I carry a back-up handgun to my duty gun, I hope to not have to transition to a knife, but you never know...

Thanks Randall great post and it kinda helped clarify what I was thinking in mine

It seems there are two distinct general catagories here:

Knife as tool - In this catagory I would suspect LEO carry doesn't differ from the rest of us. A reliable knife that you find convenient and comfortable to use with a blade/edge/steel/geometry that works well for the things you find yourself needing to cut most frequently.

Knife as weapon - Again, probably not significantly different from any others that carry primarily for SD. As you and others have said, if you have a primary and backup weapon I agree 100% that a knife falls WAY down the list of choices. I would think a baton would defeat a knife in the vast majority of scenarios. Still, as you say, you never know and it's always good to have options.

All that said, I like this thread and appreciate the input of all our LEO members!

One last comment - you folks stay safe!

Ken

[kbuzbee]

I love G-10 but it really wears on my pockets.

If there is a model you really like you could always smooth out the G10. Some, a lot, totally smooth, or only under the pocket clip. Might expand you options. Just a thought.

Ken

[Detdaddy]

If there is a model you really like you could always smooth out the G10. Some, a lot, totally smooth, or only under the pocket clip. Might expand you options. Just a thought.

Ken

I appreciate the excellent suggestion. Another knife nut sergeant suggest the same thing last week. He said he did that to one of his Emersons. He's supposed to stop back and show me how it turned out. That would really expand my options! :D

[kbuzbee]

It would. The only thing to remember is don't breath the dust. Using wet dry under running water is an easy way. Other than that, G10 sands very easily.

Under the pocket clip makes it more slacks friendly. Only takes 5 minutes and doesn't require any disassembly or charge the ergos at all.

More extensive, you might want to remove the scales first.

Ken

[Brock O Lee]

If you sand under the clip, I would suggest that you do not remove the texture completely.
You'll have to find the balance between too aggressive and too smooth.

Too textured = lost pants.
Too smooth = lost knife.

:)

[kbuzbee]

Good point, Hans. I've never found one to get too smooth but that's for MY level of activity Somewhat less than most folks

Ken

[Paris]

Hello friend I am Paris. I am very glad to be here, It is one of the best informative and helpful platform. Rule of law is identity of any country so law is enforceable by law and it should be imposed upon every one equally.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Most of the Agents and Officers I train have either a knife for utility and defense if the need arises... lets call it patrol work knife, and some a specific SD knife for Weapons retention purposes. It is important for those who make such a carry a daily habit, to work on the skills of transitioning from Gun to Blade. Also just as important are the knife techniques and empty hand skills needed for weapons retention.

Ken: It is easy to pigeon hole....... Gun beats knife, Club and Baton beats Knife, Knife beats Empty hand. Sneakers and fast feet beats them all......just wish it was that way in real life.....would make things really easy....for us DT Instructors.....Doc: