LEO knife suggestions

Rubythroat

Rubythroat

Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Messages
92
Hey guys.

I have used a Spyderco Para 2 for about 3 years now, but am looking to spice things up with a new knife to use in the field as an LEO (law enforcement officer).

I use my knives for lots of things on the job - mostly medium duty.

I am open to carry methods too - be it in a pocket, on an LBV (load bearing vest), duty belt, boot... Etc. I am happy to get any thoughts or suggestions (maybe in the $150ish range to start).

I like a solid lock up and easy deployment - not a huge fan of assisted or automatic (bad experiences with button deployment at the wrong time).

Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
 
Well, as the most logical jumping off point, you’ve been using the PM2 for the last three years. What do you like about it and what do you dislike? It would seem you’ve got a great reference point for people to make good educated referrals if we can use your experience and preferences to help guide the next purchase.


You mention liking a solid lockup and easy deployment. You’ll get that with the vast majority of modern folders.
 
19-3ben said:
Well, as the most logical jumping off point, you’ve been using the PM2 for the last three years. What do you like about it and what do you dislike? It would seem you’ve got a great reference point for people to make good educated referrals if we can use your experience and preferences to help guide the next purchase.


You mention liking a solid lockup and easy deployment. You’ll get that with the vast majority of modern folders.
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Thanks for the quick response.

I really do like the para 2... Sometimes it gets a little loose on me and I have to either re-tighten or threadseal. Also the handle is a tad long for my perfect world. I like it... Maybe I should try the para 3?

I have looked at some of those civivi knives, Benchmade has some nice ones too... I like more of a drop point(ish)... Sheepsfoot knives (etc.) aren't always the easiest for my needs.

One of my all time favorite knives is the buck 110... But it is a brick in the pocket and I don't love having to carry it in the sheath always. And I need a faster deploying knife (or one handed).

I have had a few kershaws, some bokers, some cold steel knives, etc. - But they haven't been my favorite. One of them was spring assisted and sprung open in the pocket, ripped through my pants and punctured my hand as it brushed by. And I am a bit leery of liner locks - they have to be really smooth.
 
A friend of mine also LEO carries a benchmade SOCP dagger, sometimes on body sometimes unde boots.

I don't think Civivi knives name good tactical choices, because their G10 tends to be on the smoother side.

Depending on what you're doing, try am Emerson knife (wow...the first-time I ever recommended them lol). Hogue actually makes some (ugly) effective tactical carries, go have a look. Boker makes all kinds of s***, and some are good designs.

If you want good balance of tactical and utility, I think spydercos are hard to beat. Benchmade knives are not always the pointiest for stabbing tasks.

Good luck! I'll ruffle through the drawers when I get home to see if I got anything that would help you decide.
 
Hello-
In my 34th year now on the job...retired 1-1-19 from full time deputy sheriffing (shift lieutenant on road patrol) and senior firearms instructor, active shooter instructor, etc. Still work "part time" doing 32 hours a week as an officer at a state-owned hospital as a police officer. I have been a knife nut longer than I've been an officer also! Just saying all this to say I have some pretty good opinions on LEO knives.

Like you I tried and passed through autos and assisted knives.

I won't give hard specifics (I feel that some just name the one they like currently without background) but some generalizations and my carry pieces. Also-I'll step on some toes and go ahead and say that I do not care one bit about which knives are "trending" or how "cool" they look on Instagram and this does not affect me one whit. I have taken and sent and even posted pics of knives, but my eyes see only practicality.

I have carried lots of knives including auto and assisted and I ended almost fill circle back at LOCKBACKS and prefer Cold Steel and Spyderco. While models changed, most of the last 10 years or so found me with one or two of these on me at all times on duty. I kind of prefer the opening hole on the Spydercos but that is a minor thing and not a deal breaker. I recall (just off the cuff) carrying Enduras, Matriarchs, Delicas (as secondaries) and the last 3 years or so I was full time I switched to a Cold Steel Black Talon II (PE) for my main knife. I used to joke that it scared ME when I deployed it using the thumb bar to open from the pocket. That said, I think a standard blade style Triad lock would have been fine.

Personally I did just switch to Wharncliffes (Yojumbo and Watu as primary/secondary) and the compression lock (since I had no choice on these knives) but I firmly believe and would argue if I cared to (I don't) that the back lock/lockback is stronger and more long lasting.

Also suggest carrying two with one being accessible to your support hand.

Best of luck, and pray every day for safety and treasure every day off the job as a gift also. :thumbsup:
 
Drop bear said:
Suprised you guys don't do a multitool or a rescue knife or something.

For security work I carried a SAK rescue tool.

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I'll clarify and add that I always have a large Victorinox multitool and Swiss Champ in my "war bag" in the car. Also, I have never had to cut a seatbelt (or cut down a suicide victim-that would be highly frowned upon by detectives) in my 34 years, so I have that to go on. We are pretty rural in my county (512 square miles and I had 6-7 deputies and me on a shift) but we also have a pretty good "first responder" program through our fire and rescue departments and those guys were often (not always) there before us or just after us.

I see lots of new officers using this as justification to carry a knife in general or a serrated and/or hooked blade, but this had not been MY reality (34 years with at least 30 of that in "patrol" assignments). Not saying some officers do not/have not or not to use this justification-especially if it satisfies the spouse or partner or chief... :)

Also have never seen a case solved with fingerprints, gotten toxicology back in less than months, or heard a victim called a "vic", but those aren't knife related and can wait till we have a thread in Community on "television caused misconceptions" :cool:
 
Rubythroat said:
One of my all time favorite knives is the buck 110... But it is a brick in the pocket and I don't love having to carry it in the sheath always. And I need a faster deploying knife (or one handed).
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Maybe take a look at Benchmade’s Crooked River. There’s also a mini CR that’s not exactly a mini.
 
Once retired LEO but now back to work as a SRO here. I carry either a Benchmade Phaeton or a Hogue Exploit both of which are OTF knives. I mainly carry these two because of their sure fire one hand deployment. I don’t worry about them accidentally firing like a button lock auto will sometimes. Both are S30V steel so they hold a good edge and both are extremely reliable as long as you don’t let grit get inside. Check them out Rubythroat. Just might be what you’re looking for.
 
I am a LEO and regularly carry two knives. My folding knife choice is usually either a Protech TR-2 (an auto, but I don't mind autos in this role), or a Buck 112 Slim Select (incredible value in the $25 range), carried in my reaction side pocket with a clip. I also carry a small fixed blade horizontally in the small of the back. That one rotates between a Kabar TDI Investigator, a Cold Steel Mini Tac Bowie (another unbelievable deal at around $20), or my new Gryphon M10. The fixed blade knives are strictly back-up weapons, but the folder are used for general knife tasks. Most or all of my choices are below, even well below, your price range.
 
Not a cop.......
I like the Ontario RAT 1 in D2 steel.
Great quality and great price.
It's a knife, if you use it in an emergency and it's damaged is in inexpensive to replace.
 
Rubythroat said:
One of my all time favorite knives is the buck 110... And I need a faster deploying knife (or one handed).
Click to expand...
Opening a 110 or 112 one handed isn’t hard to learn, cowboys and truckers and carpenters have been doing it for decades. With gloves on.

Admittedly, it’s easier with the old heavy ones than the newer “lite” models.

Also agree with David’s carry of a knife on each side. Sometimes you’re holding onto something you just can’t let go of.

Parker
 
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