Tactical knife for a Policeman ?

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BADUNAME30

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I would appreciate hearing from Policemen on this forum about a good tactical knife for a Policeman.
My son is a Policeman and i would like buy him a good proven tactical knife for on duty.
I have been looking at the Ka-Bar 1480 TDI.
I tried to get info from my son on what knife he would like to have on duty without him knowin' what i was up to,( This will be a suprise gift), and he said to me." The knife i'd like to have, i think is made by Ka-Bar and costs about $100.It fits right here ", and he pointed to his belt behind his Taser.He described, what sounded to me like a TDI.
He said that his wife tried to suprise him with one but Ka-Bar requires Police ID to purchase one.?
He also said that he believed it had a cutting edge on the outside of the blade.
 
As a LEO I would say the TDI is a good choice for weapon retention,I have one, and a good one handed folder for everything else that needs cutting.

Dan
 
All I ever wanted on the street was a small, very sharp single blade folder that I could open with one hand.... That blade cut through seatbelts, Flexcuffs, and in a pinch was my last ditch surprise for close quarters work. Mind you... the idea was never ever to need that blade for CQB since you could easily lose the encounter... Among the blades I carried was a great Henckels carbon steel folder (same dimensions and style as a Case Sodbuster, full sized), a very small fully serrated push blade (Military/Rescue by Cold Steel). Both blades are long discontinued. The small one lived in my weakside front pocket, the larger one slept in one side of a two magazine ammo pouch where either hand could reach it and nothing said "knife".....
 
but Ka-Bar requires Police ID to purchase
Click to expand...

Nope, but there may be an LE discount from Ka-Bar that requires an ID to purchase at that discount directly from Ka-Bar.

As pointed out the TDI is available from many retailers.
 
I'm with DDeegs. I've had a TDI that I've carried "weak side" for about two years now... Nice little blade; tucks nicely out of sight.
I also carry a folder, a CS Recon for more mundane cutting chores.
 
Best to check what his Department's regs allow. Some PD's don't want LEO's with fixed blades, and there's always the weight issue.

Most of the ones I served with during deployment carried a 3.5" folder, and they summed it up quickly - if they couldn't beat the perp with a baton or flashlight, it was past time to shoot them. Hand to hand with a knife was an accident waiting to happen.

After action reviews generally focused on what behavior was overlooked and a more appropriate response up front. Tends to explain why cops seem to take things a bit further than expected if someone's out of line - the worst case scenario is the standard.

I'd recommend the BM Triage. Much more practical and useful. Enough blade, easily deployed seat belt cutter, and glass breaker. An officer is much more likely to need tools around an automobile incident.
 
Most of the ones I served with during deployment carried a 3.5" folder, and they summed it up quickly - if they couldn't beat the perp with a baton or flashlight, it was past time to shoot them. Hand to hand with a knife was an accident waiting to happen.
Click to expand...
The TDI "Law Enforcement" knives were actually designed for defensive "weapons retention" use, rather than as an extra offensive weapon. The idea was to use them at extreme close quarters when an opponent is trying to take the LEOs gun. The officer was supposed to lock down on his gun with his strong side hand, and attack the opponent's arm with the TDI. That was the reason for the angled grip and suggested off-side carry.

I'm no LEO so I don't know how well it actually works, but they seem to be atr least modestly popular with police. I believe TDI also has offered training classes in the "proper" use of their knives.
 
As Mike said, the TDI is a defensive knife, not a task one. Other knives or rescue tools (strap cutters are inexpensive and lightweight) should be used for rescuing folks.

John
 
Thank you all for your replies.
I never thot of getting in touch with his Chief to see if they have any regs or restrictions on the matter. I will definately do so.
I also never gave any thot to a utility application.I can see where a simple seat belt cutter could be quite beneficial.
I will be getting him both.
A Policeman can't be too equipped.
 
Heh Jim West where ya been hiding, hope all is well with ya. When I was a patrolman in Southern California, I carried a folding Buck Knife in a black nylon sheath. That thing really held an edge, and to this day I could still skin a buck with it. Fact of the matter is I even carried it with me when I got promoted to Senior Investigator. It is a beautiful knife and I believe if the knife ever got lost Buck would send ya a new one. Not sure if that is true any more however. My Dad gave me that knife when I graduated from the Police Academy way back in '71. Every time I look at that knife it reminds me of my Dad.:)
 
Hey Noose, how da heck is ya ?
I aint gone no where. Just been doin winter stuff.
Makin' and burnin firewood.
Cuttin firewood.
Splittin firewood.
Makin and burnin firewood.
Did i meantion i been doin firewood stuff all winter ?:p
Didn't have my truck last summer, and then this fall, the knucklehead that was supposed to fix my chainsaw, ruined my chain saw.
Killed it even :fire:
Soooooo..i've been piece mealin our firewood in here all winter long.
( it's our only heat source)
Recently got me this beauty tho....
IMGP2004.JPG

And picked up an old used Dodge pickup so 'tsall good :D

Oh yeah..knives.
We're covered when it comes to the Bucks.;)
The good ole Folding Hunter.
IMGP2067.JPG
Started buyin' 'em back in the '70's and got everyone o' my sons one.
I still have my original leather sheathed one sonewheres 'round here.
You aint kiddin about 'em keepin a razor sharp edge.
The only thing they've ever been used for tho is guttin and skinnin deer 'n such.
And of course, steak slicin' :)
I've even got e few wee ones that i carry daily.

I'm gonna go with the suggestions here on the TDI and the Benchmade hook.
He should still have his Folding Hunter.

Now i jist gotta save my nickles and git him a good tactical AR platform weapon and a tactical shotgun.
 
Jim, you've received lots of good information so far, but here is my .02 cents. When in patrol I carried a Buck model 110 in a sheath on my duty belt. It was a good heavy duty knife that would preform any chore I need it to. No I never had to use it as a last ditch weapon, thank goodness. When I worked in street clothing I carried the 3/4 size of the same knife, sorry i don't remember the model number. Either of these should be a good option for your son. My department did not care for the idea of us carrying a fixed blade knife.
 
oldbear,
It's the 112, good knife I've had one for 24 years on my duty belt.

Dan
 
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