What's the deal with these K Bar LEO fighting knives that are sort of hooked? I have noticed a few local cops carrying them on their belts but it almost looks like it would be very complicated to use or even get out in a fight. Any LEO on here carry a specific knife as a backup?
LEO fighting knives?
- Thread starter Axis II
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earlthegoat2
Member
They may also be handy for cutting seat belts.
Cops aren't always waging life and death struggles with armed bad guys.
Cops aren't always waging life and death struggles with armed bad guys.
edwardware
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. . . or at least a link.
Telekinesis
Member
Depends on which knives you're referring to. If you're looking at the K Bar TDI type knife, they're actually very easy to deploy and use (and any fixed blade is going to be significantly easier to deploy under stress than a folding knife).
I can only guess at the reasoning behind the design, but the curve seems to make it a bit more natural to grab from a sheath (especially when concealed) and puts your wrist closer to a punch type angle rather than a thumb extended forward type angle. It also helps to have a bit better purchase and leverage on the knife.
They're about $35. If you're interested it's cheap enough to just order one and try it out. If you don't like it, you're not out much and I'm sure you'd be able to sell it pretty quick.
https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Enforcement-Knife-Fixed-Blade/dp/B003IXYW3M
A good article on fixed vs folding knives for police and defense:
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/should-police-officers-carry-fixed-blade-knives
I can only guess at the reasoning behind the design, but the curve seems to make it a bit more natural to grab from a sheath (especially when concealed) and puts your wrist closer to a punch type angle rather than a thumb extended forward type angle. It also helps to have a bit better purchase and leverage on the knife.
They're about $35. If you're interested it's cheap enough to just order one and try it out. If you don't like it, you're not out much and I'm sure you'd be able to sell it pretty quick.
https://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Enforcement-Knife-Fixed-Blade/dp/B003IXYW3M
A good article on fixed vs folding knives for police and defense:
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/should-police-officers-carry-fixed-blade-knives
Shanghai McCoy
Member
Maybe it's a touch of "Karambit Syndrome"..? 
The purpose of the TDI is as a means to fight back during a gun grab. Bad guy goes for your holstered side arm, you trap him with the hand on that side while drawing the TDI with the other hand and proceed to drive it through his neck or other vital areas within reach. It's a punch knife, its designed to be used as such. Trap the hand, punch them in the face, head, and neck with the TDI. Many of my friends on patrol carry one, or something similar.
https://www.kabar.com/products/product.jsp?item=1480
https://www.kabar.com/products/product.jsp?item=1480
You mean the TDI knives? As pointed out they are NOT "fighting" knives nor "karambits". They're designed to be punched with to get some goon off of you.
Here's the designer John Benner to show you what they're designed for.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
Thanks for posting that video HSO. 
lemaymiami
Member
I carried a blade for last ditch purposes for many years on the street. It was a Henckels folder (very similar to a Case Sodbuster but with cherry wood handles and a thin carbon steel blade - sharpest knife I ever owned... with a locking blade and a roughly four inch blade length). It was much more a craftsman's tool than a defensive design but I had every confidence in it. I never needed if for defensive purposes but it would cleanly cut a seatbelt (or the heaviest Flex-cuffs... scary sharp...).
Me, I figure an "LEO fighting knife" is much more about selling product than anything else... By the way, these days my daily carry is a full sized Benchmade Ascent - long discontinued...
Me, I figure an "LEO fighting knife" is much more about selling product than anything else... By the way, these days my daily carry is a full sized Benchmade Ascent - long discontinued...
mdauben
Member
The Kabar TDI knives are designed for LEOs to use in weapon retention scenarios. You are supposed to carry them on your off side, and if someone is trying to take your gun you pull the knife with your off hand and attack your opponent's hand and/or arm to force him to let go of your gun.
Telekinesis
Member
Well yes, I know how the knife is supposed to be used. My comment was more about how the curve specifically assisted in that purpose.
earlthegoat2
Member
It’s designed to be deployed the same as a push dagger but without the T design so it has to have quite a curve.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Back in the days that dinosaurs roamed the earth I carried a switch blade weak side.
Deltaboy1984
Member
They are good for Civilian Weapon Retention with these anti open carry nutts who keep posting if I seen anyone OC ing I will disarm them.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Deltaboy1984
Member
Back when OC was becoming law here in Texas there was anti gun folks posting on Social media !
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
So dumb.
Oh that guy is open carrying a gun.
I think I will assault him and disarm him!
Sounds like Darwin is going to win.
Oh that guy is open carrying a gun.
I think I will assault him and disarm him!
Sounds like Darwin is going to win.
herrwalther
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I probably watched that video a few dozen times before buying my first TDI knife in 2009 or so. I went with the large model to wear on my military gear or belt. I wore the knife just to the left of my belt buckle, about 2 inches away, with the handle pointing inward for around the base carry. Thankfully I never had to use it for its intended purpose, but I felt better about my weapon retention issues having a knife easily reached by either hand. My other TDI knife is the LDK which is credit card sized. I have worn that one either around my neck or laced into my footwear in many not so nice places.
https://www.kabar.com/products/product.jsp?item=1485
Deltaboy1984
Member
This knife going to be my next knife purchase!
Gordon
Member
I fastened to the left outside of my MC vest the large tanto half serrations TDI Kabar in it's sheath . This is legal in California and very handy and assessable for general nice needs and less than $50 if it goes bye bye .
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Yes, I wore a K-bar on my belt and a a/o folder in my vest.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
I might have to look into getting one of these ?
(Like I need another knife...)
(Like I need another knife...)
JeffG
Member
I always carried a folder strong hand clipped to my uniform pants pocket. It really was a glorified letter opener. Weak side, I carried a small fixed blade for gun grab or beatdown defense.
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