By Police1 Staff
Every police officer knows that the tools they carry on the job can drastically change the outcome of a situation. A quality tactical knife is one example of an important and versatile tool.
Tactical knife brands engineer knives for heavy duty use in a variety of conditions. You’ll find that many offer, for example, combination smooth and serrated blades, textured grips, and additional protection against wet conditions.
These combinations of different features can make it difficult to choose which tactical knife is best for you. Here’s our round-up of tactical knives for police officers.
The
Gerber 06 Auto Knife is a fully automatic knife, ready to deploy in an instant. This particular Gerber pocket knife is crafted with premium stainless steel, S30V. This knife also has some unique and useful features, like its over-sized release button which for the times you wear gloves while working. Its aluminum-handle has comfortable contours for a reliable grip, and a convenient lanyard hold. Only available (through the
Gerber site) to military and law enforcement members.
Spyderco named the Tenacious G-10 for its “tough and tireless” features. Steel liners strengthen the laminate handle while keeping the knife light and convenient. The handle itself comfortably follows the natural contours of the hand to reduce grip fatigue. There are several edge options to choose from (plain, combination, and SpyderEdge), so you can
choose the blade that best suits your field requirements.
Smith and Wesson takes as much pride in designing its tactical knives as it does its legendary guns, and it shows in the Black SWAT knife. Many professionals consider this one of the best spring knives at its price point. Slip-resistant grip tape, a safety lock, liner lock, and thumb grip make this a very solid choice as a police tactical knife.
KA-BAR designed the
Original TDI as an unambiguous defensive knife. A weapon of last resort, this small, matte black blade disappears against a black utility belt in its custom sheath. Its unique short-blade, razor-sharp, design makes it very difficult for a suspect to disarm the officer. It’s exceptionally light as well, ideal for daily carry. The Original TDI is without a doubt one of the premier defensive knives in this price range and a welcome addition to any officer’s toolkit.
This ZT blade is known for its fast open, and quality steel. The ELMAX® blade is flat-ground so it excels in slicing with efficiency while maintaining a tough point.
The Ryker DP Mini features a 3-inch drop-point blade made from D2 tool steel for excellent edge retention and a G10 composite handle with a textured stainless steel frame lock for heavy-duty tasks. It measures 7.45 inches when opened and 4.25 inches when folded, and includes dual thumb studs for one-hand opening, a four-position deep-carry clip, and a lanyard hole.
The M16® series, rooted in military-grade tools, is now available for civilian use, offering a tough and affordable knife design. It features automated liner safety for added security, a black coating for enhanced corrosion resistance, and a strong yet lightweight glass-reinforced nylon handle.
The 940 Osborne, renowned as a quintessential EDC, is slim, stylish, and versatile for any situation. It features a satin plain-edge reverse tanto blade with strong CPM-S30V steel and a green anodized aluminum handle.
The PDK series of knives, developed through collaboration between law enforcement officers and ASP’s design team, are designed for daily police use. They feature a 3.5” drop point blade made of AUS-8 stainless steel, a liner lock for safety, and textured G-10 grip panels. The knives also include a quick-release pocket clip system and a Thin Blue Line tribute spacer.
You can find more tactical knife options at our tactical knife page. If you’re having a hard time determining which features are most important for your next knife, you also might want to take a look at our article, 4 helpful tips on choosing the right knife.
What is your go-to tactical knife? Send an email to editor@police1.com.
This article, originally published on January 02, 2018, has been updated.
