For the LEO’s out there, are you carrying a fixed blade on your duty belt? If so, how and what are you carrying? What is your philosophy behind it?
Once in awhile I will carry a Wilson Cop Tool(D2 steel) on my duty belt behind my gun. I have both original models not the cheap Boker model which I use to own. I like the option of a fixed blade. I usually wear the tanto model, it is small but super tough at 6 inches.
Recently, we had to cut some hardwood flooring to remove a bullet fragment for evidence. My partner was using a hammer on my cop tool to break the floor and recover the bullet. I know it kinda is a collector knife but I believe in using them. The knife came out with a couple of hammer marks and a little bit dull. After that showing everybody wanted to buy one, I told them good luck with that. I also have a Joe Watson knife that I wear also.
I believe a fixed blade will trump a folding knife most of the time for utility use. YMMV
Stay safe
RGGreen
Per my department policy, fixed blades are prohibited. However it’s my life and I can always find another job, there are blades I like.
My only concern is weapon retention. If i’m wrestling with someone its one more weapon I need to make sure the bad guy doesn’t get.
My main thought behind it is for pistol retention. Trapping my pistol with my right hand, drawing some sort of fixed blade with my left, and slashing until I can create enough space for safety. I’m thinking a push dagger on my inner belt, just exposed enough behind my duty belt to be grabbed with a purpose.
This is a concern of mine too. Many carry them and they are in plain sight and easily obtained in a ground fight etc by bad guys. I carry two auto blades. A Pro Tech and an old Benchmade. Each concealed one on one side and the other accessible from the other in 5:11 Tac light front slash pockets.
If a fixed is a must I like a Karambit behind the mag pouch. Accessible but barely seen at first glance.
Back in the sheriff dept days and mandatory cowboy boot wear, a sheath was seen in by the local saddle maker for my Gerber MK I
That’s why I carry one on each side. So I can slash someone off my gun if need be.
Joe Watson Hidden Key behind my mag pouches. It is thin enough to be comfortable and not overly noticeable. I really like the resin cord wrap handle. Secure in hand without being too abrasive on the clothing.
I’ve been carrying a Colonel “LowViz” on my left (Support) side, primarily for pistol retention. I wear an outer soft armor carrier and it tucks away underneath the carrier out of sight for the most part. I’ve been very happy with the “LowViz”.
I also carry an Emerson or Benchmade folder for use as a general utility knife.
I keep a Benchmade folder as my utility knife clipped to the front pocket of my patrol jumpsuit. My fixed blade is currently a Cold Steel SafeMaker II on my inner belt, mounted right behind my mag pouch. It is there for weapon retention and close-in fighting where I can’t get to my pistol. I’m looking at switching to a Benchmade SOC-P mounted to my duty belt behind my mag pouch. It is more versatile than a push dagger for defensive use.
KaBar TDI LDK behind my magazines. I had a bigger one made by a knife maker but it was just too big. The KaBar is small enough for the intended purpose. Still have a Blur in my pocket too and a back up gun on my vest.
i think this is the philosophy behind most duty belt knives. the quick draw push type knives are the best for this application. examples include:
kbar tdi series (or similarly shaped knives)
sheriff of baghdad puncher (or similarly shaped knives)
the good part of both these knives is ambidextrous draw.
one point to keep in mind when carrying a quick draw knife. if it can be quickly drawn by you it can also be quickly drawn by an attacker. you have to try and conceal the knife somehow or at least keep it center line. duty belt space is precious and keeping things center line means it digs when you’re in a car.
this is the reason the socp dagger was developed, but that’s more for a vest borne knife and is less effective as a duty belt knife.