Knives and pocket tools are an invaluable asset for a patrol officer and have become as much a part of the duty uniform as body armor. Here's our look at 10 current offerings for 2010 from today's best-known suppliers.
Knives & Tools: 2010
Columbia River Knife and Tool has introduced the ExiTool that will make quick work of a seat belt or door window, and supply you with a light so you can find your way out of a wrecked vehicle. Designed as an easy-to-carry rescue tool, the ExiTool will not only cut a seat belt or harness, but will also safely go through a long sleeved shirt should you need to put in an IV or find the source of blood coming from an accident victim. It can clip to your waistband, and could literally be a life saver should you or someone else become trapped in a vehicle.
Gerber's Octane is a compact tool that offers needle-nose pliers, knife, wire cutter, flat and Philips head screwdrivers, and a bottle opener. All of this comes in a four-ounce, five-inch package, which means you can toss this in your duty bag or clip it to your pocket with the supplied pocket clip. The Octane is roughly the same size as a knife, but packs a lot more useful tools in the same space. It should allow you to tighten a loose screw or nut, clip a bent wire, or bend a stray wire.
Emerson's "tactical pink" Mini C-15 SF or SFS boasts an overall length of eight inches and a blade length of 3.25 inches, which makes it the perfect size for slicing a sandwich or cutting open a bundle of suspected narcotics. The pink Mini's blade is what Emerson refers to as the Tant-Com, designed to give you the cutting power of a beveled tanto blade yet the cutting edge of a recurve blade. It can also be had in boring black.
While the Kershaw Carabiner Tool should not to be used for rappelling, it will allow you to hang a heavy pack. This tool conceals a sharp partially serrated blade, both flat and Philips screwdrivers, an emergency nylon cord, and a bottle top opener. The Carabiner Tool is available in a number of colors for easy identification if you have several team members who use them.
SOG Knives introduced the Micro, which is the smallest pocket tool in its line. Inside you'll find pliers, flat and Philips-head screwdrivers, and a file. The best part is the tool only weighs a scant three ounces—less than pocket change. You can adjust the settings on your rifle's scope, or fix those other little things you don't want to dig out a full-sized set of tools for. The micro is available in black, blue, green, and pink.
Several Spyderco models, including its Military knife, are specifically made for southpaws. The Military offers a thin profile, four-inch blade, liner lock, and G10 grips. This knife rides blade forward, tip down so it can be drawn and opened in one swift move with the blade opening away from you to reduce the chances of cutting yourself.
BlackHawk's CQD MKI Type E offers tough features such as its blade, locking mechanism, PVD coated AUS8A steel, double locks and recessed seat belt cutter. The Type E's frame is injection-molded reinforced nylon with stainless steel liners. The CQD MKI Type E is a large folder and comes with a sheath so you can carry it on your belt or tactical vest.
5.11 Tactical's XPRT has a simple 3.75-inch clip point blade with a recurve edge that provides a long and strong cutting edge. Its Crucible CPM S30V blade steel is tough, holds an edge, and sharpens easily. The blade and all hardware are black oxide coated to reduce reflections and enhance corrosion resistance, while the scaled G10 handle is scalloped to give you a solid grip. What makes this knife different is how the liner lock and frame protrude from the rear of the knife to give you an impact weapon or glass breaker.
Benchmade's H&K Pika II uses 9Cr13CoMoV, which makes this 3.5-inch blade very corrosion resistant and extremely durable. Its glass-filled polymer handle is virtually indestructible. And the Pika II does not sacrifice Benchmade's quality.
The Ka-Bar K2 Rescue is a rescue knife and screwdriver set that allows you to cut a harness or tighten down a loose screw. The knife blade is fully serrated with a blunt nose hook style, so you can slip the blade right next to the skin and not injure someone, yet quickly cut through most clothing material. So you don't lose the K2 Rescue in low light, its aluminum handle is safety orange. A nylon belt sheath that carries both the knife and driver bits keeps the K2 Rescue secure and close at hand.