A tactical knife is always a good self-defense alternative when confronting a suspect.
A tactical police knife offers several advantages over other types of edged weapons. It fits nicely into your pocket, it clips in place for added securing, it’s easy to deploy, and snaps open easily with a flick of the thumb.
The choice of the best police knife isn’t huge out there, and you probably don’t know which model is best suited for your particular combat and self-defense skills.
So, in my top four selections, I took into consideration all the important tactical and combat features you would want a law enforcement knife to have.
The Best Police Knives Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Smith & Wesson Military & Police M.A.G.I.C Knife |  |
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| 3. Spyderco Police Model Signature Folding Knife |  |
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| 4. Swiss Safe 3-In-1 Police Tactical Knife |  |
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1. KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife — Best Law Enforcement Knife
Your very last option when defending yourself against offenders in line of duty is the KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife.
Specs
- 5-5/8-inch overall length
- 3-11/16-inch blade length
- Zytel handle
- Stainless steel blade
- Tanto blade tip
The KA-BAR TDI full tang fixed blade knife weighs in at just about 3.2 ounces, which is great because it provides you with a compact model that’s easy to carry on you.
Made from corrosion resistance and edge holding stainless steel, the sturdy tanto point blade is built for tactical, combat, and self-defense with its superior stabbing power.
I really appreciate the unique curved design with a deep finger groove and an ergonomic finger guard that allows you to choke the knife for maximum handgrip power.
The Zytel handle is well-balanced and textured for a non-slip hand placement in both wet and dry conditions.
Pros
- Compact, easy to conceal, and easy to deploy
- Comes razor sharp out of the box for self-defense
- Curved design improves maneuverability during combat
- Zytel handle offers an incredibly strong hand grip power
- Deep finger guard and groove improves control of the knife
Cons
- Blade angle may not be ideal for maximum penetration
- Sheath material isn’t the most incredible one
Conclusion
If the offender is trying to reach for your handgun or you can’t access your primary weapon, just deploy the KA-BAR TDI to free yourself from the difficult situation.
Overall Rating – 4.7
2. Smith & Wesson Military & Police M.A.G.I.C Knife – Best Automatic Knife for Law Enforcement
Razor sharp and ready for tactical use in law enforcement, the Smith & Wesson Military & Police M.A.G.I.C Knife features a rugged and high performing 3.4-inch blade.
Specs
- 7-inch overall length
- 4-inch blade length
- 4034 stainless steel blade
- Aluminum handle slabs
- A.G.I.C opening action
This tactical, military, and police model sports a 4034 stainless steel blade, which is great because it has good edge retention and a high chromium level for great corrosion resistance.
I really appreciate the M.A.G.I.C opening technology, which requires a slight pull of the lever on the spine for the blade to open automatically. This tactical model comes with a rugged tanto blade that is inventively crafted for piercing, slicing and cutting when taking down a suspect.
The blade folds into black colored aluminum handle slabs with rubber inserts, texturing, and grooving, which provide a strong and non-slip hand grip.
The only problem is that the tip-up pocket carry clip isn’t ambidextrous. So, you must make sure that you get your handedness right.
Pros
- Tactical tanto blade is great for stabbing and piercing
- A.G.I.C opening action is blazing fast
- Superior texturing and grooving for strong gripping power
- Upper part of the blade is serrated for added versatility
Cons
- Pocket clip carry is not ambidextrous
- Could be better with a partial serrated edge
Conclusion
One of the latest additions to the Military and Police knife lineup, this model offers a swift deployment and impressive cutting performance.
Overall Rating – 4.7
3. Spyderco Police Model Signature Folding Knife
The Spyderco Police Model Signature is one of the most tactically ready folding knives ever created. It isn’t too big and not too small, but just the perfect size for law enhancement.
Specs
- 44-inch overall length
- 4-1/8-inch blade length
- VG-10 steel blade
- Premium stainless steel handle
- Combination edge blade
The 4-1/8-inch blade is crafted from heavy-duty VG-10 steel, which is great because it provides you with the corrosion resistance of stainless steel and hardness of carbon steel. The blade is housed within a premium stainless steel handle with beveled edges for superior hand grip and maximum comfort during combat.
What I really appreciate is the well-made back lock system, considering that it is integrated with a Boye Dent for averting any accidental lock release during combat with an offender.
The hollow ground blade has an unsharpened chamfer for acute point geometry and a partially serrated edge for sawing and ripping.
What I don’t like; however, about this knife is the lack of texturing or grooving on the handle.
Pros
- Blade steel used has good edge retention
- Combination edge blade is great for combat
- Beveled edges on the handle improve comfort
- Ergonomic thumb hole allows for quick and safe deployment
- Pocket clip is highly ambidextrous
Cons
- Handle lacks texturing and grooving for added grip power
- Lock mechanism may fail on some poorly designed model
Conclusion
The Spyderco Police Model Signature has a strategically designed combination edge blade that is best suited for law enforcement and self-defense.
Overall Rating – 4.7
4. Swiss Safe 3-In-1 Police Tactical Knife
The Swiss Safe 3-In-1 is the ultimate tactical knife for law enforcement, first responders, and fire fighters.
Specs
- 5-inch overall length
- 5-inch blade length
- Premium stainless blade
- Lightweight aluminum handle
This model has a compact folded length of five inches and a convenient pocket clip, which is great because you can easily carry and conceal the knife.
The knife sports a solid steel design with lightweight aluminum handle slabs and safety liner lock for superior weight balance and safety.
It is built tactically ready for combat with its sharp point for piercing and stabbing along with a partially serrated edge for maximum ripping and sawing action.
This edge tool is also equipped with built-in seatbelt cutter and rugged glass breaker, which are the two most important accessories for first responders.
But here is the thing, some models come too stiff and aren’t the easiest to close.
Pros
- Compact design with a convenient clip is easy to conceal
- Lightweight handle slabs provide good weight balance for superior control
- Textured and grooved handles improve grip power
- Razor sharp point and straight edge offer tactical advantage
- Seatbelt cutter and glass breaker add versatility
Cons
- Some models may be too stiff to open
- Pocket clip isn’t the sturdiest one
Conclusion
The Swiss Safe 3-In-1 Police Tactical Knife is the right choice for law enforcement because it packs all the important features for self-defense, combat, and rescue.
Overall Rating – 4.6
Buying Guide: Things To Look For When Buying A Police Knife
A police knife is no ordinary tool, and your conventional knife designs won’t suffice in a do or die self-defense situation against a suspect. So, you need the best police knife integrated with tactical and versatile features.
You need to take into account the following factors to find the right model:
Fixed or Folding Blade
The best law enforcement knife can essentially be one of two types: fixed blade or folding. The advantages of a fixed blade tactical police knife include quick deployment and superior strength.
Blade Type/Material
Just about any kind of steel can be used to make a knife that is suitable for self-defense in law enforcement. However, fighting is not all there is to survival.
You never know when you might need the knife in an event of an accident or to rescue someone when you are the first responder. So, choose a blade that is forged from a heavy-duty blade steel.
Ergonomics Of The Knife
The best law enforcement knife will always have great ergonomics. Your knife should feel natural in your hand. It should be light, and the handle should have texturing and curves that contour to the shape of your grip. The handle material should be impervious to moisture for a non-slip grip.
Locking Mechanism
The best police knife with a folding design you choose should have a steadfast lock mechanism that is strong enough to prevent the blade from folding when you are trying to incapacitate a suspect.
Some of the strongest and safest lock mechanisms you can consider are:
- A.G.I.C lock
- Back lock
- Liner lock
- Frame lock
- Tri-Ad lock
- Axis lock
Final Thoughts
This marks the end of our roundup and we have a winner, the KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife.
It is a uniquely crafted fixed blade tactical knife with an ingenious curved design that’s extremely easy to maneuver in close-quarter encounters with a suspect.
The AUS 8A stainless steel blade is exceptionally strong with a razor sharp edge and great rust resistance. The drop point tip is just perfect for stabbing in close proximity.
The ergonomic Zytel handle scales are impervious to moisture, making them ideal for sweaty hands. The finger guard adds protection and also improves gripping power.
