Serrated or not?

[NY8739JR]

In your experience, is serrated better than a straight edge?


Specifically Im talking about the ka bar knife.

https://www.kabar.com/product/produc...%20Enforcement

[NY8739JR]

and im taking about for defending yourself, not using the knife for daily use.

[NY8739JR]

Why in the world would you need a k bar knife to defend yourself. And what difference would it make whether it is serrated or not?

Well, that one time I cannot get to my weapon, it might be nice to have another tool available.

And I wouldnt know if serrated makes a difference.....I dont know much about knives.

[NY8739JR]

If you want to carry a back up weapon, make it a 380 or small handgun. Put it on your ankle or inside your shirt.

Not all agencies allow you to carry 2 weapons while on duty.

[NY8739JR]

2 weapons as in 2 guns.

[Monkeybomb]

Actually The K-bar TDI is a great weapon for defending a gun grab. Positioned properly it is nearly invisible and easy to get to. Serrated is fine.

A BUG is also a good idea.

[PtlCop]

When it comes down to it, if you're using the knife in a fight for your life, there's not gonna be much of a noticeable difference between a straight blade and a serrated blade.

People tend to put WAYY too much thought into things like this. First off, the serrated blade was introduced to "tear" at things, like a seat belt, or to "saw" at things. If a gun is on top of you pounding you, you're not going to be sawing into him, you're going to be STABBING him repeatedly, hopefully in places that are going to prove fatal. Whether or not the blade is serrated is going to be of little to no consequence.

[ddurkof]

If you are down to using a Kbar to save yourself, you are past screwed. Even if you used it, the Monday morning quarterbacks in the news are going to BBQ you as some sadistic crazed cop knifing the poor down trodden perp. You would be better off using a folding knife, that didn't "look" so bad.

[Monkeybomb]

If you are down to using a Kbar to save yourself, you are past screwed. Even if you used it, the Monday morning quarterbacks in the news are going to BBQ you as some sadistic crazed cop knifing the poor down trodden perp. You would be better off using a folding knife, that didn't "look" so bad.

I couldn't disagree with you more. But I would have made the same statement at one point in time.

I don't carry the TDI. But I will probably get one in the future.

It is a purpose built tool. I won't go into how, where or why on a public forum. But used properly its a non issue.

If I have to I will chew out your throat if you are trying to kill me and thats my only option.

I thought it was gimmic to seperate more cops from their money until a DT instructor and friend showed me the big deal with this set up. I am in no hurry to buy 12 in case they sell out but I also understand that it actually has a purpose unlike some of the other things I bought in my youth.

[Incognito007]

Why fellow officers are questioning your need for the K bar is beyond me.

If your life is on the line, you use whatever means necessary to survive, you don't worry about how it's going to be told by the media, or what your admin is going to say, or how you are going to have to write a very detailed OI, you just fight and you win.

[H2ODawgs]

If you are down to using a Kbar to save yourself, you are past screwed. Even if you used it, the Monday morning quarterbacks in the news are going to BBQ you as some sadistic crazed cop knifing the poor down trodden perp. You would be better off using a folding knife, that didn't "look" so bad.

Within the the year or so an officer in Pittsburgh defended himself against an attempted gun grab using a knife. Not sure of all the details, but it does happen.

FWIW I carry a straight edge K Bar TDI. That's what was reccommended to me by an instrucor I had who I could best describe as the "Baddest Mutha in the Valley".

[CruiserClass]

I dont know much about knives.

Then why would you choose one to defend yourself with?

Get some training in knife fighting. Its not rocket science, but you'd be amazed at how deadly you can be if you are mentally prepared to stick someone and have the training to be effective. I never trained as a knife fighter but did do some knife defense specific stuff. Its both frightening and humbling as to how often I was "killed" even knowing what was about to happen.

Also remember that the only time Doc Holliday had to flee a lynch mob was when he killed a man with a knife, even though it was self-defense according to witnesses. Fair or not, knife kills are viewed more dimly than shootings. I know, I know, carried by 6 or judged by 12 and all that but if you survive the encounter to eat prison time I still consider that a lose.

[ateamer]

You guys who are saying you don't need a Ka-bar, did you click on the link? He's not talking about a USMC Ka-Bar combat knife. This one is a bit smaller.

[HEMITHS]

http://www.officer.com/web/online/On-the-Street/Ka-Bar-TDI/21$34777

cut and paste, couldn't get it to link.

[basspro]

Get the straigt edge. It is easier to sharpen.