When I began my law enforcement career in the mid-1970s, carrying a knife was rare. If an officer had one, it was a small folder that was carried for small cutting chores or whittling. It certainly wasn’t a tactical tool.
Today, carrying some type of knife is as common as carrying a gun or baton. It’s viewed as a necessary kit, and it should be. But why do we carry a knife on the job? Some officers carry a blade as a back-up weapon, but I’m willing to go out on a limb here and state that most carry a knife as a cutting tool for both emergency and routine situations. Early in my career, I needed a knife to help an accident victim and didn’t have one. Big mistake. I’ve carried one ever since. I’ve been a student in numerous edged-weapon courses, but I still consider the knife a tool for cutting chores.
At the same time, patrol officers have more equipment around their belt than ever before. Awhile back, I was talking with a tall, trim female recruit in her early 20s who was lamenting all of the gear she would be required to wear in her new job. She told me, “I guess I’ll have to become a fat ass in order to wear all of my gear!” I told her that she might have to get creative and find alternate carry location(s), but that putting on weight was to be avoided at all costs.
Adding a knife to your complement of gear is easy. Most folding knives have belt clips and will attach just about anywhere. The secret is to carry the knife/tool in the same place, practice deploying it quickly with one hand and ensure that you buy the model that meets your needs.
Blackhawk offers two folding knives that I think are worthy of consideration because of their compact size, quality and utility. The Hawk Hook (about $30) and Hawk Point ($45) knives are specifically designed for emergency services. Being prepared means having the right tool at the right time, and with either of these, you can have a rescue tool with you 24/7.
The Hawk Hook’s blade locks open via a stout, frame-lock mechanism in the handle and has an ambidextrous thumb stud for easy one-hand opening. With a blade length of 2.5 inches, it’s long enough to cut most any material that can be cut by hand. The blade is really a multi-tool, supplying a serrated cutting edge that looks more like a saw, a flat-tip screw driver, a wire stripper and a bottle opener/pry tool that can be used for small chores.
The blade, which is made from AUS8A stainless steel, comes on a hook configuration with a sharpened edge on the underside of the hook for the cutting of seatbelts. The other edge of the hook has a point that can be used to break vehicle windows. The 420J stainless-steel handle is covered with a textured nylon grip panel to enhance an officer’s grip on the tool, especially when wearing gloves. A lanyard hole and removable pocket clip are also part of the grip.
The new Hawk Point folding knife is versatile. The robust, curved, drop-point blade is constructed of AUS8A stainless steel. The solid frame lock keeps the blade deployed during rough treatment while the ambidextrous thumb studs offer easy, one-hand opening capability. Like the Hawk Hook, the Hawk Point has a bottle opener/pry tool as well as a wire stripper built in the blade. A removable belt clip and a lanyard hole and the same textured handle as found on the Hawk Hook complete the package. The blade is made from the same AUS8A stainless steel but also has a rust-resistant black PVD coating.
Both knives are designed to be carried tip down to ensure that they’re not accidentally opened in your pocket or waistband.
Although I’m enthusiastic about these folders, they’re not a replacement for full-size tools; they’re supplements. If you have access to larger cutting tools, you would be better served using them. But can you carry such a tool with you at all times? The beauty of the Blackhawk Hawk Hook and Hawk Point is they can be ready at hand 24/7.
BlackHawk Knives
Pros
• Solid frames
• Ambidextrous thumb studs yield one-hand opening
• Pry tool and wire stripper built into blade
Cons
• Won’t replace full-size tools
CONTACT
Blackhawk
800/694-5263