When I arrived at work yesterday, there was some buzz about a training incident between an FTO and a recruit that had occurred earlier in the day. It seems that it was our new recruits’ first day in the blue uniform. Some of them were assigned to Daywatch. After roll call, they were examined by their training officers.
One of the FTO’s noticed a strange handle sticking out of the front of the recruit’s gun belt. Yes, it was a KA-BAR TDI knife, ostensibly designed for an officer’s last ditch self defense.
The FTO had never actually handled a TDI, but he had heard of them. To demonstrate the vulnerability of the knife, the FTO reached out just to tug on the handle of the TDI. To his surprise, the blade came right out! The recruit instinctively went to grab his knife and bang! He got cut. Oh, dear.
I purchased a KA-BAR TDI two years ago. I threaded it into my underbelt and situated it in the recommended location, behind my gun belt’s double magazine pouch on my support side front. Tactical Defense Institute said the knife could be mounted in either a forward or reverse grip for the support hand. I have trained in a reverse grip. In either position, I was immediately concerned with its lack of security. It did not stay there the whole shift. A fellow sergeant also had the same experience.
The problem is not with the knife itself. The TDI positions the blade aggressively in the hand for cutting and punching with a straight wrist. Its handle is relieved to lock the index finger and prevent one’s digits from sliding on to the blade. With training, the TDI can be wielded with great martial lethality.
Ultimately, I find the sheath of this knife to be its Achilles’ heel. The molded polymer sheath has no retention, save a friction fit. For a knife that is going to be carried out in the open, it should have a locking device similar to a Level II retention gun holster.
On 12/24/2010, Austin, TX Police Ofc. Frank Wilson found out the shortcomings of a KA-BAR TDI, firsthand. During a physical struggle, suspect Maurice Pierce was able to pull Ofc. Wilson’s TDI from its sheath and slash Wilson across the neck. Seriously injured, Wilson transitioned to his firearm and shot Pierce, who was killed. Ofc. Wilson recovered from his wounds. Austin PD banned any knife not carried in an enclosed case or secreted on the officer’s person.
The KA-BAR TDI was designed by Tactical Defense Institute (TDI) President and Chief Instructor John Benner. Benner is an Army veteran and a police officer with over thirty-seven years of service. The intent of the TDI knife, as a back-up blade for law enforcement, is admirable.
As I said, I like the actual knife, but I strongly feel the sheath and its intended carry placement of the TDI are unsafe for duty. It would increase the price of the TDI to re-engineer the sheath to give it a retention quality, but that would minimize the platform as a danger to the user. If you have a co-worker carrying a TDI, please pass along this info.
Randall
Most of the guys I work with carry these, I’ll definitely pass this along.
I’ve found that some TDI sheaths fit tighter than others. I have one of each, and have found that even the same knife can fit differently in another’s sheath.
I have researched after market kydex sheaths, and have a couple to look decent, but have not handled them in person. We’re kicking around the idea of making one too.
Also, are the pics not loading for anybody else?
I mounted mine to my vest under my shirt for the very same reason. I also dont wear pens in my shirt pocket as those are also weapons of opportunity for an adversary.
M@, the first photo had a pretty high res, so I toned it down.
Dan, before we had a secondary firearm policy, one our guys carried a TDI on his vest straps…
Randall
The article title, “Ka-Bar TDI Knife Review; Unsafe for Duty,” is misleading.
It suggests there is something wrong with the knife itself, when in fact, the shortcoming is with the factory sheath.
The article could just as well be titled, “Glock 19 Review; Unsafe for Duty,” because the factory Glock holsters suck. Of course you want to use a retention holster for your exposed duty gun. That goes without saying. Same thing goes for an exposed knife.
Most serious knife people will have a custom sheath made. Heck, most really high end knives don’t even come with a sheath due to this fact.
The answer is simple – have a custom retention sheath made, or conceal the knife.
I obviously don’t consider it misleading. Since the TDI comes as a package with knife and sheath combination, and is squarely marketed to be worn together on duty for law enforcement, I think my evaluation is fair. I agree that a custom sheath is in order. That said, if the knife came with a disclaimer that the sheath is not fit for street duty, I could be more sympathetic.
Randall
I’ve like the idea of the TDI knife since it originally came out. Like most everyone else I was very concerned with the weapon retention. My solution to TDI carry was to velcro the sheath inside of a Un#le M*kes pocket holster and carry the knife in my non-dominant side pants pocket. The knife is concealed but is accessible.
Excellent idea, Jayrob! I like the knife and your pocket carry solves the retention issue I have with the sheath. Nice.
Randall