Monthly Archives: June 2015

Fox Knives at BLADE Show

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Randall

Fox Knives had some knives on hand at BLADE Show 2015 that actually debuted at the IWA Show in Nuremburg back in March, but these were new to U.S. buyers.  I liked them for military and law enforcement use.  The first was the PM-3.  It is a no-nonsense lockback folder that is marketed for police and rescue work. The PM-3’s blade is made of Bohler-Udeholm N690Co stainless steel, which is comparable to 440C but has a little cobalt added for a little better edge holding.  It measures 3.15″ in length and is Cerakoted.  The blunt clip-point blade has large thumb studs that would work well with gloved hands. The handle … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives | Tagged , | 1 Comment

How Criminals Defeat Keyless Entry Systems

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Randall

We had experienced some curious auto thefts where a suspect was seen pointing something at a victim’s car, then opening the door and driving away.  The owner’s keys were still inside the house.  We had it all on surveillance video and it was puzzling.  This type of theft occurs by a relay attack. Passive Keyless Entry Systems are the latest technology that let drivers walk up to their car and open the doors or trunk without pushing a button or touching a key.  As long as the fob is in your pocket or purse, you are hands-free to get into the vehicle.  Once inside the car, the driver uses a … Continue reading →

Posted in Detectives, Street, Technology | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

New Florida Transient Occupant Law

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Randall

The text is a bit lengthy, but I have pasted in the new Florida State Statute 82.045, which allows a law enforcement officer to remove transient occupants from a home at the owner’s request.  This has been gray area for the police when confronted with ejecting an unwanted guest from a dwelling where they had taken up temporary residence.  Generally, it has been practice to treat as a civil matter and tell the homeowner that they must start a lengthy eviction procedure to remove the persona non grata. The statute addresses factors a LEO may use to determine if a subject is a transient occupant, procedures for their removal, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal, Street | 3 Comments

Schenk Knives at BLADE Show

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Randall

One of the first booths I happened upon at BLADE Show 2015 was being shared by Fox Knives with a fledgling company, Schenk Knives.  Zane Schenk, CEO, designer, maker, and all around nice guy showed me their Made in Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA products.  He said he likes to think they manufacture custom knives, affordable to the general public. Schenk uses three main steels in their full-tang fixed blade creations:  51200 bearing steel, Bohler-Uddenholm ELMAX, and lightning strike damascus, which is a blend of 1095 and 15N20.  Schenk knife models can be had in any of the three, partnered with a stonewashed, Cerakote, or combination Cerakote-satin finish, as in the knife … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Pohl Force Mike Three and Four Outdoor Folders

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Randall

Dietmar Pohl has been designing knives for over a decade and a half.  He is a recognized expert in tactical knives for military and law enforcement uses and has written acclaimed books on the subject.  The knife company he founded, Pohl Force, featured two new folders at BLADE Show 2015.  These were the Mike Three and Four Outdoors. Pohl Force’s EOD (Euro Ops Division) partnered with Italy’s Lionsteel to produce these robust knives.  The Mike Three and Four are modified versions of Pohl Force’s popular Mike One and Two.  The production of the Three and Four dialed back some of the more expensive manufacturing components and processes to bring the … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, Off Duty, Street, SWAT | Tagged , | 2 Comments

BLADE Show 2015

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Randall

I arrived home from BLADE Show 2015 last night.  My trip was on a nomad’s budget, so I drove up, spent one night, then drove right back.  I was able to attend the show floor on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.  It was rushed.  There were 300 booths and nearly 700 tables of good things to see.  Because of my abbreviated stay, I missed much, but I met some cool folks and saw some of the newest knives.  In the next few weeks, I will be posting articles on what I learned, so keep TBF dialed in. Friday, I collected my Media Pass at Will Call and marched right into … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, Off Duty | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Hogue Automatic Retention Holster

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Randall

Hogue, Inc. is introducing a new feature on their line of holsters.  It is called the Automatic Retention System.  The retention is released by the thumb during the drawing of the handgun.  When reinserted, the gun is passively locked in at the trigger guard. This type of holster provides a positive hold on the firearm, but avoids a competitor’s perceived problem by having the release at the thumb and not a finger.  Not that I have a problem with the trigger finger release on the issued holster I have carried in plainclothes for eight years.  My patrol holster has a thumb release. Read Hogue’s ARS press release here:

Posted in Firearms, Off Duty | 2 Comments

Murders Spike in Baltimore–Cause and Effect?

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Randall

The number of murders in Baltimore during the month of May skyrocketed following the indictments of six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray.  Baltimore had 42 homicides in May 2015.  Of cities with comparable populations, Baltimore’s homicides top those of Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, Louisville, and Nashville–combined!  It is also eight more than in New York City, which has more than ten times the number of residents. Since the indictments, arrests in Baltimore have dropped by 56% from the number of arrests in

Posted in Media, Politics | 1 Comment