KA-BAR Knife Review – TDI Law Enforcement
Well, this review has some age on it at this point, and we’ve looked at some fantastic knives since then. For a more up-to-date take, check out Best Survival Knives | Hands-On Testing.
The KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife is an excellent off-hand knife for your CCW. Keep it sharp and on your belt, and it’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice. The black blade and contoured handle make it less conspicuous than other fixed blades, giving the TDI an advantage when you need an option for self-defense or EDC.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
- KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife Technical Info
- What they got right on the TDI Law Enforcement Knife
- What they got wrong on the TDI Law Enforcement Knife
- My experience with the TDI Law Enforcement Knife
- The Verdict
- Where to buy a KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife
- Accessories for the KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife
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KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife Technical Info
Here are the technical specifications of the KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement knife.
- Blade Material: AUS 8A Stainless Steel
- Blade Type: Fixed
- Blade Shape: Drop Point
- Blade Grind: Hollow
- Rockwell: 57-59CR
- Blade Thickness: 0.125″
- Blade Length: 2.3″
- Total Length: 5.6″
- Weight: 3.0 oz (5.2 w/ sheath)
- Handle Material: Zytel (nylon resin)
- Functionality: Tactical Personal Protection
- Made In: Taiwan
- Designer: John Benner
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
The overall length, blade length, blade width, and weight were verified by us when we reviewed a wide range of fixed knives. The knife was designed by John Benner, the founder and owner of Tactical Defense Institute, which is where the knife gets its name.
Benner is a 33-year veteran police Lieutenant who saw how gross motor skills are more easily relied upon than fine motor skills when an officer is under duress. He spent a year fielding prototype samples before the original TDI earned his stamp of approval and went into production in 2002.
What they got right on the TDI Law Enforcement Knife
KA-BAR may be better known for its USMC combat knife, but they offer over 75 military and tactical knives under the KA-BAR and Becker labels. The TDI has become one of the more popular tactical knives due to its proven close-quarter effectiveness.
The KA-BAR TDI law enforcement knife is lightweight, but has a substantial tactical grip. The nonslip nylon resin handle is engineered for quickly drawing the knife consistently, thanks to the handle’s ergonomics. The small, black blade is very subtle, and combined with the concealed sheath, it makes for an excellent tactical knife.
It is designed to be used as a ‘last resort’ weapon on the weak side, opposite of a concealed carry firearm. The idea is to use the hidden knife if someone attempts to take your firearm. It draws smoothly out of the sheath, which is well constructed with a wide metal clip.
What they got wrong on the TDI Law Enforcement Knife
It is difficult to find faults in a knife designed for one purpose, especially if it fulfills that purpose well. There could be many faults if this were a survival knife or a standalone tactical knife, but it is a last-resort knife and is perfect in that regard.
The crescent-style full-tang construction makes the blade drop point, and the handle holds at an angle. It feels a bit like a pistol grip when you go to quickly grab it, but it reminds me more of the larger Kukri knife in its shape and handle. It’s not a drawback, but something to get used to if you’re used to straight blades.
The KA-BAR warranty could be better by not being a limited warranty, but very few tactical knife manufacturers offer full lifetime warranties.
Some complain that the sheath could be better at securing the knife, but there are many options for different types of sheaths. For those people, it may be nice if the sheath were sold separately so the knife could be at a lower cost, when they don’t plan on using the included Kydex.
My experience with the TDI Law Enforcement Knife
I have not had to use this knife for its intended purpose, but that is most definitely for the best. Situational awareness and avoiding confrontation are best if you can manage it. Being a ‘last resort’ knife keeps the blade in good condition. It is light enough that it is very easy to get used to carrying.
As a survivalist, I prefer survival knives over knives that are specifically designed with personal defense in mind. Even with EDC, where weight and size limitations point me to neck knives and folders, I don’t often consider the fixed-knife belt clip.
This review helped me broaden my horizons and helped me appreciate this knife for what it is. Since the review, I’ve started horizontally carrying larger knives on the back of my belt to take advantage of the fixed blade durability and larger-knife functionality.
The Verdict
The KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife is a good addition for anyone using a concealed carry firearm. While it may not be versatile enough to carry as a stand-alone knife, it does its job very well. It is a great small, concealable, last resort knife. We recommend it here at TruePrepper and have enjoyed ours as part of our EDC loadout.
Where to buy a KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife
You can find the TDI at most sellers that carry KA-BAR knives. Amazon also carries the knife, making it easy to price compare with other shops that have it.
You can find the KA-BAR TDI used, but not for a significant savings. I’ve found that most KA-BARs tend to retain their value well on the secondary market. I’ve most recently seen a heavily used older TDI model marked down just 40% from the list price after obvious decades of use and sharpening.
Accessories for the KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife
TDI-specific accessories are limited to a few different types of sheaths.
Besides sheaths, knives can always use a good sharpener. Lube and tightening tools aren’t necessary for a TDI, since it is a fixed blade.
The Final Word
The KA-BAR TDI can make sense for people beyond just law enforcement. If you need a good self-defense knife to carry opposite of your CCW, it’ll fit the bill. Most people hunting for a self-defense knife find the TDI as a good fit, even if it’s just for walking to your car late at night.
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