5.11 Tactical Double-Duty Responder Tool

No matter how bad it makes administrations, chiefs and sheriffs worry, the fact of the matter is that the large majority of law enforcement professionals carry a knife. Some agencies address this reality by putting proper requiremenst and controls in place via policy. Other agencies pretend it isn't happening. Yet other agencies call knives something else and regulate it as that "something else." 5.11 Tactical covers all the bases with their new Double Duty Responder Tool. Let's get the basic specs out of the way first:

Overall length, main blade locked open - 8.65"
Length closed - 5.2"
3.75" sheepsfoot combo edge blade (I measure it at 3.5" with 3.375" of actual cutting edge)
1.6" fully serrated cord/webbing blade (I measure it at 1.5" with 1" of actual cuttig edge)
Carbide glass breaker (in the opposite end of the cord/webbing blade, so the breaker is exposed when that blade is folded shut)
Rescue Orange FRN scales with injection molded TPR grip points
Three postion pocket clip

The main blade is very easy to rotate open and locks open securely via liner lock. The oval thumb hole is large enough to open the blade comfortably with either hand, but if you're doing it with your left thumb, it FEELS like there's less room to work with. There actually is. The grips are cut on the right side so that it's easy to get your thumb in to disengage the liner lock when you want to, even if you're wearig thick gloves. That also means there is more room on the right side to get your thumb into the opening hole to push the blade out.

The secondary blade, the cord/webbing blade, is at the opposite end and, because of the realities of pivoting lock blades, is not ambidextrous to open. The same piece of steel in the middle of the knife provides the liner lock for both blades: one at either end. However, while the main blade liner lock is exactly where you'd expect it, the liner lock for the cord/webbing blade is actually on the back of the knife; the spine, near what we would all call the butt end. When that blade is fully closed, the carbide glass breaker tip is exposed.

Testing has shown that everything works. The main blade cut everything I tested it on with no issues. The cord/webbing blade cut 1/2" rope, paracord and 1" nylon webbing with no issues. Yes, I even went to a junk yard and tried the carbide glass breaker on several junked car windows. Each one broke with a strong strike, first hit.

Now, I don't consider this a "pocket knife." Yes, it has a steel clip that can be mounted in three different positions allowing you to carry it:

Pivot end up, right side
Pivot end up, left side
Pivot end down, left side

Yes, you could carry it pivot end down, right side but then you'd have to turn the knife around in your hand before opening it after you got the knife out of your pocket. The reason I consider it too big to be a "pocket knife," or even regularly carried clipped into a front pocket, is because closed the knife is over 5" long and it's 5/8" thick. That does not make it of prohibitive size for carrying clipped in a cargo pocket, jacket pocket, etc.

On the 5.11 Tactical websitethe Double Duty Responder Tool carries an MSRP of $79.99. A Google search of "5.11 Tactical Double Duty Responder Tool" located one dealer carrying them for $61 plus shipping and handling. That's a pretty good price for a Responder Tool (knife) with these capabilities and design features.

Stay safe!

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About The Author:

Lt. Frank Borelli (ret) is the Editor In Chief for Officer.com, and has 30 years of military and civilian law enforcement experience. An instructor since 1989 and having delivered training across the country, he stays active in police work, training, and writing. Frank has had five non-fiction and two fiction books published along with two research papers of specific interest to the law enforcement and/or military communities. All can be found / purchased on his Author Page on Amazon.com linked above. If you have any comments or questions, you can contact him via email to [email protected].