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Highest Quality - lil'temperance, police, or military
- Thread starter bob01
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,068
I own all three and I couldn't pick one as being better "quality" that the others - all are excellent!
For all round use I might give the nod to the Military, but this is based on blade shape and ergonomics - not quality. However, the nested liner lock is not too lefty friendly.
The MBC rated Lil' Temperance is a bit bulky for EDC but it would be a great "hard use" folder. The handle is well shaped to keep your hand in place and the compression lock seems like a significant advance over the liner lock.
The Police is a classic which is continually upgraded as better blade steels are developed. A solid lock back which gives a lot of blade in an easy to carry package.
Take your pick! All examples I've seen have great fit and finish. It depends more on what uses you would put the knife to and which fits your hand best.
For all round use I might give the nod to the Military, but this is based on blade shape and ergonomics - not quality. However, the nested liner lock is not too lefty friendly.
The MBC rated Lil' Temperance is a bit bulky for EDC but it would be a great "hard use" folder. The handle is well shaped to keep your hand in place and the compression lock seems like a significant advance over the liner lock.
The Police is a classic which is continually upgraded as better blade steels are developed. A solid lock back which gives a lot of blade in an easy to carry package.
Take your pick! All examples I've seen have great fit and finish. It depends more on what uses you would put the knife to and which fits your hand best.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2000
- Messages
- 608
I agree with the above.
Police; easy to carry, great feeling knife. I like the Carbon Fiber version the best. I like lockbacks.
Military: good quality. Nice, large, light knife. Smooth action, solid lock up. There is nothing wrong with the Military, it's just not my favorite. I've had three of them and ended up either selling or trading them off.
I really like the compression lock. I just got a Gunting and am planning on getting a Lil' Temperance. They are a little more bulky than the other two, but I would have no problem carrying the Lil' Temp everyday. That's what it was designed for, a "big, little knife" in Spyderco's parlance.
Can't go wrong either way. I would lean towards the Police, if I had to pick one, as it's a classic that's been around for a long time with a proven back-lock.
Leo
Police; easy to carry, great feeling knife. I like the Carbon Fiber version the best. I like lockbacks.
Military: good quality. Nice, large, light knife. Smooth action, solid lock up. There is nothing wrong with the Military, it's just not my favorite. I've had three of them and ended up either selling or trading them off.
I really like the compression lock. I just got a Gunting and am planning on getting a Lil' Temperance. They are a little more bulky than the other two, but I would have no problem carrying the Lil' Temp everyday. That's what it was designed for, a "big, little knife" in Spyderco's parlance.
Can't go wrong either way. I would lean towards the Police, if I had to pick one, as it's a classic that's been around for a long time with a proven back-lock.
Leo
Thanks. Can you tell I'm having a hard time deciding which one to get? I was hoping if one was of noticeably higher quality it might make the decision easier.
I like the blade shape of the military, but I'd prefer not to have the liner lock. The carbon fiber police looks nice, too. I don't like the blade shape as well as the military, though (not that it's bad.. though I've heard the tip might be more prone to breaking?)
I'm leaning towards the lil'temperance right now, but that may change.
I like the blade shape of the military, but I'd prefer not to have the liner lock. The carbon fiber police looks nice, too. I don't like the blade shape as well as the military, though (not that it's bad.. though I've heard the tip might be more prone to breaking?)
I'm leaning towards the lil'temperance right now, but that may change.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2000
- Messages
- 608
I feel your pain! If you're not absolutely sure you trust linerlocks, try to handle a Military in person before buying. The overall quality is good, it's just a very light knife with a BIG cutout that gives access to the lock. For everyday chores this would be no big deal. I just like the extra security offered by the lock back and compression lock. If you're trying to choose between the stainless (slippery) Police and the Temperance, I would go with the Temperance due to the secure grip. Hope my rambling helps.
Leo
Leo
- Joined
- Nov 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,499
Bob,
The choice should depend on what you choose your knife for. I use my Military daily for some years as around household knife, from kitchen to garage and I like it a lot. If I could keep the one knife only not excluded Military would be my choice. It is also excellent choice going outdoors because it provides great versatility and a lot of cutting power in slim and lightweight package. However for daily carry in urban environment it is way too big and sensation causing, certainly not bystander friendly.
For urban carry I would choose Lil Temperance because it is smaller (although somewhat bulkier) than Military, legal practically everywhere (only 3-inched blade), however it is the knife what is able to do much more that it seems at first glance. Very comfortable handle, provides firm and secure grip, really heavy-duty piece. Also nice cutter.
CF Police is really well made knife, however mine stays at home. Simply not my favorite blade shape, I prefer fully flat ground ones like first two. Also a bit onto big and sensation causing side for urban carry.
The choice should depend on what you choose your knife for. I use my Military daily for some years as around household knife, from kitchen to garage and I like it a lot. If I could keep the one knife only not excluded Military would be my choice. It is also excellent choice going outdoors because it provides great versatility and a lot of cutting power in slim and lightweight package. However for daily carry in urban environment it is way too big and sensation causing, certainly not bystander friendly.
For urban carry I would choose Lil Temperance because it is smaller (although somewhat bulkier) than Military, legal practically everywhere (only 3-inched blade), however it is the knife what is able to do much more that it seems at first glance. Very comfortable handle, provides firm and secure grip, really heavy-duty piece. Also nice cutter.
CF Police is really well made knife, however mine stays at home. Simply not my favorite blade shape, I prefer fully flat ground ones like first two. Also a bit onto big and sensation causing side for urban carry.
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2003
- Messages
- 102
I love my Military in partially serrated form. It is very light, has lots of belly, but is very big. I compare it size to my AFCK. Though not as thick as the AFCK(in the handles, the blade is actually thicker than the AFCK, check the specs). It has earned a place next to my BM750BT as my around the house user. Very good knife, one of the smoother liner locks I've used.
All of them are high quality knives. However, while the Military and Police are heavy duty rated, the Lil'T is MBC rated. It's the strongest of them all. It also has more carrying options. It has an open back (like the Military) thus it's easy to clean. And the new S30V steel (Lil'T and Millie) is the best. The Police has still VG-10 steel AFAIK.