Military or ParaMilitary or Police?

Humppa

Humppa

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
7,432
Hello guys.

I usually carry a traditional slipjoint by my side, and will do forever, I think. I have some modern knives, too. Also some from Spyderco (Delica 4, Tenacious, Bug, UK Penknife). But for my job none of them seems to be the best. It should be carried as a working knife and not as a EDC. It could (!!!!????) also be possible that I need it for self-defense. I work as some kind of a police officer here in Germany. So I thought about one of these three. But which would you recommend? I would only carry this knife for backpocket carry.

I have looked at all of them very exactelly. Do any of you have comparison pics in size and maybe in in-hand-pics? I´ve also looked for some pro´s and con´s on any of them.

Here are my thoughts:

Military
+ S30V blade

- expensive
- liner lock
- too large over all (I think)

Police
+ backlock
+ VG10 blade steel

- too large over all (I think)
- expensive

PM
+ S30V blade steel
+ prize ok
+ seems to be smaller than the other two

- Compression lock .... I don´t know what it is.

You see, I have the biggest problem in the size of the knife, opened as well as closed. The prize is one thing to look at, but not for the decision the most important. The steel doesn´t seem to bad on any of these.
The Paramilitary has the most Pro´s on its side, it seems.

I´m looking forward hearing some opinions.

Thanks, for you help!

Kind regards
 
Let me just say that none of these knives really seem "too big" when in your hand. They are all thin and light weight, and carry easily in the pocket.

The good news is that whatever you chose, you will probably like it. I own around 18 versions of these three models in differing steels and colors. The Police model probably disappears in the pocket the most easily because of its thin profile, but it does not flick open as easily as the Military and Para. But what constitutes the "best" is highly subjective. If I could only have one, it would probably be the Military. The liner lock is the easiest to disengage with one hand, and its big enough for just about any task but still thin and light weight enough that you never know its in your pocket. The Para 2's compression lock is on the back of the knife, which takes just a little more hand movement to disengage, but its still very easy.

I don't know what to tell you except to pick what you subjectively believe you will best like, and buy that one. Any of these three will make you happy I think.

20120128_120833.jpg

Military.

IMG_2428.jpg

Para 2.
 
Thank you Powernoodle!

On the pic below, it seems that the compression lock, used on the Para 2 will work a little like the backlock of the Mercator knive. But without letting the pullbar let look out of the handle. Very interessting.

Thank you for your replie :)

Kind regards
 
Andi! Good to see you here! You will love your Spyderco!
Go with the Para Military! You will love the comp-lock once you get used to it.
Be careful. It's hard to own just one Spyder.
Rolf
 
I have two of both the ParaMilitary2 and the Military models... and I personally like the Para2 more. The compression lock is really nice. It works almost like a liner lock in the back of the knife, but the construction and the locking method is completely different, and is a much stronger/better lock, in my opinion.

I don't know exactly what type of use you're looking for when you said "as a working knife, not as EDC"... to me, "EDC" is a working knife. "EveryDay Carry" - so it's the knife I carry on me every day, and is used most. However, if you're looking for something truly heavy duty, and use it in police defensive use, I would highly recommend a fixed blade (not a folding knife) carried either on the belt or boot. or wherever is most accessible or easiest to get to. I have a few friends in law enforcement here, and it is very important that they have a fixed blade knife they can just pull out and use if necessary. In a defensive situation where you'll need a knife, you don't want to have to open a folding knife and make sure it's locked.

But if you want a good working knife that you can carry in the back pocket, I love the ParaMilitary2 and the Military both. To me, I like the ParaMilitary2 better by a small margin, but both are great knives. I carry my ParaMilitary2 every day (and a G10-UKPK).
 
Andi, I have a number of each of the knives you mention. I can shoot comparison and in-hand picture later this evening.

Of the three, I carry the Military in my back pocket every day, and I never notice it is there. The Police is a little over the maximum legal blade length where I live, so it doesn't see much pocket time. I've never warmed up to the compression lock of the Paramilitary, I find it very awkward to release right-handed. I have my Para 2 set up for left hand tip down carry for that reason.
 
I carry my para 2 during work cause it is smaller, but the military is a large and light for its size knife I always have on me after work

I'll take side by side pics in a second for you
 
I got my first military a few months ago and loved it, but I got my first PM2 a few weeks later and haven't carried the military since. They are both awesome knives, but I like tip up more than tip down, prefer the compression lock, and the PM2 is big enough but the military is definitely bigger than I need(and I carried an Endura for years ).

I have a hard time closing the compression lock left handed quickly though. Right handed it really is perfection.
 
The only common size reference I have is a pack of cigarettes

2012-08-28_11-44-19_796.jpg

2012-08-28_11-43-30_166.jpg
 
Thank you for the info, so far. Thanks for the pics in comparison.

The Police doesn´t seem to be very popular at all. But ok, for this I´m here.

I think now, both will make a nice knife in the pocket. But the PM might be smaller than the military with the same slim profile to disappear in the backpocket.

Hm... still pretty difficult!

Just for explanation @imcq784: I EDC my slipjoints, really as an EDC. The Spyderco just should be an on-the-road-option for my duty, next to my regular EDC. ;) Maybe I wrote this misunderstandable.

@jack: Comparison shots would be great, seeing the dimensions on every of the three knives next to each other. Though yoko´s shots are great (thanks, btw.).

Kind regards
Andi
 
For what you want I think you will be happy with the para 2
 
I only had time for a couple of quick pictures on my lunch break. The Police Model may not seem popular here, but it has been in Spyderco's top ten best sellers for over twenty-five years. Someone must like it.

Top to bottom: Paramilitary 2, Military, Police stainless, Police 3 G-10

DSCF1409.jpg


DSCF1410.jpg
 
Well, gentlemen!

Thanks a lot for the nice comparison shots. Now I know more. :)

I gonna think about it again, and looking at your pics (and the money to buy it ;) )

I let you know my decision and making my first thoughts about this knife on the knife I´ve chosen.

Great help from you guys!

Kind regards
Andi
 
I don't have any experience with the others, but I highly recommend the Para 2. I have had it for almost four months and love it. I think I will always have a Para 2
 
Well, I don't want the Police getting shot-changed, so I guess it's time to throw this up again.

DSCF1028.jpg


Yes, I like the C07 Police even if I can't carry it legally.
 
Yes. If you can be arrested for carrying it, it is too big. If you ever had to use it, the lawyers will claim you were looking for trouble, and carrying an illegal weapon supports their claim.
 
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