Military vs. Police

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L2bravo

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Jun 14, 2013
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How different are the Military, and the Police, in size and such. Are there any really major differences? They look very similar to me, online at least.

Edit: I realize the liner lock/lockback differences, and vg-10/S30V. I guess I was asking more on the feel, and "performance" for lack of a better word.
 
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Well Liam, they are Spyderco knives, and oddly enough, this is the Spyderco forum. Yes I am serious.
 
we were all new here once...
L2bravo said:
How different are the Military, and the Police, in size and such. Are there any really major differences? They look very similar to me, online at least.
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the military has a 4-inch blade and a 5 1/2-inch handle. it has partial stainless steel liners inlaid into the g-10 scales to reduce weight. the spydey hole is 14mm in diameter, meant to allow easy one-hand opening even with gloves on. weight is 4.2 ounces. standard blade steel is cpm s30v but numerous sprint runs have offered different types of super steels. the lock system is a walker liner lock. the military is considered the poster boy model of spyderco, at least for those made in golden colorado. detractors say it's a little too big (and scary-looking) for an EDC knife.

the police 3 has a 4 3/8-inch blade (though slimmer than the military blade) and a handle 5 1/2 inches long. it has full stainless steel liners that are skeletonized. handle scales are g-10 and the lock system is a back lock. offered only in vg-10 stainless steel. weight is 5 ounces. the police in its early versions has been a top seller in the spyderco line. today it's still very popular. some say it's a super endura with the advantage of having a jimped choil and g-10 scales. the downside to it is it's hard to close one-handed by some people. detractors say it's also a little too big to carry everyday, unless you're a uniformed serviceman. earlier versions (with smooth stainless steel scales) have been known to slip the user's hand onto the cutting edge during a hard stab --presumably mitigated with the use of g-10 scales.
 
The Police is thinner than the military, and the blade isn't as wide so it fits into it's handle better. It carries brilliantly in my pocket.
 
I'll just say that, having had both, I prefer the Military. The Millie is also available as a left hand model, where the Police is not (ambidextrous). I carry two Millie's daily, and no one has told me they are scary. Matter of fact no one blinks an eye when I pull it out to cut something.

The Police I had was an early aluminum handled tufram coated model with full serrated blade. I sold it because I realized I dislike serrations on a EDC knife. Otherwise, very slim and trim knife with a nice long blade.

The Millie blade is full flat ground, where the Police, unless something changed, is hollow ground. The Millie was designed by Sal as a knife he would send his son into combat with. It is that kind of knife.

You probably cannot go wrong with either. I prefer the handle shape of the Millie to that of the Police.
 
Thanks guys for the help. I like the look of them, and use a knife a lot at work, and on my side job as well. I do actually have a need for larger bladed knives, that are built quite well. Not knowing which one I like, I guess I may have to get both. I'm sure I won't hate either. I am looking at the G10 scales, and PE. Sorry if I wasnt clear on that. Thanks again guys.
 
Personally, I would choose the Police over the Military for only one reason, the locking mechanism. I prefer the lock back over a liner lock; otherwise, they both would serve you well if you have the need for such large folders.
 
I believe the Millie has significantly thicker blade stock. 4mm vs 3mm. That's could be good or bad depending on your uses. I kind of like thinner blades.
 
I like the slim profile of the police a lot. Trouble is the length is just a hair over 4" making it illegal in many places I go.
 
L2bravo said:
Well Liam, they are Spyderco knives, and oddly enough, this is the Spyderco forum. Yes I am serious.
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LMAO Sorry man I feel like an idot. It was 3am when I wrote that, I though you ment like the Military Force vs the Police force LMAO.
 
Liam021 said:
LMAO Sorry man I feel like an idot. It was 3am when I wrote that, I though you ment like the Military Force vs the Police force LMAO.
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No harm friend. I imagined that might have been the way you read it. It's actually kinda funny.
 
I feel like the only thing that makes them the same is the fact that they are knives and have holes in the blade. I like the police in 50/50, but as stated it's really a big knife (length wise).

Police2good-2.jpg
 
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