Military vs. Police

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Benelli Shooter

Joined
Jun 23, 2009
Messages
91
Why would you choose one over the other? They seem to fill the same niche. I bought the Police because I believe the lock is better.
 
I have both and they're both BIG! I prefer the military though, but it's mostly an aesthatic choice.
 
I have about 10 various flavors of the Military and Police. I prefer the Military just a little, in part because the placement of the Spydie hole relative to the pivot makes it just a tad easier to swing out the blade, if that makes sense. At least thats how it seems to me. I do like the Police as well, and am waiting impatiently for a SE version to arrive in my mailbox. It is very subjective though as to which one is "better". I still dig the old-style stainless Police too, though it is heavier and a little slippy in the hand.
 
i dont have either but the handle of the mili looks a little more ergonomic to me. i also like the way it looks more, and i love the digi camo scales
 
Do any of you worry about the liner lock on the Military? When I handled one, it seemed to "stick out" quite a bit. The right twisting motion with your hand seemed like it could release the blade. Not probable. But, possible.

The lock on the Police seems stronger and less prone to accidental release.
 
I sold my Police 3 (I have a few Militarys) because it couldn't overtake the Militarys in my rotation. I think it just felt too skinny, thin and long in my hand. Not that any one of those elements are bad individually but the combination didn't fit me well.
 
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For me, it is a very simple decision. The Military's blade is under 4", the Police is over 4", and the legal limit in the state of Kansas is 4" max. I find the Military better suited to my uses anyway. I've never had an issue with the liner lock on the Military. In my opinion, it is the best engineered and executed liner lock on the market.

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I carry the Military but I add the Police 3 to my EDC every now and then, both are great knives and well if you got the P3 you are in good shape!

RickJ
 
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Both are awesome. The Military is a great all around knife that can do everything from EDC to camping. I've never had a problem on the military. I used the Police on duty. Great SD knife. Normally, I'd agree with you on liner locks in general but the Military is the best liner I've seen. Military is so non-existent when your carrying it. I've actually forgotten I'm carrying with both knives. They disappear until you need them. The Police is easier on your clothes but how can you say anything bad about a knife that cuts everything so well. I wouldn't be able to pick one over the other.
 
I prefer the Police model. It's thinner, easier to carry, doesn't profile at all, has more carry options in that it will carry either tip up or tip down, has a true ambidextrous lock, has a stronger lock, and is easier to carry concealed. The shape of its handle and heavier weight also makes it a better fist-load for striking with the base of the handle.

The Military does have a few advantages, in that it has a more substantial handle, and the handle is an open design making it easier to clean. I think the liner lock is very well made and entirely sufficient, but liner locks are simply not to my taste, so the Police model wins out. If I were looking for a large liner lock folder, I would look no further than the Military.
 
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yablanowitz said:
For me, it is a very simple decision. The Military's blade is under 4", the Police is over 4", and the legal limit in the state of Kansas is 4" max. I find the Military better suited to my uses anyway. I've never had an issue with the liner lock on the Military. In my opinion, it is the best engineered and executed liner lock on the market.
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I love the picture with the millies :D
 
Benelli Shooter said:
Why would you choose one over the other? They seem to fill the same niche. I bought the Police because I believe the lock is better.
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Here is the obligatory "use" question. It really depends on how you are going to use it. When you get down to it, many blades look very similar, but they all exist for a reason.

Selecting the Police because you prefer its lock is a perfectly good reason if you see little other difference between the two for your intended uses.

One thing I think is interesting when looking at the Police model is how it has evolved, IMO it now looks a lot more like the Military. The early versions of the Police looked very different from the Police3.
 
I have owned several different Millies, and one SS Police. I've gotten the chance to check out the new Police III's, and the Mili just feels better.
 
I've had several of both models over the years. So I guess I have to do some comparisons with handle materials.

First of all I'll say right of the bat that I personally prefer the Military model. I love the G-10 scales and the grip seems more tailored to my hand. But both models are superb and have their good points.

Now I do love the Police model with the older Carbon Fiber handles. That is one hell of a classic model that I wish they had made more of. But another reason I like the Military better is because of the wide selection of blade steels you can get it in.

And I have to go along with Yablanowitz on the legality issue. We have a 4 inch blade length limit here in Missouri for folders. Although I've never had trouble with anything I've carried as far as legality issues go it's still better to be safe rather than have to give your spare knife money to a lawyer to defend you :o

Now if I were to need a long bladed folder for use in a job or profession I would probably gravitate toward a G-10 handled Police model.

But for EDC and just an all around great multi purpose folder the Military wins for me.
 
unit said:
... It really depends on how you are going to use it. When you get down to it, many blades look very similar, but they all exist for a reason.
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What do you see as the difference in roles for these two knives. To me, the roles seem exactly the same. They just are executed differently.


P.S. Good information in this thread. The Military is the overwhelming favorite.
 
Benelli Shooter said:
What do you see as the difference in roles for these two knives. To me, the roles seem exactly the same. They just are executed differently.


P.S. Good information in this thread. The Military is the overwhelming favorite.
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That depends a bit on which police we are discussing. The police models with the false edge/swedge will likely require a lot less effort to pierce something (stab). Even the police3 has a swedge and a thinner blade (edge to spine) that both should offer less resistance when piercing.

For slicing the wider blade (edge to spine) of the mil may have a slight advantage since the grind angle is shallower for the same 3mm thick blade. These may seem marginal but if you want the best performance for a task it makes a difference.

I am sure more knowledgable users can cite other use differences/advantages for these knives. To your original point, they are quite similar but a small advantage in the area you pirmarily use seems like a larger advantage over the life of the blade.
 
Military may appeal more to the "afis" who frequent these forums, but the Police has been in continuous production, with only relatively minor changes, for 26 years. Spyderco tends to be fairly ruthless when it comes to culling slow movers from the lineup, so somebody must like it.

Not a fan of either model myself, they're both too big to fit nicely in my back pocket and, aside from the one sprint run, the Military is wrong handed to boot.

Paul
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