Military vs. Police3

C

Cap'n Ahab

Joined
Aug 2, 2008
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12
My next purchase is going to be one of Spyderco's large folders, but I have no idea which one to buy since they all look so great. I have it narrowed down to just the military and g-10 police and they both seem like great, well designed knives with great reviews by various users. But there's the problem, I can only buy one (at least right now) so I need some help choosing. To give you an idea of the usage it would see, it will mostly be everyday cutting tasks like string, opening an occasional package and some cardboard, but I would like the best all around knife for whatever might be thrown at it.
 
If you want to stab people get the Police. Otherwise, the Military is more versatile IMO.
 
I use to be all Military type of Guy until I got the Police 3, I like it just as much, so I think it is the Militarys equal but different, You will not go wrong with either one, and yes the Police 3 can be used for general purpose stuff too!!!!!

RickJ
 
For sd,I would take the military over the police 3 IMO.Military has a sharper tip and a deeper belly and lighter weight.The military also is better for utility.
 
I think the critical factor here is whether or not you like a big handle or a thin one. I don't have a Police 3 yet (that's soon to change), but from what I've heard the big difference is the Police is more compact, where the Military has a farily wide handle. For that reason I like the Military, and if you like a big handle then the Military is where it's at.

Also keep in mind the Police 3 is tapped for all four carry positions, where the Military can't be changed at all.
 
get the flatgrind G10 endura...I dont have the police 3 but do have a military and the original police and frankly I like the flatground endura better overall than the other two. Granted each does something better than the other but the endura is all in all my favorite.
 
Here are some pros and cons after owning the Police 3 and a few different Millies.

Military

+Available in a variety of handle and blade options
+Lighter of the two
+Opens a little more easily
+Main grip is more comfortable and secure overall
-RH tip down clip mounting only
-Thicker blade (4mm vs 3mm) reduces overall cutting ability, though the Military still cuts better than most knives


Police 3

+Thinner tip and blade stock, resulting in a thinner edge which excels at penetrating media during a cut
+4 way clip mounting
+Excellent blade shape, the lack of significant belly works great for me during EDC tasks
+Feels very good when using the choil
+Thinner handle makes the knife less noticeable in the pocket, ignoring the extra 1 ounce of weight
-While the regular grip is good it's not quite as comfortable or secure as the Military grip for me
-Heavier of the two
-VG10 / G10 only


I find myself carrying my Police more than my BG42 Military. I like the tip up carry, prefer the blade shape, prefer the manipulation of a lock back, I like how thin the handles are and it cuts a little better. I still prefer the ergos, light weight and materials of my Military though. CF / ZDP189 Police 3 would be very, very nice in my opinion. :)
 
The Military is a great knife, but I can't stand liner locks, so I would go for the Police 3.
 
they will both cut well, they are both similar in size.

the p3 carries a bit better in the pocket, but otherwise i think the size differences are minimal.

the main difference is in the locks. do you prefer a liner or lockback?

if you have no particular preference re lock type, its a coin toss.
 
Vivi said:
Police 3

+Thinner tip and blade stock...
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Thinner tip than the Military:eek:. I thought Sal said he made the tip on the Police 3 thicker because people were breaking it too often.


CF / ZDP189 Police 3 would be very, very nice in my opinion. :)
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That is a very good idea.

Would we want polished or textured CF? I kind of like the Caly 3 polished stuff, but CF is still nice in any form (and I could polish it myself).
 
Joshua J. said:
Would we want polished or textured CF? I kind of like the Caly 3 polished stuff, but CF is still nice in any form (and I could polish it myself).
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I'd go for the aggressive texture the CF Military knives feature. Better grip.

MORIMOTOM said:
the tip on the p3 is thicker and the angle toward the tip is more obtuse.
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It appears otherwise, comparing in order my P3, BG42 Millie and Endura 4 VG10:

bladecomparisonmq1.jpg


Considering the P3 has a longer blade and thinner stock, it makes sense it would have thinner geometry throughout.
 
I've carried both of these great classics. Discreet carry is my number one priority, so I frequently carry large folders IWB, either at the small of my back or somewhere in front, left or right depending. For this reason I prefer the P3. It's more slender and slightly more comfortable to carry. Carried IWB, I don't notice the slightly heavier weight at all. In the hand, I prefer the extra weight. The ability to change clip positions is another plus.

I carry the Military if I expect messy work because the open design is easier to clean. It's a wonderful design too.

To me the diff between lockback and liner lock is academic. Both are proven. I'm drawn to lockbacks only because I prefer the slightly heavier and solid feel that lockbacks convey.

Given the use you describe for this knife, I would start with the P3. IMHO every Spydie fan should have what many consider the flagship of the Spyderco line. Then save up for a Military next, because you'll always wonder whether you made the right choice and you'll never feel complete until you have a Military in your collection:p

BTW - my first post on this wonderful forum! I've been a Spyderco fan since 1981, yup I have one of the first Spydies (the Worker) and also one of the first Police.
 
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Mako109 said:
I've carried both of these great classics. Discreet carry is my number one priority, so I frequently carry large folders IWB, either at the small of my back or somewhere in front, left or right depending. For this reason I prefer the P3. It's more slender and slightly more comfortable to carry. Carried IWB, I don't notice the slightly heavier weight at all. In the hand, I prefer the extra weight. The ability to change clip positions is another plus.

I carry the Military if I expect messy work because the open design is easier to clean. It's a wonderful design too.

To me the diff between lockback and liner lock is academic. Both are proven. I'm drawn to lockbacks only because I prefer the slightly heavier and solid feel that lockbacks convey.

Given the use you describe for this knife, I would start with the P3. IMHO every Spydie fan should have what many consider the flagship of the Spyderco line. Then save up for a Military next, because you'll always wonder whether you made the right choice and you'll never feel complete until you have a Military in your collection:p

BTW - my first post on this wonderful forum! I've been a Spyderco fan since 1981, yup I have one of the first Spydies (the Worker) and also one of the first Police.
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Welcome to the Forum Mako, great write up. :thumbup:
 
I like the P3. I like it very much..............I carry two daily, one serrated and one plain. I am not sure if Spyderco will visit some steel changes and variations to this model. This model is just a no frills design meant to work. I will say as I have in a few of my post regarding the P3, Spyderco refined one of their classics and did it in a wonderful way. The P3 carries small and cuts big! Give it a try if you like larger folders that carries extremely well.:thumbup:
 
I love my millies. I haven't gotten a Police yet, but that's because they only offered them in SS. With the Police 3 in G-10, I'm going to have to pick it up sometime.

Note that the blade on the Police is a bit longer then 4", and matched with a very similar sized handle. The blade on the military is a bit shorter then the handle. This is ( I believe) due to the amount of tang left inside the handle. IMO it makes the military stronger.
 
Sorry for a silly question, but is the P3 a full flat-grind, or ground like the SS Police (of which I own 4), swedge and all, or without?

Jim
 
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