Spyderco Police 4 Lightweight Folding Knife 4.38 K390 Satin Plain Blade, Blue FRN

mildot326

mildot326

Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
374
So just surfing this Cdn Day and decided I needed an early BD present, I had one of these many yrs ago, the all steel version, it was robust and well made. I'm just wondering if there are any "end users" out there care to comment on this new model? with the upgraded blade steel and handles. Cheers

qUM8gZL.jpg
 
I am also interested, waiting for the same knife in SE. Would like to know foremost, if there are PB washers in the pivot.
 
Has anyone experienced "back lock" issues? (new to me?) or not have the blade centered?
 
mildot326 said:
So just surfing this Cdn Day and decided I needed an early BD present, I had one of these many yrs ago, the all steel version, it was robust and well made. I'm just wondering if there are any "end users" out there care to comment on this new model? with the upgraded blade steel and handles. Cheers

qUM8gZL.jpg
Click to expand...
I have one in my pocket right now. Nested and skeletonized liners make it plenty rigid without making it heavy. I love the K390 steel, it takes a wicked edge and holds it a long time. It can rust but it hasn't been a problem for me.
kobold said:
I am also interested, waiting for the same knife in SE. Would like to know foremost, if there are PB washers in the pivot.
Click to expand...
I'll let you know as soon as I decide to take it apart. That shouldn't be more than thirty or forty years from now
mildot326 said:
Has anyone experienced "back lock" issues? (new to me?) or not have the blade centered?
Click to expand...
The blade on mine is not perfectly centered when closed. That rates a big "so what" in my book. It certainly doesn't make the knife cut crooked. As for "back lock" issues, what are those? My example locks up solidly with no discernable play. Statistically, that means exactly nothing.

If you like larger knives, you could do far worse.
 
Thanks, I read a review that the owner said that he had some "back lock" play? that was the first I had heard of it? so I'm not really sure if it's a "big deal" other than for him?, IIRC Spyderco had had pretty good quality along with there fit & finish.
 
When you add a thousandth of an inch clearance between the blade tang and the pivot pin (just so the blade will move you know) and another thousandth between the lock bar and its pivot and multiply that by the length of the blade, sometimes it comes up to enough movement at the tip to detect. If it bothers you, don't buy folding knives, stick with full tang fixed blades. This is not addressed to you specifically of course, it is general advice for those who commonly whine about "lock rock" and other similar "issues".
 
Just wondering are the pocket clip screws Torx? or are they proprietary like Microtech? and if they are Torx, are they like a #8 or smaller?
 
mildot326 said:
So just surfing this Cdn Day and decided I needed an early BD present, I had one of these many yrs ago, the all steel version, it was robust and well made. I'm just wondering if there are any "end users" out there care to comment on this new model? with the upgraded blade steel and handles. Cheers

qUM8gZL.jpg
Click to expand...


Nice looking blade, I'd say go get it! :cool::thumbsup:
 
yablanowitz said:
When you add a thousandth of an inch clearance between the blade tang and the pivot pin (just so the blade will move you know) and another thousandth between the lock bar and its pivot and multiply that by the length of the blade, sometimes it comes up to enough movement at the tip to detect. If it bothers you, don't buy folding knives, stick with full tang fixed blades. This is not addressed to you specifically of course, it is general advice for those who commonly whine about "lock rock" and other similar "issues".
Click to expand...

Of course not all folding knives have "lock rock", or similar "issues", which I'd hope you're aware of.
Some Spydercos definitely do have it, some more than others. Even some of the newer ones.

As to "general advise", as you wrote,

Nothing wrong with just calling it like it is. Yes, some Spydercos do have "lock rock". I've noticed it on some of my back-lock knives. In fact, I'm carrying a 1st Gen PacSalt (pinned, square handle, square clip with big screw, big jimping), and it definitely has a little "lock rock." Some of my back locks have more than others, and some none that I can tell.

A buyer doesn't need to, as you wrote, "don't buy folding knives" though, sheesh...

Do make informed decisions, before spending your $$. Do some searching via the internet for things like the model you are interested in, and "lock issues" or "lock rock", etc... If you can somehow put one in hand before you spend your money, do. If you call them, some of the internet sellers will check the knives for it, or whatever you ask, before you spend your money.
A bit of effort can go a long way toward being, or having, a happy, satisfied customer. Those are the ones you'll likely see again, and again - will refer others, etc...
The money spending customer who spends their hard earned money shouldn't have/get any undesired "surprises" when they get the knife they paid for, without ever being able to actually see and/or hold it before hand...

I get that it may not be an "issue" for a lot of folks, but it is clearly an "issue" for some folks too... And while it may not be an "issue" for some, that doesn't in any way mean that, as you wrote " those who commonly whine about "lock rock" and other similar "issues"" are whiners, sheesh again...
 
I have one of these in K390. It's probably in my top 3 Spydercos ever (along with the Spydiechef and ZDP Caly 3) and I have been lucky enough to own a lot over the years.

It carries very well for the size and is an absolute slicing machine. I can't believe how well it slices up cardboard and just about anything else. It has nice thin stock, an excellent grind and low weight for such a long blade. I like this design way more than the Military, which seems like the classic 4" or over Spydie.

With all that said, mine had a significant amount of lock rock. I'm not too fussy and it didn't bother me but the lock bar mated a bit proud with the blade and I could kind of wiggle it up and down if I tried. I ended up getting some custom CF scales for it and once I got them installed, it locked up tight without any wiggle. I'm sure if you get one that wiggles a bit, you can fix it with a bit of effort.

Anyway, if a long, gracile slicer is what you are after, you can't go wrong here. I think the price is very fair for what you get. Good luck!
 
I've really enjoyed mine and have opened back up to large folders now because of it. As mentioned the steel sharpens quickly and keeps a biting edge for a long time.

I have been using the zip tie wave method of opening for months which flicks it open forcefully. So far I have not developed any noticeable lock rock. I'm sure I could get the blade to wiggle if I locked it in a vice and really yanked on it, but I don't go looking for trouble.

It's a great knife all around. I like mine so much I ordered an extra to keep stored for a rainy day.
 
Well "The Police" showed up today, LOL, ya I forgot how BIG that blade is/was, however it's "solid like a rock" & fit & finish is excellent, a few minutes to change the clip over, and we are G2G. Thanks for all the input and comments, very much appreciated. Stay safe troops. Cheers.
 
The thing that interests me about the current incarnation of the Police model is the shape of the blade. It's like a slightly longer, slightly thinner Military model blade, which is good and good.
 
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