Spyderco Police or Military??

Centurian

Centurian

Joined
Mar 22, 2001
Messages
575
I am looking at either a Spyderco Police in carbon fiber or a Spyderco Military. I can't make up my mind:confused: What is a stronger lock the liner lock or the lock back.

Thanks 4 your help and opinions

Centurian
 
I believe I remember Sal saying that the nested liner lock on the Military was the strongest that they had tested.
 
I think most folks around here would generally say that the lockback, especially a high-quality one like that on the Police is far less likely to fail during a "stressful" situation than a liner lock.

Both knives are excellent--the Military probably being the better slicing blade and the Police being better in a self-defense situation. Either will serve you well. :cool:
 
I don't think the Military's liner-lock is the strongest Spyderco has tested, I'm not even sure its rated for Spyderco's Martial Blade Craft.
I think Spyderco's strongest is the Gunting Compression-Lock.
 
I have owned both, including two of the Military, but the one I kept was the Police. It is a strongly built knife with an excellent lock and absolutely no blade play. I recommend it highly.
 
IMO the Military is the BEST production folder out there.A S30V PE is in my pocket right now.
 
Other advantages of the Police over the Military:

The Military relies on a small ball-bearing detent to keep the blade closed, the Police relies on back-spring pressure.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I've owned four spyderco linerlocks, starmate, jot, lum and shabaria. Two needed factory attention, all needed adjustments at home. I've had four lockbacks, harpy, matriarch, Q and delica. None have ever had a problem or been touched with a tool. Go with the police, it's a simpler lock, less prone to problems.
 
As much as I love the various Spyderco Police models, I suggest that the Military model is a far more practical choice; at least in terms of an all-around knife. They are about the same length, with the Military's blade sporting much more belly for slicing, and more of a handle to hang onto. I wouldn't even let possible lock strength issues enter into it...they are both fabulous in that regard.

Jeff/1911.
 
I love my G-10 Police model, so I can highly recommend one for you. However, the Military is on my want list.
 
I went with the military... it has more functional cutting ability imho. It locks up tight and gravity deployment's a snap. But it's a tough choice no doubt. And that internal debate won't be over even after you choose...hehe
 
Couple of classic Spydies in that decision, but I'd opt fo the Police as well. I very simple mechanism.., and hard to beat price wise (for that size knife).

I don't think you'd be unhappy with either....
 
By my count it sounds like the police model is perferred (only slightly). Here is my thoughts on each. Both are about the same size. I like the look of the carbon fiber of the police, but it tends to be "slippery" if that makes scense. I like the "feel" of the Military in hand. I like the lock better on the Police but I like the larger hole of the Military.

Quick little Question for the Spyderco Experts: I did a search and found out that the G-10 Police is like the Military in that it has a sinlge liner. IS the carbon fiber model also a single liner?

I'm so confused....must not buy both.....but...can't decide:confused:
 
Need a tip you can abuse and lots of belly and a knife very easy to clean and it's more "outdoorsy"? The Military.

Need a urban knife, but don't need all the belly? The Police.

However, I carry the Millie in an "urban" and "outdoorsy" environment.

So... MILLIE
 
I've had a couple of Police models and have two Millies, I guess that you can figure which Spydie model I chose. ;)

I found the Police to be awesome, but the great ergonomic G10 handle, stronger tip(IMO), larger SpyderHole, textured spine, and plentiful belly on the blade.....make the MILITARY my favorite of the two.

Check out this review by Fred Perrin HERE.
 
The Police has a narrow 4 1/8" hollow ground blade with a rather flat edge and somewhat delicate tip. This makes for a very useable weapon if that is your concern, but Spyderco makes better MBC choices in the opinion of many experts in that field. The factors mentioned do limit its usefulness as an EDC, since the flat edge means less "Belly" which limits the blade's ability to slice and I have read enough compaints about the tip breaking off of Police knives to raise questions about their suitability for daily carry. I also found the grip on mine, a stainless steel version, to be rather uncomfortable. The CF version may be better.

The Military has a 4" blade that is rather wider and has a deep belly and a flat grind. The grips are very much more ergonomic and are of G-10. Most users reporting here seem to really like the slicing ability of the combination of deep belly and flat grind in the Military and my experience with mine was that the blade, although only marginally shorter, seemed much "handier". I view the S30V crucible steel to be a distinct advantage over the VG-10 steel in the Police, but that is a subjective matter.

All of this said, my preference, when I am able to exercise it, is for the Terzuola StarMate by Spyderco. This knife comes as close to perfection in an EDC as I have found to date. I prefer the hollow-ground CPM440V blade for its increased strength, and I prefer the shape of the grips to either the Police or the Military for their ergonomics. Finally, I prefer the aesthetics of the StarMate hands-down over either of the other two knives. These knives are out of production, but they may still be found if you look for them and they are more than worth the effort, IMO.

As a wild card, have you looked at the Keating Chinook, also by Spyderco? This is one of their MBC line of knives, designed by James Keating to use his techniques, including the "Back Cut". But it is one Hell-for-leather strong tank of a knife that is, essentially, a very heavy-duty Buck 110 upated with the latest materials and manufacturing techniques. The blade is 3.75" of CPM440V with a very distinct clipped point like a bowie knife and a saber grind. The G-10 scales have dual steel liners and the lock is what Spyderco calls a "Forward Lock" which is a lock back moved forward to be in the middle of the back instead of down at the heel of the knife where many makers still locate it.

I hope that my help (:)) has not presented too many problems.
 
I have owned both and liked the Military better.

Lighter, cuts better, solid liner lock.

Great knife.

Tip is kinda thin though.
 
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