tps3443 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 27, 2018 8:49 pm
This thread was incredible. A great comparison!
You own exactly the same knives as me, even in the same steel. So this was a great comparison for me.
The Police 4 is so cool. I think I’m ready for one. After reading this thread, and @VIVI thread as well, and a few other members too.
So, I started out with a linerlock Spyderco, then moved to the PM2 with a Compression lock. I liked it so much, it actually took nearly a week for me to really love my Military Blurple that uses a liner lock. So, The Military is now my favorite; it’s liner lock is just great. But, how is the lock back on a Police 4?
I had no idea the Police 4 and Military are nearly the same size.
I prefer the Police to the Military.
I carried a Military for years. Back when the Police 3 was current, there was about half an ounce difference between the two, and I value light weight a great deal.
The Police 4 weighs the same as the Military, so that advantage is history now.
The other thing that made me move on from the Military is what you're asking about - the lock.
Backlocks have what we call a self close. Meaning when the blade is about 75% of the way to the fully closed position, it snaps shut. Just like a Swiss Army Knife or the old school slipjoints our fathers and grandfathers used.
Here is a video demonstrating the self-close on the Police 4
I've had detent based locks (Liner locks, frame locks, compression locks) come open in my pocket. They do not have a self close. Once the blade opens even a slight amount, nothing stops it from staying open.
So I consider the backlock superior from a perspective of safety. I'm an active person, and I want a knife that stays closed until I open it. I hike, jog up and down mountains, ride mountain bikes, do rock climbing, etc. I usually have a folder on me during those activities.
Others value different things, such as their knife opening with the least amount of force possible, the opposite of what I want. In which case, they might not like the backlock as much.
In addition to the lock, the Police has two clear advantage over the Military for me. Four way clip, which enables me to carry tip-up, which I prefer. The blade is also thinner, so the geometry is superior for my uses.
In my eyes, the Police 4 is the best folder Spyderco has made to date. I have tried over 250 different folding knives from them, so I do not say that lightly.
I have owned 8 different versions of the Military. It was my EDC and favorite folder for years. I've tried all the nicest sprint runs, I even
had a carbon fiber sprint run Military modified to tip-up. In the end, I chose to get rid of them all, and stick with the Police as my EDC, and Pacific Salts when I want a rust proof knife.