Military VS Police

[Evil D]

Where's native chief in this?

It is both better and not as good as either of these, it just depends on how you look at it. I have been constantly at war with my preferences between the Chief and Military 2 and it's a real struggle. If I had all three laid out before me and I had to choose one blindfolded I don't think I could be disappointed with whatever I chose.

[wrdwrght]

I love the G10 K390 Police4, and have one (plus a pre-need backup). And I have 8 Military Models (plus a pre-need 52100 backup) and Military2s. Guess I love them more.

[Manixguy@1994]

Sorry Vivi , I just can’t say I like one more than the other . MG2

[yablanowitz]

Probably thinning out the blade behind the edge bevel.

Look at you casually commenting in this thread without listing which you'd vote for

I have a hunch.

Why would I pick *one*? I have a Military in my back pocket and a P4 in my cargo pocket every day.

[Clay H]

I feel like if there were more steel options, especially in SE, the Police would be more popular. The best full size serrated option is the K390 SE Police, by far. I love mine. I'd love to get a G-10 Police in CPM-M4 or CTS-XHP.

[horzuff]

That's a really tough choice! Looking at how they come from factory and what I value most in knives (cutting ability, especially in cooking tasks) I would go for the Police. Thinner blade, more neutral blade-handle orienation. However I love the fun factor of the comp lock of the M2.

But comparing my reground K390 P4LW and S110V M2 (with rockscale design ti scales) I think I'd choose the Military afterall. The scales give it a great feel, the regrind changed it into a laser beam and the handle is more hand filling. Plus slightly greater steel choice whic definitely tickles my fancy :D

What are you talking about when you mentioned "re-grind", like changing the edge bevel angle or?

As someone already wrote, I had a knifemaker thin the entire primary grind on the knife so now it's about 0,2-0,3mm behind the edge (0,01" or so?). On both the Millie and the P4LW :D. Now they are utter razors

[Jeb]

I get it, I bet they really are seriously great now. I just recently took a couple of my knifes from the factory 17 dps to 15 dps and just that made a huge difference.

That is nothing like what you did. Thinning the bade out would change the whole beginning of the cutting with the knife...

[Paul Ardbeg]

Prefer the Military a bit more, fills the hand better and has that slight more belly/curve on the blade. A buddy of mine has the Police 4 in K390 and have to say that one is really appealing. Both great knives.

[Evil D]

Prefer the Military a bit more, fills the hand better and has that slight more belly/curve on the blade. A buddy of mine has the Police 4 in K390 and have to say that one is really appealing. Both great knives.

I think this question is completely different when we start specifying which Police model, because the original and the Police 4 are so different and compare to the Military in different ways.

[dan31]

I have to go with the Military 1. 52100 is the current favorite.

[Mat_ski]

I don’t have either, but based on my typical preferences, police.

[jwesley235]

I just got the Military 2 and the Police 4 LW (serrated K390) within a week of each other; they're both great knives but the Police 4 has quickly became my favorite knife. I took the clip off because I didn't like what it did to the ergos (and it's large enough not to get lost in a pocket) and I love the way it locks into my hand. It's light and airy and cuts like a razor. It's so good I bought the non-serrated version too.

[Wartstein]

Not in a position to vote, since I only have experience with the Millie 1, but not the Police (and also not the M2).

Usually the Endura is the perfect "regular" size for me, I don't necessarily like to carry a longer folder in pocket.

But: While the Millie is a bit longer in pocket than I'd ideally like carrying it is still ok.
And what this thread makes me realize once more: The Police is not that much longer closed than the Millie, but offers a cutting edge that is almost as long as the whole Millie blade.
That sure is nice and makes me think I should try a Police.

[Wartstein]

Now in theory pretty much the only things I should prefer in the Millie are the more negative blade angle and the a tad shorter carry (but to be clear: I really liked my Millie 1!!)

At least the FRN Police should have a lot more aspects going for it concerning my personal preferences:

- FRN > G10
- More cutting edge, better edge to handle ratio
- Lighter weight
- Slimmer carry; narrow instead of wide handle end (also makes the carry better imo).
- backlock > linerlock (though it is close with the great Millie linerlock) and > comp lock
- Thinner blade stock

What I'd be interested in:
How do the presumed tip strengths compare?
Both rather on the fine/acute side, but would you guys assume one is still a bit more durable than the other?

[Bill1170]

Hi Vivi,

Interesting thread and great pictures. Thanx.

Since they are both my designs, I'll be watching the thread.

sal

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"Continual improvement is our evolutionary obligation to humankind".

You do a real good job of hiding any bias that you might have for one model or another when topics like this come up, or when someone asks what your favorite model is but you've gotta tell us the truth on this one, if you could only have one which would it be?

No fair asking the man to choose between his beloved creations. I imagine if pressed he’d say something along the lines of, “All good, just different.”

[knivesandbooks]

Police 4 in K390 (the best steel) is an amazing knife. Never connected with the Military. Idk if it’s the BTE thickness or the handle shape, but it just does not feel right for me in use. Everyone’s hands are different, of course. Still have my blurple one because it looks so good. Big fan of the Police. I’d like to pick up a vintage one.

[brj]

2 XLParas, 20 'real' Millies, no Police, a simple vote.

A bit strange though, come to think about it, as on paper it definitely looks like I should have enjoyed the Police more (had a couple over the years but sold them at some point)

[kobold]

For some reason, the Military was love at 1st sight. I have three, one is the fluted Ti version, and I try to keep it in good condition, so I really have only two users (in S90V and S110V). I will probably get the DLC/Camo model next.

I never handled a Police. I like that it has a backlock, but wasn't sure about the rest. I was tempted by the K390/G10 version, but missed the boat.

I also have a couple of good Native Chiefs, a Caribbean and a Cruwear S2XL, so I don't feel terribly underknifed.

[James Y]

I own five Police models ... four SS-handled versions (two in ATS-55, and two in VG-10), and one P4 LWT in VG-10.

I own four Military models ... one in CPM-440V, one in S110V, and two in S30V.

Someday, I might like to own a Military 2.

So I guess from that ratio, I'm pretty much close to equal in my liking of the Police and the Military designs.

Jim

[Patrickx]

Hi Vivi,

Interesting thread and great pictures. Thanx.

Since they are both my designs, I'll be watching the thread.

I should add that the mods to the Military to become the Military 2 were Erics's input.

sal

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"Continual improvement is our evolutionary obligation to humankind".

Oh noo Eric what have you done

I liked tip down carry the Military, opening it with holding the edge and flipping the handle is the way to go when pulling it out in my opinion. This is awkward with the Military 2 because the clip sit's more up and is higher/larger and somehow in the way and it is missing the cut out section where the line lock is/was where the thumb rests ...

Next, as I see the advantage of opening and closing it a bit easier with a compression lock nothing will beat the satisfying sound the liner lock makes when opening the knife, legendary

Don't get me wrong compression lock is great and love it on all my other knifes but it is just, I loved the millie like it was ... absolute classic