Advice Needed: Police Stainless Steel

[DelicateEndurance]

I saw a Police Stainless Steel model up for sale at a very reasonable price. It is quite a rare model to find here, and am very tempted to buy it. However, researching online and here at the forum, there are those who thought the stainless steel grips would be slippery when wet.

I don't believe in safe queens. If I buy the knife, I will use it. I use knives for utility purposes, both indoors and outdoors, and the knife WILL get wet once in a while during use.

Any advice as to how to make the knife safer to handle? Any particular grips?

PS: Grip tape is one possibility, although I would rather not, as it does spoil the overall look.

[Holland]

you could use a dremel to some other type of tool and create a little design in the handle.

like this:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=spyderco+ ... =144&ty=69

[DelicateEndurance]

Those are very nice mods indeed. But without modifying the knife, is there any particular way of holding it that will minimize the chances of the hand sliding forward accidentally? The sabre grip with the thumb riding on top behind the hump, perhaps?

[Pockets]

Extremely powerful magnetic gloves!

[Holland]

Extremely powerful magnetic gloves!

why didnt i think of that :D

[RedRunner]

I hear the "slippery when wet" comments every once in a while. If you use your knife in wet conditions, I'd consider something else. Now if you occasionally use your knife when your hands are wet, why not just dry them off or be careful? I'll admit the argument is a little stronger with smooth metal handles. I don't buy it when people are talking about peel-ply carbon fiber compared to G-10.

[Mako109]

Those are very nice mods indeed. But without modifying the knife, is there any particular way of holding it that will minimize the chances of the hand sliding forward accidentally? The sabre grip with the thumb riding on top behind the hump, perhaps?

I don't think so. I think wearing grippy work gloves is your best bet. I have several Police models and one of them is a SS SE version which I no longer use after nearly slicing my hand open on two separate occasions. I have dry hands and had to use a slight sawing motion to get the blade to slice thru heavy duty double ply cardboard, the type used to box large appliances like refrigerators, stove/ovens, etc.. On both occasions, during dry conditions, my hand slipped forward. The first time I was quick enough to drop the knife to the floor before it cut my hand, but it was a scary moment. The second time I was cutting some other material and again my hand slipped forward. I managed to drop the knife but this time incurred a minor cut. I retired the SS Police after that (however still love my G10 version).

[.357 mag]

The police SS SE model was my first Spyderco. Had it about a year before I lost it. There is enough handle on the knife to where I didn't find a problem with grip.

[Jazz]

I think putting some jimping on the thumb ramp would help a lot. I carved large jimping and dimples all over my SS Delica, and it's quite improved. I haven't tried it with wet hands, but I don't remember trying any with wet hands. :confused: I almost bought a Police after handling it. It really feels lighter than it would seem. Nice, classic Spydie. I might sometime.

- best wishes, Jazz.

[DelicateEndurance]

Thanks for all your inputs. I went down to the shop to look at the Police Stainless Steel again, but - guess what? - I came across another model which is very rare here. So, now I'm the proud owner of a Yojimbo 2. :) I may still buy the Police if it is available a few months from now, but if I do, it would be because of its heritage. I will still carry it once in a while, but not when I need to seriously use a knife.

[SpyderNut]

Hi Phil,

As the others mentioned, you could certainly "mod" the SS model by adding some jimping along the locking bar/spine of the blade and also around the choil area for added security in your grip. I’ve used a small jeweler’s file to accomplish this task on a few other folders with good success. If you have steady hands and a good eye, you can also try cutting some notches with a Dremel tool and a HD cut-off wheel. For my two cents though, I think you'd be better off purchasing the G-10 model. I have two Police models, one in SS and one in G-10. I have always preferred the G-10 model over the SS for a few simple reasons. First, the G-10 model feels a little bit lighter than the SS model and therefore feels more comfortable to carry in my pocket/waistband. Second, the G-10 provides an excellent grip—regardless of weather/environmental conditions. Third, the G-10 is not easily scratched (unlike the SS handles). Since you intend to use this model, this last reason may not be much of a concern for you. For me, however, I HATE seeing hairline scratches all over smooth SS handles—on any of my knives. Drives me batty.

Hope this helps!

[Mako109]

+1 on what Spydernut posted. I would also add that the G-10 version has in addition to a jimped thumb ramp a jimped index finger choil, whereas the SS version has no index finger choil and the thumb ramp is smooth as mentioned previously.