I just received a Police 4, plain edge stainless scales. What a blade!! I was impressed how thick the blade is. The hollow grind leaves a very strong spine for 3/4 of its length to where it then jumps down into the swedge.
The handle is very slim. Looks like thin stainless scales glued on top of stainless liners. Very slim and slides easily into and out of the pocket. Totally rock solid: stainless handle, backer, snug and strong back lock, and that beautiful saber blade.
There is no doubt what this blade is designed for and it looks like it would perform superbly. Balance point is right about at the index finger. I wear XL work gloves and there is a comfortable extra inch on the handle. I like that there is no jimping on the spine. The blade spine is squared off sharp enough that my thumb has pretty good purchase on it if I choke up that far. There is plenty of handle length to instead rest my thumb on the back of the scales/lock, or right at the juncture of the blade jump and end of the scales.
Pictures fail to do the Police 4 justice. It is far more impressive and beautiful in person. The back lock is pretty stiff but can be worked one-handed with concentration. The blade of course does not fall free due to the back lock friction/pressure.
The blade was not quite honed as sharp out of the box as the PM2 and PM3 I bought recently. But a few swipes on the fine Sharpmaker stones and across a honing steel and it is near shaving sharp. With the smooth stainless scales the pocket clip slides easily onto and off a jeans pocket. Being very slim both in width and thickness it takes very little room in a pocket and the length fits fine in Wrangler jeans.
The size and style of blade (thin saber or near stiletto) probably is not suitable for EDC at the office or wedding receptions. And likely too long for most daily tasks. But if you want a knife for last resort self defense then the Police 4 would be a hell of a choice.
My state of Oregon does not allow carry of concealed fixed blades of any length. Folders can be at least 4.75” long, probably longer. The Police 4 is a decent stand in for a fixed blade fighting knife. Obviously I would prefer avoidance, de-escalation and a firearm and even a sturdy stick to a knife for defense. But being so slick and compact this knife is a reasonable backup to other tactics and weapons.
Really a superb design and execution of a concept by Spyderco.
The handle is very slim. Looks like thin stainless scales glued on top of stainless liners. Very slim and slides easily into and out of the pocket. Totally rock solid: stainless handle, backer, snug and strong back lock, and that beautiful saber blade.
There is no doubt what this blade is designed for and it looks like it would perform superbly. Balance point is right about at the index finger. I wear XL work gloves and there is a comfortable extra inch on the handle. I like that there is no jimping on the spine. The blade spine is squared off sharp enough that my thumb has pretty good purchase on it if I choke up that far. There is plenty of handle length to instead rest my thumb on the back of the scales/lock, or right at the juncture of the blade jump and end of the scales.
Pictures fail to do the Police 4 justice. It is far more impressive and beautiful in person. The back lock is pretty stiff but can be worked one-handed with concentration. The blade of course does not fall free due to the back lock friction/pressure.
The blade was not quite honed as sharp out of the box as the PM2 and PM3 I bought recently. But a few swipes on the fine Sharpmaker stones and across a honing steel and it is near shaving sharp. With the smooth stainless scales the pocket clip slides easily onto and off a jeans pocket. Being very slim both in width and thickness it takes very little room in a pocket and the length fits fine in Wrangler jeans.
The size and style of blade (thin saber or near stiletto) probably is not suitable for EDC at the office or wedding receptions. And likely too long for most daily tasks. But if you want a knife for last resort self defense then the Police 4 would be a hell of a choice.
My state of Oregon does not allow carry of concealed fixed blades of any length. Folders can be at least 4.75” long, probably longer. The Police 4 is a decent stand in for a fixed blade fighting knife. Obviously I would prefer avoidance, de-escalation and a firearm and even a sturdy stick to a knife for defense. But being so slick and compact this knife is a reasonable backup to other tactics and weapons.
Really a superb design and execution of a concept by Spyderco.
