Spyderco Police: VG-10 or K390?

M

Mister Coffee

Joined
Dec 6, 2020
Messages
1,092
I'm about to buy my first Spyderco knife. Congratulate me on being the last guy in America to get with the program. For this purchase, I have decided on the Police model because I need a large knife in my job as a secret agent with MI-6, as well as my part-time gig as a Japanese ninja. (That's right, I said Japanese ninja. Not that Wilmette, Illinois, pretend-on-the-weekend baloney.) Also, I chose the Police model because it's a classic of the Spyderco line. Maybe too old school for some folks, but a classic nonetheless. DLT is giving me two choices for steel: VG-10 or K390. Here, I have to make an important decision. As a knife newbie and a blade steel dummy, I can only grope toward a right answer, but this is what I'm thinking. VG-10 is maybe not be very sexy, but it is stainless, and this is a knife that I'm going to carry in my pocket. It's liable to get sweaty because of the secret agent and ninja stuff that I have to do. On the other hand, K390 is a super steel with all kinds of edge holding capability. It also happens to be the number one steel for attracting cute girls. (I have this on the authority of our fellow forum member jbmonkey jbmonkey .) So, I'm wondering, should I opt for the VG-10 on a user knife and just use an ostentatious display of cash to get cute girls, like I usually do, or should I go with the K390 and put up with some periodic blade maintenance in order to have an outstanding super steel blade that will be the envy of my co-worker secret agents/ninjas?

What do you think?



P.S. For this exercise, let's pretend that price is not an issue.
 
Mister Coffee said:
I'm about to buy my first Spyderco knife. Congratulate me on being the last guy in America to get with the program. For this purchase, I have decided on the Police model because I need a large knife in my job as a secret agent with MI-6, as well as my part-time gig as a Japanese ninja. (That's right, I said Japanese ninja. Not that Wilmette, Illinois, pretend-on-the-weekend baloney.) Also, I chose the Police model because it's a classic of the Spyderco line. Maybe too old school for some folks, but a classic nonetheless. DLT is giving me two choices for steel: VG-10 or K390. Here, I have to make an important decision. As a knife newbie and a blade steel dummy, I can only grope toward a right answer, but this is what I'm thinking. VG-10 is maybe not be very sexy, but it is stainless, and this is a knife that I'm going to carry in my pocket. It's liable to get sweaty because of the secret agent and ninja stuff that I have to do. On the other hand, K390 is a super steel with all kinds of edge holding capability. It also happens to be the number one steel for attracting cute girls. (I have this on the authority of our fellow forum member jbmonkey jbmonkey .) So, I'm wondering, should I opt for the VG-10 on a user knife and just use an ostentatious display of cash to get cute girls, like I usually do, or should I go with the K390 and put up with some periodic blade maintenance in order to have an outstanding super steel blade that will be the envy of my co-worker secret agents/ninjas?

What do you think?



P.S. For this exercise, let's pretend that price is not an issue.
Click to expand...
huh?

I do like k390, but vg10 is okay as well. both work well.
 
Why get the police if you're a secret agent? By the time you slooow roll your blade out you're already dead!

The K390 isnt too much of an upcharge, I'd go with that. VG10 ones are easier to maintain and better for light duty work. If you do alot of cardboard, wood, tough gritty stuff, you'll be pleasantly pleased at how K390 stands up. Food and soft stuff, definitely go VG10.

Orrr, you can be a fancy agent and get the laminated Hap40 Sus410 one...its noticeably heavier but much prettier.
 
You have another choice:

i-n3R3C4V-X3.jpg


My favorite. Still available at KC.

(I have a K390 version too. But not only does the steel rust just by looking at it, the liners too, for whatever reason)
 
Dergyll said:
Why get the police if you're a secret agent? By the time you slooow roll your blade out you're already dead!

The K390 isnt too much of an upcharge, I'd go with that. VG10 ones are easier to maintain and better for light duty work. If you do alot of cardboard, wood, tough gritty stuff, you'll be pleasantly pleased at how K390 stands up. Food and soft stuff, definitely go VG10.

Orrr, you can be a fancy agent and get the laminated Hap40 Sus410 one...its noticeably heavier but much prettier.
Click to expand...

You saw right through me. In addition to being a secret agent (and a Japanese ninja), I am also a total poser. A part of me just wants to have what the cool kids at school have. And, at my school, all the cool kids are wearing K390 t-shirts. So, how much maintenance is the K390 going to be?
 
ferider said:
You have another choice:

i-n3R3C4V-X3.jpg


My favorite. Still available at KC.

(I have a K390 version too. But not only does the steel rust just by looking at it, the liners too, for whatever reason)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just saw that pakkawood number on KC, and I thought to myself, "I am so dead." What a beauty. Steel liners, wood scales, cool steel. But the air is getting thin at $224.00.
 
Mister Coffee said:
Yeah, I just saw that pakkawood number on KC, and I thought to myself, "I am so dead." What a beauty. Steel liners, wood scales, cool steel. But the air is getting thin at $224.00.
Click to expand...

It's gorgeous !

BTW, regarding the cute girls, a SAK with cork-screw is more effective. And don't forget to EDC a bottle or red wine with it. LOL
 
2 very different steels. I like them both.

I've always enjoyed VG-10 as a working steel. Edge holding isn't fantastic, but it's not poor either. I've found it good enough to get me through a few days of use at work (plastic, tape, cardboard, etc) without needing resharpening, although touching it up daily (if I used it) is quicker and easier. I don't know if it's the steel itself, or the equipment I use and my abilities, or both (probably both), but I've always been able to easily get a screaming edge on VG-10, sharper and easier than similar steels like 440C or 154CM.

I've been using K390 on my Delica for a while now, and I love it. It just cuts and cuts and cuts, even after a lot of cardboard. Doesn't take much to get it from working sharp back to shaving sharp either. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to reprofile it, but I'm confident that I can. I've been keeping it clean, so it hasn't developed any patina, but I also live in Tucson where it's usually very dry (not right now, it's monsoon season - the K390 is taking a break for now).

I can't help you with the clandestine wetwork or getting girly action.
 
Mister Coffee said:
secret agent
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:Aside from secret agent / Ninja duties , unless you regularly need to do a heck of a lot of cutting of tough materials , and bitterly hate to take a few seconds to touch up your edge occasionally at need ...stick with stainless for folders , IMO .

If I had to do enough hard cutting to justify really needing a tough tool steel , I'd want a fixed blade with a nice comfortable , ergonomic handle .

Non-stainless on a folder is just a PITA for any routine corrosive exposure .

On a fixed blade , maintenance can be fairly easy , depending on the exact use and environment .
 
I would go with k390 and force a patina.
Nothing wrong with vg10 either.

But.... I personally love pakkawood scales. If your spending money get what you want and don't look back.
 
I’m going to be of no assistance here and just say they’re all great. I’ve owned/carried several variations and every one carried slim in my back pocket while still packing mucho blade. Even tho they’re not a flexible blade, I even managed to use a ffg model as a filet knife on a camping trip.
 
Both are very good knives. The K390 is a wicked slicer that takes mean edges that want to eat skin and flesh when I'm trying to sharpen and clean the blade. Something about the carbides it seems.More so than most other premium steels even. VG 10 remains a good all around steel but it won't keep up with the K390 in slicing stuff. K390 will rust and pit if you aren't careful but for me it is worth it. It is one of the most amazing steels I have used in fact. It's another steel from Spyderco with amazing performance. They have released so many fine knives and super high performing steels that many get lost in the noise but this is one every real admirer of high performing steels should at least try. Mine has a rust pit on one side of the blade that I got when I was careless about care in this summer of super high humidity / heat and left it for a week after use without cleaning and coating first. On the other hand my VG 10 knife sitting next to it remained spotless. ( I was trying out a new knife from the Salt line and sat my regular knives) . Yeah , the K390 is worth every bit of maintenance it takes. ")
 
I'd go K390 for better cutting performance.

I also like that the current Police 4 has a blade shape similar to the Military, but longer and from thinner stock. WANT.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top