Spyderco Police and Military (why I stopped carrying them)

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^^ Spyderco's by highest rating at bladehq.
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[@BLACKOPS6391]

"my finger always goes fully in the hole" hearing this out of context changes the category

[@kitoffsky]

ahahahahaa

[@BrentonCarr]

I identify as bi-tipual.

[@BirdShotIV]

lol awesome

[@BigShaneGillis]

Me too... all depends on the ergos and pocket interference

[@TheyllNeverGetMe]

The spyderco backlog knives are one hand open and close if you do it right. Put your index finger near the pivot and let the blade fall into your finger with the non sharpened piece. Then close. It works better with their knives that have the forward finger choil. I close my native one-handed all the time and have more trust in the safety of the backlock.

[@Pepperial]

I used to be a tip up fan until I started really thinking about it. Tip up is in proper opening position if you stick your whole mitt in your pocket to pull it out sure, but I just grab the top of the knife . . So carrying tip down means the stud or hole is ready next to my thumb to open in one smooth motion as I draw it out.

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Pepper spot on brother.

[@justinpatrickhoffman]

Exactly!

[@DaNe-nl2iz]

I agree, tip down is the best way to carry a knife (I know it is not for all knives)

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Black Rain I think Peppers point was that it depends on how you grab the knife. And the knife itself. Not so much that A is better than B.

[@marcusgrimes726]

It varies from knife to knife. On larger knives, tip down is more practical. Because when they are tip up, when you grab it, your hand is all the way down at the bottom. Then you gotta readjust your grip to get your thumb up to the business end. I had my eyes on a microtech socom, but held off for years, thinking I would hate tip down. I kept thinking “ok, this year they’ll make a tip up version”. Finally I just bought one, and love that it’s tip down. Smaller knives, or wave opening knives (obviously) are nice tip up

[@robiel317420]

Tip up. Doesn't require rotating the knife before deployment.

[@donfierro777]

If done correctly you don't rotate it, tip up is prone to fumble...

[@wizardofahhhs759]

Tip down, so you don't slice your hand open if the blade decides to leave it's home.

[@Forrest_Gee]

If your knife open inside your pocket and you reach inside your pocket tip down is safer. All you end up doing is contacting the spine of the blade and closing the knife.

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

What's wrong with tip down, some people like missionary style.

[@yourmom1302]

Having it tip up and out facing is going full Nelson.

[@zachz699]

Military for life, I have had it since I was 19 years old and I just turned 30. I carried it religiously for like 8 years, dropped it off a 2 story parking garage. I even saved a dudes hand from a ratchet strap situation gone wrong. It was also my primary defensive tool over a gun when I had to go to San Francisco. Love it forever. I WILL NEVER STRAY IN MY HEART THOUGH I MAY CARRY OTHER KNIVES lol

[@Cannibal_Actual]

Depends on the knife, but I carry every way even loose in the pocket and back pocket next to my wallet. It really depends on the knife and it’s intended use.

[@DouglasRosser]

Six years on and the Police 4 Lightweight is getting a sprint run and the Military 2 finally arrived. Meanwhile, the Endura and smaller models desperately need a redesign to get the forward choil design you only get with the Police, and Para/Military models....and oddly the Byrd lineup.

[@acisner1]

I've carried a Military for over a decade off and on. I also have a PM2 with a tip up. I can draw and deploy the Military faster than the PM2 just because I'm used to it. An update with an Axis or compression lock would be awesome though.

[@fg63-6]

Hey bro I got good news for you!

[@acisner1]

@@fg63-6 I just saw this week!!! Time to piss off my girlfriend with another knife purchase.

[@airsoftmann98]

I just so happened to stumble across your video while binge watching spiderco videos & let me tell you the relationship between you and who I'm assuming is your wife is absolutely lovely man! I can tell just from this one 16 minute video that y'all are each other's puzzle pieces it really seems y'all were cut for one another. You also gave great insight and I'm glad to see you're still keeping it in the family with many other spidercos definetly a sub!

[@BirdShotIV]

thanks Eric!

[@IanSmith465]

Been watching for years, we all need a wife like Frankie 😊

[@wehrewulf]

S p y d e r c o

[@jeremygardner3967]

Tip up

[@ral-edc]

Tip down! And you don’t use the para and police because they was made for police officers and military or marines?????

[@torch_ss5797]

My son prefers to carry tip-down. (It makes me feel like a failure as a parent.)

[@BirdShotIV]

ha!!

[@pedobear497]

That must be really disappointing for a father. I‘m sorry for you, friend. :/

[@Maddawwg45]

ive come to understand that in the knife world collectors have there go too brands i do as well so there’s 3 kinds of ppl amongst them either your a Benchmade guy / gal a Spyderco guy/gal a Zt guy/gal or your everybody else ..... thats wrong !

[@asleepyinsomnia]

i think larger knives are good for tip down. but i really dont carry anything with longer than 3.3in blade anymore

[@dickgrayson6039]

it's a habit that your finger goes fully in the hole 😆

[@opichocal]

I have the same camo military. One of my favorite food prep knives and the coating still looks awesome. Only gripe is the tip down and the tip is fragile for hard use.

[@welovetheoutdoors4834]

I am obsessed with carrying my Delica 4 with tip down. Idk what it is but I’m in the minority😂.

[@tonypatey5669]

Every girl I have known, liked it tip up, so I don’t have a choice. Tip up with the national anthem playing. Thanks, Tony

[@StarDarkAshes]

Tony Patey "soft off I prefer", said no woman ever!

[@Damen0530]

I'm actually gravitating to back lock blades lately, Manix 2 back lock, Cold Steel SR1, and I have no problem opening and closing with one hand. The only locks I really like anymore besides the back lock, are the compression lock and the liner.

[@IvanZehirov]

Capitalism is fuckin good lol

[@marcaononymous]

I like it fourways, tip down, tip up... ALL ways. I like to party ;)

[@BirdShotIV]

We both just lol sounds like a great party! Lol -Frankie

[@nightsquats]

Tip up, due to high volume wave carry, no beef with back-locks, I wave modded a Cold Steel Pro-Lite and love it as Mn winter edc since 4116 Krupp behaves like a budget H1

[@zachkrein883]

I love how everyone so far has voted tip up...

[@jcb6713]

...carry the Mil.4.....with thumb and forefinger withdrawal, requires 'minor' hand adjustment(movement) vs. tip up; for proper opening and hold.. (faster , correct positioning, especially with gloved hand)....no need for walking up the handle for correct hold...have a great evening...happy Birthday ! ....

[@BirdShotIV]

thank you!

[@dasklingenspiel4089]

I personally like tip up, but tip down was originally intended for big knives, so your thumb is closer to the opening mechanism (for ex. the spydie hole), because it takes more time on a big knife, if it is tip up to reach the thumb hole. Peace

[@bakergannon]

In general tip up works for me

[@PhotoCaptured]

I've carried tip down for YEARS. that said, my Griptilian 551 and 940 Osborne are forever stuck in tip up... I studied Ton-Jutsu and so I do factor the defensive tool option when I carry a knife, but also ease factor. The knife that really set me in stone for tip down carry is my Kershaw Blur. The way that it is setup, I carry it in my rear right pocket and can draw it rapidly, in a usable grip with rapid ease. The Benchmade 940 was my first tip up knife and it took some practice to get used to that setup in my front pocket. Now I can do it, and I've practiced it, but I don't like it the way I do tip down. All of the comments about comfort or reaching into the pocket for other stuff, I can't say much because I always remove the knife before going for other things. Safety wise, I've never had a blade come open tip down. That said I have a scar and several trousers with destroyed pockets from tip up and blades swinging open... it's a real thing and not fun to deal with. That's all I've got.

[@darvinclement8404]

I like tip up until the knife gets larger like the millie and my thumb doesn't reach the ghumb hole when I grab it, like the millie and Endura, then I prefer tip down. I carry the Delica and Para 2 the most.

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

There is that saying: "If it no longer brings you joy, then let it go" I've been looking at a lot of the stuff I've collected the last few years and that saying reverberates for me.

[@slidetek]

Blades We Love does great stuff. I was hoping to see you go 1 handed on the compression lock. As a southpaw I've been sad that Spyderco has gone from ambidextrous designs to a lock mechanism clearly designed for right handers on their latest models. That’s why the Manix is the last great classic Spyderco for me.

[@adamszuszkiewicz1709]

slidetek partially why I like benchmade a tiny bit more, lefty friendly. There IS a lefty pm2 but there's no custom scales for it really

[@stillshot2]

I'm not a lefty but I have no problem closing my pm2 with my left hand one handed using my thumb and letting the choil land on my index finger, like closing a lockback

[@joshklaver47]

The Police is an amazing knife. It is definitely a one-handed knife if you know what you're doing, and it's very confidence-inspiring. The SS models are only like 8mm or 1/3" thick and disappear in a pocket, yet open into a full-sized and very capable knife. Perfect for people unable to legally carry firearms, and it even goes well with a suit. I've recently gotten a Police 4 FRN, as it has less weight and more grip, but a Police is my constant companion, and it has never let me down. There's a good reason why they have been produced in virtually identical form for almost 40 years. Highly recommended. I always pair my Spyderco knives with MXG Gear deep-carry pocket clips, for the best possible comfort and concealment.

[@treebossmike8818]

Channeling the good old days when gangsta rap was all the rage: “Tips up, hoes down!”

[@JROTCBALL]

I’m a tip up boy xD

[@rcjoe406]

Kool information I'm saving for the real deal someday running g729 and a 759 right now but I have to stop watching spyderco vids going nuts 😮😅😊

[@Steelydan670]

I’m one of those weirdos. I don’t understand why anyone dislikes tip down carry. No one ever explains why they think that. With tip up, more often than not you have to skooch up to deploy the knife, especially on large knives like these. If you wear it tip down, you pinch the knife to draw it and pivot between your index finger and thumb, and you’re immediately in the optimal grip to deploy the blade. Seems like tip down makes more sense, and I prefer it for any thumb stud or hole opening knives. Tip up may be better for flippers since you stretch to hit the tab with your index. I suspect that tip up became wildly more popular with the raging hype around that deployment method in the last few years. And reviewers have said it so much that tip up has been the law applied to all folding knives, even though no one can really explain why (while smirking smugly about the fact that they carry “the way knife guys carry”). Because the industry has responded, newer releases are almost always tip up, driven by the market’s influence and yet still reinforcing the concept that it’s the right way to carry. Let me just climb the stairs down from my soap box. Sorry for the rant...but seriously.

[@64Rosso]

Lady: "They're big"... she must have one of the tiniest hands I ever seen: the military seems an Espada or even bigger, whilst when I hold it there's just enough space to accomodate my for fingers.

[@bubbapeppers4354]

Well, you didn't post a poll, so... I prefer tip up, but carry one particular knife tip down because of the clip configuration and the way it fits my pocket. I have to say though, when I was much, much younger, I prefered tip in... just saying 🙄

[@SteveKluver]

If you'll look at the video again Bubba. You will see an "i" in the upper right hand corner. Click on it, and the Poll will come up for you.

[@Chris-li1ls]

You guys are very funny. Regarding your question: both tip up and down. I carry the knife the way it came.

[@experienceprecision5406]

Tip up is great and all but if for some odd reason (say if in a scuffle for your life) that blade opens a little in your pocket your hand is chopped suey.

[@heavenbound9144]

Endura 4. Half serration.. 👍 it goes really good with my taurus GX4 and My Gshock watch.. all together is a Sweet EDC set up ..

[@erikfox9394]

Police for sure

[@mwhich50]

I don't even notice whether my knives are tip up, or tip down. I do like pulling my knife out of my pocket by it;s lanyard. That is my only complaint about these two knives.

[@oceanwaves83]

If you spydie flick for deployment, tip down carry allows for faster deployment. You're ready to flick it open as soon as it leaves your pocket without needing to adjust. This alone keeps me carrying tip down. If I can't spydie flick a certain model (most flippers), I seem to prefer tip up. But I am truly fine with either and don't understand how this is a deal breaker for so many people.

[@BirdShotIV]

good info, thanks!

[@boristheblade12]

Hello, I would like to know if you are still selling any of your gorgeous Spyderco’s?

[@mosherogoff1252]

Tip down probably gains favor especially with newbies, because of some articles written that tip down can avoid slicing oneself on a blade that even partially opens in the pocket. Same articles strongly advise make sure the knife clips in pocket so that the blade would open towards the outer pocket seam (on the inside of the pocket of course...duh!).

[@BirdShotIV]

thank you Moshe!

[@nathanjones3186]

As a kid my first quality knife was a kershaw leek that I saved up 50$ and Bought from Walmart. I was so proud of that thing and used it for years until finally the tip broke. I always carried that tip down cause that’s the way it came and I didn’t know swapping it was even a thing. When the tip broke I started looking for something knew. That’s when the spyderco tenacious came along and in the videos everybody had swapped the clip so I gave it a try and since that I will not buy and know that can’t be swapped to tip up. Something in the way i grab it out of the pocket feel right. And I cannot carry tip down anymore...

[@P226nut]

Tip up is always better, it’s ok to call tip down people weirdos, they are.

[@darrellguillory6078]

My carry is endura it is less of a threat if the police po stops you with a threatening blade they might beat on you so I'm careful what I carry.

[@whocares3986]

I prefer tip up, but don't really mind tip down. I just make sure to carry tip down in my left pocket. Don't like the blade side on the inside if you know what I mean.

[@BirdShotIV]

yep, understood

[@lancasteredc7773]

If you dont carry them please send the military to me I will carry! Lost my spyderco and I would put it to good use

[@randallkelley3599]

I gave a Military to my son-n-law when he deployed! He brought it back all safe, but somewhat used. But for me, a P3 is the perfect size.

[@cliffordcheng2059]

T up

[@gumbihilt1333]

Late to the party, but I prefer tip down, except for flippers. Having the opener on the other end of the knife when I pull it out of my pocket just makes no sense to me.

[@dakotawitt5886]

I just listened the screws a little to use my compression lock for one-handed opening and closing.

[@mopargm9329]

Tip up definitely. Except on my old school Polices I have no choice but tip down

[@Caoimhin7-4]

So why you stop carrying them?

[@thomasosteen9936]

Send the green one across the pond to Patty !

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Thomas Osteen Patty is short for Patricia lol you mean Paddy 😉

[@stillshot2]

I would only carry a lockback tip down. If a knife were to open in the pocket in tip up position the pocket seam keeps it closed, and I only trust a lockback to stay closed. If it's a small lockback I'll still carry tip up because I don't have to readjust grip as if it were large, where I can see tip down is better since as you pull it out you just grab it so your thumb is by the hole/thumb stud .

[@BirdShotIV]

Fair arguments for tip down and lockbacks!

[@Renaldo135]

the first time you reach in your pocket and find your TIP UP blade isn't closed all the way after you get back from the emergency room you might reconsider and carry tip down. Another reason Spyderco made the Military and the Police model that way is because of how long the handle is and if it was set tip up you would have to re-position your hand to naturally reach the spidey hole. I prefer tip down no matter though for both safety and It is more efficient for me. Laugh all you want.

[@BirdShotIV]

well that happened in 2015 on a CS recon. Here I am still

[@E1337N3SS]

I dont mind tip down all that much (Ken onion kershaws tended to be designed with that in mind back in the day and I loved them) but after a few mishaps I will no longer carry a knife tip down with the blade facing into the pocket (tip down right side, I guess). Tip up is obviously the most natural way to draw and open without a lot of fiddling, but I dont use my knives in high stress situations so it's really not a big deal in my opinion. Hell, I've been throwing a couple traditionals in leather slips into the lineup these days and I haven't yet found myself thinking "man I wish I could have gotten that out a couple seconds faster"

[@dantoddp1]

Wait , what Canada not armed, have you ever been hit by a hockey stick....lol

[@chelsey0987]

Back in 2009 my first EDC knife was the Gerber swagger (TDO) I think I carried it for about a year before I got another Gerber that was tip up. Ever since then I only carry tip up as I find the deployment is way easier and just over all feels better, especially when the pocket clip isn't digging into your hand. That's a big factor before I buy a knife and I tend to turn down knives that would otherwise be great. Anyways I love your videos and hope to see you guys again soon. Stay sharp

[@codyharwood2903]

All I can say is, I had a knife come open in my pocket when carrying it tip up. I cut my finger reaching in to grab my keys. But more power to you. It’s all about preference and what is comfortable for you.

[@sopwithcamelus]

Yep. It happens when knives get worn a bit.

[@kylefortner8709]

Well if you don't want that Police I'd happily procure it from you 🤣

[@sandman503]

I stopped caring my military because the liner lock failed on me multiple times, only to be replaced by another military that was just as bad or worse.

[@d3ltaohniner261]

What were the conditions in which the failure occurred?

[@brandon_crow1291]

In terms of tip up or tip I actually don't mind either way. I care more about the quality of the knife.

[@BirdShotIV]

thanks for watching!

[@krispybeats6615]

military on lock ... is it titan ? and other side of liner stainless ?

[@Samdiaz234]

Hey guys what is the make of the big folder in the background?

[@thatguydennis2]

Tip down is great for back right pocket carry. That being said, I carry tip up about 80% of the time.

[@mt_baldwin]

Tip up, don't like either the look or feel of tip down. And what do you mean by one handed? Back locks are one handed knives, I just watched you open and close some of those back locks one handed.

[@BirdShotIV]

of course it can be done. It is awkward though, and obviously not intended in the design

[@justinpatrickhoffman]

Tip down carrier here! Tip up is for degenerates that don’t actually use their knives. It requires too much awkward reaching and repositioning.

[@BirdShotIV]

thanks Justin!

[@veanoob95]

Am I the only one who thinks tip down is just aesthetically ugly?

[@johnbarnesNnaptown]

I take the clip off and carry in the bottom of my pocket for stealth stabbery.

[@j.p.9522]

What kind of a noob are you if you can't close a backlock knife one-handed.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

"Yesterday's super steel." Indeed. Last decade's super steel. Here's where I draw the line: if they're trying to pawn of S30V at S35VN prices, then Houston, we have a problem.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

off

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

S30V is the same class of steel as s35vn

[@dfcvda]

tip down, she sounds dirty saying it, be honest, did you go to bed afte this video?

[@danielames3937]

Is this Police 4 in k390?

[@no1fibersplicer525]

If you only still had those ti Millie’s for sale!!! Sweeeet

[@garenosborn]

Tip down is all well and good till you have a knife with a bad detent and it opens a little in your pocket and stabs you in the thigh. I’ve had that happen twice, once with an older al mar and once with an older Spyderco military. With tip up it puts the spine agains the back seam of your pocket. Just a little extra safety margin.

[@northernninety7]

And its easier to deploy

[@DarkSim77]

Been carrying a Millie for 15 years and never had that happen..no problems whatsoever..sounds like Operator Error..

[@northernninety7]

@@DarkSim77 Thats what I mean.

[@SurvivalistMedia]

Tip down in the waistband. Tip up in the right pocket.

[@thurn55]

Tip up except the Kershaw Leek. Leek sticks out of pocket too much tip up. I need to get an aftermarket deep carry clip to fix the issue.

[@BirdShotIV]

heard this complaint before, yep

[@Runsfrombears]

We talking about knives or GUNs here?

[@twilly9022]

Hay now that's enough of the Canadian jokes eh!! 😒Sorry I hope that wasn't too harsh I got a little heated 😯😎 lol another gem of a video guys thanks. PS No worries Frankie we'd never question you. 😉

[@tobyquach8220]

I'd take a Police over an Endura any day of the week. The manix beats them both.

[@BirdShotIV]

lol agreed about the Manix

[@ozyrob1266]

The Endura has replaced them? and you don't like the lock back police because it's a lockback? I normally like your vids but this one is poorly thought out. The quality and strength of both the police and military just kill the Endura. ( I still like the FRN Spydercos and and have a lot of them) Seriously, how much difference does an extra ounce matter? As we say in Australia - bugger all.

[@BirdShotIV]

Poorly thought out? This is my opinion and preference after years of carrying and using. Poorly thought out implies that I should say something different despite the way I feel.

[@ozyrob1266]

Just poorly thought out saying that you said that you don't like lock backs and yet you say another lock back which is a less good knife(albeit very decent) has made these knives somewhat redundant. It just seems to be inconsistent that's all. Don't get me wrong, I like your channel and watch most of your uploads and enjoy them.

[@BirdShotIV]

Fair enough, thank you :D

[@mikelikesknives428]

Tip up. The only way!!! Back locks are ok. I have gotten used to them.

[@BirdShotIV]

thanks for watching!

[@stratiusrex9287]

Useless lanyard holes? Unless you pull it out first.

[@jerrymillett3895]

My second ganzo was the ganzomilitary. I was so stoked about it back then.

[@dfcvda]

because I live in England, is my answer.

[@keithdean7149]

Tip up for a flipper. Tip down if thumb deployed. I'm cool either way.

[@BirdShotIV]

thank you Keith!

[@tonyballou]

I like your free-form videos. The lack of structure is more like having an actual conversation on knives with friends. Cozy and comfortable. Love your channel!

[@BirdShotIV]

we really appreciate that Anthony, thanks for the feedback!

[@dillonharrison199]

Are you guys going to get the new blade hq exclusive spyderco delica

[@BirdShotIV]

not likely unless they magically send it to us! Mostly saving for Blade right now

[@cheaperthanyouthink2646]

Tip down is a minority indeed😂

[@thaknobodi]

I bought a used millie and was wondering if yours here somehow made it to me, but the digicamo markings are unique to each one!

[@bdcochran01]

Good observations. EDC comment. I carry a first generation Spyderco Endura that I bought off eBay with a plain blade and no clip. And, I was a dealer who could afford any knife! Why? Because I wear shorts, am urban, appear non threatening - and the balloon has not gone up. I am never more than a couple hundred yards from the car when I am not at home, so the "big guns"/"shtf knives" - are there. I have multiple Police models and never carried them. Have a Paramilitary somewhere and never carried it either. When I go to school and haul my hardsided carry on luggage unit loaded with books, it does have a Police model in it. Last problem on campus was about 5 years ago. Score: Campus cops 1, bad guy who had killed off campus and ran onto campus 0.

[@EthanBlakeProductions]

I don’t have a preference of tip up or tip down but I own more tip ups. I’ve recently gravitated to OTF’s though so it’s kinda irrelevant now. 🤣

[@jasonsfishingagain312]

As a rule I prefer tip down. The reason being I am anything but tactical, I catch fish and I drink beer. It's more natural for me to pinch the top of the handle between my thumb and index finger on the pivot and pull. I've got a pretty large hand, so grabbing a knife handle in my pocket doesn't really happen. The only exception is my PM2. The top of the knife is too wide for me to reach in my pocket in tip down configuration.