Spyderco Police CO7s

[Ranger10]

Hello everyone,
I've used the Spyderco Police knives for over 15 years. I've used the Combo blade, the plain edge, but finally settled on the Spyder edge. They were all great knives; both sleek and tough. Many times when I used it in the presence of others they commented on its looks, and asked to see it. So last week I ordered another one from Amazon with the intention of passing my current one on to a relative. The new one, a Spyderco Police CO7s arrived today ... words cannot adequately express my disappointment.

Someone at Spyderco has decided that they knew how to improve upon perfection!!! Instead of drilling three holes to hold the clip they decided that it would be better if there were 12 holes drilled into the handle. This someone also decided that they would use three screws (as before) to secure the clip to the handle. But the next part is what I just couldn't believe ... This nameless someone also decided that it would be OK to just leave the tapped holes AS IS!!! That's right the extra and IMHO unneeded 9 holes just left open in the handle.

One would think if they drilled the extra holes, and they knew that only three would be needed that they would include 9 screws that would flush mount into the openings. But no this unknown Michelangelo of design decided that the appearance of this truly classic knife really didn't matter anymore. To say the least I'm disappointed, and I'm returning the knife to Amazon. They have agreed to pay return shipping because the knife in their online catalog doesn't have the extra screw holes.

One last thing ... The only reason I can think of them drilling the extra holes is because of complaints from left handers. Hmmm I'm left handed and it really never bothered me. It was just something to work through.

[Liquid Cobra]

Welcome to the forum.

[SpydyLover123]

The extra holes on the knife are a staple for many spiderco designs. They alow for you to mount the pocket clip to what your preference is. I see this as a plus because anyone who buys this knife can mount it how they want. If it was a midtech or custom then I would only want holes for where i am caring it.but because it is a production i see it as a smart and insightful design.

[yablanowitz]

I agree with Sal that the Swiss Cheese look is ugly, but that's what the people buying knives these days demand, so that's what they've done. As for including screws that would fit flush in the holes, how is that supposed to work? Even more extra machining (and therefor cost) to countersink all the holes so the screws could be flush without screwing in far enough to interfere with the blade? Nice idea, but I don't think it would be very practical or cost-effective.

As for serving the lefties, they've made left-hand versions of the Police from time to time. I think the tip-up carry crowd had more to do with the decision than the lefties. It's a shame, but that's what people want.

[3rdGenRigger]

I like having the option to swap the clip to where I like it, and the option to change my mind at a future date depending on whatever other knife I'm pairing with the knife in question. I've moved clips around on several of my knives more than once. It doesn't bother me at all aesthetically, but I remember a thread where someone filled the clip holes (On a Tenacious IIRC) with a glow in the dark material and it made quite a cool effect.

Welcome to the forum.

[The Deacon]

One last thing ... The only reason I can think of them drilling the extra holes is because of complaints from left handers. Hmmm I'm left handed and it really never bothered me. It was just something to work through.

Glad Amazon took care of you. Sorry there aren't many Spydercos left that will appeal to your sense of esthetics, but between complaints from left handed users, and from right handed ones with a preference for tip up on tip down only models or tip down on tip up only models, they just decided to let everyone be able to put the clip where they wanted it. On one level, I can feel your pain since I take all mine off and toss them in a drawer, so I wish they'd leave the darn clips off altogether and just offer them, along with a drill bit and a tap, as a separate item for those who find them useful. On another, I'm glad they're no longer deciding that only those who prefer one of the four possible modes of carry are worthy of a properly positioned clip. But then, I'm a lot less tolerant than you are of "making do" with wrong handed tools. Guess we all have our quirks.

[elena86]

Police SS,SE being my all time favorite spydie I also consider that they almost ruined the knife with all those unnecessary holes in the handle.I also tend to agree with Yablanowitz that this has something to do with the tip-up crowd and not so much with the lefties.Being a tip-up guy myself, I still consider that Police and Military carry very well in tip-down position and we may allways use a spyder-drop for fast deployment.Lucky for me, I own 6 old school Police SS,SE and 1 PE.
I am looking forward for an aluminum or titanium handle Police, old school blade shape of course :D

[Shuutr]

I don't mind the extra holes, but could they make pseudo screw plugs the way gun manufacturers plug scope mount slots to keep gunk out of the unused holes?

[twinboysdad]

splitting hairs, ridiculous post, find something relevant to gripe about. 4 way clip on a knife as big as the Po Po is very much needed.

[RamZar]

On a common knife like the Police they need to accommodate everyone for their preferred carry method even though all the extra holes are an eyesore. Practicality wins!

Thank goodness there's no such accommodation in the nice collaborations like the Rubicon. Aesthetics wins!

[yablanowitz]

Police SS,SE being my all time favorite spydie I also consider that they almost ruined the knife with all those unnecessary holes in the handle.I also tend to agree with Yablanowitz that this has something to do with the tip-up crowd and not so much with the lefties.Being a tip-up guy myself, I still consider that Police and Military carry very well in tip-down position and we may allways use a spyder-drop for fast deployment.Lucky for me, I own 6 old school Police SS,SE and 1 PE.
I am looking forward for an aluminum or titanium handle Police, old school blade shape of course :D

They are out there, you just have to find them.


The one on the right below is uncoated aluminum

The one below is titanium

On a common knife like the Police they need to accommodate everyone for their preferred carry method even though all the extra holes are an eyesore. Practicality wins!

Thank goodness there's no such accommodation in the nice collaborations like the Rubicon. Aesthetics wins!

The funny thing is, the Police Model managed to stay in the top 10 bestselling models for over 25 years without all the extra holes.

[David from NC]

Police SS,SE being my all time favorite spydie I also consider that they almost ruined the knife with all those unnecessary holes in the handle.I also tend to agree with Yablanowitz that this has something to do with the tip-up crowd and not so much with the lefties.Being a tip-up guy myself, I still consider that Police and Military carry very well in tip-down position and we may allways use a spyder-drop for fast deployment.Lucky for me, I own 6 old school Police SS,SE and 1 PE.
I am looking forward for an aluminum or titanium handle Police, old school blade shape of course :D

They are out there, you just have to find them.

From this pic it looks like there may NOT be any left out there! :D

[RamZar]

They are out there, you just have to find them.

Nice. Your very own Police Department! :)

[ManixFan]

I love my SpyderEdge G10 Police 3........great knife, SE excellent as a dinner knife with perfect length for that usage. Also great at cutting through French bread baguettes with the SE.

Holes don't bother me a bit.......I don't even notice that they are there. IMHO I think the OP is nitpicking too much and threw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater by returning his......but then again, if you aren't happy with something then it will always bother you.

Too bad something so insignificant to most can be such a deal breaker for some in an otherwise awesome knife.

This thread was of some benefit to me though when I read of the GITD mods that someone else has used......I am intrigued and may look to try this out too.

[putrid_retch]

I just bought the Police 3 G-10 with full serrations & couldn't be more pleased. Like a pocket chain-saw!! :spyder:

[sal]

This is a copy of my post in Bladeforums to the same question:

Hi Ranger,

Welcome to our forum.

Sorry for your disappointment. The Police Model was my design oroginally and I guess I'm the guy that decided to blemish the aesthetics. I must admit that the Police Model was never designed with looks in mind, only pure efficient function. The decision to add the "ugly" holes was the request of our customers over a long period of time. Yes, some do complain about the appearance, but most prefer the change. We also made a new G-10 Police model, again at the requests of customers, to which we added a finger choil and G-10 scales along with a full flat grind. Also a function driven design.

Hope you'll forgive me?

sal

[MattM68]

Like Sal said, it wasn't designed to be a good looking knife. For example, the Rubicon is a good looking knife, but doesn't have all the extra holes. Everything's a trade off. You can have aesthetics, or functionality. In a knife I'm going to use and carry, I like to have options, and I don't mind how how it looks. If you want a knife without the extra holes, get a military, or a lefty military if you can find one. Spyderco makes a lot of knives, and they aren't all perfect for everyone.

Matt

[OldHoosier62]

As a guy who use to take every T/D Spyderco to my mill for extra holes prior to use, I am happy Sal made the change. Of course I use my knives so aesthetics are not a big issue, function is.

Thanks Sal.

[putrid_retch]

Hello everyone,
I've used the Spyderco Police knives for over 15 years. I've used the Combo blade, the plain edge, but finally settled on the Spyder edge. They were all great. The new one, a Spyderco Police CO7s arrived today ... words cannot adequately express my disappointment.

Someone at Spyderco has decided that they knew how to improve upon perfection!!! Instead of drilling . To say the least I'm disappointed, and I'm returning the knife to Amazon. They have agreed to pay return shipping because the knife in their online catalog doesn't have the extra screw holes.

I gotta say 1 thing about Amazon...they are the classiest, easiest to work with & went above & beyond in helping me out with a 'return'. The rep was courteous, intelligent, & I hung up the phone 110% satisfied with a decision.
If any Amazon reps read this, thank you anonymously.

[Tdog]

I haven't minded the extra holes on most of the knives including the Police. When I first got my Vallotton Sub Hilt, I felt the same way as the OP. I was really shocked at how such a beautiful knife could be defaced with all the extra holes. :eek: While the initial shock has long warn off, still wish it didn't have all those dern holes. Still a keeper. :spyder: