Difference between revisions of "C07 Police"

Latest revision as of 16:13, 9 June 2024

The C07 Police was first introduced in 1984 as the 1007 and is currently still available. Many variations of the Police exist.

The C51 Rookie is a smaller sized version of the Police.

Appearance in catalogs

The C07 Police appeared in all annual Spyderco product catalogs since about 1985 (older, newer):

Generation 1: 1984?, 1985 - at least 1990
Generation 2: since at least 1994
Generation 3: 2008 Mid-Year Product Supplement and 2009 Spyderco
Generation 4: since 2017 Product Guide

These are the Spyderco Product Guides that feature the C07 Police, that can be viewed online at the Spyderco.com website:

Designer

Sal Glesser ^[1]

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

Comments and pictures about Police variations and generations in the Spyderco forum.
In this post on the Spyderco.com forum, from 2 March 2021, Sal Glesser shares some information on the design history of the C07 Police:

1984 - First Police model. All Stainless scales. It was designed at the request of a LEO that loved the cutting power of the "Mariner", but wanted one with a point. So the design was the result of that request. I thought to call it "LaSal", but thought that was way too much ego, So we called it the Police Model, because of the request, and engraved Pride Integrity Guts on the blade with the PIG larger and darker.

It is our oldest running model.^[2]

In this post on BladeForums.com, Sal Glesser elaborates further on the design and production history of the C07:

We had introduced our serrated "Mariner" model and serrated "Rescue" model. ('82 / '83) The "Mariner" version was made with AUS-8 (Aichi) because of its better corrosion resistance and the "Rescue" model was made with Gingami 1, (Hitachi, marked G2) because of it more aggressive cutting and edge retention.

Law Enforcement was using the model and asked us to create a model that had the cutting power of the serrated sheepfoot, but with an point. That's how the original Police model came to be. After I finished the design, Gail and spent many hours trying to make the decision to engrave the blade with "PIG". It seemed like a good idea at the time, but a bad decision on something so radical can kill a model. As it turned out, we took the plunge. (That's kinda been our style).

After dealing with prototypes , etc. We tooled up and made the model with a mid lock back for easy one hand closing. We were still giving Harvey McBurnette and Al Mar credit for the development of the mid lock back, which we used with Al Mar's permission. (We've since found an earlier piece to the puzzle, thanx to Brian Huegel, and we bought it. For another thread that Brian and I can share).

The first shipment came in Maybe 2-300 both plain and serrated. Gail and I had devised a test for testing the locks (which later became known as "Spine wack". We found that the pieces defeated consistently. The maker was upset that we would do such a test, and more upset that we had already put them on a plane back to them. We were new working together and had to learn each other. To their credit, they repaired every piece to pass our lock test. Sometimes you have to rub a "Yin" stone and a "Yang" stone together until they're smooth.

We're still working with the same maker today. More than 40 years. I worked with the grandfather and the father and my son (Eric) works with the grandson. We were both strong minded, so we had our "Discussions". they made all of Al Mar's early models. Al introduced me to them. (Al was a great man. he raised the bar for the entire industry, and this was the maker "family" that made his knives).

The current Police Model is our longest continuously running design, though it has changed a great deal over the years from the original "PIG" to the "Police 4 FRN". Some thoughts to share.^[3]

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

C07:

"Time and again law enforcement officers have opted for the Police Model since its debut in 1984. Spyderco packs as much blade length as possible into the handle for big cutting power in a slim profile."

"The Police Model has a David Boye dent cut out of the locking lever allowing you to gorilla grip the knife without accidentally releasing the lock. The blade is hollow-ground VG-10 and thick at the tip for added strength with a weight-reducing swedge along the spine. All stainless, the handle is perfect for engraving or embossing. Steel clip positions the knife for tip-down pocket carry."^[4]

C07G3:

"It’s been twenty years since the Spyderco Police Model was introduced and it remains a cutlery icon. It was designed to have an as large as possible blade built into a thin, equally sized handle. Because of this, Save and Serve professionals continue buying the Police Model as an essential tool for their trade. Since its introduction, new handle materials like G-10 have become available in the cutlery industry., and requests for a G-10 handled Police Model poured in. We accommodated, and re-engineered with a finger choil, a full flat ground blade, and released the Police3."

"The benefits of G-10 as a handle material are many. It can support a building, be drilled and sawed. It’s doesn’t retain heat or cold, shuns chemicals, discoloration and peeling. Two finger indents in the handle position the gripping hand for maximum control. The C07G blade is flat-ground VG-10: a high carbon, cobalt enhanced steel that sharpens-up easily and retains its edge. Mid-positioned backlock features a David Boye Dent for added lock security. A 4-way clip positions the folder to carry tip-up/tip-down and left- or right-handed."^[5]

Variations

The C07 Police has a long history. Three generations can be differentiated which are described in the following.

                                    2008
                                    |- Generation 3 ->
|-- Generation 1 --|----------- Generation 2 -------->
1984               1991-1994?

All Police variations are made in Seki City, Japan, and have:

A Back Lock locking mechanism and
a modified clip point blade.

Generation 1

The first C07 Police variations introduced in the 80s all having stainless steel handles are considered first generation Polices (P1).

GIN-1/G-2 steel was used for all P1 blades.

Variations of the Police 1

SKU	Handle	Edge	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C07 (PIG)	Stainless Steel	PE SE	GIN-1/G-2	1984-?, 1986	65.95$ (1986)	"Pride Integrity Guts" engraved on blade	~2400 (~20% left hand)	Hollow	3- screw old standard clip	LH+RH, TD
C07	Stainless Steel	PE SE	GIN-1/G-2	?, 1990	?	"POLICE MODEL" on blade	N/A	Hollow	3- screw old standard clip	LH+RH, TD

Generation 2

Around 1991-1994(?) the second generation of the C07 Police (P2) was introduced. The major modifications from the P1 are

the lock release position moved backward to mid-position,
beveled handles.

The G-2 stamp^[6] on the blade was used from around 1992 to 1994. Prior to 1992 Spyderco knives were not marked with the steel used. In 1994, the steel remained the same, but the marking was changed to GIN-1, the name given by the steel's manufacturer.

A Boye dent was added in 2001.

From 1998 to 2001 variations with G-10 handles were available.

Variations of the Police 2

SKU	Handle	Edge	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C07 LH	Stainless Steel	SE	GIN-1/G-2	199?-1998	121.95$ (1994)	except early batches: "POLICE" on blade	N/A	Hollow	3- screw old standard clip	LH, TD
C07 RH	Stainless Steel	PE SE	GIN-1/G-2	199?-1998	121.95$ (1994)	except early batches: "POLICE" on blade	N/A	Hollow	3- screw old standard clip	RH, TD
C07G	Black G-10	PE SE	ATS-55	1998	146.95$ (1998)	"POLICE" on blade, unlined	N/A	Flat Saber	Metal black	RH, TD
C07G	Black G-10	PE SE	ATS-55	1999-2001	?	2001: incl. Boye dent, "POLICE" on blade, single liner, partially screwed construction.	N/A	Full Flat	Half- moon clip	RH, TD
C07	Stainless Steel	PE SE	ATS-55	1999-2001	?	2001: incl. Boye dent, "POLICE" on blade	N/A	Hollow	3- screw old standard clip	LH+RH, TD
C07	Stainless Steel	PE PS SE	VG-10	2002-	132.95$ (2004), 164.95$ (2009)	"POLICE" on blade, starting in 2023 the C07 features all-screw construction that reduces its weight by five percent and its handle thickness by seven percent.	N/A	Hollow	3- screw old standard clip	RH, TD

See above (Section Generation 2) remarks regarding additional variations of GIN-1/G-2 blade stamps.

Generation 3

The third generation of the Police (P3) was introduced in 2008. The most prominent modifications from the P2 are

4-way clip allowing left and right hand carrying with tip-up or tip-down,
screw together construction,
modified blade shape.

Variations of the Police 3

SKU	Handle	Edge	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C07GP3	Black G-10	PE	VG-10	2008-Nov. 2016	219.95$ (2009)		N/A	Full Flat	4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C07GS3	Black G-10	SE	VG-10	2008-2014	219.95$ (2009)		N/A	Full Flat	4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant

Generation 4

Variations of the Police 4

SKU	Handle	Edge	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C07GP4	Black G-10	PE	K390	Sept. 2017-Sept. 2019	$289.95 (2017)		Regular production	Full Flat	Black 4-way Hourglass	LH/RH, TD/TU	Main
C07PBK4	Black FRN	PE	VG-10	Sept. 2019-	$165.00 (2019)	Lightweight version	Regular production	Full Flat	Black 4-way Hourglass	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C07WD4	Mahogany Pakkawood	PE	HAP40/SUS 410	Jul. 2020	$320.00 (2020)	Knifecenter dealer exclusive	Limited	Full Flat	Chrome 4-way Hourglass	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C07FP4K390	Blue FRN	PE	K390	2021 -	$235.00 (2021)	Lightweight version	Regular production	Full Flat	Black 4-way Hourglass	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C07FS4K390	Blue FRN	SE	K390	2021 - 2023	$235.00 (2021)	Lightweight version	Regular production	Full Flat	Black 4-way Hourglass	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C07BGBK4	Deep burgundy FRN	PS	Black TiCN-coated Micro-Melt PD#1	2024	$220.00 (2024)	Lightweight version. Sprint Run	~1200	Full Flat	Black 4-way Hourglass	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant

Other variations

SKU	Handle	Edge	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C07SA	Aluminum uncoated	PE? SE	GIN-1/G-2	1989-?	?	pins visible/flush	?	Hollow	Metal	RH, TD?
C07BK	Black, Titanium Carbo-Nitride coated Stainless Steel	PE SE	GIN-1/G-2	1992, ?, 1994, ?, 1996	146.95$ (1994), 189.95$ (1996)	Police Blak Ti	?	Hollow	Metal	LH+RH, TD
C07BK	Black, Titanium Carbo-Nitride coated Stainless Steel	PE SE	ATS-55	?, 1998	189.95$ (1998)	Police Blak Ti; left hand version?	?	Hollow	Metal	RH, TD
C07ATU	Gray TuFFram coated Aluminum	PE SE	GIN-1/G-2	1993-1995	146.95$ (1994)	1993, 1994: without "POLICE" on blade, 1995: "POLICE" on blade, 4oz, pins visible; left hand version?	?	Hollow	Metal	RH, TD
C07STI	Ti	PS SE	ATS-34	1992-?	295.95$	pins visible/flush; left hand version?	500xPS, 500xSE	Hollow	Metal	RH, TD
C07CFRHP	Black CF	PE	VG-10	2003	189.95$ (2003)	Sprint, "POLICE" on blade, boye dent; Right hand version.	600 PE/1500	Hollow	Half- moon clip	RH, TD
C07CFRHS	Black CF	SE	VG-10	2003	189.95$ (2003)	Sprint, "POLICE" on blade, boye dent; Right hand version.	600 SE/1500	Hollow	Half- moon clip	RH, TD
C07CFLHP	Black CF	PE	VG-10	2003	189.95$ (2003)	Sprint, "POLICE" on blade, boye dent; Left hand version.	150 PE LH/1500	Hollow	Half- moon clip	LH, TD
C07CFLHS	Black CF	SE	VG-10	2003	189.95$ (2003)	Sprint, "POLICE" on blade, boye dent; Left hand version	150 SE LH/1500	Hollow	Half- moon clip	LH, TD
C07SGBE	Stainless Steel with Gary Blanchard embellishing	SE	GIN-1/G-2	1993-?	285,95 us $ (1994)	Different variations exist, there was no system as to what knives got embellished^[7]		Hollow	3- screw old standard clip
C07	Stainless Steel with Santa Fe stoneworks wood overlay.	SE?		?		Usually called Earthling (which is what Santa Fe still calls this particular overlay), this model was rather expensive, and not many were made.		Hollow	Metal
C07	Stainless Steel with David Yellowhorse embellishing	SE and PE?		?		The prototype had embellishment on both sides, but the production model only had on the none-clip side.		Hollow	Metal

Most collectible variation

Questions regarding collecting the C07

There are open questions marked with '?' above and below. Any answers?

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C07 Police:

Variations	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
Police 1	?	?	?	98mm	?	?	154g
Police 2 SS	241mm	135mm	104mm	97mm	12mm	3mm	159g
Police 2 G-10	241mm	135mm	104mm	97mm	12mm	3mm	97g
Police 3	251mm	141mm	111mm	102mm	13mm	3mm	140g
Police 4 G-10	253mm	141mm	112mm	102mm	13mm	3mm	122g
Police 4 FRN	253mm	143mm	112mm	100mm	14mm	3mm	119g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C07 Police:

Variations	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
Police 1	?	?	?	3 7/8"	?	?	5.44oz
Police 2 SS	9 1/2"	5 5/16"	4 1/8"	3 13/16"	15/32"	1/8"	5.6oz
Police 2 G-10	9 1/2"	5 5/16"	4 1/8"	3 13/16"	15/32"	1/8"	3.4oz
Police 3	9 7/8"	5 9/16"	4 3/8"	4"	1/2"	1/8"	5oz
Police 4 G-10	9.97"	5.55"	4.42"	4.00"	0.55"	0.118"	4.5oz
Police 4 FRN	9.97"	5.63"	4.39"	3.95"	0.55"	0.118"	4.2oz

References

↑ Sal Glesser's original comment can be found on Spyderco-Forums [1]
↑ From the Spyderco.com discussion forum thread | 'Police research'
↑ From the BladeForums.com discussion forum thread | 'The PIG'
↑ The C07 Police (2nd generation) in Spyderco's online catalog
↑ The C07G3 Police in Spyderco's online catalog
↑ A comment by Sal Glesser on the G-2 stamp can be found on the Spyderco-Forums[2]
↑ See this thread on Spyderco forums.

Pictures

Left hand CF Police closed
Left hand CF Police open
C07CFS Police
C07CFS Police
C07GP Police
C07GP Police