question about the civilian/matriarch

[tonydahose]

are there any differences between these two? why are there different names? thanks.

[Episteme]

The Civilian's blade measures over 4 inches in length, and the Matriarch's blade is just over 3.5 inches. Also, the Civie's tip is thinner and has a more pronounced curve, whereas the Matriarch's is less pronounced and stouter.
The Civie ussually has a G-10 handle, and the Matriarch's is FRN.
The purpose of both knives is the same; a last ditch self defense tool for LEO's. Both are marketed differently than other Spyderco's, and are produced in very limited quantities.
Mike

[Zac]

^as they said
both have PC names and the main difference is size and handle. the matriarch was made to cost less than the civilian and be more discrete. there are some vg-10 matriarchs although most are ats-55. the matriarch is no longer made, the civilian is.

[JD Spydo]

There was also a special edition Matriarch that was from what I heard targeted for the South Africa market. The Gray Matriarch is truly a rare bird but you generally see one about every 3 months or so on ebay. If you run into one of them I highly suggest you get it.

Also like the one brother mentioned they did make a few Matriarchs in VG-10 blade steel. These too are somewhat of a rare bird. Because 80 to 90% of the ones I come across are ATS-55. Both are great for their intended use but the VG-10 is much more rare.

There are also a few plain edged Civilians. Most of the ones I've seen or come across are the Carbon Fiber ones. I know of only one guy who has a plain edged G-10 handled Civilian. Another rare bird to keep your eyes out for.

[Mike Sastre]

JD,

The black Matriarchs were available in South Africa only when Spyderco did a special run of 500 gray Matriarchs for the BF crowd (limit of 3 per) - the one you've seen in my neck sheath is one of those, and has traveled with me all over. For a brief period the SA black ones were the rare ones, then Spyderco released the black version Stateside and the gray ones became the rarest Matriarchs.

[JD Spydo]

JD,

The black Matriarchs were available in South Africa only when Spyderco did a special run of 500 gray Matriarchs for the BF crowd (limit of 3 per) - the one you've seen in my neck sheath is one of those, and has traveled with me all over. For a brief period the SA black ones were the rare ones, then Spyderco released the black version Stateside and the gray ones became the rarest Matriarchs.

Mike it seems like I do remember that the Matriarch is also your favorite of the TERRIBLE TWOSOME ( Civi & Matriarch :eek: ). Do you by chance know just how many Matriarchs that they made all together? I heard it was somewhere in the 1200 range. Also do you have any idea of how many of them were in the VG-10 variety? Great to hear from you again Sir. :) :spyder:

[Mike Sastre]

JD,

No idea on the total number of Matriarchs made. Most were ats 55, very, very few in VG-10 (got a couple ratholed). Original offerings of Spyderco G-10s (Harpy, Civilian, Police) had no stainless steel liners, so were a little thinner and lighter than current models - carried a linerless Civy in a neck sheath until they came out with the Matriarch. Matriarch is thinner still, lighter weight, and at most, only gives up a quarter inch of blade lenth, so is even better suited for concealed neck wear.