civilian knife restrictions

[lawdog185]

At a recent gun/knife show, one of your dealers displayed a couple of your knives who's sale was restricted to law-enforcement or military. These were not automatic openers. One in particular that I remember had a curved, serrated blade. The dealer said that they were legal but it was Spyderco's police to restrict their sales. Why is this? Does Spyderco feel it is more important for police or military to have an effective utility/defense tool than a civilian?



Edited by - lawdog185 on 10/30/00 10:51:01 PM



Edited by - lawdog185 on 10/30/00 10:51:46 PM

[tortoise]

First let me make clear, I do not speak for Spyderco. This issue has been discussed at Bladeforums, so you could search there for all the details. The short version is this: You saw either the "Civilian" or the "Matriarch", more likely the former. These knives were designed at the request of law enforcement to provide a last ditch defensive tool for a plainclothes officer/agent with little or no defensive training and for persons in certain unstable/high crime nations. They have no intended utility use. Therefore, Spyderco does not really market them. Because of the politically correct and overly litigous world we live in Spyderco could easily face problems selling a knife who's only intended use is fighting (for one's own life.) So, they "restrict" sales to law enforcement. This is the official company policy. Sal has said that he trusts legitimate collectors and users. You CAN get either knife if you want one. The policy is simply to demonstrate a level of responsibility on the part of the manufacturer to avoid giving the anti's any ammunition. Your question seemed to have an "edge" to it (pun intended), I hope this straightens things out a little.

[john row]

Good summary tortoise.
This issue has been discussed a lot. And there does seem to be a few people upset by Mr Glesser's policy.
lewdog185 please read the debate on the Spyderco Matriarch on BladeForum. I know that I too didn't understand the policy until I read the information there. It goes a long way in explaining Spyderco's position.

[sal]

Hi Lawdog. Welcome to the Spyderco forum. You pose an interesting and much discussed question. One for which we do not at this time have the perfect answer.

Until we do have the "perfect" answer, we'll have to continue the policy. Also please keep in mind that this policy is a request of our dealers, not one we can enforce.

Certainly, we do not believe that law enforcment or military deserve these more than responsible civilians. We don't know how to tell a responsible civilian.

We don't want them used for general utility, as they are not designed for that. I just received an email from an irate customer questioning our quality because be was using a Matriarch for "general use" and broke the tip.

We don't want so see them on CNN as an example of irresonsible manufacturers supplying "gangs" with weapons.

If you have a sensible solution or suggestion, we are open. We already know the question.

Thanx Tortoise, excellent explanation.

sal