Civilian: Why is it shaped that way?

[liko]

Took a look at a CF Civvie (They have em at Bestknives.com for $200, JIC anyone's looking for one), and I noticed that when the knife is closed, the part of the blade visible in the profile makes the blade look smaller, and the curveback of the reverse S toward the tip is not obvious. Is this deception the reason the blade is shaped the way it is, or is it something else, like better slashing or stabbing potential. That tip doesn't look very well-suited to stabbing, unless the stab starts as a slash that bites in. A straight push would quickly curve inward, missing whatever you were directly aiming at.

[mschwoeb]

The story of the civilian is that it was designed to give those untrained in knife fighting the best backup weapon available. The S-curve blade is made for one thing only- slashing.

[RYAN]

mschwoeb is correct, it is designed for those who have little or no knife training to be able to defend themselves well, should the need arise.

An excerpt from the Spyderco Story:

The Civilian is designed for defense, not aggression: it is a life protection device. It lacks a thrusting capability but excels at the contour cut, which would be delivered on the limb of an aggressor who has tried to immobilize or control the defender. A conventional straight knife operates in two planes of motion: basically forward and sideways. The Civilian also operates on two planes: circular motion and striaght line motion (usually toward the user). This latter plane of operation is perhaps the Civilain's most valuable feature, as it can be used to control an aggressor: where a straight knife would slide off, the Civilian"s hook tends to stay where it's placed, allowing the defender to use his knife to move the aggressor in a desired direction, either for control or escape.

Hope this sheds some light on the question at hand! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[gadfly]

I have seen the Civilian in action and it was unbelievably amazing.

The aggressor had been drinking and tried to provoke a fight. Things remained calm until there was a clear unprovoked attempted assault with a heavy object.

The victim avoided the assault and moved behind the abusive individual with his Civilian hooked around and into the arm of the suddenly docile individual.

In fact he was amazingle cooperative after that.

The follow on police investigation was a hassle and a half. The Civilian user was a policeman and the witnesses were far too numerous to cause a trial, as self defense was clear.

I would sure hate to go to court and have a jury look at that knife. As a non-law enforcement person, I believe I would not appear as an innocent guy while in possession of this evil looking blade.

Please use this very serious knife with the greatest of caution and only when you are clearly in peril and where you can clearly articulate why you were at risk.

One way or the other, you pay for your tools!

[bell]

Good Post Gadfly!!