civilian vs. matriarch

[whosyour]

To all my fellow spydie lovers I need to know (especially those of you fortunate enough to find a matriarch)unless you're LEO and have one at your availability,how do they rate "price difference of course",but I'm talking about performance ,look,feel(man,I'm drooling)!!!Which would you trust your safety to if ever a situation should ever occur?And do any of you feel that the civilians dramatic sweep in the blade is to much compared to the matriarch.They're both excellent. In my eyes it just feels as there's alot of indifference among us as to which we desire,prefer,need.



Matthew 10:34 (and it will be made by spyderco)

[sam the man..]

Dude - For collector's sentiment, Winner : C12 with aluminium handle tufram coated. Better still -- plain edged, status of this knife : out of production.
Practical-Tactical, Winner : C12 in G-10. Reason : Lightweight, lots of belly. You won't leave home without this one at a mushroom harvest.
Value for money, Winner : Matriach.
Reason : Robust, same trimming like its slightly larger cousin, the civilian. The only trade-off -- sale to LEO only. I support that! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Also : If you intend to get a civvie, don't forget to purchase the zippered pouch from SFO, otherwise, the nekid spydie will catch a cold! *hee-hee!*

Sam

have spydies
will travel...

[Mike Sastre]

whosyour,

I frequently carry a Civilian or Matriarch,,and for their intended purpose, there's probably no difference in performance. The Civilian is more robust and the Matriarch is lighter in weight, so the question would be which is more important to you. I use neck sheaths a lot, so the lighter weight of the Matriarch appeals to me after wearing a Civilian this way for a number of years. Both are excellent emergency tools, however you define emergency. Great seat belt cutters for one.

Mike

[sam the man..]

Hullo Mike!

I'll place orders for the neck sheaths once my C12 dressed in G-10 had arrived! BTW, I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the delivery of the earlier neck sheaths! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies
will travel...

[ronybear]

I'm no expert, but for light weight the Matriarch would be hard to beat. But, if you are in a dark alley and open that Civilian, as Crocodile Dundee once said, "Now that's a KNIFE!"

"LOVE DEM SPYDIES!"

[whosyour]

Thanks for the advice and expertise guys.
I couldn't wait till x-mas,I ordered my g-10 civilian today.I know alot of mushrooms who'll be hiding underground come spring.And since I've developed this rare condition called spydieitus,can anyone help me find a cure in the form of a matriarch

Matthew 10:34 (and it will be made by spyderco)

[Mancer]

Well now I can speak from experience, I got my grey mat yesterday, its brilliant, something in its favour for defense its its weight, or lack thereof, it feels asif you have nothing but air in your hands, unbelievably lightweight, sharp and well crafted.

Go well
MaNcEr

It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum

Edited by - MaNcEr on 3/20/2001 6:33:01 AM

[patogordo]

I have both of them and besides the weight they are identical

I want all of them

[toothed]

I think that the CF Civilian is one of the best knives made by Spyderco. The fit, finish, balance, and design are all first rate. IMO it is more comfortable to carry than the G10 version. The elegant looks also make it seem less tactical in appearance. A must have for collectors and serious users alike.

I would use the Matriarch over the Civilian in situations where there is a high chance that the knife could be lost or adversely affected (damaged) by prolonged wet or damp conditions, e.g., out at sea, in rainy weather, etc. Others may want to carry the Matriarch in the event that a situation may occur where the knife may have to be "ditched." The bottom line is that a loss would come at a lower cost. The lighter weight of the Matriarch is also a factor when choosing which knife to use.

The Matriarch is only slightly smaller than the Civilian and in my opinion may have a stronger tip. (The tip of the Civilian seem to extend out further, hence, IMO, more likely to break off due to a leveraging effect(?).

My Civilians are collector pieces and will probably see very little use. If I need a hawkbill blade for specific chores, I would use my Harpy, Merlin, or Matriarch.

[John F Jensen]

FYI - Spyderco took the Matriarchs off restriction. No longer limited to Leo or military. Now available to all except hoodlums. :&gt<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>



JOHN F JENSEN
"Your Quality Distributor"
619-475-3633
johnfjensen@home.com

[spyder_man]

go with the matriarch. i just recieved a carbon fiber serrated civilian and it looks like caca. the handle is worn down in some places and cracked around the landyard hole. also the lock is not flush. i am surprised at the shotty worksmanship on this knife. so if you want a spyderco go with the matriarch if its not top quality at least it is cheaper.

[Mancer]

Ok, I should have posted this ages ago since I own both now, but theres no way on this planet anyone can say they are identical, not a chance.
They both brilliant but the Matriarch for its purpose is by far the better.
Why do I say this?
Easy, its lighter, its a tad shorter(easier to flip open) and its tip-up, plus both lefties and right handed pll can use it.
Ive got my G10 Civie on me right now, and will not be carrying it again since I already have my Grey Matriarch.

Matriarch is the better blade for defence, thats my opionion, but I honestly think it cant be beaten by the Civie.

Seeya

MaNcEr

It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum