Pair of vintage Mariners - help I’D-ing them

[Hilldweller]

Hello folks ! Newbie here with a couple of basic questions…..(you say “So what’s new??)

I worked for a large west coast fire department for over 33 years. Decided to pull the pin when it just wasn’t fun anymore. Once you gain rank you sit behind your desk and deal with mistakes, personnel issues, budgets, and petty local politicians who lie for a living. I’m not disgruntled, just a realist.

Anyway at some point in the (probably) 90’s the paramedic coordinator approached the Chief about allowing the paramedics to add a tool to their toolbox. Namely the Spiderco Mariner lock blade knife. It was a very useful tool for cutting seatbelts, clothing, and various other things. The Chief agreed to authorize the carry but wouldn’t budget for it; therefore it was considered a personal choice that was allowed at the individuals discretion.

I can say with confidence that almost all the PM’s and a good part of the rank and file jumped at the chance. One of the Captains was our contact point for ordering. It became a self purchased standard piece of equipment. I was one of the first to order. I ordered two. One right handed and one left. At the time Spiderco included a miniature Mariner with the purchase of two knives.

That was 35 +/- years ago. I retired over 15 years ago and moved out of state. A few days ago I was going through my dept stuff and found them in a box. I remember having the miniature Mariner on my keychain with my car key and loosing it at or near a restaurant long ago. Didnt miss my keys but sure missed that cute little knife. I did find both the full Mariners though.

I was hoping someone here could help me ID them to a specific year, or years. Anyone?

I’m not sure Spiderco made belt holsters or not but we were able to order them either from Spiderco or from one of the 5 or 6 guys on the job who were making leather for other things we carried.

I’m hoping the pics are good enough to allow for giving me more info on the knives, as well as letting me know if the leather belt carrier was from Spiderco or an “in-house” item. (That’s in ‘firehouse item’)

Thanks in advance for any/all info.

[Hilldweller]

After reviewing the post I found it helps to click on the picture and zoom in. Zooming on pic without doing that is just too blurry.

[TazKristi]

Hi, Hilldweller:
Welcome to our forum, and thank you for your service! We hope you enjoy your time with us.

Kristi

[rycen]

Welcome

Those are from the early to mid 90s. The sheath would be aftermarket.

Was the reason you chose both left and right hand versions so you could carry one on each side?

[Manixguy@1994]

Serious envy seeing the Lefty , well done combo . MG2

[Hilldweller]

Rycen,
Actually yes and no. I bought both left & right because there were times when the equipment I carried required it to be on my right side taking the place of the right hand Mariner I usually carried. So I used the left hand Mariner in those cases.

Second reason was - if we bought both (if memory serves) we got the mini Mariner for free. ****, I miss the little guy. Wish someone here - or at Spiderco reading this had one they’d part with at a reasonable price. Be nice to have my original set complete again.

[Hilldweller]

Rycen,
As for the sheath, to the best of my recollection these were made by one of the handful of guys on the department that made leather items to hold equipment when no such item was commercially available.

[yablanowitz]

Welcome

Those are from the early to mid 90s. The sheath would be aftermarket.

Was the reason you chose both left and right hand versions so you could carry one on each side?

Pre-steel mark. Late 80's, before 1992. Chamfered handles, so not first run, so I'd guess 1986 to 1991. That's probably as exact as you're going to get.

[Hilldweller]

Thanks Yablanowitz ! That’s good info.

[yablanowitz]

Happy to help, and welcome aboard!

[yablanowitz]

Thanks Yablanowitz ! That’s good info.

Here's another tidbit, Spydiewiki shows the 3001 Mini Mariner was made from 1989 to 1990, so that narrows it down a bit more. I didn't think of that before.

[HotShot]

My Mariner is my daily carry...I've had her since the early 90's.