Spyderco Civilian

**PA Woodsman** · 09-22-2012, 10:56 PM

Anyone else love this knife? I know its not for everyday cutting chores, but its my choice if things get bad up close.

**berserk87** · 09-23-2012, 09:18 AM

I would love it more if it were in H-1.

**jnichols2** · 09-23-2012, 12:48 PM

I have mixed feelings about this knife. It serves no benevolent purpose.

I have not carried it yet, it stays in my drawer. But; if I had to go to the "bad part" of town, I'd probably take it with me.

**JD Spydo** · 09-26-2012, 03:55 AM

Originally Posted by berserk87

I would love it more if it were in H-1.

I would also love it more if they made a version of the Matriarch and Civilian both with thicker and more stout blades to where tip breakage wouldn't be much of an issue. I do carry one of the older, original VG-10 Matriarch models on occasion and I do like it for EDC use. I find that carrying a Hawkbill ( especially a fully serrated one) do make a perfect companion EDC to your regular plain edged EDC. The most perfect companion EDC I ever had was the G-10 Harpy but an H-1, thick blade Matriarch could be great as well.

**Dudelepowski** · 09-26-2012, 08:58 AM

This is purely a ditch effort defense knife for those not trained in hand to hand combat isn't it? I am going to assume that if the intended carrier was forced to use it, the main targets would be the face, throat and genitalia. I am confused why people are concerned about the durability of the tip? It looks perfectly capable of performing its duties.

**Bill1170** · 09-26-2012, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Dudelepowski

This is purely a ditch effort defense knife for those not trained on hand to hand combat isn't it? I am going to assume that if the intended carrier was forced to use it, the main targets would be the face, throat and genitalia. I am confused why people are concerned about the durability of the tip? It looks perfectly capable of performing its duties.

Exactly. Wickedness towards flesh is its only purpose. Thin is better for that use.

**jnichols2** · 09-26-2012, 12:31 PM

I believe the thin blade and tip have a purpose in it's design.

Pictures don't really convey it's suitability for performing it's designed function. When you actually hold it in your hand, you get a mental picture of what it can do.

**brownshoe** · 09-26-2012, 05:00 PM

A thicker blade and tip would destroy the intended purpose of the knife. It is not a utility blade and the user is specifically warned that it is not.

**Sidehill Gouger** · 09-26-2012, 05:04 PM

I've read all the theory but has anyone any place ever used one for self-defense? How did that turn out in court for them if he/she did? It is going to be pretty hard to say you were carrying it as a tool when Spyderco includes a note in the box that it shouldn't be used for that.

**Dudelepowski** · 09-26-2012, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sidehill Gouger

I've read all the theory but has anyone any place ever used one for self-defense? How did that turn out in court for them if he/she did? It is going to be pretty hard to say you were carrying it as a tool when Spyderco includes a note in the box that it shouldn't be used for that.

Why would you say you were carrying it as a tool when Spyderco clearly says it isn't intended to be a tool? I mean it's not like all the guys legally carrying Glocks state that they use them mostly for door stops and fish bonkers. The Civilian, and a number of other weapons, are clearly designed to be just that...a weapon.

**berserk87** · 09-26-2012, 06:20 PM

Some guys like carrying SD knives as EDC knives. I don't get it in the case of the Matriach so much. To each his own. For me, it would be SD only and used otherwise only in a pinch.

**RevDevil** · 09-26-2012, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by jnichols2

I have mixed feelings about this knife. It serves no benevolent purpose.

I have not carried it yet, it stays in my drawer. But; if I had to go to the "bad part" of town, I'd probably take it with me.

If helping to preserve your own life is not benevolent, I don't know what is.

**jnichols2** · 09-26-2012, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by RevDevil

If helping to preserve your own life is not benevolent, I don't know what is.

Point taken.

**Raylas** · 09-26-2012, 08:51 PM

I like the Civilian, it has one purpose, and I'm confident it could preform that purpose very well. You carry a civilian if you can't carry a gun, fixed blade, or you want a back up blade. That's all it's for, if I wanted to use a Spyderco hawkbill for utility, I'd bust out my Harpy.

**Dr Heelhook** · 09-27-2012, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by JD Spydo

I would also love it more if they made a version of the Matriarch and Civilian both with thicker and more stout blades to where tip breakage wouldn't be much of an issue. I do carry one of the older, original VG-10 Matriarch models on occasion and I do like it for EDC use. I find that carrying a Hawkbill ( especially a fully serrated one) do make a perfect companion EDC to your regular plain edged EDC. The most perfect companion EDC I ever had was the G-10 Harpy but an H-1, thick blade Matriarch could be great as well.

Have you actually broken the tip on any of them?

**brownshoe** · 09-27-2012, 08:13 AM

I've seen plenty of used civilians with broken tips. IIRC, that's why it's sold with a warning now.

**JD Spydo** · 09-27-2012, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Dr Heelhook

Have you actually broken the tip on any of them?

No I personally have not broken a tip on a Matriarch or Civilian ever. But I have heard of several accounts of people breaking tips on both models which I'm sure is why they have the paperwork on both models more or less absolving them of any responsibility in case someone would break one by misuse.

It was the ATS-55 models I heard the most complaints with as well as a few of the earlier GIN-1 models. But to tell you the truth I haven't heard of a VG-10 Civi or Matriarch either one being broke during normal/moderate use.

Also do read my last post carefully and it will show you all that I do prefer a G-10 Harpy over about any other Hawkbill blade as a companion knife. But I have on occasion carried my VG-10 Matriarch as a companion Hawkbill during times I anticipate any trouble.

But I still would like to see how a Matriarch or Civilian either one would perform with significantly thicker blades on them.

**stabman** · 09-27-2012, 06:06 PM

Keep it thin, just widen the tip a tad.
Problem solved.

**Sidehill Gouger** · 09-27-2012, 07:01 PM

Some of you guys haven't read your state laws. I've never did a count but I'm guessing the majority will tell you any knife carried with the intend of using it as a weapon is illegal. I know mine does. If it is carried as a tool, then it depends on the state and mine will over look just about anything if you have a real need for that knife. But Spyderco puts a note in the box this isn't a tool!

Right or wrong, firearms always fall under a different set of laws.

But, to ask the question again, has anyone every used a Civilian for self-defense and went to court over it?