Anyone use the Civilan / Matriarch as a general use blade (ala a larger Tasman Salt)?

DansGunBlog

DansGunBlog

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Jul 23, 2014
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Hi there!

Does anyone use either the Civilian or the Matriarch as a general purpose all around serrated blade? Would love to hear any thoughts on that.

I find the Tasman Salt to be a very useful general purpose companion blade to a full size EDC like the Military / PM2. and I'm looking for a larger variation... started a separate thread about the possiblity of a larger hawkbill, but someone pointed out the Civilian / Matriarch.

Now, reading all the amazon reviews, many warn against using either of these for utility work, as it can dull them for defensive use. But is the blade actually less useful than a Tasman Salt at for general tasks?

So if you don't get them for defensive use (leaving that to the Glock for example) and are just looking for a larger blade that's as functional as the Tasman Salt... how does this stack up?

I'd gladly get a Spyderhawk SE with FRN instead, but those aren't available lol.

Thanks!
Dan
 
Dan, the tip on those two is really too extreme for normal everyday use. However, you should definitely have a look at the lil Matriarch! Much less extreme at the tip and very practical as an EDC I think. The serrated version is still available most places (though I think it's been discontinued?) and there is also a pe sprint available. I don't own one but I used one for a few days last year and fell in love with it. Its probably next on my list.

I wish they would make it in a salt version!!
 
dericdesmond said:
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There was a reply from TazKristi on the Spyderco forum mentioning that they were going to remove those warnings from the Matriarch 2, since in their catalog description it explains the knife as being good for everyday uses.

here is a quote from their catalog description:

"Newly released is a Matriarch2. It uses the reverse "S" blade found on both the original Matriarch and on the Civilian, with a hollow-ground VG-10 blade, and has a thicker tip that is well suited to defense purposes as well as everyday carry."

And the reply from TazKristi (hope this is no bother to quote this from another forum...? If this is an issue someone please advise.)
TazKristi said:
We apologize for the confusion, it was unintentional. We will no longer tag the Matriarch2 with the warning tag about its use. Should someone break the tip of the Matriarch2 it will be treated the same as any other model. The user will need to send it in to W&R for evaluation. We will evaluate each situation individually and do our best to be fair and proper.
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Here's a link to the thread if anyone wants to see more.
I think there is even a photo or two with comparison to a Tasman.
http://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=54723


The Civilian I could see being vulnerable to tip weakness.


Maybe look into a SpyderSaw...? I have one that I love for cutting wood when backpacking. I know it's not a hawkbill like you're searching for though. And probably just as hard to find as a Spyderhawk SE at this point as well!
 
Sweet! Thanks for the heads up. I got the regular and waved version so they may be seeing a bit more pocket time.
 
I frequently carry my Matriarchs and Lil' Matriarchs at work and for my purposes, they excell. Never had a problem with tip strength or any of the things people so astutely warn about these blades. Everything from cutting carpet to cloth to seatbelts, rope, upholstery etc. they can and will hold up great. That serrated VG-10 is a dream.
 
I don't think the blade shape is very EDC friendly for what I do. If I wanted fully serrated in a larger blade, I'd pick the endura.
 
Surfingringo said:
Dan, the tip on those two is really too extreme for normal everyday use. However, you should definitely have a look at the lil Matriarch! Much less extreme at the tip and very practical as an EDC I think. The serrated version is still available most places (though I think it's been discontinued?) and there is also a pe sprint available. I don't own one but I used one for a few days last year and fell in love with it. Its probably next on my list.

I wish they would make it in a salt version!!
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@Surfingringo I hear that - enjoying the Tasman salt!

The Lil Matriarch is I think smaller (not bigger anyway) than my Tasman, so not going to meet what I'm looking for.

Truly what I'm looking for is something not currently being made lol... a larger Tasman

Tho the Matriarch is interesting.


SpeedHoles said:
There was a reply from TazKristi on the Spyderco forum mentioning that they were going to remove those warnings from the Matriarch 2, since in their catalog description it explains the knife as being good for everyday uses.

here is a quote from their catalog description:

"Newly released is a Matriarch2. It uses the reverse "S" blade found on both the original Matriarch and on the Civilian, with a hollow-ground VG-10 blade, and has a thicker tip that is well suited to defense purposes as well as everyday carry."

And the reply from TazKristi (hope this is no bother to quote this from another forum...? If this is an issue someone please advise.)

Here's a link to the thread if anyone wants to see more.
I think there is even a photo or two with comparison to a Tasman.
http://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=54723


The Civilian I could see being vulnerable to tip weakness.

Maybe look into a SpyderSaw...? I have one that I love for cutting wood when backpacking. I know it's not a hawkbill like you're searching for though. And probably just as hard to find as a Spyderhawk SE at this point as well!
Click to expand...

@SpeedHoles that's great info, thank you.

Looking at the Matriarch... it DOES still have the tip "claw" like the Tasman which I find very useful... and seems it's got stainless steel linders, and the blade is indeed bigger than the Tasman.

Seriously considering this knife, may well be next on my list.
 
Rum. Monkey. said:
I frequently carry my Matriarchs and Lil' Matriarchs at work and for my purposes, they excell. Never had a problem with tip strength or any of the things people so astutely warn about these blades. Everything from cutting carpet to cloth to seatbelts, rope, upholstery etc. they can and will hold up great. That serrated VG-10 is a dream.
Click to expand...

Do you have a Tasman salt by chance? Quite curious how the two compare... may start a separate thread on that, surely some folks have both. :-)

Thanks!
Dan
 
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