Civilian and Viele Spydercos

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spoonslayer

Joined
Feb 8, 1999
Messages
141
Does anyone here own one of these knives? If so please tell me what you think of them. I am possibly interested in buying the Howard Viele model and am just plain curious about the Civilian.
 
Spoonslayer-I'm not trying to be smart-a**, I'm just trying to educate you as others have educated me. Try the search feature and you'll probably find 50 different posts concerning these 2 knives. It makes for some very interesting reading.
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Mike K.
 
Ah, but one post you won't find no matter how you look!

I just recieved my Viele custome in the mail yeaterday, from bladeauction. First impressions are very good, but not perfect. The knife looks better than it does in any picture and fits the hand very well. The micarta handles are well polished, and have that cool micarta-grain visable in the surface. The hole is small enough to be non-obtrusive, but large enough to still work. The blade itself is razor sharp, and a good shape.

Now for the few down-points: The action of the pivot has an odd feel to it, I can't describe it, but it's a little off. Also the opening hole edges are very angular, almost to the point of being sharp, and are wearing my thumb out. Finally the linerlock, although strong, slides to the far edge of the blade when opened, and tkes more effort than I'd like to disengage. It, however, cannot be unlocked accidentally(you're not calling me "nine"
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Aaron

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My sheep has seven gall bladders, that makes me King of the Universe!
aaronm@cs.brandeis.edu

 
I have the Viele straight edge. Cuts real well and easy to sharpen. My take is similar to Aaron's. The hole is smaller than most but not a problem because I have small hands and thumbs (Large thumbs would be a problem
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). The liner lock also goes to the far right. Interestingly the lock has a distinct bent (cant) towards the right which I don't notice on other liner locks. It's clearly manufactured that way. The lock has not failed on me when tapping the spine. I think the right cant and the fact that liner lock is on the far right make it harder to disengage than my other linerlocks. I don't find it a problem. I also notice the "different" action in the pivot. Different but not bad in my eyes. It may be due to the detent (that little ball bearing) which seems bigger than in other linerlocks I have. Overall, it's a classy looking gent's (primarily utility) folder.

I carry it mostly in my jacket pocket because the silver stainless clip catches eyes and questions.

sing

[This message has been edited by sing (edited 09 February 1999).]
 
Like Sing, I don't clip mine to my pants pocket very often because of the bright clip. Wish more pocket clips came in black. I bought black clips from an un-named company to replace their bright ones. Maybe Spyderco could do the same thing. The only other complaint I have is the riveting at the blade pivot. On a knife like this, it should have been adjustable. Otherwise, a beautiful knife.
Dane
 
Spyderco has black clips that will fit that model. You will have to contact customer service.
sal
 
Sal,

I was just about to spraypaint the clips and screws black. Great. Much easier and less messy to order them from the source.

Thanks. sing

To paraphrase Yek's line: It's that a beeper in your pocket? No. It's my Spyderco Viele/Native.
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Sing,
Now that Sal has said black ones are available for the Spyderco, I guess I can mention the Company was Benchmade. I really like the black clips.
Dane
 
Dana/Sal,

Sorry... I immediately emailed customer service. Ms O'Shea was very kind, very prompt. Said she she would send them free of charge if I give her my shipping address..
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Alas... She got back not more than half an hour later to say they didn't have Viele and Native clips in black...

She told me <blank> company has it and gave the phone number. Nice service, the ole college try...
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sing
 
Sing - Please tell her that the black clips that come on the Calypso will fit the Viele.

Native clips are not yet available in black. Soon. But we are planning on making blue ones for the BladeForums.Com Native.
sal
 
Hey does no one own the civilian. I think it is one of the neatest looking knives ever produced, and will it ever cut up a storm. Both versions are really nice the one I had has got a blade of ATS-55 an ALM.handle with a ruber insert in it, the fit and finish are great, and the clip has a rubber insert in it also. A truly fantastic knife. As fare as the Viele goes you would not go wrong with that one either.Your fat little buddy in the Texas Panhandle, Chris.
www.toptexknives.com

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I have both versions (G10 and Alum) and love them. There is not a more wicked looking little defensive knife around.
 
Different knives for different purposes. I truly appreciate Spyderco`s low key approach to selling the Civilian. I believe most knife people respect that and follow their lead in not making a big fuss over it. In my book it is numero uno for why it was made.
 
The black Calypso clip came in the mail today. It fits the Viele perfectly. The Viele sort of disappears into the pocket of my black jeans. Seems like I make such a big deal out of color. Well, having a knife at my place of work is highly frowned upon.
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I just assume not call attention to my tool if I don't have to.

Thanks for the help D.O and Sal. Like the new catalog too.

sing

[This message has been edited by sing (edited 20 February 1999).]
 
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