Civilian knowledge

[Robert H]

Just curious,

The Civilian is one of my favorite Spyderco's, only behind the Chinook and the trusty every day carry Endura. What is the history behind this design, and who designed it?

 

[ThinkOfTheChildren]

Sal, qouted in the Spyderco story:

The C12 was a weapon. A lot of thought went into that knife as to the actual effect of a strike, what it would do when going through flesh, how it would handle clothing. The handle was designed so it didn't pull out of your hand, and Kraton was added on both sides in large amounts for grip if you happen to have blood on your hands, the tip was very thin so that it didn't create a problem, the belly was made large so that if for any reason the belly hit instead of the tip then you could still create major damage.

There are many knives that are made that are so-called fighting knives or defense knives or widow-makers, etc. I believe that the Civilian is absolutely the most effective of any of them for defense.

Based on the logic that the most effective defense weapon is the one you have with you when you are in trouble, we elected to avoid the traditional combat-stlye knives that require special preparation for carrying, primarily because of their bulk.

IIRC, the knife was designed originally for plain clothes DEA agents.

 

[Robert H]

Thank you much, that is some great info for this great knife. I know a DEA agent who carries a cut down M1 garand bayonet, I think I'll recommend this to him instead! What a great knife this is.