Civilian or Matriarch?

[Christian]

I am torn between these two. I really like the Civilian, but I know the Matriarch is a sprint run and thus collectible. Does anyone have both, and if so, which do you like better? Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks, guys.

 

[Alann45]

Have both, like both.
The Civilian is serrated and the Matriarch plain blade.

I really like them both.
The Civilian is more "specialized" and quite a bit more expensive.
Matriarch is a really nice item at the price, and, as you note, collectible.

I don't tend to carry either to any great extent. If I want to carry something along these lines I usually grab the Superhawk.

 

[tjiscooler]

I was thinking the same thing as you, but i got a spyderhawk in h1and a civilian coming and the matriarch is just to similar. Its way cheaper than the civilian and in CT legal to carry i think, civi is not, buts its too danm cool not too....

 

[Buffalohump]

If you seriously want to carry it and possibly use it, the Civilian.

The Matriarch has its place too, I think a good option is to have a kydex sheath made for it for neck carry. Very clandestine. Great for summer if you live in hot climes.

Heck, get both!

 

[Planterz]

I am torn between these two. I really like the Civilian, but I know the Matriarch is a sprint run and thus collectible. Does anyone have both, and if so, which do you like better? Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks, guys.

Don't let the "collectible" thing stop you from carrying and using (well, hopefully never...) a knife like the Matriarch. It was not produced to sit around, look pretty, and appreciate in value. It's a plastic handled Spyderco, not a damascus bladed, ivory handled Walter Brend. The Matriarch was designed with, and produced for a specific purpose, and it can't do that collecting dust in a drawer.

Myself, I just acquired a Spyderco Endura Wave SE. I don't know how many were made, but finding one took some time and a good measure of dumb luck. Every dealer is sold out; you can't even find one on eBay. Maybe it's not all that hard to find one (now), maybe it is; I don't know. In 5 years it might be impossible without paying 5X the original cost, or more. But I don't care about that. I bought it for one explicit purpose, and one I hope I'll never use it for. I don't care what its collector's value is, was, might be, or might have been if I kept in in the box and not my pocket.

The choice between the Civilian and the Matriarch will be dependent on other issues, such as weight, size, thickness, blade length, legality, etc. These knives were designed to possibly save your life. If you feel that one of these knives might do just that, don't let the possible monetary "loss" of using a collectible prevent you from doing so. Your life is worth far more than a few bucks.

 

[The Deacon]

Better for what? Neither are suitable for everyday use, the tips are too fragile. They are specialized last ditch self defense tools, nothing more, nothing less. If that's what you want, you're right handed, and if blade length is not a factor, go for the Civilian. If your a southpaw, or there's a 4" blade limit where you live, go for the Matriarch.

Paul

My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam

 

[GIRLYmann]

would go with the Matriarch, for it's lighter weight.
with it's scales being plastic,
such a physical feature would also make it a far cheaper alternative to the civi?!
that being so, it translates to better economics for field use in the long run.
i doubt if that there is really going to be any huge physical difference in both models concerning the blade's overall quality and specs
but you know what?!
they're both spydercos now, aren't they?

 

[brownshoe]

I answered the same question for myself...Matriarch. It's slightly smaller, lighter and thus easier to carry open or concealed. I've had one since the original run and it gets carried often. Although it's a bit wide for a knife, it disappears into the waist band with ease.

 

[JD Spydo]

Put me down for the Matriarch. And I disagree that the Matriarch and Civilian both are not usable and couldn't be a good everday user. I truly believe that a Matriarch model with a beefed up tip could be a very good user as well as a great SD blade. I would however like a Matriarch with a G-10 or Carbon Fiber handle but I can live with FRN for right now.

Both blades are great SD designs and both have other potentials as well IMHO. I've also wondered how a Matriarch would fare with a beefed up H-1 blade?? I hope both models are around for some time to come and both models can be made with updated modifications.

 

[Alann45]

... I truly believe that a Matriarch model with a beefed up tip could be a very good user as well as a great SD blade. I would however like a Matriarch with a G-10 or Carbon Fiber handle but I can live with FRN for right now.

Yes it could, but I imagine that would require some cost prohibitive work at this price point. If you add CF to that you're bumping what is a very modestly priced item up quite a bit, and, aside from a slight difference in blade shape, pretty much making another Superhawk...not a bad thing.

Personally I like the grip and weight of the FRN.

I agree its a reasonalbe EDC for most tasks, plus being a decent defense blade.

 

[psychophipps]

Guys, when the manufacturer tells you that the knife makes for a lousy EDC/daily use knife then it's time to start paying attention, Ok?

If you want a dedicated defensive blade, than it's good to go. If you want a daily user knife then I would definitely look elsewhere then these two knives. Even Spyderco says this up front on the Edge-u-cation pamphlet that comes with these knives.

Oh, and before someone pipes in with a "but I've EDC one since Christ was a mess cook..." story, lots of people have smoked while gassing up their cars. It doesn't make it the smartest thing that they've ever done because they haven't burned down a gas station yet.

 

[Alann45]

Spyderco: "the attributes of the Civilian with its tremendous cutting effort but in a smaller size and thicker at the tip of the blade for general use."

Guess it all depends on what you consider "general" use and what you're EDC needs are.

 

[psychophipps]

Spyderco: "the attributes of the Civilian with its tremendous cutting effort but in a smaller size and thicker at the tip of the blade for general use."

Guess it all depends on what you consider "general" use and what you're EDC needs are.

Or what you read in the second section about the knife on the Spyderco website? :thumbup: