Matriarch variation?

D

DragonFly

Joined
Aug 30, 1999
Messages
118
I spotted a "funny looking" black handled Matriarch in a local knife shop.

It either had metal liners or started out with metal handles similar to the Endura II. The "black handles" were actually what looked like real thin Zytel pieces pasted to the metal handles.

There were 3 handle screws rather than the 2 on the grey handled Matriarch. The lanyard/clip hole didn't have a slotted screw - it was just a hole. The knife was in a case so I can't describe the clip side.

Anybody got an idea what this thing was? I'm relatively new to Spyderco and never saw anything like this "sandwich style" handle.

Actually, my "knock-off" warning system was kicking up a storm but the handle had both "Spyderco" and "ATS-55" stamped where they belonged. All physical dimensions appeared to match my grey Matriarch except for the handle being thicker.
 
I think you're describing the original Civilian.
Sc12s.jpg
Or, perhaps, Harpy or Merlin.

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Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!

[This message has been edited by Ewok (edited 21 November 1999).]
 
Thanks Ewok.

That shot of the Civilian looks about right. The one I saw was plainly stamped "ATS-55" though. I thought the Civilian was GIN-1 (?).

A "top-down" view of the G10 Harpy spine shows the center metal "layer", I guess the lock (?) and a very thin liner on the clip side. The one I saw had "fat" liners - almost the size of the center section and had one on each side. Would this match the Civilian?

I own a G10 Harpy so the difference between what I saw and the Harpy or Merlin would be obvious just from a size issue.

The store owner was implying it was a Matriarch, he got it because "he knew the right people" etc. Also it was priced at 110.00 LIST. Also, he said he would not stock Boker Orions due to the high cost - didn't seem the type of atmosphere where Civilians would thrive. So, bells were going off.

Was the Civilian ever made in ATS-55? Maybe I just found a bargain and need to get back there pronto.

Thanks.
JH

 
That was fast. Thanks.

I'm off the buy the thing, hopefully by Mon evening. Will advise as soon as I get to really look it over.

Thanks again for the help.

JH
 
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