spyderco civilian

G

garythenuke

Joined
Jun 16, 2005
Messages
72
Does anyone have experience with the spyderco civilian? It now has a clip version for non LE. What do you think of the knife? I understand it is a single purpose knife.

Thanks,
Gary
 
It's a mall ninja knife. It's for paranoid people who feel like they have to be prepared for a knife fight. It's not a viable cutting tool because of the blade shape and the weak tip.

If you need a knife fighting knife then get a $5 chinese knock-off... there's no sense in paying the asking price for the Civilian for a virtually useless knife.
 
I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one.

"Civilian™

Spyderco® has traditionally maintained what we call the “White Hat” position. We feel that the future of humankind in the world must lie in cooperation and greater socialization. Our skills in this area are still developing.

In the over 20 years that Spyderco has been producing knives, primarily the CLIPIT™ line, all models were designed to be used as tools to perform functions. We recognize that a knife, especially a highly efficient performance piece, can be used to defend oneself should the situation arise.

Though a very large number of knives are produced by companies that have no inherent function other than as weapons
(i.e., daggers and a variety of “combat” knives that seem to be prevalent throughout the industry), we have deliberately never produced such an item.

Spyderco, to a great extent, caters to the law enforcement personnel on a worldwide scale. They would be the good guys, or “White Hats,” that are trying to make this a better world by preventing the “Black Hats” from screwing it up.

Spyderco has an extensive amount of research and development involved in producing knives, especially for firemen, paramedics and general rescue personnel. We involve ourselves in this research so they can be more successful in their jobs.

Since we have customers that use our CLIPIT knives for training personnel in knife combat, it has been requested that we consider producing models that will provide an effective last-ditch defense in assisting the “White Hats.”

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

A folding knife, utilizing the CLIPIT design, allows the easiest form of carry, and the other features assist in the performance of the tool.

The Civilian model is the first of several folding knives designed and produced only as a law enforcement back-up defense weapon. This knife is produced in very limited quantities, and will be marketed as a law enforcement back-up defense weapon. The Civilian model is not designed to kill. In fact, it would be difficult to use for that purpose. The shape of the blade does not permit straight penetration. It is designed to “hit and run” in a self-defense situation. This knife is not marketed in traditional Spyderco fashion.

The ultra-fine tip is much stronger than it appears. The knife is guaranteed against defects as all Spyderco knives are, but it is not guaranteed against abuse.

We used high-carbon, stainless steel in the blade. This steel is capable of taking and holding an edge and is comparable with the best steels in the world. The reverse “S” curve provides a variety of aggressive contact points. Combined with the SpyderEdge™, immediate penetration through any type of clothing is expected. The handle is made of premium G-10 to provide a secure grip. The rear of the handle is expanded to provide a secure grip within the hand, and thus, offsets the hooking tendency of the point.

We would like to extend our thanks to all of those law enforcement personnel who have assisted in the development of this series. We would also like to thank Mr. James Keating for creating a video on the use of this tool. It is our hope that the Civilian will never be used in the line of duty, but if such action is necessary, it is our desire that the knife serve you well.

SPYDERCO
2005

Civilian is covered under Pat. #4347665, D.343,837 and D.344,006 with additional patents pending.

All product names and text herein are the property of Spyderco Inc., and may not be reproduced in part or whole without the sole written permission of Spyderco Inc."

Try do some searches and read up a bit on it's history and what Sal and Friends have to say.
 
The Civilian is not a "fighting" knife; it's a self defense knife for people who don't have any knife training. It was designed for self defense, and that's the only thing it's good for. It has no utility value. It's a great design, although I prefer something with a point.

I wouldn't buy a $5.00 knock-off for any purpose; certainly not for self defense. When it comes to self defense, you want a stong, reliable knife that won't break and cut your fingers off.
 
ElectricZombie said:
I wouldn't buy a $5.00 knock-off for any purpose; certainly not for self defense. When it comes to self defense, you want a stong, reliable knife that won't break and cut your fingers off.
Click to expand...

My comment on that was leaning towards sarcasm. No knife is a good choice for self defense.

That said, I do like the handle ergos on the Civilian and I'd love to see a useful blade put into that handle.
 
Psychopomp said:
No knife is a good choice for self defense.
Click to expand...
In a life threatening situation, I would prefer to take my chances with any knife rather than "no knife".
A Civilian would be a fine choice if that situation ever arose.
 
I partially agree with the price point argument, though I am very impressed with G-10 as a handle material. It is somewhat viable to say that for the average(non-LEO) citizen, such a knife is never going to be used more than once, if ever. With this in mind, I opted for the Matriarch. It functions very similarly and I'm quite happy with it. I feel that I could depend on it to defend myself, and I don't say that about many knives. Would I rather have a Civie? Sure, but I wish I could afford one.
 
Stockman said:
In a life threatening situation, I would prefer to take my chances with any knife rather than "no knife".
A Civilian would be a fine choice if that situation ever arose.
Click to expand...
I agree. It seems a lot of people here try to play down the knifes role in self preservation. I understand fully that you are much better off with a firearm for self defense. However, as Stockman said, I'd rather have a knife than no knife at all. The Civi is pretty much a single purpose knife but it's one hell of an important purpose. Is it a good choice for Joe Q. Public's EDC? No. Is it a well built knife that can save a LEO's life? Yes. It might be hard to believe but local, county, state, and federal agents do buy knives. Do you think a federal DEA agent would rather be called a "mall ninja" or have his wife be called a widow? I'm not trying to be an a-hole but it pisses me off when people look at a knife like this and just say "mall ninja". It isn't a United Cutlery fantasy knife. Am I wrong? Maybe. Sometimes this place just confuses the crap out of me. People who carry a Cuda Maxx to cut an errant string off of their shirt every now and then sling insults at someone else who carries a blade that has a skeletonized handle (speed holes) and brand them a "mall ninja" (the N-word of the knife world). I've gone way off topic here and apologize. I just needed to vent.
 
most anyone with $$ can find a civvy to buy, imho its more marketed to LEOs than sold only to them. very few cops carry knives for SD, and even fewer are trained in there use.

if ya want a cheapo civvy get a spyderco matriarch its the same thing w/a little shorter blade and FRN handles. ~$70 or so.

imho the civvy is too one dimensional i would rather have a lot of things than a civvy for SD myself, emerson CQC8, crawford perfigo, spyderco ATR, etc, lotsa knives. not they they arent ok, they are, but as i said way too 1 dimensional.
 
Spyderco is full of it with the "white hat" crap. Civilians can be bought by anone, just like all of the "martial bladecraft" line. A sixteen year old with a debit card can by one from an internet provider with ease. Spyderco makes weapons, they even sell training sessions, and none of it is "restricted". Although it appears they may no longer be in the training game, probably not profitable. Marketing hype...as Joan Rivers would say "it would gag a maggot."

Per the civilain, the matriarch is a better value but it's not produced anymore. Both blades are great slashers. It should cut through kevlar per the man who sold me mine. I carry one on those cross country drives where you'll never know what one may find, particularly at the kind of motels I can afford.
 
What are you doing on a bloody knife forum if you say knives are only weapons ? Especially Spyderco knives ?
 
I bought a Civilian because I very much liked the blade shape. If the tip was about the same thickness and strength as say the Harpy, it would be my single EDC knife(not for self defense though)
 
Sorry, i must have not been clear. Not all of spyderco's line are weapons, but spyderco's martial blade craft line are designed and marketed as weapons and they are available to anyone with money, not restricted. I didn't say this was bad...I own a matriarch. What's not correct is spyderco indicating that their weapons are only for those in "white hats" and that they don't design knives as weapons. Even their "work horse" knives, delica and endura, are marketed as weapons with trainers that are available to everyone.
 
Brownshoe, for the price of a Matriarch, let alone a Civilian or an ATR, the average street punk can buy a handgun illegally. if you were that punk, which would you buy? I suspect that is the point that Sal is trying to make, but not quite so bluntly as I just made it.
 
Well call me a mall ninja then. I have a civillian that I keep tucked in the trauma plate pouch on the front of my body armour. I like it there because it is out of sight, but easily within reach of either hand while I am rolling around on the ground with some amped up crack head who wants me dead. I've survived two gun grab attempts without resorting to eviscerating anyone, but I like to keep my options open. Options are good. My civillian has never cut anything, nor will it unless the brown stuff hits the fan. I carry one of a rotating number of different folders in my trouser pocket for general use. I suppose I'm off now to sharpen my ninja stars and buy stock in Dark Ops.
 
The essence of self-defense is not being where you could get hurt. Failing that, a self-defense weapon is one that keeps you from harm -- but what's "best"? Firearms are simply not available to everyone, and knives are more compact, convenient, and concealable.

Knives are also useful tools, pretty much required for many of us who worked with packaging. So a small, useful, regualrly used, comfortable knife is always going to be in my pocket -- and if I'm in trouble, my hand will know where to go and what to do with that knife.

Spyderco started out as a niche provider of sharp, purpose-designed (= ergonomic) working tools, often small enough to be inconspicuous. Just big enough to cut cardboard. :)

Then they branched out into knives like the Civilian and Matriarch, and later, trainers and Martial BladeCraft applications. These are all unabashedly, primarily, fighting knives. But any knife can be used for utility.

Some people are going to see a need for this sort of knife more than others. Using a knife for self-defense without some understanding of the problems, the situations, the techniques, the law, and the consequences is foolish.
 
I always thought the Spyderco Civilian would be a good choice for a woman or someone with no training. I wouldn't want one, because I like to have the capability to stab and slash.
 
Its not something that I'd carry. But I can see how the Civ might be useful. Why should it not be available to everyone who can afford it and requires a quality last resort? As a primary weapon for criminal acts there are tons of things that are cheaper and probably more effective, like baseball bats and 7" stainless kitchen knives.
 
FullerH said:
Brownshoe, for the price of a Matriarch, let alone a Civilian or an ATR, the average street punk can buy a handgun illegally. if you were that punk, which would you buy? I suspect that is the point that Sal is trying to make, but not quite so bluntly as I just made it.
Click to expand...

"street thugs" or punks dont buy anything they steal it so price dont matter lol.
 
Around here illegal gun sales are common. They just busted one guy with something like 50 illegal guns.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top