Spyderco Civilian

T

txlawmanbjc

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
3
I recently purchased my first Spyderco Civilian for $125. It is aluminum handled and has the "rubber" (kraton or tuffram i'm not sure) inserts. I would like some information about this knife as far as what it was supposed to come with and its value. The knife is new and was on display for years at a local gunshop. The gunshop is still looking for the box that it originally came in, that is why i am asking about what should have been included with the knife. I originally purchased the knife as a backup weapon, however i was told that it may be collectable so i would like to know before i carry it. any information would be appreciated.
 
Probably did not have a box. Should have come in a zippered immitation leather pouch something like the one show on this page of the current catalog except that the color was probably a dark greyish-green with black piping. There should be a cardstock "warning" tag attached with string, either through the spyderhole or the lanyard pipe. The tag warns that knife is not intended for utililty use. There should also be a small folded sheet of white glossy finished paper with care instructions and warranty information in the pouch.

Kraton is the rubbery material inlaid in the handle and clip. Tufram is the coating, greyish in the case of the Civilian, on the aluminum handles.

As for value, assuming it is the Tufram coated aluminum version, then unless it is the plain edged version, which are relatively uncommon and often sell for over $200, I'd rate the price you paid as right around what it is worth. The very early uncoated aluminum version is worth a good bit more. Here are a couple shots of the Tufram coated version...

al_civilian_closed_left.jpg


al_civilian_closed_right.jpg

Blade steel marking (or lack of same) also has some effect on collector value, the oldest ones would have no steel marking, just the SPYDERCO name. Next came G-2, then GIN-1. Actual steel is the same, only the blade marking changed over time.
 
Is the aluminum handle colored like Paul's, or is it shiny? The shiny versions are the original Civilian. No steel and G2 is highly collectible...Gin 1 is a bit less and when absolutely perfect, they sell for about $200.

As far as weapons, this is the cream of the crop in any handle, as long as it has that blade.
 
the civilian that i have is colored the same as pictured above and the blade is marked "seki-city japan" on one side and the other side says "spyderco g-2 stainless" and the shop where i purchased the knife located the pouch after i asked them for it.
 
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