Spyderco Harpy -- then and now

R

Revenant

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
72
I bought (what I was told) was a Spyderco Harpy, circa 1993. It has a G-2 blade that is long, curved and serrated and resembles a raptor's talon. It has a stainless steel handle with rubber inserts and came in a zippered presentation pouch. Recently, I tried to look up this item in a Spyderco catalog. I found that the (new?) Harpy looks much shorter, smaller and the blade is not as curved. In fact, there is not much difference between the Harpy and the Merlin. I've not been able to find my original model in any Spyderco catalog. Anybody know the reason why Spyderco remodeled or discontinued the Harpy?

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If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
 
Revenant,
The Harpy does still exist and is I BELIEVE only available with a Stainless steel handle. The Merlin has same blade shape size and curvature but has FRN handle.
There is also a Spyderco knife called a Cricket which has the 1 7/8th in blade.
I don't believe the SS Harpy had the rubber inserts just elongated tear shaped drain hole. None of the Harpy/Merlin models came in a zippered case.

What it sounds like you have MAY be a Stainless Steel CIVILIAN model. They come in a zippered case and are a little over a 4 in curved blade - more of a reverse S in shape with a belly.

Can you get some dimensions and post them?

John Row
colobbfan

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A day without Spydies is like a day without ... WELL, Spydies!!!
 
I think you are right, colobbfan, it is a little over 4 in. S-curved serrated blade with a belly. Inscribed at the base of the blade on one side is Made in Seki, Japan; the other side says G-2 Stainless. One side of the metal handle has a long, checkered dark gray, hard rubber insert, the other has a rubber insert only on the clip itself. Total length is between eight and nine inches, the handle being a litter longer than the blade. This folder has to be handled carefully. The point on the curved blade is extremely keen, and when you press the spine release, the blade simply falls into the handle -- no need to ease it down manually as you have to with my Endura. This could get you cut if you're not securing the blade as you press down on the release.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by colobbfan:
Revenant,
What it sounds like you have MAY be a Stainless Steel CIVILIAN model. They come in a zippered case and are a little over a 4 in curved blade - more of a reverse S in shape with a belly.

Can you get some dimensions and post them?

John Row
colobbfan

</font>
Click to expand...



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If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
 
Hi Revenant,
The Civilian can bite you!
smile.gif

Great find!
Here's a url at 1SKS for the Civilian
http://onestopknifeshop.com/store/spyderco-civilian.html
John

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A day without Spydies is like a day without ... WELL, Spydies!!!

[This message has been edited by colobbfan (edited 02-24-2001).]
 
All of you guys are right. It is a Civilian, but obviously an earlier version than the current Spyderco production. Mine has rubber inserts in a polished metal handle. Also, the point curves a little bit longer and is keener -- which makes it such a biter when it closes!! Thank you all for your responses.

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If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
 
Revenant, I'll be in Miami, next weekend. E-mail me if you want to unload that knife, and I'll pick it up. Al
 
Revenant,

You have a C12S Civilian with Tufram coated aluminum handle and Kraton rubber insert. The original clip also had a Kraton insert.

The knife when discontinued approx late 1998, early 1999 retailed for 199.95.

Email me if you have more questions.

John

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John F Jensen
"Your Quality Distributor"
619-475-3633
 
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