History and Lineage The Matriarch 2 traces its lineage to one of Spyderco's oldest and most unique designs; the C12 Civilian. The Civilian was developed in response to a request from a U.S. federal law enforcement agency whose agents were regularly involved in undercover narcotics operations. In many cases, their undercover status made it impossible for them to carry firearms, so they wanted a knife that could serve as a potent defensive weapon when wielded with gross motor skills and a minimum of training. Spyderco's founder, Sal Glesser, designed the original Civilian to meet this need and in the process earned a patent on its distinctive Reverse "S" edge profile. The sinuous edge shape maximizes the cutting potential of the blade by forcing the material being cut to move longitudinally along the curves of the edge as pressure is applied with the blade. The Civilian design evolved over the years, but as a limited-production item and one of the world's most visually dramatic folding knives, it always attracted great interest. In the late 1990's, Spyderco's South African distributor requested a more economical version of the Civilian. Due to the high crime rate in South Africa, he felt it would be an ideal personal-defense tool. Spyderco responded by mating a Civilian-style blade to the fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) handle of the popular Endura model. The result was the first Matriarch and yet another "instant classic." SPYDERCO Matriarch 2 Lockback Black Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon Handle Made in Japan SPYDERCO C12SBK2 FOLDING MATRIARCH BK SKU: SY C12SBK2 FOLDING MATRIARCH BK Hollow-Ground VG-10 Blade Lightweight FRN Handle SpyderEdge It is new and never been used, re-sharpened or carried. It is 5 inches long (closed for folding knives) and weighs approximately 3.6 ounces. The blade material is VG-10 Stainless Steel. The handle is Black Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon with Non-Slip Bi-Directional Texturing, 4-Position Pocket Clip, and Lanyard Hole. It comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Spyderco, founded 1976, initially started as a 'knife sharpener' company, but ultimately revolutionized the entire knife industry. They realized the need for a new type of pocket knife. A high-quality locking blade that could be carried at the top of the pocket, opened easily with one-hand, and could provide superior hand control. The combination of these features has since given rise to what we now consider the modern folding knife. Spyderco's innovation, choice of materials, and attention to detail have made them a world-class brand. If you are looking for a great knife to collect, carry or give as a gift, don't pass this one up! |