C12 Civilian

C12 Civilian.

The Civilian is a knife with special qualities. It’s a collectors dream with all it’s variations, different steels, etc. Originally developed for self- defence the civilian is both beautiful with it’s reverse S blade and very useful if you have self- defence needs. Designer: Unknown at this time, probably Sal Glesser

Information from the Spyderco catalogue

From the Spyderco catalog: [1] In the 1990s Spyderco was approached by a specialized branch of U.S. law enforcement about making a knife for their undercover agents. These plain-clothes LEOs found themselves in situations where they often could not carry a firearm but carrying a knife was not a problem. Most had no formal training in self-defense tactics or MBC but as a last resort could use a blade to protect or extricate themselves from a life-threatening situation. This was how the Civilian model came to be. The Civilian has a patented reverse "S" blade that's intended to be used like an oversized claw. The tip is ground to an ultra-thin profile. Deeply curved and full at the belly, the VG-10 hollow-ground blade excels in slicing and is available fully SpyderEdged. Because of its distinctly specialized features it is not intended or designed for general utility or everyday use. Curved in all the right places for ergonomic use and retention of the knife, the handle is black G-10. Mounted for tip-down carry with a custom curved black clip, the knife rides deeply and unobtrusively in a pocket. One of the most specialized CLIPITS in the Spyderco line-up, the Civilian is available in limited quantities.

Variations.

The Spyderco C12 Civilian and Matriarch is a Spyderco that has been made in several variations. All made in Seki city in Japan.

The following variations of the Civilian are known:

SKU	knife	Edge	Steel	MSRP	Note	Number made
C12S	Original first civilian in untreated aluminum with kraton inlay in handle and in clip	SE	Gin-1	N/A	N/A	N/A
C12TUFS	Tufram coated aluminium handle	SE	Gin-1	N/A	N/A	N/A
C12TUFS	Tufram coated aluminium handle	SE	ATS-55	N/A	N/A	N/A
C12TUFP	Tufram coated aluminium handle	PE	Gin-1	229,95$	N/A	N/A
C12GS	Black G10 handle	SE	Gin-1	N/A	N/A	N/A
C12GS	Black G10 handle	SE	ATS-55	214,95$	N/A	N/A
C12GP	Black G10 handle	PE	ATS-55	N/A	Extremely limited Japan only	less than 100
C12GS	Black G10 handle reinforced tip	SE	VG-10	249,95$	Current one, Link to Spyderco catalogue: [2]	N/A
C12CFRHP	Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch	PE	ATS-55	229,95$	Right handed	N/A
C12CFLHP	Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch	PE	ATS-55	229,95$	Left handed	N/A
C12CFRHS	Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch	SE	ATS-55	229,95$	Right handed	N/A
C12CFLHS	Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch	SE	ATS-55	229,95$	Left handed	N/A
C12CFRHP	Carbonfibre handle unnumbered in box	PE	ATS-55	N/A	Right handed	N/A

The following Matriarch variations are known:

SKU	knife	Edge	Steel	MSRP	Note	Number made
C12SBK	Black FRN Handle	SE	VG-10	N/A	Slightly smaller than the Civilian	N/A
C12SGY	Grey FRN Handle	SE	ATS-55	N/A	South African distributors model. Rare version made in low numbers. Slightly smaller than the Civilian	N/A

Technical information

Typical measurements (mm and grams) of the C12 Civilian:

Length overall	Length closed	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
233	132	105	12	3	134

Pictures

Some of the different C12 Civilians, in order of appearance: C12S,C12TUFP,C12TUFS, C12TUFS, C12GS,C12GS,C12GS

The two known variations of the C12 Matriarch: