Difference between revisions of "C12 Civilian"

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==Appearance in catalogs==
==Appearance in catalogs==


The Civilian appears in the 2000 dealer's catalog<ref>Spyderco's dealer catalog from 2000 is available for download [http://www.spydie.nl/catalogs/spyderco2000dealer.pdf here]</ref>, the 2001 dealer catalog<ref>Spyderco's dealer catalog from 2001 is available for download [http://www.spydie.nl/catalogs/spyderco2001dealer.pdf here]</ref>, the 2002 dealer's catalog<ref>Spyderco's dealer catalog from 2002 is available for download [http://www.spydie.nl/catalogs/spyderco2002dealer.pdf here]</ref> and with the newer bladesteel (VG-10) in the 2003 dealer's catalog<ref>Spyderco's dealer catalog from 2003 is available for download [http://www.spydie.nl/catalogs/spyderco2003dealer.pdf here]</ref> The Matriarch appears in both the 2002 and 2003 catalogs.
The Civilian appears in the 2000/2001/2002/2003/2004 catalogs (both PDR and dealer catalogs). The Matriarch appears in both the 2002 and 2003 catalogs.
 
These are the Spyderco Product Guides that feature the C12 Civilian and Matriarch, that can be viewed online at the Spyderco.com website:
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2006SpydercoCatalog.pdf 2006 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2007SpydercoByrd.pdf 2007 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2008SpydercoCatalog.pdf 2008 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2009SpydercoCatalog.pdf 2009 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2010_Spyderco_ProductGuide.pdf 2010 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2011_Spyderco_Product_Guide.pdf 2011 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2012SpydercoCatalog.pdf 2012 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2013SpydercoProductGuide.pdf 2013 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2014_Spyderco_Product_Guide.pdf 2014 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2015_Spyderco_Product_Guide.pdf 2015 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2016_Spyderco_Product_Guide.pdf 2016 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2017_Spyderco_Product_Guide.pdf 2017 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2018_Spyderco_Product_Guide.pdf 2018 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/2019_Spyderco_Product_Guide.pdf 2019 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://publications.spyderco.com/view/264902432/ 2020 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://publications.spyderco.com/view/38713040/ 2021 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://publications.spyderco.com/view/981770198/ 2022 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://publications.spyderco.com/view/981855115/ 2023 Spyderco Product Guide]
* [https://publications.spyderco.com/view/27212419/ 2024 Spyderco Product Guide]


==Designer==
==Designer==


Unknown at this time, probably [[Sal Glesser]]
[[Sal Glesser]]


==History, mentionings from the forums etc.==
==History, mentionings from the forums etc.==
Line 19: Line 40:
''We learned when ordering began that 500 would not be enough.'' ''If 100 (half) collectors order all variations (4), that's 80% of the run. After Spyderco crew, there would not be any available for anyone else.''
''We learned when ordering began that 500 would not be enough.'' ''If 100 (half) collectors order all variations (4), that's 80% of the run. After Spyderco crew, there would not be any available for anyone else.''
''I do not believe that this change will affect the long term value of the piece.''
''I do not believe that this change will affect the long term value of the piece.''
''Thank you for your kind understanding to this change sal''<ref>The entire thread containing Mr. Glesser's comment can be found [http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=539&highlight=Civilian here].</ref>
''Thank you for your kind understanding to this change sal''<ref>The entire thread containing Mr. Glesser's comment can be found [https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=539 here].</ref>




A thread about the Matriarch on the Spyderco forums <ref>Thread containing some information about the Matriarch can be found [http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33790 here].</ref>
A thread about the Matriarch on the Spyderco forums <ref>Thread containing some information about the Matriarch can be found [https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33790 here].</ref>
 
'''Oddities:'''
 
*Phil Gibbs was supplied some blades from Spyderco of which he made a few custom double bladed Civilians. These pop up from time to time. <ref>See this [https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2367 this] thread on Spyderco forums for some more information.</ref>
 
 
In a post on BladeForums.com, referenced on the Spyderco.com forum, from 14 September 2002, [[Sal Glesser]] shares some information on the design history of the Matriarch:
''The Matriarch was in fact designed to be used by women in South Africa, with training by Bruce Wentzel. He specifically designed his defensive art and tool to go together. We made them primarily for for Spyderco's South African Distributor. Once we had them in production, there were requests from U.S. law enforcement professionals to make them available here, which we have done.
''<ref>From the Spyderco.com discussion forum thread [https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=92355&start=60 | '"Talkin' Story" with Mr. Sal Glesser']</ref>


== Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web ==
== Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web ==
Line 31: Line 61:
== Variations ==
== Variations ==


The Spyderco C12 Civilian and Matriarch is a Spyderco that has been made in several variations. The Carbonfibre handled Civilian appears in many forms with pouch or box, numbered and unnumbered.
The Spyderco C12 Civilian and Matriarch is a Spyderco that has been made in several variations. The carbon fiber handled Civilian appears in many forms with pouch or box, numbered and unnumbered.
In addition, there's also a slight difference in how the handles are put togheter on the [[CF]] variants. Some are all screw construction and some are partially screwed and pinned. It has not been possible to figure out why that is or where the change occured. There seems to be no system to which is what. These are not listed as variants in the list here.
In addition, there's also a slight difference in how the handles are put together on the [[CF]] variants. Some are all screw construction and some are partially screwed and pinned. It has not been possible to figure out why that is or where the change occurred. There seems to be no system to which is what. These are not listed as variants in the list here due to that.


All variations are made [[Seki City]], Japan and have  
All variations are made [[Seki City]], Japan and have  
Line 58: Line 88:
|-
|-
|valign="top" |C12S
|valign="top" |C12S
|valign="top" |Original first civilian in untreated aluminum with<br>[[Kraton]] inlay in handle and in clip
|valign="top" |Original first civilian in untreated [[aluminum]] with<br>[[Kraton]] inlay
|valign="top" |[[SE]]
|valign="top" |[[SE]]
|valign="top" |[[GIN-1/G-2]]
|valign="top" |[[GIN-1/G-2]]
Line 69: Line 99:
|valign="top" |
|valign="top" |
|valign="top" |[[Main]]?
|valign="top" |[[Main]]?
|-
|-
|C12TUFS
|C12TUFS
|Tufram coated aluminium handle
|Tufram coated [[aluminum]] with [[Kraton]] inlay
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|[[GIN-1/G-2]]
|[[GIN-1/G-2]]
Line 82: Line 113:
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|C12TUFS
|C12TUFS
|Tufram coated aluminium handle
|Tufram coated [[aluminum]] with [[Kraton]] inlay
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|[[ATS-55]]
|[[ATS-55]]
Line 95: Line 127:
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|C12TUFP
|C12TUFP
|Tufram coated aluminium handle
|Tufram coated [[aluminum]] with [[Kraton]] inlay
|[[PE]]
|[[PE]]
|[[GIN-1/G-2]]
|[[GIN-1/G-2]]
Line 108: Line 141:
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|C12GS
|C12GS
|Black G10 handle
|Black [[G-10]]
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|align="left"|[[GIN-1/G-2]]
|[[GIN-1/G-2]]
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|No stainless steel liner
|N/A
|N/A
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Hollow grind]]
Line 121: Line 155:
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|C12GS
|C12GS
|Black G10 handle
|Black [[G-10]]
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
|[[ATS-55]]
|
|
|214,95$
|214,95$
|N/A
|Made both with and without single stainless steel liner
|N/A
|N/A
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Hollow grind]]
Line 134: Line 169:
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|C12GP
|C12GP
|Black G10 handle
|Black [[G-10]]
|[[PE]]
|[[PE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
|[[ATS-55]]
|
|
|N/A
|N/A
Line 147: Line 183:
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|C12GS
|C12CFP
|Black G10 handle reinforced tip
|Black smooth glossy [[CF]]
|[[SE]]
|align="right"|[[VG-10]]
|
|269,95$ (2009)
|Current one<ref name="current catalog"/>
|N/A
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Half- moon clip]]
|
|
|-
|C12CFRHP
|Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch
|[[PE]]
|[[PE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
|[[ATS-55]]
|
|2001
|229,95$
|$229.95 (2001)
|Right handed
|Right handed.
|N/A
|~540
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Half- moon clip]]
|Black [[Half- moon clip]]
|
|[[RH]], [[TD/TU]]
|[[Variant]]
|[[Variant]]
|-
|-
|C12CFLHP
|C12LCFP/C12CFPL
|Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch
|Black smooth glossy [[CF]]
|[[PE]]
|[[PE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
|[[ATS-55]]
|
|2001
|229,95$
|$229.95 (2001)
|Left handed
|Left handed.
|150
|~60
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Half- moon clip]]
|Black [[Half- moon clip]]
|
|[[LH]], [[TD/TU]]
|[[Variant]]
|[[Variant]]
|-
|-
|C12CFRHS
|C12CFS
|Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch
|Black smooth glossy [[CF]]
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
| [[ATS-55]]
|
|2001
|229,95$
|$229.95 (2001)
|Right handed
|Right handed.
|N/A
|~540
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Half- moon clip]]
|Black [[Half- moon clip]]
|
|[[RH]], [[TD/TU]]
|[[Variant]]
|[[Variant]]
|-
|-
|C12CFLHS
|C12CFSL
|Carbonfibre handle numbered in pouch
|Black smooth glossy [[CF]]
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
|[[ATS-55]]
|
|2001
|229,95$
|$229.95 (2001)
|Left handed
|Left handed.
|150
|~60
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Half- moon clip]]
|Black [[Half- moon clip]]
|
|[[LH]], [[TD/TU]]
|[[Variant]]
|[[Variant]]
|-
|-
|C12CFRHP
|C12GS
|Carbonfibre handle unnumbered in box
|Black [[G-10]]
|[[PE]]
|[[SE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
|[[VG-10]]
|
|late 2002-
|N/A
|$269.95 (2009), $320.00 (2019)
|Right handed
|New tip design with thicker grind for added strength. Single stainless steel liner.
|N/A
|N/A
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Half- moon clip]]
|Black [[Half- moon clip]]
|
|
|N/A
|-
|C12CFRHP
|Carbonfibre handle numbered in box
|[[PE]]
|align="right"| [[ATS-55]]
|
|N/A
|Right handed
|N/A
|[[Hollow grind]]
|[[Half- moon clip]]
|
|
|N/A
|}
|}


=== Variations of the Matriarch ===
=== Variations of the Matriarch ===


The Matriarch was initially made by request from the South African importer as a small, light and affordable knife for women for self-defence.  
The Matriarch was initially made by request from the South African importer as a small, light and affordable knife for women for self-defence. It is slightly smaller than the Civilian.
The demand grew so strong in the US that there was a sprint run of grey Matriarch's before it came into regular production for the US market as well due to growing demand.
The demand grew so strong in the US that there was a sprint run of grey Matriarch's before it came into regular production for the US market as well due to growing demand.  The Matriarch was brought back in 2012, utilizing the newer Endura 4 handle design.


{|{{Articletable}}
{|{{Articletable}}
{{Tableheading}}'''SKU'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[SKU]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Handle'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Handle]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Edge'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Edge]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Steel'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Steel]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''MSRP'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[From/To]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Note'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[MSRP]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Number made'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Note]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Grind'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Number made]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Clip'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Grind]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Clip positions'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Clip]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''Collectors club'''
{{tableheading}}'''[[Clip positions]]'''
{{tableheading}}'''[[Collectors club]]'''
|-
|-
|C12SBK
|C12SBK
Line 262: Line 278:
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|ATS-55
|ATS-55
|
|N/A
|N/A
|Slightly smaller than the Civilian, original South African distributors model, no Boye dent.
|Original South African distributors model, no Boye dent.
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|
|[[LH/RH]]
|[[Main]]
|[[Main]]
|-
|-
|valign="top" |C12SGY
|C12SGY
|valign="top" |Grey FRN
|Grey FRN
|valign="top" |[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|valign="top" |ATS-55
|ATS-55
|valign="top" |N/A
|2000
|valign="top" |Sprint run version made in low numbers. Slightly smaller than the Civilian.
|N/A
|valign="top" |500 <ref name="Matriarch #'s">[http://spyderco.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-247.html Found here]</ref>
|Bladeforums [[Sprintrun]] (300 produced for them).
|valign="top" |N/A
|500 <ref name="Matriarch #'s">[https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=247 Found here]</ref>
|valign="top" |[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|N/A
|
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|[[LH/RH]]
|[[Variant]]
|[[Variant]]
|-
|C12SBK
|Black FRN
|[[SE]]
|ATS-55
|2000
|N/A
|Boye dent <ref>[https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44445] Thread on Spyderco forums</ref>. Available for U.S. LEO/Military members only.<ref>[https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=405] Matriarch for LEO/Military members</ref>
|N/A
|N/A
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|[[LH/RH]]
|N/A
|-
|-
|C12SBK
|C12SBK
Line 286: Line 320:
|[[SE]]
|[[SE]]
|VG-10
|VG-10
|2001
|N/A
|N/A
|Slightly smaller than the Civilian, regular run for the US.
|Regular run for the U.S.
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|[[LH/RH]]
|[[Variant]]
|-
|C12PBN
|Brown [[FRN]]
|[[PE]]
|VG-10
|2010
|99.95$ (2010)
|[[Sprintrun]], boye dent.
|600
|[[Full Flat]]
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|[[LH/RH]]
|[[Variant]]
|-
|C12SBN
|Brown [[FRN]]
|[[SE]]
|VG-10
|2010
|99.95$ (2010)
|[[Sprintrun]], boye dent.
|600
|[[Full Flat]]
|[[Barrel bolt clip]]
|[[LH/RH]]
|[[Variant]]
|}
===Variations of the Matriarch 2===
*2nd generation Matriarch uses the Endura 4 handle
{|{{Articletable}}
{{Tableheading}}'''[[SKU]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Handle]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Edge]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Steel]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[From/To]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[MSRP]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Note]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Number made]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Grind]]'''
{{Tableheading}}'''[[Clip]]'''
{{tableheading}}'''[[Clip positions]]'''
{{tableheading}}'''[[Collectors club]]'''
|-
|C12SBK2
|Black [[FRN]]
|[[SE]]
|[[VG-10]]
|2012-
|129.95$ (2012)
|
|
|
|[[Hollow]]
|Black [[4-way]] [[Hourglass]]
|[[LH/RH]][[TD/TU]]
|[[Main]]
|-
|C12BBK2W
|Black [[FRN]]
|[[SE]]
|Black TiCN coated [[VG-10]]
|Mar. 2015-
|1649.95$ (2015)
|Emerson wave.  Black titanium carbonitide (TiCN) coated hardware.
|
|[[Hollow]]
|Black [[4-way]] [[Hourglass]]
|[[LH/RH]][[TD/TU]]
|[[Variant]]
|[[Variant]]
|}
|}


== Most collectible variation ==
== [[Most collectible variation]] ==


The C12S in bare aluminum or the C12GP in G10 are the two variations believed to be most collectible Civilians.
The C12S in bare aluminum or the C12GP in G10 are the two variations believed to be most collectible Civilians.
Line 308: Line 418:


:*Was there ever a G10 Civilian with the gin-1 steel and Boye dent?
:*Was there ever a G10 Civilian with the gin-1 steel and Boye dent?
:*Was there ever a G10 Civilian with the ATS-55 steel without the Boye dent?
:*Was there ever a G10 Civilian with the ATS-55 steel without Boye dent?  
:*Who designed the Civilian?  
:*Who designed the Civilian?  
:*How many made of the different knives?
:*How many made of the different knives?
:*The carbon fiber Civilian came in full screw construction as well as pinned with a pivot screw and lockbar screw. When did the changeover happen?


Questions with an answer:  
Questions with an answer:  


:*Was there ever a Matriarch in Grey FRN with the VG-10 steel? '''No!''' <ref name="CBS">Confirmed by Spyderco</ref>
:*Was there ever a Matriarch in Grey FRN with the VG-10 steel? '''No!'''
:*Was there ever a Matriarch with the ATS-55 steel with Boye dent? '''Yes!'''<ref>[https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44445] Thread on Spyderco forums</ref>


== Technical information ==
== Technical information ==
Line 363: Line 475:
|valign="top" |[[Image:C12_Matriarchs_blackandgrey.JPG|left|thumb|320px|Two of the 3 known variations of the C12 Matriarch]]
|valign="top" |[[Image:C12_Matriarchs_blackandgrey.JPG|left|thumb|320px|Two of the 3 known variations of the C12 Matriarch]]
|}
|}
==Related Articles==
* [[C162 Lil' Matriarch]]


==Categories==
==Categories==

Latest revision as of 16:14, 9 June 2024

Various C12 Civilians and Matriarchs

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 but no or little formal training. The C12 SKU is shared with it's little FRN Brother the Matriarch, which is also dealt with in this article.


Appearance in catalogs

The Civilian appears in the 2000/2001/2002/2003/2004 catalogs (both PDR and dealer catalogs). The Matriarch appears in both the 2002 and 2003 catalogs.

These are the Spyderco Product Guides that feature the C12 Civilian and Matriarch, that can be viewed online at the Spyderco.com website:

Designer

Sal Glesser

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

A little info from Sal on Numbers of CF Civilians from the Spyderco- forum:

There is a change in the quantity of CF Civvies being made. From 500 to 1200. We learned when ordering began that 500 would not be enough. If 100 (half) collectors order all variations (4), that's 80% of the run. After Spyderco crew, there would not be any available for anyone else. I do not believe that this change will affect the long term value of the piece. Thank you for your kind understanding to this change sal[1]


A thread about the Matriarch on the Spyderco forums [2]

Oddities:

  • Phil Gibbs was supplied some blades from Spyderco of which he made a few custom double bladed Civilians. These pop up from time to time. [3]


In a post on BladeForums.com, referenced on the Spyderco.com forum, from 14 September 2002, Sal Glesser shares some information on the design history of the Matriarch: The Matriarch was in fact designed to be used by women in South Africa, with training by Bruce Wentzel. He specifically designed his defensive art and tool to go together. We made them primarily for for Spyderco's South African Distributor. Once we had them in production, there were requests from U.S. law enforcement professionals to make them available here, which we have done. [4]

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

"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."[5]

Variations

The Spyderco C12 Civilian and Matriarch is a Spyderco that has been made in several variations. The carbon fiber handled Civilian appears in many forms with pouch or box, numbered and unnumbered. In addition, there's also a slight difference in how the handles are put together on the CF variants. Some are all screw construction and some are partially screwed and pinned. It has not been possible to figure out why that is or where the change occurred. There seems to be no system to which is what. These are not listed as variants in the list here due to that.

All variations are made Seki City, Japan and have


Variations of the Civilian

SKU Handle Edge Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip Clip positions Collectors club
C12S Original first civilian in untreated aluminum with
Kraton inlay 		SE GIN-1/G-2 N/A N/A N/A Hollow grind Kraton Civilian clip Main?
C12TUFS Tufram coated aluminum with Kraton inlay SE GIN-1/G-2 184,95 us $ (1994) Aluminum handle is 6062-T6 aluminum N/A Hollow grind Kraton Civilian clip
C12TUFS Tufram coated aluminum with Kraton inlay SE ATS-55 N/A N/A N/A Hollow grind Kraton Civilian clip
C12TUFP Tufram coated aluminum with Kraton inlay PE GIN-1/G-2 229,95$ N/A N/A Hollow grind Kraton Civilian clip
C12GS Black G-10 SE GIN-1/G-2 N/A No stainless steel liner N/A Hollow grind 3- screw old standard clip
C12GS Black G-10 SE ATS-55 214,95$ Made both with and without single stainless steel liner N/A Hollow grind Half- moon clip
C12GP Black G-10 PE ATS-55 N/A Extremely limited Japan only less than 100 Hollow grind Half- moon clip
C12CFP Black smooth glossy CF PE ATS-55 2001 $229.95 (2001) Right handed. ~540 Hollow grind Black Half- moon clip RH, TD/TU Variant
C12LCFP/C12CFPL Black smooth glossy CF PE ATS-55 2001 $229.95 (2001) Left handed. ~60 Hollow grind Black Half- moon clip LH, TD/TU Variant
C12CFS Black smooth glossy CF SE ATS-55 2001 $229.95 (2001) Right handed. ~540 Hollow grind Black Half- moon clip RH, TD/TU Variant
C12CFSL Black smooth glossy CF SE ATS-55 2001 $229.95 (2001) Left handed. ~60 Hollow grind Black Half- moon clip LH, TD/TU Variant
C12GS Black G-10 SE VG-10 late 2002- $269.95 (2009), $320.00 (2019) New tip design with thicker grind for added strength. Single stainless steel liner. N/A Hollow grind Black Half- moon clip

Variations of the Matriarch

The Matriarch was initially made by request from the South African importer as a small, light and affordable knife for women for self-defence. It is slightly smaller than the Civilian. The demand grew so strong in the US that there was a sprint run of grey Matriarch's before it came into regular production for the US market as well due to growing demand. The Matriarch was brought back in 2012, utilizing the newer Endura 4 handle design.

SKU Handle Edge Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip Clip positions Collectors club
C12SBK Black FRN SE ATS-55 N/A Original South African distributors model, no Boye dent. N/A N/A Barrel bolt clip LH/RH Main
C12SGY Grey FRN SE ATS-55 2000 N/A Bladeforums Sprintrun (300 produced for them). 500 [6] N/A Barrel bolt clip LH/RH Variant
C12SBK Black FRN SE ATS-55 2000 N/A Boye dent [7]. Available for U.S. LEO/Military members only.[8] N/A N/A Barrel bolt clip LH/RH N/A
C12SBK Black FRN SE VG-10 2001 N/A Regular run for the U.S. N/A N/A Barrel bolt clip LH/RH Variant
C12PBN Brown FRN PE VG-10 2010 99.95$ (2010) Sprintrun, boye dent. 600 Full Flat Barrel bolt clip LH/RH Variant
C12SBN Brown FRN SE VG-10 2010 99.95$ (2010) Sprintrun, boye dent. 600 Full Flat Barrel bolt clip LH/RH Variant

Variations of the Matriarch 2

  • 2nd generation Matriarch uses the Endura 4 handle
SKU Handle Edge Steel From/To MSRP Note Number made Grind Clip Clip positions Collectors club
C12SBK2 Black FRN SE VG-10 2012- 129.95$ (2012) Hollow Black 4-way Hourglass LH/RHTD/TU Main
C12BBK2W Black FRN SE Black TiCN coated VG-10 Mar. 2015- 1649.95$ (2015) Emerson wave. Black titanium carbonitide (TiCN) coated hardware. Hollow Black 4-way Hourglass LH/RHTD/TU Variant

Most collectible variation

The C12S in bare aluminum or the C12GP in G10 are the two variations believed to be most collectible Civilians. The Carbon fiber Civilians are of course collectors items as well.

The C12SGY grey FRN Matriarch is the one believed to be the most collectible Matriarch, although there might be few of the ATS-55 Black matriarch in circulation as well.


Questions regarding collecting the C12

Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:

  • Was there ever a G10 Civilian with the gin-1 steel and Boye dent?
  • Was there ever a G10 Civilian with the ATS-55 steel without Boye dent?
  • Who designed the Civilian?
  • How many made of the different knives?
  • The carbon fiber Civilian came in full screw construction as well as pinned with a pivot screw and lockbar screw. When did the changeover happen?

Questions with an answer:

  • Was there ever a Matriarch in Grey FRN with the VG-10 steel? No!
  • Was there ever a Matriarch with the ATS-55 steel with Boye dent? Yes![9]

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

Typical measurements (Inches and ounces) of the C12 Civilian:

Length overall Length closed Length edge Hole Ø Blade thickness Weight
9 3/16" 5 3/16" 3 3/4" 15/32" 1/8" 4,5 oz.

References

  1. ↑ The entire thread containing Mr. Glesser's comment can be found here.
  2. ↑ Thread containing some information about the Matriarch can be found here.
  3. ↑ See this this thread on Spyderco forums for some more information.
  4. ↑ From the Spyderco.com discussion forum thread | '"Talkin' Story" with Mr. Sal Glesser'
  5. ↑ The C12 Civilian in Spyderco's online catalog
  6. ↑ Found here
  7. ↑ [1] Thread on Spyderco forums
  8. ↑ [2] Matriarch for LEO/Military members
  9. ↑ [3] Thread on Spyderco forums

Pictures

Some of the different C12 Civilians, in order of appearance: C12S,C12TUFP,C12TUFS, C12TUFS, C12GS,C12GS,C12GS, C12CFRHP (Unnumbered in box)
Two of the 3 known variations of the C12 Matriarch

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