Spyderco Matriarch 2

[hughtrimble]

Afternoon all,

These have just arrived at Heinnie's it seems: http://www.heinnie.com/Matriarch-2/p--7773/



Stronger tip than the Civilian (which I have never managed to put up the funds for...especially the Tuffnol handled one) EDIT: but it does come with the same label as the Civvi 'This is not a utility knife'. (Cheers for that Frankki) But it does have a stronger tip, apparently.

Anyone got/getting one of these? I'd very much like to know how it performs at various utility tasks (these will void your warranty...)

Cheers,
Hugh

[xavierdoc]

I'd be tempted if I didn't have the Spyderhawk in H1. For my uses I think the "S-shape" blade would be a disadvantage compared to the true hawkbill of the Spyderhawk. I also think fully serrated H1 is a better steel for this application. I briefly owned a flat ground Matriarch which I sold on unused. The Spyderhawk is a real cutting machine, albeit a rather "niche" one.

[Ian Atkinson]

The matriarch is a cheaper version of the civilian which was initially designed for the South African market I think, the application is the same as far as I know!

[TallNHairyDave]

mmm. I briefly had a flat ground matriatch that I sold on. The Mrs tried it for herb gathering in the garden and loved it, but otherwise it's really a specialised blade for the purpose of which we do not speak...

I'm sure the Mrs would like one of these for harvesting herbs in the garden... but I might try and steer her towards an H1 serrated blade instead (thanks for the tip Xav)

[hughtrimble]

The matriarch is a cheaper version of the civilian which was initially designed for the South African market I think, the application is the same as far as I know!

Yes indeed, but how one applies a tool defines its application. I would use a Civvie as a letter opener if I could risk breaking the tip, hence why the news of the Matriarch 2 having a more reinforced tips means my letters ought to beware!

[Frankki]

It comes with the same warning labels as the earlier variations and is officialy not, and never will be, suitable for utility. It's really only designed for you know what.

[hughtrimble]

I'd be tempted if I didn't have the Spyderhawk in H1. For my uses I think the "S-shape" blade would be a disadvantage compared to the true hawkbill of the Spyderhawk. I also think fully serrated H1 is a better steel for this application. I briefly owned a flat ground Matriarch which I sold on unused. The Spyderhawk is a real cutting machine, albeit a rather "niche" one.

True, hawkbills are very useful blade shapes. I'm interested in seeing how the S blade functions. Thank you for the tip though - I had been eyeing up a plain edge Civilian and Matriarch for sale over in the states. Serrated is the only way forth for this blade shape though, for me that is. I have absolutely no basis for that judgement, just my feeling towards them!

mmm. I briefly had a flat ground matriatch that I sold on. The Mrs tried it for herb gathering in the garden and loved it, but otherwise it's really a specialised blade for the purpose of which we do not speak...

I'm sure the Mrs would like one of these for harvesting herbs in the garden... but I might try and steer her towards an H1 serrated blade instead (thanks for the tip Xav)

I was thining of getting my mother a Spyderco Harpy for pruning tasks...decided against it due to how aggressive it looks, depsite being so small. It would be a pretty badass herb and pruning knife though, for those who can appreciate such things.

[hughtrimble]

It comes with the same warning labels as the earlier variations and is officialy not, and never will be, suitable for utility. It's really only designed for you know what.

Really? Damn. There goes importing it.

Heinnie's price is still pretty competitive once you factor in shipping and taxes etc, so I may just buy within our borders.

Thank you for the heads up Frankki - much appreciated.

[Frankki]

I will clarify that I don't have a Matriarch 2 myself, but have seen in various dealer pics that the warning tag does indeed come with it. I can imagine that a notice that like that hanging from a knife could cause some questions at customs.

[Basemetal]

As I understand it, having owned 5 Civilians and 3 Matriarchs, the reason for the 'Not a Utility knife" Sticker was simply down to the fragility of the thin Civvie tip. To avoid warranty claims, folk were warned this wasn't a tough EDC sort of knife. The new Matriarchs have a thicker tip than the Civilians, so while still a specialist blade shape, they are considerably stronger and more general purpose in robustness than the older models or Civilians. So no more need for the warranty disclaimer of you want to actually use it for stuff.

The Reverse S is quite a nice shape if you're used to hawkbills -it gives you the hawkbill functionality, plus a bit of belly any time you need it. Compared to a Harpy, Merlin or Spyderhawk, the new blades are now in the same 'robustness' category.

[Basemetal]

I was thining of getting my mother a Spyderco Harpy for pruning tasks...decided against it due to how aggressive it looks, depsite being so small. It would be a pretty badass herb and pruning knife though, for those who can appreciate such things.

I wouldn't go for a Harpy for that. Especially if she does any grafting or budding where you want a straight edged cut. They're not the best knives to use when you want to keep wiping the edge either...

[hughtrimble]

I wouldn't go for a Harpy for that. Especially if she does any grafting or budding where you want a straight edged cut. They're not the best knives to use when you want to keep wiping the edge either...

The one I was looking at was a plain edge...Perhaps not a Harpy then? It was pretty small bladed, with a hawkbill blade.

[hughtrimble]

As I understand it, having owned 5 Civilians and 3 Matriarchs, the reason for the 'Not a Utility knife" Sticker was simply down to the fragility of the thin Civvie tip. To avoid warranty claims, folk were warned this wasn't a tough EDC sort of knife. The new Matriarchs have a thicker tip than the Civilians, so while still a specialist blade shape, they are considerably stronger and more general purpose in robustness than the older models or Civilians. So no more need for the warranty disclaimer of you want to actually use it for stuff.

The Reverse S is quite a nice shape if you're used to hawkbills -it gives you the hawkbill functionality, plus a bit of belly any time you need it. Compared to a Harpy, Merlin or Spyderhawk, the new blades are now in the same 'robustness' category.

Also, as Frankki noted, and I've just watched in a video, the not a utility label is attached to the Matriarch 2. In America at least. It is still considered as voiding warranty if it does get broken in utility.
If it broke doing what it may have originally been designed for, I somehow doubt most people would claim on a warranty..!!

So officially speaking, utility tasks do void the warranty, even though it has a reinforced tip now.

[Basemetal]

The one I was looking at was a plain edge...Perhaps not a Harpy then? It was pretty small bladed, with a hawkbill blade.

You're right enough, I forgot there wa a PE version! There was an FRN version that was labelled both Merlin and Harpy Ltwt, but boy were the PE ones rare

[Basemetal]

Also, as Frankki noted, and I've just watched in a video, the not a utility label is attached to the Matriarch 2. In America at least. It is still considered as voiding warranty if it does get broken in utility.
If it broke doing what it may have originally been designed for, I somehow doubt most people would claim on a warranty..!!

So officially speaking, utility tasks do void the warranty, even though it has a reinforced tip now.

Interesting... the Spyderco website blurb sounds a bit ambiguous:

From the Sprint Run Matriarch description...

With the curving thick tip, both edge configurations are highly effective when cutting using just the tip or when using a full arm motion. A left/right hand clip affixes the folder to carry tip-up in a pocket. The Matriarch is a highly refined and coveted design we believe will offer years of serviceable use.

..and the Matriarch 2 Description...

It uses the reverse "S" blade found on both the original Matriarch and on the Civilian, with a hollow-ground VG-10 blade, and has a thicker tip that is well suited to ................as well as everyday carry.
.... convenient to carry, to open, cut with, and close.

Certainly hints at more at EDC and utility being taken into account.

Maybe Sal can clarify whether the 'Not a Utility Knife' labels are still accompanying it.