Matriarch 2 Lightweight Knife with Emerson Opener and 3.57" VG-10 Steel Reverse S Blade - SpyderEdge - C12SBK2W

Another awesome and excellent Spyderco knife, the Matriarch offers a specialized blade and cutting edge that excels for certain kinds of cutting tasks and self-defense applications. This knife is an excellent alternative to the venerable and vaunted Spyderco Civilian, and offers the clever Emerson Opener appendage on the wickedly sharp and aggressive blade. I'm a big fan of the Emerson Opener feature, as it offers a legal alternative to the mechanized switchblade, and with a practiced hand, can be deployed every bit as quickly. The Emerson Opener is the lowest tech solution imaginable, and therefore it's superlatively reliable as well. I see no downside to adding this clever feature to an already great knife. The workmanship and materials are pure Spyderco, which is to say they're first-rate! This is the eighth Spyderco knife I have purchased for myself or as a gift--I think that highly of them! As with any of the top-drawer Spyderco Knives, I would recommend that anybody considering one for purchase, go right ahead and make the buy! I cannot imagine that you'll be disappointed! And the prices and fast delivery via Amazon.com can't be beat! Note: Had this knife been offered with the black titanium carbonitride-coated blade, I would have opted for that feature as well. I do like the black blades. Supplemental 11/28/2104: In describing the virtues of this blade Vs. the Spyderco Ulize to my somewhat mesmerized wife, I used a sheet of everyday paper towel. Even with the subtlest swipe, the Matriarch's blade bites into and retrieves a tiny piece of the towel--there is no escaping this. A slightly more aggressive swipe and the blade captures and owns the shredded towel--we're talking a mere flick of the wrist. Like I said, Wicked! This aggressively curved, serrated blade is to knives, what hollow-point bullets are to firearm cartridges. Taking lessons from the "Master Engineer", we see the sharp, capturing curve of the Eagle's talon, combined with the razor-sharp serrations of the Great White's teeth. I can readily see where career fisherman, horsemen, and jumpmasters would benefit from a knife like the Matriarch; but if I were to buy this knife for such a person, I'd certainly add a quality lanyard. If you do buy this particular knife as a gift, do that little test with the paper towel and the recipient will immediately see the benefits of this amazing blade! By contrast, the latter of the aforementioned tests (a slightly more aggressive swipe) using the forward end of the blade of the Spyderco Ulize, cleanly slices through the paper towel, and draws back without capturing it. This is a completely different slicing and cutting process, though I've no doubt that a cut made into a more substantial material, past the pronounced curve in the Ulize's crazy-sharp blade would also demonstrate a capture-and-cut effect. See my review on the Spyderco Ulize... Both blades perform as described straight from the box. In both cases, the paper towel was held loosely, supported from just one end with one hand, while flicking the knives with the wrist of the opposite hand. At any rate, be careful! Take every precaution, lest you find yourself getting stitched up in the ER! Spyderco Knives are available across a wide range of styles and prices, and they make impressive, well-received gifts! I gave my oldest son an all-black Spyderco Endura for his birthday in 2013, and he still talks about the comments and compliments he receives on that knife! A visit to the OEM website will allow you to peruse the many models Spyderco offers, then check back here at Amazon for your best price and fastest delivery! Spyderco even makes classy-looking all-stainless folding knives, appropriate for the executive types, as well as cute-but-functional knives for the girly-girls on your list. Frankly, I think an EDC (Every Day Carry) pocket knife capable of slicing through a seatbelt is a good idea for any responsible adult, male or female. My wife carry's one of two Spyderco Knives daily, as does my daughter-in-law. And no, I do not work for or represent Spyderco... I've just yet to be unimpressed with a Spyderco purchase is all! RayB

Right off the bat I noticed this thing was a bit bigger than I thought (great thing) and is definitely more impressive in person. The serrations are shaving sharp and the pattern they use is perfect. I literally have not cut one thing with this knife nor do I plan on it either. It is designed as a defensive knife and I will (hopefully never) only use it as such. I carry this, a small knife for edc, and a concealed sidearm. This knife is weighted very nicely and really don't think twice about it when carried. Despite the weight though, the quality is phenomenal! NO blade play whatsoever. Note! THE WAVE FEATURE: the blade curves at an upward angle, away from the notch that is designed to catch the pocket. Which is the part of the blade that rests on your pocket when closed and being carried. As you draw the knife, if you are not pulling back, it will not catch the Wave!!!!!! What a mind blower! I've had a Delica that had the wave feature and because the blade was straight, up to the Wave, it could be deployed basically pulling it straight up. Not the case here. So you will certainly need to practice with that. Not a deal breaker or anything. Bad guys exist. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. GOD BLESS

First Spyderco knife and I'm impressed. So impressed I cut myself twice with it without even noticing. Blade is ridiculously sharp and will eviscerate most anything. Knife is lightweight, maneuverable and balanced. There is a little extra room ahead of thumb on grip but it is not sloppy. Grip panels have alternating rubber like patterns that stop slip in all directions and act like the grip of a tree frog trying to not get eaten. Opening mechanism is not assisted but knife can be flicked open easily enough. Pocket hook opens knife about 1/3 of the way while deploying knife. This knife has a purpose, it could be used as a utility knife but the tip and serrations will need sharpening frequently. Instead, this knife is intended for protection of life and in some states property. The tip works well to open paper packages and slice easily through packing tape with string reinforcements. The overall design is great. Mind your thumbs when you first get this. As with anything practice makes perfect but practice with this can lead to multiple incisions. With that, this would make a good gutting knife in a pinch, I prefer a oklahoma skinning knife but this matriarch would do.

This is one of those tools one hopes they will never need to use, but the Matriarch 2 with the Emerson wave feature is surely one of the best self-defense knives on the market. Piercing through material to rend flesh from bone is what this knife is made to do, and—make no mistake—it's well capable. If knife laws in your state prevent you from carrying a Civilian, but you still want the same functionality provided to undercover police and security forces worldwide, this is the knife you're after. The mere sight of its blade is enough to deter most anyone. While this isn't a US-made Spydie, it comes to us from Spyderco's fantastic Seki City, Japan factory, which has great quality control. The blade is perfectly centered, and there is no "play" present. This is my first knife with FRN scales, and I'm really pleased with how substantial they feel when supported by the skeletonized liners. Featuring a super-strong back lock with a Boye dent for safety, and an Emerson wave that produces the blade faster than an auto, this knife is all business, all the time. NOT an edc blade.

This is an awesome knife! It is very sharp, and very mean looking. It's primary purpose is for self defense, but it also makes a wicked letter opener! On the serious side, if I ever feel the need to bring this out in a self defense situation, I'm thinking that once the other person sets their eyes on this, that person may change their course of action. On the technical side, it opens effortlessly, and smoothly. The Emerson Opener works very well. You definitely want to practice slowly at first, and make sure everything is clear of the opening blade. I already have one shirt with a small hole in it. The handle is very grippy, and I have never had the impression that it would get slippery when wet. The ability to change the position of the clip is a great feature. Since I am left-handed, that was the first thing I moved. The blade sits low, so it's not overly conspicuous, and the weight and balance of the blade feels great. All the above features combined with a great price made this a great purchase.

I've wanted a Spyderco Civilian, but they're too expensive and too fragile. Don't get me wrong, I think they're worth every penny they cost, and I know the blade is thin for a reason. I just didn't want to rush out and buy an expensive knife that I would probably break, is what I'm saying. Then along comes the Matriarch 2. It's got the perfect combo of price and quality. Definite Spyderco quality there. It's well balanced, fits my hand nicely, and seems very sturdy. Not that you'd want to use this for EDC, but if you had to use it in a pinch, it's going to work and have no worries about breaking or chipping the blade. Speaking of the blade, its sharp! The point punctures really well too. It's everything you expect when you see the reverse S shape. Definitely would recommend this.

This is my EDC knife every since it arrived. Only the 2nd Spyderco I have owned. This one is every bit as well-made as the Police model I bought in the '80s. This has a wickedly sharp blade that I never use for ANYTHING. I reserve it for the unlikely event that I need it to defend my life. The shape and design lean towards that purpose. The blade is strong and locks up solidly without any play side to side. Very solid lock-up. Sounds like the last click of a Colt revolver! The scales are almost abrasive, but exactly what I would want in a life or death situation; again, I seldom open this knife. Great pocket clip that has remained strong, yet allows for a quick draw from the pocket. The finest feature is that Emerson system for opening the knife when it is withdrawn. Faster than any auto-opener I own. Love this knife. Trust it with my life. 'Nuff said! Phxdog.

The Spyderco Matriarch is a historical knife based on the larger Civillian. I am excited to finally own one. My initial 1st day reactions: 1. Size: I consider it a normal/largish knife which is very easily pocketable. About the same as a Paramilitary 2 or Manix 2 with an edge that makes it appear much longer. 2. It's not light but it's not heavy either. Feels about the same weight as the PM2. The weight feels good in your hand without feeling like its going to give you fatigue. 3. Blade: Definitely looks more scary than a normal folder. From reading the reviews I thought the knife would be more scary sharp than it was. It certainly cuts printer paper like butter and can cut hair off your arm with a tiny bit of effort. I was able to lightly touch the point without bleeding. 4. Emerson Opener: Took 3-4 practices and I was successfully and easily able to open up the knife (fully) in one swift movement. It's not difficult to remove it from my pocket without accidentally using the Emerson method though it could pose some risk if you aren't careful. I like having it then not. Overall I really appreciate this knife for my collection and perhaps feeling safer on night walks with the pup. I hear the Emerson lock can also be used as a bottle opener which would be convenient as long as it didn't mar it. The negatives. I have only two cons with this knife, a small one and a bigger one: 1. The trademark Spyderco hole is a lot smaller than I'm used to, and as others mentioned fairly sharp on the thumb. I find it requires a lot more "force" to use. I know the PM2 hole is oversized for potential use of gloves but I've grown to really love using it without gloves. Even my Manix 2 lightweight edition has a larger hole, so I guess this is my first Spyderco with a tiny hole and I'm really not digging it. The bigger hole is more usable in every way and there is plenty of space on this blade to have it. I am also a person with medium sized hands so it's not a "big hand" request. 2. The larger issue to me is, though this looks like a big, scary knife, I'm not scared of it—except for one thing. When the knife is approaching less than 45 degrees of being opened it has a pretty powerful force to want to close the knife shut like a clam safeguarding its pearl. With my PM2 or Manix I can occasionally do a "bad flick" where it only opens half way. If you do this on the Matriarch by god know where your fingers are. I have attached two pictures of letting the blade go while it's 45 degrees open on a pink sticky-note. This cut through the paper in two different locations and what it will do with your fingers due to the insanely strong closing mechanism. I'm trying to think hard about why they would make this an intentional feature, it really appears like a poor decision. But I know the Spyderco folks are probably smarter than me regarding how to build knives. I can only assume they made it this way to support the Emerson flick which requires a decent amount of force off your pants. All things considered I would 100% opt out of the Emerson feature if it meant allowing the Matrarch to move to a nested compression lock similar to the PM2. It would turn this knife into a dream. Will update this post in a few weeks when I have a longer history with this knife. In the meantime, I don't regret my purchase.