time for a Matriarch sprint run?

[flyguy]

I missed the Sprint run of the grey Matriarchs. I understand that the idea was to make a slightly odd color with the idea of "not for resale". Forumites back then didn't buy all of the 500 that were available... Perhaps ask for pre-pay prior to production to get a better idea of numbers.

How 'bought doing another run in green (British Racing, Foliage, etc)? Or are there any hidden at the SFO some where? (Doubt it, but had to ask)

I love the look of the Civilian, but I only want one for my collection (not EDC). Makes it hard to justify the purchase. The Matriarch on the other hand was priced just right.

[JD Spydo]

Absolutely!!!! A Matriarch with a Peel Ply CF Handle or a G-10 handle would be superb. I would be one of the first in line for that one. I don't necessarily dislike FRN handles but I do grip the Peel Ply and G-10 much better.

I have personally talked to a lot of devout fans of the Civilian & Matriarch models. It even blows me away that a lot of really big guys ever prefer the Matriarch over the Civilian. I was chatting with Mike Sastre over on Bladeforums about that a few months back and I was even somewhat surprised when Mike told me that he even prefered the Matriarch over the Civi.

There certainly are some discontinued models that I truly believe would do well with a comeback. A SPRINT RUN of a Matriarch with a big league handle would have me working overtime.

[clovisc]

what i'd really like to see -- the reverse-S curve matriarch/civi-type blade redesigned in a 3" variety for legal carry. something like that, mated with the D4 handle, if possible, would be wonderful...

[Michael Cook]

G10 and I'm in!

[Capt. Carl]

Wait what? The guy wants an affordable civilian and you guys are saying Peel Ply CF and G-10?

[The Deacon]

For the record, the original run of grey Matriarchs was not exactly a "Sprint Run". Rather, like the current run of black FRN ZDP Calypso Jrs, it was a "comissioned" run, ordered by Spyderco's South African distributor (Ramrod, IIRC) and intended as a SD knife for South African women which would be reasonably inexpensive and very effective with little, if any, formal training.

The first big question is, would it be profitable for Spyderco to make another run of Matriarchs, since the original black ones did not sell well. The second is, if they were to do it, would it be better to use the "Generation 3" handle which the original Matriarch shared with the Endura, or make whatever modifications would be needed to the blade and lockbar to use the "Generation 4" handle.

[The Deacon]

Wait what? The guy wants an affordable civilian and you guys are saying Peel Ply CF and G-10?

Guess this is a bad time to suggest dual bolsters, sambar stag scales, and a Damasteel blade.

'Tis one of the problems here Carl, everyone has their own agenda. Then again, that problem is darn near universal.

[Darkfin]

Guess this is a bad time to suggest dual bolsters, sambar stag scales, and a Damasteel blade.

[JD Spydo]

Wait what? The guy wants an affordable civilian and you guys are saying Peel Ply CF and G-10?

Capt. Carl I don't quite catch your drift here at all . I know you are "well intentioned" but the first run of the Matriarch was the FRN version and they can still be had. A lot of us hardcore Hawkbill fans want not only a really durable user but we also want something of a premium collectible grade too. An improvement of the original if you please

Brother you are free to lobby for whatever you feel like you would want but please don't look down on us because we want an upper tier version of the Matriarch .

And by the way Spyderco is premium brand of production knife. It's not even in the same league as your hardware store knives; that's what set's this great company apart from discount house knives. I think it's forgone conclusion that stuff made with quality is going to cost a bit more. But at the same token it will be much cheaper in the long run because of long term durability. If anything I want to see Spyderco improve on any models that they would by chance re-introduce and I think there are several that would agree with that. So please reconsider

[clovisc]

the old matriarchs and civis were great... although if there's a lot of interest in the specialized blade shape, maybe spyderco could come up with something even greater...

i've been suggesting a 3" matriarch-like knife for a while now... and using the new D4 platform might be an ideal way to make something familiar, utilitarian, new + refined, and still something of an "upgrade" -- while maintaining the lower cost that made the matriarch so desireable and affordable.

i tend to prefer the newer, thoughfully textured FRN scales featured on the D4, E4, d'allara, the native III over G-10 or even CF.

[para-force]

3 inch matriarch in a generation 4 handle.

No G10 or steel liners are necessary, keep this thing as low as possible.

[Firefighter880]

BRING EM ON!

I've been looking for a Matriarch for a while now.

Hmmmm.... how about a 2007 Matriarch forum knife??

[Piet.S]

would it be better to use the "Generation 3" handle which the original Matriarch shared with the Endura, or make whatever modifications would be needed to the blade and lockbar to use the "Generation 4" handle.

Good question, and with Clovisc his suggestion in mind I tried my gen 3 and 4 Delica's for resistance against a pulling force.
Don't like to admit it but the 4 is a clear winner in this respect.
Must be the bi-directional texture and the jimping on the back of the handle that makes the difference.
So if you want to slash with a reverse-S blade, the gen 4 is likely to be the better one if you want to keep on slashing.

Someone here suggested once if the hawkbill knives could be had with a handle with a 50/50 choil.
I think it makes sense, so are the rescue handles not more suitable?
And if not economicly possible, can there be sprint runs in the Byrd line?

[clovisc]

hmm -- i do like the idea of a matriarch-like blade in a rescue handle...

i wonder if there will ever be a D4-like upgrade to the rescues?

[merciful]

I'd be all over it.

[Puyallupknifegu]

3 inch matriarch in a generation 4 handle.

No G10 or steel liners are necessary, keep this thing as low as possible.

Sign me up!!! I love 3 or sub 3" blades!!!



Tim

[cobrajoe]

Piet has a fun idea, a reverse S byrd. I think that would be a great way to get more people interested in reverse S and hawkbill style knives. I would definately buy two or three G-10 handled byrds with around a 3 inch reverse S blade.

As for the matriarch, I really want one, but I know I would use it for some sort of utility. That seems to be the only reason I buy knives.

[jaislandboy]

I've got a Matriarch.....I haven't got a Civilian.....I never carry my Matriarch......as most who own one /or a Civilian know....the knife is clearly marked Not For Utility Use as the tip is obviously quite thin (and therefore fragile).....
If I had to choose between carrying a knife for only Self Defense reasons vs. carrying a knife that can accomplish utilitarian cutting tasks Plus Self Defense....I opt for the latter....
Then you consider that the Matriarch back then had a $50 + USD pricetag (i'm truthfully guessing).....I paid more for mine last year (it was hard for me to find one last year)......and because of the above reasons.....it sits on a shelf as a show queen of sorts.....
If a reverse S blade was made with a D4 handle platform that'd be cool but would sales justify the cost of building it?
The Dodo was dicsontinued last year.....
even though its reverse S blade can handle many more utilitarian cutting tasks than the Matriarch can....
My assumption that the Dodo was disco'd would be that Sales suffered....
The Cricket of course still remains popular....
Then you throw in the factor of how many ELU's are not interested in Sharpening a Recurved blade (much less a Hawkbill blade)......so I have no clue where this thread is going...
.....my 2.5 cents.....for what it's worth, if makes it......if I can afford it.....I usually buy it.....

[cobrajoe]

Yes, the dodo was disco'd, but it also had a wierd handle, a funky lock, and that goofy blade shape. (those are all the reasons I love it though )

I think a more mainstream lock and handle could help sales, along with a gentler curve and a point that's inline could make it likable to a broader crowd.

[flyguy]

For the record, the original run of grey Matriarchs was not exactly a "Sprint Run". Rather, like the current run of black FRN ZDP Calypso Jrs, it was a "comissioned" run...

True, the black handled ones were not Sprint run. The grey handled ones were.

According to Sal's original post on Blades forum, they made 500 grey handled ones for forumites. Limit of 3 per person.

Edit: I am not looking for a "cheap knife". I didn't mean to imply that this Matriarch should be. Just thinking that the MSRP should be less than the Civilian (less than $229.95).