C02 Mariner...?

[CJF]

I have had this knife sitting in a drawer collecting dust for many years. From what I can tell it appears to be a Left Handed Mariner. The knife is still in very good condition, no rust, a few minor scratches on the handle, but the blade is still very sharp and opens smooth and locks up solid.

My question, is this indeed a C02 Mariner and what would be a good asking price?

Any help will be appreciated, thanks.
Chris

[CJF]

Clip side pic:

[The Deacon]

Yes, it's definitely a Mariner, although technically a 1002 rather than a C02, since the square edged handle and lack of a drying vent make it 1st generation, and the four digit product codes were used at that time. It appears to be in excellent condition but, unfortunately, there's not a tremendous amount of collector interest in the Mariner. I'd estimate that, without the original box, it would be worth somewhere around $100.

[JD Spydo]

Yes, it's definitely a Mariner, although technically a 1002 rather than a C02, since the square edged handle and lack of a drying vent make it 1st generation, and the four digit product codes were used at that time. It appears to be in excellent condition but, unfortunately, there's not a tremendous amount of collector interest in the Mariner. I'd estimate that, without the original box, it would be worth somewhere around $100.

Everything Deacon said and I'll add that the C-02 models I do believe had a chamferred handle as well as the dryer vents. And most of the C-02 models have an indentification marks indicating which steel was used i.e. GIN-1, G-2, ATS-55 ect, ect,. I also believe that the lanyard holes were even chamferred on the later models if my memory is correct.

Of all the earliest Mariner models I've had they came in a black & white box in the earliest generations. I didn't even think that the left handed versions came along until the ATS-55 era but I could be wrong. I wish someone would correct me if I am wrong.

[The Deacon]

Everything Deacon said and I'll add that the C-02 models I do believe had a chamferred handle as well as the dryer vents. And most of the C-02 models have an indentification marks indicating which steel was used i.e. GIN-1, G-2, ATS-55 ect, ect,. I also believe that the lanyard holes were even chamferred on the later models if my memory is correct.

Of all the earliest Mariner models I've had they came in a black & white box in the earliest generations. I didn't even think that the left handed versions came along until the ATS-55 era but I could be wrong. I wish someone would correct me if I am wrong.

With the possible exception of the "two screw" Workers, all the early models were originally available in both LH and RH models.

[CJF]

Thank you for the replies gentlemen, and the history lesson. Like I said I've had it for years, and while I get nostalgic with older knives, I think I'll probably try to trade it off for a Spyderco model I'll use and carry.

Chris

[JD Spydo]

With the possible exception of the "two screw" Workers, all the early models were originally available in both LH and RH models.

Hey thanks Deac I never knew that>> because the very first left handed Mariner I ever owned was a pair of ATS-55 models I got in a trade that were both left handed>> before that I never really paid that much attention. Being I am right handed I probably at the time had no reason to even notice.

But I didn't know that their left versus right versions went that far back.

The Mariner was always a very sentimental favorite of mine because the very first Spyder I ever bought was a GIN-1 Mariner with the stainless handle in 1995. Besides the Stainless handled Rescue model I still think it was one of the most sturdy models they ever built.

The plain edged Mariner was a tough find then and has even gotten tougher to find over the years.

[ceya]

Mini Mariner even harder to find.

S/F,
CEYA!

[JD Spydo]

Mini Mariner even harder to find.

S/F,
CEYA!

Thanks for bringing that one up Ceya. I almost forgot about that one. I think it was meant to be a key chain knife if my memory is correct. The Mariner was certainly a flagship model for Spyderco for some time. Even though I like the stainless Rescue model just a bit better it was still one of my favorite Spyderedged models.

[Spyderbro]

Sal started LH/RH from the beginning. (Thanks Sal)

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

Be nice if they went back to that idea and did some lefty releases for us south paws. *cough*framelock*cough*

[ceya]

Thanks for bringing that one up Ceya. I almost forgot about that one. I think it was meant to be a key chain knife if my memory is correct. The Mariner was certainly a flagship model for Spyderco for some time. Even though I like the stainless Rescue model just a bit better it was still one of my favorite Spyderedged models.

Necklace knife, it so small.

S/H,
CEYA!

[Slash]

looks to me it would be worth 30-40. but, I'm no collector for such an item. put it up on the bay and start the auction at .99 cents with no reserve, let it run for a week and you'll find out how much it's worth.

asking what a good asking price sounds like one of those rules that gets threads like this deleted though. good luck with your sale.