Spyderco Matriarch 2 Review

The Matriarch 2 is another in Spyderco’s line of self defense knives. Similar in size and shape to the Spyderco Civilian, this knife features a few key changes and improvements.

With a unique blade shape, serrated edge, and curved ergonomic handle, this knife stands out as different from a standard carry knife and for good reason.

Spyderco put a lot of effort into making it clear this was a self defense knife.

For the design, quality materials and additional features, we give this knife 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Spyderco Matriarch 2 Features

Blade – The blade of the Matriarch 2 is a custom design slightly modified from the older Spyderco Civilian defense knife.

The serrated edge and unique tip give this knife a distinct look and feel as compared to the typical utility or EDC knife.

The blade is made of superior VG-10 steel and is razor sharp. While it is a defense knife, it could still be used for cutting through cardboard to break down boxes or other small household tasks.

Handle – The handle features a custom contoured design that is long enough to fit the entire hand with ergonomic finger grooves and a slight curve.

The handle material is fiberglass reinforced nylon with a textured surface for improved grip. The material gives the handle flexibility and good resistance to wear, particularly being rust and corrosion proof. 

The 4 position pocket clip is a standout feature of the knife allowing for up/down and right/left carry.

Deployment and Lockup – The deployment and lockup offerings are the signature standard for Spyderco. The round hole on the blade or the “spyderhole” accompanied by a backlock that sets the blade firmly inside the handle.

In terms of deployment, hand opening is easy with the spyderhole and the backlock holds the blade securely open. When closed the blade folds securely into the handle of the knife where the backlock secures it in place.

Unique Design – Besides being a knife designed for self defense, meaning it is suitable for rapid deployment and has good slashing ability, the Matriarch 2 is a cool looking knife.

The unique serrated edge and almost hook-like point of the blade makes it a great set piece for any knife enthusiast.

The tip point can be used for fine detail work and the edge makes it an excellent tool for cutting through thick materials.

Blade Design and Function

The blade of this knife is its most notable feature. Over 3.5 inches in length, nearly the entire front edge of the blade is serrated making it quite a solid cutting or sawing tool.

The hook shaped tip is not sturdy enough for stabbing or piercing but is suitable for picking at delicate objects, scaling fish and things of that nature.

The steel of the blade is VG-10 which has a good hardness rating and maintains an edge well. The blade is designed in such a way as to make slashing the primary feature.

With enough blade surface to make decent contact, it makes itself stand out as a self defense weapon rather than a tool for cutting food and other things.

Handle Shape, Ergonomics, and Materials

The handle of this knife has almost enough curve to it to match the blade and stands at almost five inches in length giving it plenty of room for the fingers to fit in the sectioned grooves for a great grip.

The handle itself is made of fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN)  that is textured to further improve the grip. The FRN handle is able to flex and withstand good amounts of pressure when gripped tightly giving it improved durability.

Despite being one of the longer pocket knives out there the handle and blade still come in at under four ounces in weight making it extremely light given its overall size. The only notable feature however on the handle is the pocket clip.

The one advantage of this pocket clip is that it is designed as a 4 position clip, meaning it is suitable to be carried either tip up or tip down on either the right side or the left, making the knife one of the few that is carriable in any style and truly ambidextrous.

Deployment and Lockup

The Matriarch 2 has two of the standard design features that Spyderco likes to use in their knives for both deployment and lockup. The round hole built into the blade or the “spyderhole” is used to pull the blade open with the fingers. It juts out just enough when the blade is closed for easy access to quickly fully open the blade without any hassle or safety concerns.

For lockup, the knife uses a standard backlock. The backlock rests inside the handle and uses a standard spring and rocker setup that hooks a bar into place to hold the knife securely open when in use, preventing slippage or injury to hands because of accidental closing. The rocker then lifts and allows the knife to close back into the handle when not in use.

While not the most secure method of closure that exists, users have not noted any significant movement with the blade while it was closed.

Spyderco Matriarch 2 Review – Final Thoughts

Though the look of the Spyderco Matriarch 2 is what stands out the most, it is still a solidly constructed knife made out of quality materials.

The blade is VG-10 steel which is high grade and will stay sharp for as long as you need it to. The unique shape of the blade makes it ideal for exactly what it was meant for, self defense, though it is still a serviceable knife in the basic sense when you need to cut something.

The handle is also tough, flexible and requires little maintenance making it an easy knife to carry overall. Deployment and lockup are both robust and secure mechanisms that have little to no means of faltering.

For anyone looking to carry a knife for self defense or anyone just looking to add a unique knife to their collection, the Matriarch 2 is a great choice.