Both are good, the Talon is obviously a response to the Civilian, and I would definitely go with the Talon any day of the week. Way more solidly built, better ergonomics, and the wave feature makes you more likely to get it out in time. When it comes to self defense folders, I only trust Cold Steel.
Personally, lock strength isn't the primary reason I prefer the Tri-Ad lock to traditional lockbacks. I prefer the Tri-Ad lock because the wedge shape on the lockbar causes them to "wear in" and stay tight over time, as opposed to traditional lockbacks which wear out and get loose over time.
Being a cold steel fanboy, black talon 2 all day. But I will say the civilian is a bit more wicked looking because of the thinner tip. But I reiterate, cold steel for me. Not to mention the lock, that triad lock is a force to be reckoned with. I absolutely love it. I personally carry the voyager vaquero xl with serrations so I know a bit about them
Very tempting to get the plain edge Talon and send it to Spiderco for installation of "their" serrations... It would make a perfect Talon in my opinion... Food for thought!
Cold Steel triad lock hands down is currently the strongest lock on the market imo! Proven tested! And I would trust my life with it unlike any other locking mechanisms
Good comparison. I recently picked up the CS and went with the serrated model as you did. I feel like with this type blade, a plain edge just doesn't inflict the intended damage that the serrations do if needed.
sturmgewehr70 Yeah, the serrations are sharp enough to still slice like a plain edge, but the plain edge can't rip/saw/tear like the serrations. Also, the tip cuts like a giant serration, so why not have even more serrations? So yeah I concur about the serrations.
I always enjoy your reviews. They are very informative and you've save a ton of money. I'm currently training in pekiti tirsia kali under Simon Burgess at Five Points Academy NYC. As you know PTK is a blade based martial arts and as such I buy a lot of knives. You are my go to source on RUclips and I just wanted to say thanks.
Great points! I think the Cold Steels handle where it meets the blade looks like it is less likely for your hand to ride up onto the blade, especially if it's soaked in slippery blood.
The wave function can make the difference between life or death; which is why, I think, Spyderco then created the matriarch with a wave... I think the civilian is probably more comfortable to carry compared to the black talon
Great video. I bought a Spyderco Matriarch 2 last week and just got a CS Black Talon 2 today. Both serrated edge. While I think the BT2 is a great defensive knife and really feel I got my money's worth with the great grip, strong lock, and nice blade-- I was a bit disappointed when comparing the serrations between the two knives. I like the serrations on the Spyderco Matriarch 2 MUCH better. They are deeper and sharper-- something I think would help in a defensive situation. The perfect defensive folder to me would be using the Spyderco Matriarch 2/Civilian deeper/sharper serration pattern on the BT2. I very gently ran my finger across the serration part of the blade on my Matriacrh 2 and it really hurt!! If I had put any pressure on my finger it would have been ugly-- as opposed to when I ran my finger down the serrated edge of the BT2 and did not feel nearly as painful. The tip of the BT2 is very sharp, and perhaps stronger than the tip of the Matriarch 2-- but I was concerned/annoyed a bit that the serrations didn't bite my finger on the BT2 like they did on the Matriarch 2. I do love my new BT2, but as mentioned, I wish Cold Steel had gone with the deeper, sharper, serration pattern used on the Civilian and Matriarch 2.
The Spyderco Civilian is what initially got me into knives like 5 yrs ago. But I never did (and still haven’t) purchased one because of the price. I understand that’s bc of the Spyderco quality, but I’ve just never bought one. I did pick up the Black Talon, and have been very happy with it.
I'll probably get the BT-II and a Matriarch. Because I cant' find Civilians with G10 handles (only FRN, which I find too thin for the length, making me feel clumsy, and this is why I chose the Delica over the Endura for daily EDC) and I like the Spyderco serrations. I want the BT-II also because I love my old San-mai III original BT but wanted a wavable serrated version.Plus their tips are nice to open blisters :)
Awesome video please keep them coming, im a huge spyderco fan, but damn that Talon II looks good, guess im gonna have to buy the talon for my left pocket and the Civilian for my right...lol
I don't think there would be a ton of force against the spine of the blade but with the design of both blades they might get alot of reverse force with the way the shape of the blade is when cutting deeper or tougher materials pushing backwards on the spine where the cold steel's lock would shine over the spyderco's overtime... taking the extreme forces applied on it when cutting materials like thick leather and plastic ties where the front curves forward
The triad lock is stronger when you put pressure on the blade side not the spine side ...actually the pin in the lock is located were the advantage for the lock would only be present when applying force to the blade side ..the locks are pretty much just as strong as each other when it comes to applying pressure to the spine, but the triad lock is likely 100 or more times stronger when using the force on the blade side...
Absolutely! The pin, is responsible for interrupting pressures between the blade tang & lock-face and sending it to the handle. A most BRILLIANT modification to a folding knife design that dates to at least 15th!
Nice comparison. If I were to get one of these to keep on hand for a last ditch self-defense weapon, I'd go with the Spyderco. Why? Hopefully I'd never have to use it on someone, so outside of practicing/playing with it, it would mostly just be something I look at. And the Spyderco looks way better. :)
+capcon6 I have em both , actually the CS in the first version with San Mai steel plain edge and aluminum guard. Both are wicked blades. Spyderco is very very wicked with that type o serration which is easier to sharpen than the CS. For practical reasons I suggest plain edge for the Black Talon and the Serrated of the Spyderco... Get emm both !! haha
Isn't it pretty impossible to sharpen the cold steel serrations? I think the sharpmaker would flatten them out(?).I don't think the set of 4 small files from spyderco would work. Are there diamond files or even tinier ceramic files available that work for this?
The Black Talon is substantially cheaper than the Civilian, and that's a major consideration. But Cold Steel's Serrations are crappy, they're the same type of serrations that are found on low priced kitchen knives. Spydercos serrations are definitely superior! I'd take the Civilian or the smaller Matriarch from Spyderco. The plain edge Black Talon would be my preference if I picked one up.
Well, I had decided awhile back that once the Talon II hit the streets Id get the plain edge. Now I'm kind of teetering back towards the serrations... guess I'll get both :)
I have the Black Talon II, Cold Steel's version of this Spyderco knife. They are almost identical and the results should be too. Question is, which has the stronger lock ?
You will never break any lock on any folding karambit that a reputable company makes. It’s not a hard use knife, it’s for violent slashing. Not to mention that the blade can only be used in a direction that’s toward the lock which will be acting in only an opening direction. You will never have a situation where you use the blade in the direction away from the lock with enough force to threaten the lock.
If you check the cs web site they give thanks to spyderco for the design strange as is think it was a popular knife style they requested to do a variant of
Yep, they did that because they had to because spyderco is the one who came up with the reverse S-curve blade shape. So, they had to get their permission to use it in the first place.
ting280 That shit's ghetto and tie wraps tend to dry out and crack/break. Besides, the BTII costs less, has the Tri-Ad Lock, Jimping, deep finger grooves, pocket clip reversible for left-handers, better steel (CTS/XHP vs VG10) and as mentioned, retails for under $110.00 The BTII is nearly 2x the knife at almost half the cost. If you want to run a ghetto wave setup, go ahead, but it still doesn't put the Civi in the class of the BTII As an owner of both knives, I will take the BTII every day of the week. The Civi feels like a toy in comparison. A zip tie doesn't come close to leveling the playing field.
The only other areas where these knives might not be so similar is how they carry in the pocket and the grip of the G10. I haven't held the Black Talon 2 yet so I can't say for sure, but based on other CS knives, I'd assume the G10 is a bit grippier and it rides a bit wider in the pocket. Based on that with the ease of touching up the VG10 Spyderedge and the familiarity of the Spydiehole, I'd probably go with the Civilian. I'm a huge fan of Carpenter's steels, but, in agreement with you, for a knife like this I can't put enough stock in that.
Darth Scissorhands As someone that owns both, the Civi seems like a cheap toy compared to the fit, finish, materials, workmanship. ergonomics, etc... of the BT II, not to mention the BTII uses better steel and comes in at about $110 compared to $165+ for the Civi.
+zunedog31 Hard to press Triad lock? Not mine. I agree that the Triad lock is overkill, but as an owner of both I can say that the BT II is a far better knife.
The civilian wins in looks for me but the bt is superior in functionality. I lightly dropped my civilian and it burred the tip, not enough to notice or make a difference but it bugs the shit out of me. Too fragile
I own both of these 🔪 the cold steel just feels so much more rugged and the tip is much more reinforced I still love the civilian and it's a nasty 🔪 but for a cheaper price I would definitely go with the cold steel
But right now I carry the Spyderco matriarch 2 & a Cold steel recon 1 the matriarch does not cut anything that's only for human use God forbid I ever have to use it.
Just on the point of not a lot of force being applied to the rear mechanism of the knife, what a lot of people don't realise is that in a self defence situation in the home when swinging a knife back and fourth the back of the blade can strike a wall or similar object. It's actually not super common but there are many cases in law enforcement where a defender has used a folder, hit a wall and the mechanism has stuffed up causing you to have an expensive paper weight. Now this would be more likely given both these knives are tailored to self defence so I would honestly take the triad lock any day! Unfortunately this isn't something most people think about as it's not something you hear a lot of unless your a frontline LEO whos been around the tracks. I agree the skill of the user is a considerable decider in how a knife works however no amount of training is ever a guarantee against unforseen circumstances. Even the most highly trained individuals can be severely injured by a simple mistake or situation beyond their control. When it's a knife solely designed to be used in defence I would have to say lock mechanisms rate highly on a list of concerns and you should take any advantage you can get. We train our soldiers highly and don't provide them with second rate weapons, they are the best and they get the very best to enhance their capabilities so why take any chances when it's your life on the line.
Awesome Thank you. I think the Cold Steel Serrations are more specialized for cutting flesh with those smaller multiple rises. Both will cut cher' peckie off in one swipe, no doubt, but i honestly think that's what they had in mind with them.
Good luck sharpening the cold steel ones that you'll actually need to since the knife (tip in particular) is robust enough that most will use it outside its intended use (pure SD) which would almost irreversibly blunt the serrationsas they are too small to sharpen properly.
@@fooferutter3001 anyone with skill, experience, and proper equipment can sharpen them. If they couldn’t be sharpened, they wouldn’t be on the blade to begin with. You could also reprofile them any way you’d like.
Those are most certainly two savage weapons, and a fair comparrison. But I was wondering. Which would be the easiest to remove from the pocket ? All the opening speed in the world will not help you if the thing is a sod to get out of your pocket. I'm not talking " the fastest draw in the west " ( getting it out at panic speed may well end up with a fumble and drop ) type thing, just how easy is it to get into your hand. from your pocket.
zednotzee7 The BT II has a "wave" style opening which is lightning fast. The thumb plate catches against the corner of your pants pocket as you pull the knife out of your pocket instantly deploying the blade. I wasn't a big fan of "wave" style openings until the BT II but now, I wouldn't open it any other way. It takes a bit of practice but it's well worth it. Just be sure to practice, practice, practice and you'll extract the knife from your pocket with the blade deployed in the blink of an eye.
Let me know when Mtech has a $20 Xtrem version of this blade. They will add an assist and it will be 3.75 inches. $100 plus is not my price point. Good video!
Thanks I looked it up and remembered a bear claw assisted you did a review on. Amazon had this for $15 Whetstone Cutlery Bill Blade Stainless Steel Folding Knife. Looks similar will add to wishlist. The wish list of the grim reaper LOL!
phpeters87 i have the BT2 and while i like it, i prefer the spyderco civilian and matriarch more. the civilian is my favorite of all the three, the reason i like it more is because it has a sleeker profile with no sharp edges that could catch on anything. i like the spyderhole better than the thumbplate too.
Haha, so true. Luckily, Amazon came to my rescue, and one of these(along with an Imacasa, because hey, you can never have too many machetes) should be on it's way to me soon!
I dont know if anyone has made this observation but these blade shapes are kind of a reverse CS vaquero shape tip giving preferance to the vaquero based on its thrusting advantage. Its more of a stabber.
Tor Gaymer it automatically opens as you pull out the knife in your pocket. it is the fastest pocket knife opening mechanism which is crucial in a self defense situation.
I miss my old spyderco so I'm going to try to get the civilian but might have to stick with getting the matriarch 2 The civilian cost more than twice as much 😭
After years of experience w both of these blades and other similar spyderco and cold steel products I gotta say these two aren't even in the same ballpark. They look great upon first impression but after years of use I gotta say the Spyderco holds up 10x better to wear and tear than the Cold Steel does. The grip material is better on the Spyderco, the steel is miles higher quality and won't rust nearly as easily as the cold steel alloy does. I'd say about the only advantage that Cold Steel has over Spyderco is the strength of the locking mechanism. That triple point lock is super duper effective and seems to be damn near indestructible by hand force. But other than that, the Spyderco is leagues better.
Hi, I've seen some videos on RUclips showing China replicas of the Civilian. These replicas are very close to the real one. Apparently the only way to determine its authenticity is by the G-10. Personally the Civilian is the only knife I own with the G-10. Can you do a video showing the difference between real and fake G-10. I payed quite a bit for my Civilian and want to know if I got bamboozled.
Hume820 Fake Civi's rarely come with one liner, and if they do they aren't drilled or beveled, the pocket clip is different, the Spyderco logo is "off" the blade curve is not correct, the G-10 is off, the lanyard hole is usually the wrong size and in the wrong location, the screws are incorrect, etc...go to alibaba and see for yourself.
There are large variations with the fake Spyderco Civilian knives and some seem reasonably well made. Some are single and some are double liner. They often need some finishing work to function smoothly. The great unknown is quality and materials. For blades, the heat treatment is very critical. Done wrong will make the blade either too brittle and breakage or too soft and subject to bending. The locks can break if done wrong. Chinese factories can be good or bad, consistent or inconsistent. Either can be bad, especially when survival matters. There are some excellent Chinese knives, but they make fakes of those too. If quality and predictably reliable function is important, deal with authorized dealers and be prepared to pay for the real thing.
The tie breaker for me is another Spyderco in my collection is always a good thing. Something to consider (there must be a reason) In verygood-pristine condition with the box, you could always get $140ish for it on E*Bay. The C.S.? no way. Spyderco will always have that advantage. I like C.S., but I love Spyderco. I'll just buy one, get the other as a gift someday. Otherwise; Saw a good quote recently: "Life is too short to carry an ugly knife, and too ugly to carry a short one."
the Cs is a superior knife, Tri-Ad, Jimping, Emerson wave, Plate, opening, etc... The Civi feels like a toy in my hand and the CTS/XHP is better as the tip of the civi cbroke quite easily.
Mad Stork a knife is a cutting tool so the looks doesn't really matter since it will stay inside your pocket 90% of the time. what you need is durable and something you can rely on when it comes to tools. these knives are defensive tool so CS have better steel, lock, fast opening. Aesthetic will not help you increase your survival rate.
***** I hear this comment about just running away all the time, but I don't think it is very realistic. 60% of America is obese. Another 20% is overweight, but not obese. Of the remaining 20%, a lot of them are kids with short legs or skinny people who don't have large leg muscles for sprinting, like all these girls who starve themselves. Even athletes often sprain an ankle or pull a muscle if they burst into a sprint without stretching and warming up. Many of my subscribers are veterans or blue collar workers, they often have repetitive use injuries from 20 years of physical work, or injuries from being in combat, so again, they are not out-sprinting some young thug. You also need to know where you are running to, criminals attack in their home turf. You also might be with someone you don't want to leave behind, like your wife or kids, so running there is not an option.
WeAllJuggleKnives but that also means the attackers are likely obese or overweight. but if you are obese or overweight and you see slim and muscular people around you then better get a knife or a gun or anything for self defense.
I think the chances are high that 'force will be applied to the spine' of these knives if they're actually used in a deadly fight, as presumably they're designed to be used. Yeah, you're not trying to stab/thrust with it, but in the chaos of a fight, who knows what might happen?
JulianZeezer The person who has a better reaction time and seizes the initiative knows what's going to happen. But, I realize that a person could just be up against a superior fighter who turns that around on them. This brings up that philosophical question of how you beat someone whose athletic and fighting skills are technically better than yours? It's an interesting question. I won't blame the lock on the knife if someone simply outfights me, gets me in some sort of disadvantaged position where I'm not even able to bring the edge or tip to bear. Bad things can happen for sure. Some badass might make you eat your own knife LOL. But if that stuff begins to happen, there ain't no physical modifications to the knife that will really save ya.
Though I prefer the Black Talon since I think it's more durable and reliable, I find the Spyderco definitely has a more sinister appearance due to the slimmer tip and more pronounced serrations, but for me it's not worth the outrageous price tag compared to the Cold Steel, it has no performance gain for the price difference.
I think more people are watching this video lately, the crisis seems to me getting more people thinking about personal protection! The sporting goods store near me sold out of almost all its guns last week. The Talon will definitely help during any close encounters!
True that. I thought i'm done with tactical, been having knives for edc, utility, bush crafts.. the "current situation" sucked me back to tactical.. you've done great reviews, it makes it easier to decide.
I own both simply because I'm a collector. I use the BT II as an alternating EDC. The civilian hasn't earned my trust for self defense. It seems rather flimsy comparatively.
So its a tactical slashing only knife? At least u won't kill the attacker too fast just cut them up since stabbing is much more lethal... Isn't a nice pointy knife for tactical/self defense a better option tho?
+emwu1988 The Spyderco Civilian actually has a neat back story. It was designed for plain-clothes LEOs that couldn't carry a gun....and they didn't really have a lot of knife training. So it was something that would be easy for a novice to cause major damage with basic slashing. All of this would carry over to the Talon, I would think.
The psychological edge when someone is cut open is huge. I've seen people go into shock, and drop just from freight. Slashing, or even nicking an artery spells death for the opponent. Femoral, carotid, jugular, arteries, are lethal wounds. I've seen a face sliced open to where his cheeks looked like sliced up pancakes. Someone puts their hand inside your car door, and you slice across his cables, his hand is finished. These 3 things are vital for defense/attack: 1) speed 2) knowledge 3) strength I personally like the fixed blades, but here in Noo Yawrk, I can carry unlimited inches with a folder as long as it is not gravity assist, or spring assist. However, the fixed blade must be under 4", and that is NOT the edge, it is the overall length of the blade. I'm not taking away from stabbing at all. I am a jujitsu black belt. Anyone risking their neck to stab me will most probably meet their maker right then; sucker stabbing notwithstanding. I was a body guard in US Military Service.
I'm a hardcore spyderco fan ,but.......... If I had to choose one based on durability it would be the coldsteel. I've heard too many people complain about snapping the tip on the civilian.
The steel used on the civilian known as "VG-10 steel" is prone to chipping easier. You can research it. For some reason Spydeco chose the only steel on a knife with such a thin tip that is the easiest to chip but easier to keep sharp and rust resistant.
My kind of review of a kind of blade I love! Excellent job as usual! Of course, and above all, good fighting skills are always essential, no matter the knife you have... ;-)
because in theory this knife isnt something you would ever use until you were in a situation where your life was in danger. the original spyderco civilian was created for undercover police who coudnt carry a gun, it was specifically designed to be light, easy to conceal and carry, and meant to basically be used only once as the tip is honed down to a very fine needle point and would most likely be broken or bent after being used in a self defense situation. the cold steel version misses the point of the original by giving the knife too many edges that could snag on clothes or something in the middle of a fight while you can see the civilian has smoother surfaces to facilitate a smoother deployment. however, the cold steel version comes with a much thicker and stronger tip which does make the knife more usable for regular work tasks. buy both
WeAllJuggleKnives the Spyderco civilian is one nasty blade not designed for EDC chores/work. It serves only one purpose, which is to end someone in a defensive encounter.
It all comes down to your knife company preference. I saw in those Cold Steel tests of the Tri-Ad lock Spyderco fans saying that although the lock from Cold Steel is stronger the Spyderco that was being tested was better in any other way. So if you are a Spyderco fan, you gonna get the Civilian. If you are a Cold Steel fan you gonna prefer the Black Talon II. I am a Cold Steel guy but I became a Cold Steel fan after logically realizing that Cold Steel is better as I believe that the most important part of the folder is the lock. I don't buy at all these arguments of people saying that the lock doesn't have to be so strong. The people who normally say this are the same who buy tactical folders with liner locks which are ridiculous weak. Saying that you can have a knife with a weak lock as long as you have technic is the same of saying that you don't commit mistakes. I agree that a man with skills is more deadly with a liner lock than the Tri-Ad lock but we are arguing here which is the best folder and for me personally the Black Talon II is everything that the Civilian is not.
The Spyderco Civilian is truly surgical where the Cold Steel Black Talon II is super tough and durable and will hold up in any combat situation for sure!
Cold Steel is a "Monster"!! Built like a tank, way stronger better knife over all. It may be bigger, but it is very thin and fits in pocket amazingly. Check out Cold Steel's brutal Talon hard test🔪🔪.
I'd like to see that design (from either company) with: 1) Plain Edge (or Licensed shallow _Veff_ serrations like the CRKT Heiho) 2) Karambit configuration 3) Better fucking pocket clip!!!
Otac Yeah, I just saw that. Still wish they would make a karambit variant with the S-blade, and get thier shit together with pocket clips. Spyderco does it right, why is it so fucking hard for everyone else? Kershaw clips look like they were designed in the 80's, Benchmade loves their phallic design, CRKT is just all over the place, and Cold Steel is famous for the "I can't get it in or out of my pocket" style, and it looks like they made a fat version of the BM clip on this one.
+Peachy Keen 1) CS makes the BT II in a Plain Edge as well. 2) They also make a 3" Karambit with the XHP steel, although the name escapes me right now. I believe it is called the"Tiger Claw" 3) The Pocket Clip is very stiff. Quick way to adjust it is to slide one credit card under the clip, then a 2nd credit card. Pull back both cards upwards about 45 degrees and hold for a second or two. Clip should now be slightly bent with a tiny gap between the clip and the G-10 handle allowing you to use it the way it was intended.
phpeters87 you are so right sir.. plusi actually like that the pocket clip is stiff beacause that way i am sure it won´t fall of my pocket. and while riding the subway i know it can´t be stolen from me. without noticing.
I purchased a Civilian on ebay about 5 years ago, for a very good price, later, when the clip broke off, I send it in to spyderco for repair and was told that it was a fake and they could get me a "nice" discount on "certain" knives, if they kept the fake. The discount did not justify the fake knife being destroyed, so I asked it be sent back to me. I am more of a Benchmade Fan, but I do love Spyderco. I recently found out about the Matriarch 2, so I purchased that one and compared it to the civilian. I preferred to get the Spyderco Matriarch 2 Signature Knife for $135 vs Spyderco Civilian Utility Knife with for $214. Matriarch 2 Signature Knife review: ruclips.net/video/cJImk6kuJLE/видео.html I might look at the cold steel for $95, since I am a "somewhat" knife collector.
skills......I have no skills. I LIKE THEM FOR EMERGENCY rope cutting, like my tiger claw from COLD STEEL. Spyderco's are like women, Cold steel is like a hairy construction, hard hat dude.
It’s literally called the civilian, of course we should have access to them. Criminals don’t follow laws, so we should all be able to protect ourselves by any means necessary. It’s not the weapon that makes a person dangerous, it’s the mind.
@@erickeating5709 That obscenity is not and never will be an appropriate edc . If you need to carry that monstrosity to feel safe then I feel sorry for you.
Yes especially since Cold Steel changed ownership. I have a problem with a newer one and they don't answer and phone calls and leaving a message on their web site is again a waste of time. No more Cold Steel knives for me.
C'mon, you know COLD STEEL is the strongman of whackin shit! I prefer the CS black talon ll....I gotta have a big handle. My serrated CS TIGER CLAW, NEEDS A FRIEND in the other pocket. The CTS-XHP is great on the tiger claw. I made a special strop for touching up my tiger claw. A 2'' round strop. works great. I use these for cutting ropes in a emergency. ''its what I tell people'., the truth is, ME, these knives and my Mossberg 12 gauge are waiting for BLM & ANTIFA to come into my property. 🚷🚷
i just hate how immensly popular spyderco is. So is cold stell, but at least cold steel demonstrates their products, you juat mentioned how spyderco put in a warning label so as to not use the tip. You'll never hear cold steel saying that. Their motto is basically, yea, go ahead an try to break it. Which you did break one of their knives at one point, but it wasn't a fixed blade, and was used in a way where it probably wasn't meant to be used. Although at the same time, why market somethingbin a way where its seemed almost "indestructable", if it does have its limits? I still just really dislike spyderco, and would much rather go with cold steel. Spyderco seems plain, boring, all of their products look the same, just with a different handle, cold steel has a huge variety of different knives. Although, they do seem to overcompensate and make their knives bigger then usual, which may not always be a good thing for all people, especially those with smaller hands, but at least they have variable sizes. For somebreason, many people hate on cold steel, and are addicted and just LOVE spyderco, and i juat dont know why. Marketing wise, i never even heard of them years ago when i finally found out about them. I felt as though i was late to the party. I feel like the only guy in the world who just plain out jates spyderco. This is something i had to get off my chest for the longest. Sorry, but in every knife video, there is always everyone praising that damn knife, rarely saying anything bad about it, its like the john cena of knives, i hate it, and im tired of hearing about it every channel i go to. Sorry for venting.
Its my own ignorant opinion, of course, i dont own either of them, since i am on a tight budget, so maybe i shouldnt talk unless i have experiance with them both. But if anything, i would probably have a better chance owning a coldsteel, since their price ranges would benifit me. Spyderco is marketed as light to medium duty, long lasting knives, but are they ever used for heavy duty stuff? Cold Steel is. Idk, my opinion may change over time until i aquire both an experiance for myself. Cold steel is my choice for heavy use. Whatever that may be.
Mr 617 spyderco offers more variety than most companies. Have you seen their variety in steels? They offer many different locks and blade shapes as well
I have both of those knives & the cold steel is far superior with the locking mechanism & the blade is so much more thick on the opposite side of the blade so much more rugged! Imo tho but civilian is definitely the original & 1 badass knife but for 1/2 the price Cold Steel all day especially with the cts-xhp steel. 😁
I've had a Spyderco police for like 25 years still in perfect condition because I liked it so much I never used it but I've had that lock fail on me just piddling around doing stupid stuff I love Spyderco but using the civilian you would not run into that problem because it's more of a swiper but I have a bunch of cold steel knives with Triad lock & never failed me 1 time! just my opinion I honestly saying Cold Steel is a superior knife because everything else is so similar but the locking mechanism is extremely important if you care to keep your fingers
Both are good, the Talon is obviously a response to the Civilian, and I would definitely go with the Talon any day of the week. Way more solidly built, better ergonomics, and the wave feature makes you more likely to get it out in time. When it comes to self defense folders, I only trust Cold Steel.
Personally, lock strength isn't the primary reason I prefer the Tri-Ad lock to traditional lockbacks.
I prefer the Tri-Ad lock because the wedge shape on the lockbar causes them to "wear in" and stay tight over time, as opposed to traditional lockbacks which wear out and get loose over time.
Great point.
Being a cold steel fanboy, black talon 2 all day. But I will say the civilian is a bit more wicked looking because of the thinner tip. But I reiterate, cold steel for me. Not to mention the lock, that triad lock is a force to be reckoned with. I absolutely love it. I personally carry the voyager vaquero xl with serrations so I know a bit about them
I'm a Cold Steel fan every day. The Talon is my favorite blade. It's one you don't argue with.
Very tempting to get the plain edge Talon and send it to Spiderco for installation of "their" serrations... It would make a perfect Talon in my opinion... Food for thought!
Cold Steel triad lock hands down is currently the strongest lock on the market imo! Proven tested! And I would trust my life with it unlike any other locking mechanisms
"You have to do the fighting, not the knife".
Great video! My favorite sdk is the Mariarch ll.
Great video! Just ordered the Talon 2. Been eyeing it a while...
Good comparison. I recently picked up the CS and went with the serrated model as you did. I feel like with this type blade, a plain edge just doesn't inflict the intended damage that the serrations do if needed.
sturmgewehr70 Yeah, the serrations are sharp enough to still slice like a plain edge, but the plain edge can't rip/saw/tear like the serrations. Also, the tip cuts like a giant serration, so why not have even more serrations? So yeah I concur about the serrations.
I always enjoy your reviews. They are very informative and you've save a ton of money. I'm currently training in pekiti tirsia kali under Simon Burgess at Five Points Academy NYC. As you know PTK is a blade based martial arts and as such I buy a lot of knives. You are my go to source on RUclips and I just wanted to say thanks.
DevilRanger1986 Awesome, I'm glad you're finding the videos useful!
Great points! I think the Cold Steels handle where it meets the blade looks like it is less likely for your hand to ride up onto the blade, especially if it's soaked in slippery blood.
Exactly!!!!
The wave function can make the difference between life or death; which is why, I think, Spyderco then created the matriarch with a wave... I think the civilian is probably more comfortable to carry compared to the black talon
Great video. I bought a Spyderco Matriarch 2 last week and just got a CS Black Talon 2 today. Both serrated edge. While I think the BT2 is a great defensive knife and really feel I got my money's worth with the great grip, strong lock, and nice blade-- I was a bit disappointed when comparing the serrations between the two knives. I like the serrations on the Spyderco Matriarch 2 MUCH better. They are deeper and sharper-- something I think would help in a defensive situation. The perfect defensive folder to me would be using the Spyderco Matriarch 2/Civilian deeper/sharper serration pattern on the BT2. I very gently ran my finger across the serration part of the blade on my Matriacrh 2 and it really hurt!! If I had put any pressure on my finger it would have been ugly-- as opposed to when I ran my finger down the serrated edge of the BT2 and did not feel nearly as painful. The tip of the BT2 is very sharp, and perhaps stronger than the tip of the Matriarch 2-- but I was concerned/annoyed a bit that the serrations didn't bite my finger on the BT2 like they did on the Matriarch 2. I do love my new BT2, but as mentioned, I wish Cold Steel had gone with the deeper, sharper, serration pattern used on the Civilian and Matriarch 2.
The Spyderco Civilian is what initially got me into knives like 5 yrs ago. But I never did (and still haven’t) purchased one because of the price. I understand that’s bc of the Spyderco quality, but I’ve just never bought one. I did pick up the Black Talon, and have been very happy with it.
Yeah Spyderco gets a little crazy with their prices sometimes, its a nice knife but there are more affordable alternates these days.
If you think Spyderco is bad with pricing, what about Benchmades pricing
You can't go wrong with either knife.One thing I do like is the story behind why the Civilian was made.Im glad you made the vid
Michael Daury Thanks, buddy!
Nice review, How would you compare the fit and finish of the two?
Very nice review.
Beautiful blades, both have pros and cons, but I have to say I like cold steel in general, I love my cold steels espada and my natchez bowie.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 just use that instead. Better self defence. Talon 2 is a heck of a blade even tho its under 12 Cm
I'll probably get the BT-II and a Matriarch. Because I cant' find Civilians with G10 handles (only FRN, which I find too thin for the length, making me feel clumsy, and this is why I chose the Delica over the Endura for daily EDC) and I like the Spyderco serrations. I want the BT-II also because I love my old San-mai III original BT but wanted a wavable serrated version.Plus their tips are nice to open blisters :)
Awesome video please keep them coming, im a huge spyderco fan, but damn that Talon II looks good, guess im gonna have to buy the talon for my left pocket and the Civilian for my right...lol
I don't think there would be a ton of force against the spine of the blade but with the design of both blades they might get alot of reverse force with the way the shape of the blade is when cutting deeper or tougher materials pushing backwards on the spine where the cold steel's lock would shine over the spyderco's overtime... taking the extreme forces applied on it when cutting materials like thick leather and plastic ties where the front curves forward
The triad lock is stronger when you put pressure on the blade side not the spine side ...actually the pin in the lock is located were the advantage for the lock would only be present when applying force to the blade side ..the locks are pretty much just as strong as each other when it comes to applying pressure to the spine, but the triad lock is likely 100 or more times stronger when using the force on the blade side...
Absolutely! The pin, is responsible for interrupting pressures between the blade tang & lock-face and sending it to the handle. A most BRILLIANT modification to a folding knife design that dates to at least 15th!
Owned them both. The blade on the CS is much more sturdy and it waves out of your front pocket, so you can keep it concealed.
Nice comparison. If I were to get one of these to keep on hand for a last ditch self-defense weapon, I'd go with the Spyderco. Why? Hopefully I'd never have to use it on someone, so outside of practicing/playing with it, it would mostly just be something I look at. And the Spyderco looks way better. :)
Pinki2019 It is a fine looking blade!
Get the Spyderco Matriarch 2 with the Emerson wave. Add a signet ring to it also.
I'll take the CS Talon. Yes
"Black Talon ||" 😈
+capcon6 I have em both , actually the CS in the first version with San Mai steel plain edge and aluminum guard.
Both are wicked blades. Spyderco is very very wicked with that type o serration which is easier to sharpen than the CS. For practical reasons I suggest plain edge for the Black Talon and the Serrated of the Spyderco...
Get emm both !! haha
Isn't it pretty impossible to sharpen the cold steel serrations? I think the sharpmaker would flatten them out(?).I don't think the set of 4 small files from spyderco would work.
Are there diamond files or even tinier ceramic files available that work for this?
Lansky do a ceramic rod designed for the CS serrations.
The Black Talon is substantially cheaper than the Civilian, and that's a major consideration. But Cold Steel's Serrations are crappy, they're the same type of serrations that are found on low priced kitchen knives.
Spydercos serrations are definitely superior! I'd take the Civilian or the smaller Matriarch from Spyderco.
The plain edge Black Talon would be my preference if I picked one up.
Well, I had decided awhile back that once the Talon II hit the streets Id get the plain edge. Now I'm kind of teetering back towards the serrations... guess I'll get both :)
I have the Black Talon II, Cold Steel's version of this Spyderco knife. They are almost identical and the results should be too. Question is, which has the stronger lock ?
You will never break any lock on any folding karambit that a reputable company makes. It’s not a hard use knife, it’s for violent slashing. Not to mention that the blade can only be used in a direction that’s toward the lock which will be acting in only an opening direction. You will never have a situation where you use the blade in the direction away from the lock with enough force to threaten the lock.
The Civilian is a great knife, it's no wonder CS borrowed the design.
Edited, CS does acknowledge the Spyderco blade design on their website.
If you check the cs web site they give thanks to spyderco for the design strange as is think it was a popular knife style they requested to do a variant of
Yep, they did that because they had to because spyderco is the one who came up with the reverse S-curve blade shape. So, they had to get their permission to use it in the first place.
Nice! I can't seem to decide between the new CS Black Talon or the new CS Tiger Claw
H&Ks until the end of days! Get both, that is what I did.
What did you choose?
Can you do a vid of a good ao knife for a good price
hey my friend..do you know any budget knife with that blade shape(but without serrations)? I´d use to cut leather patterns. Thanks for your help
Lanolium knife
one can always zip-tie mod the civilian to even the playing field, or look at the matriarch wave as an additional option
ting280 good point!
ting280
That shit's ghetto and tie wraps tend to dry out and crack/break.
Besides, the BTII costs less, has the Tri-Ad Lock, Jimping, deep finger grooves, pocket clip reversible for left-handers, better steel (CTS/XHP vs VG10) and as mentioned, retails for under $110.00
The BTII is nearly 2x the knife at almost half the cost.
If you want to run a ghetto wave setup, go ahead, but it still doesn't put the Civi in the class of the BTII
As an owner of both knives, I will take the BTII every day of the week.
The Civi feels like a toy in comparison.
A zip tie doesn't come close to leveling the playing field.
The only other areas where these knives might not be so similar is how they carry in the pocket and the grip of the G10. I haven't held the Black Talon 2 yet so I can't say for sure, but based on other CS knives, I'd assume the G10 is a bit grippier and it rides a bit wider in the pocket. Based on that with the ease of touching up the VG10 Spyderedge and the familiarity of the Spydiehole, I'd probably go with the Civilian. I'm a huge fan of Carpenter's steels, but, in agreement with you, for a knife like this I can't put enough stock in that.
Darth Scissorhands
As someone that owns both, the Civi seems like a cheap toy compared to the fit, finish, materials, workmanship. ergonomics, etc... of the BT II, not to mention the BTII uses better steel and comes in at about $110 compared to $165+ for the Civi.
If you compare the price to what you get then the cs is faaar superior
I would take the comfortable to use Spyderco lock over the hard to press Triad lock. The Spyderco is stronger than any regular person could ever need.
+zunedog31
Hard to press Triad lock?
Not mine.
I agree that the Triad lock is overkill, but as an owner of both I can say that the BT II is a far better knife.
I have a couple Spyderco knives; Compare that to nearly two dozen Cold Steel offerings
The civilian wins in looks for me but the bt is superior in functionality. I lightly dropped my civilian and it burred the tip, not enough to notice or make a difference but it bugs the shit out of me. Too fragile
I own both of these 🔪 the cold steel just feels so much more rugged and the tip is much more reinforced I still love the civilian and it's a nasty 🔪 but for a cheaper price I would definitely go with the cold steel
But right now I carry the Spyderco matriarch 2 & a Cold steel recon 1 the matriarch does not cut anything that's only for human use God forbid I ever have to use it.
whats better for bottle cutting, serrated or plain edge on the black talon 2?
+mackan6851 Both, I think, but I'd go with the serrated.
4:30 look at the way the light catches the serrades on the Spyderco!
Just on the point of not a lot of force being applied to the rear mechanism of the knife, what a lot of people don't realise is that in a self defence situation in the home when swinging a knife back and fourth the back of the blade can strike a wall or similar object. It's actually not super common but there are many cases in law enforcement where a defender has used a folder, hit a wall and the mechanism has stuffed up causing you to have an expensive paper weight. Now this would be more likely given both these knives are tailored to self defence so I would honestly take the triad lock any day! Unfortunately this isn't something most people think about as it's not something you hear a lot of unless your a frontline LEO whos been around the tracks. I agree the skill of the user is a considerable decider in how a knife works however no amount of training is ever a guarantee against unforseen circumstances. Even the most highly trained individuals can be severely injured by a simple mistake or situation beyond their control. When it's a knife solely designed to be used in defence I would have to say lock mechanisms rate highly on a list of concerns and you should take any advantage you can get. We train our soldiers highly and don't provide them with second rate weapons, they are the best and they get the very best to enhance their capabilities so why take any chances when it's your life on the line.
Awesome Thank you. I think the Cold Steel Serrations are more specialized for cutting flesh with those smaller multiple rises. Both will cut cher' peckie off in one swipe, no doubt, but i honestly think that's what they had in mind with them.
... and that's how they do the serrations on all of their knives that have serrations.
Good luck sharpening the cold steel ones that you'll actually need to since the knife (tip in particular) is robust enough that most will use it outside its intended use (pure SD) which would almost irreversibly blunt the serrationsas they are too small to sharpen properly.
@@fooferutter3001 anyone with skill, experience, and proper equipment can sharpen them. If they couldn’t be sharpened, they wouldn’t be on the blade to begin with. You could also reprofile them any way you’d like.
Those are most certainly two savage weapons, and a fair comparrison. But I was wondering. Which would be the easiest to remove from the pocket ? All the opening speed in the world will not help you if the thing is a sod to get out of your pocket. I'm not talking " the fastest draw in the west " ( getting it out at panic speed may well end up with a fumble and drop ) type thing, just how easy is it to get into your hand. from your pocket.
zednotzee7
The BT II has a "wave" style opening which is lightning fast. The thumb plate catches against the corner of your pants pocket as you pull the knife out of your pocket instantly deploying the blade.
I wasn't a big fan of "wave" style openings until the BT II but now, I wouldn't open it any other way.
It takes a bit of practice but it's well worth it.
Just be sure to practice, practice, practice and you'll extract the knife from your pocket with the blade deployed in the blink of an eye.
I can't speak for the Civ, don't own one. But it's hard to beat the BT II. Really unbeatable by non-wave opening blades.
Let me know when Mtech has a $20 Xtrem version of this blade. They will add an assist and it will be 3.75 inches. $100 plus is not my price point. Good video!
Heith Miller Tac Force does have something sort of like that, it is item number TF-816. It is a Tom Anderson Claw with flipper and assist.
Thanks I looked it up and remembered a bear claw assisted you did a review on. Amazon had this for $15 Whetstone Cutlery Bill Blade Stainless Steel Folding Knife. Looks similar will add to wishlist. The wish list of the grim reaper LOL!
Heith Miller
you can by a spyderco matriarch for $75 or so, it has the same S shaped blade but with frn handles instead of g10
+kerpal321
The BT II is $100 and is a much better knife.
phpeters87
i have the BT2 and while i like it, i prefer the spyderco civilian and matriarch more. the civilian is my favorite of all the three, the reason i like it more is because it has a sleeker profile with no sharp edges that could catch on anything. i like the spyderhole better than the thumbplate too.
I was gonna order the Talon today and BladeHQ is out of stock, Knifecenter doesn't have it in yet either, dammit
DShiflet01 The same things always happens with knives like this, people say OMG no one can carry that it is too scary, and then it sells out LOL.
Haha, so true. Luckily, Amazon came to my rescue, and one of these(along with an Imacasa, because hey, you can never have too many machetes) should be on it's way to me soon!
I dont know if anyone has made this observation but these blade shapes are kind of a reverse CS vaquero shape tip giving preferance to the vaquero based on its thrusting advantage. Its more of a stabber.
Hi, thanks for doing this video , answer my question. What about prices ? Black talon is cheaper ? Greetings from Brazil
***** Yes the Black Talon II is a little cheaper, it is about $110 here, not sure how much the Civilian is, currently, but it's more expensive.
4:05 what do u mean "wave opened"?
Tor Gaymer it automatically opens as you pull out the knife in your pocket. it is the fastest pocket knife opening mechanism which is crucial in a self defense situation.
Gotta buy both 😊
Isn't that s curve blade Indonesian?
I miss my old spyderco so I'm going to try to get the civilian but might have to stick with getting the matriarch 2
The civilian cost more than twice as much 😭
After years of experience w both of these blades and other similar spyderco and cold steel products I gotta say these two aren't even in the same ballpark. They look great upon first impression but after years of use I gotta say the Spyderco holds up 10x better to wear and tear than the Cold Steel does. The grip material is better on the Spyderco, the steel is miles higher quality and won't rust nearly as easily as the cold steel alloy does.
I'd say about the only advantage that Cold Steel has over Spyderco is the strength of the locking mechanism. That triple point lock is super duper effective and seems to be damn near indestructible by hand force. But other than that, the Spyderco is leagues better.
Hi, I've seen some videos on RUclips showing China replicas of the Civilian. These replicas are very close to the real one. Apparently the only way to determine its authenticity is by the G-10. Personally the Civilian is the only knife I own with the G-10. Can you do a video showing the difference between real and fake G-10. I payed quite a bit for my Civilian and want to know if I got bamboozled.
Hume820
Fake Civi's rarely come with one liner, and if they do they aren't drilled or beveled, the pocket clip is different, the Spyderco logo is "off" the blade curve is not correct, the G-10 is off, the lanyard hole is usually the wrong size and in the wrong location, the screws are incorrect, etc...go to alibaba and see for yourself.
There are large variations with the fake Spyderco Civilian knives and some seem reasonably well made. Some are single and some are double liner. They often need some finishing work to function smoothly. The great unknown is quality and materials. For blades, the heat treatment is very critical. Done wrong will make the blade either too brittle and breakage or too soft and subject to bending. The locks can break if done wrong. Chinese factories can be good or bad, consistent or inconsistent. Either can be bad, especially when survival matters. There are some excellent Chinese knives, but they make fakes of those too. If quality and predictably reliable function is important, deal with authorized dealers and be prepared to pay for the real thing.
The tie breaker for me is another Spyderco in my collection is always a good thing. Something to consider (there must be a reason) In verygood-pristine condition with the box, you could always get $140ish for it on E*Bay. The C.S.? no way. Spyderco will always have that advantage. I like C.S., but I love Spyderco. I'll just buy one, get the other as a gift someday. Otherwise; Saw a good quote recently: "Life is too short to carry an ugly knife, and too ugly to carry a short one."
***** Yes Spyderco has always been in my top 3 production knife companies.
the Cs is a superior knife, Tri-Ad, Jimping, Emerson wave, Plate, opening, etc...
The Civi feels like a toy in my hand and the CTS/XHP is better as the tip of the civi cbroke quite easily.
Mad Stork a knife is a cutting tool so the looks doesn't really matter since it will stay inside your pocket 90% of the time. what you need is durable and something you can rely on when it comes to tools. these knives are defensive tool so CS have better steel, lock, fast opening. Aesthetic will not help you increase your survival rate.
New video.. revisit top self defense folders.
Definitely a popular request nowadays, the population feels tense and unsafe!
Tenho uma dessa muito boa
The best fighting skill is running :)
***** If you can, sure. You should never use a knife on someone unless you have no other choice, or you'll be in a world of legal problems. lol
***** I hear this comment about just running away all the time, but I don't think it is very realistic. 60% of America is obese. Another 20% is overweight, but not obese. Of the remaining 20%, a lot of them are kids with short legs or skinny people who don't have large leg muscles for sprinting, like all these girls who starve themselves. Even athletes often sprain an ankle or pull a muscle if they burst into a sprint without stretching and warming up. Many of my subscribers are veterans or blue collar workers, they often have repetitive use injuries from 20 years of physical work, or injuries from being in combat, so again, they are not out-sprinting some young thug. You also need to know where you are running to, criminals attack in their home turf. You also might be with someone you don't want to leave behind, like your wife or kids, so running there is not an option.
WeAllJuggleKnives but that also means the attackers are likely obese or overweight. but if you are obese or overweight and you see slim and muscular people around you then better get a knife or a gun or anything for self defense.
@@WeAllJuggleKnives I agree with you.
Hi from Serbia
If you can. In the event that you can't, I would want one of these.
I think the chances are high that 'force will be applied to the spine' of these knives if they're actually used in a deadly fight, as presumably they're designed to be used. Yeah, you're not trying to stab/thrust with it, but in the chaos of a fight, who knows what might happen?
JulianZeezer The person who has a better reaction time and seizes the initiative knows what's going to happen. But, I realize that a person could just be up against a superior fighter who turns that around on them. This brings up that philosophical question of how you beat someone whose athletic and fighting skills are technically better than yours? It's an interesting question. I won't blame the lock on the knife if someone simply outfights me, gets me in some sort of disadvantaged position where I'm not even able to bring the edge or tip to bear. Bad things can happen for sure. Some badass might make you eat your own knife LOL. But if that stuff begins to happen, there ain't no physical modifications to the knife that will really save ya.
WeAllJuggleKnives if there is a chance that the knife will hit the wall, floor, or anything hard then triad lock wins.
The Talon II is more closely compared to the Matriarch II Wave.
I think he compared the two because of the similarity in size.
Though I prefer the Black Talon since I think it's more durable and reliable, I find the Spyderco definitely has a more sinister appearance due to the slimmer tip and more pronounced serrations, but for me it's not worth the outrageous price tag compared to the Cold Steel, it has no performance gain for the price difference.
I think more people are watching this video lately, the crisis seems to me getting more people thinking about personal protection! The sporting goods store near me sold out of almost all its guns last week. The Talon will definitely help during any close encounters!
True that. I thought i'm done with tactical, been having knives for edc, utility, bush crafts.. the "current situation" sucked me back to tactical.. you've done great reviews, it makes it easier to decide.
The BT II makes the Civil seem like a toy.
The BT II costs much less as well.
I own both simply because I'm a collector. I use the BT II as an alternating EDC. The civilian hasn't earned my trust for self defense. It seems rather flimsy comparatively.
So its a tactical slashing only knife? At least u won't kill the attacker too fast just cut them up since stabbing is much more lethal... Isn't a nice pointy knife for tactical/self defense a better option tho?
+emwu1988 - Well yes, stabbing is more lethal, if that is the main priority.
Slashing is more effective to extract yourself from a dangerous situation.
Plus you have to get close enough to get stabbed to stab someone.
+phpeters87 good point, starting to see why they made this blade now
+emwu1988 The Spyderco Civilian actually has a neat back story. It was designed for plain-clothes LEOs that couldn't carry a gun....and they didn't really have a lot of knife training. So it was something that would be easy for a novice to cause major damage with basic slashing. All of this would carry over to the Talon, I would think.
The psychological edge when someone is cut open is huge. I've seen people go into shock, and drop just from freight. Slashing, or even nicking an artery spells death for the opponent. Femoral, carotid, jugular, arteries, are lethal wounds. I've seen a face sliced open to where his cheeks looked like sliced up pancakes. Someone puts their hand inside your car door, and you slice across his cables, his hand is finished. These 3 things are vital for defense/attack: 1) speed 2) knowledge 3) strength I personally like the fixed blades, but here in Noo Yawrk, I can carry unlimited inches with a folder as long as it is not gravity assist, or spring assist. However, the fixed blade must be under 4", and that is NOT the edge, it is the overall length of the blade. I'm not taking away from stabbing at all. I am a jujitsu black belt. Anyone risking their neck to stab me will most probably meet their maker right then; sucker stabbing notwithstanding. I was a body guard in US Military Service.
Cold Steel serrations are way better because Spiderco serrations get clogged up because their to wide and the cuts not a smooth as the Cold Steel
Can you do a meat cut test?
Check out Cold Steel's knife test on the Talon 2. It's a awesome knife🔪🔪.
I'm a hardcore spyderco fan ,but.......... If I had to choose one based on durability it would be the coldsteel. I've heard too many people complain about snapping the tip on the civilian.
+workingclassless84
Tip on mine is broken. Not sure how it even happened.
The steel used on the civilian known as "VG-10 steel" is prone to chipping easier. You can research it. For some reason Spydeco chose the only steel on a knife with such a thin tip that is the easiest to chip but easier to keep sharp and rust resistant.
My kind of review of a kind of blade I love! Excellent job as usual! Of course, and above all, good fighting skills are always essential, no matter the knife you have... ;-)
Sharp Chronofighter thanks, I hear that!
Why wouldn't you want the strongest lock possible?
because in theory this knife isnt something you would ever use until you were in a situation where your life was in danger. the original spyderco civilian was created for undercover police who coudnt carry a gun, it was specifically designed to be light, easy to conceal and carry, and meant to basically be used only once as the tip is honed down to a very fine needle point and would most likely be broken or bent after being used in a self defense situation. the cold steel version misses the point of the original by giving the knife too many edges that could snag on clothes or something in the middle of a fight while you can see the civilian has smoother surfaces to facilitate a smoother deployment. however, the cold steel version comes with a much thicker and stronger tip which does make the knife more usable for regular work tasks. buy both
I've always wanted a Civilian, but I can't justify buying one. I always go with something more EDC once I have the cash set aside.
The Civilian is cool, but you are right it is not a necessity, I think its gotten even more expensive since years ago when I got one.
WeAllJuggleKnives the Spyderco civilian is one nasty blade not designed for EDC chores/work. It serves only one purpose, which is to end someone in a defensive encounter.
Yeah that's true, it would probably scare the bejesus out of people at work :]
Black talon is literally less than half the price of the civilian.
So what would this knife be used for? Is there any reason for the curved edge? Thanks
cut through flesh easier.
it's the only purpose if thus knife
It all comes down to your knife company preference. I saw in those Cold Steel tests of the Tri-Ad lock Spyderco fans saying that although the lock from Cold Steel is stronger the Spyderco that was being tested was better in any other way. So if you are a Spyderco fan, you gonna get the Civilian. If you are a Cold Steel fan you gonna prefer the Black Talon II. I am a Cold Steel guy but I became a Cold Steel fan after logically realizing that Cold Steel is better as I believe that the most important part of the folder is the lock. I don't buy at all these arguments of people saying that the lock doesn't have to be so strong. The people who normally say this are the same who buy tactical folders with liner locks which are ridiculous weak. Saying that you can have a knife with a weak lock as long as you have technic is the same of saying that you don't commit mistakes. I agree that a man with skills is more deadly with a liner lock than the Tri-Ad lock but we are arguing here which is the best folder and for me personally the Black Talon II is everything that the Civilian is not.
PowerMadHeadBanger I hear ya! People used to use slipjoints as fighters in the old west times, Spanish Navajas
Damn, I'd hate to sharpen either of them. The blades look more like steak knives than pocket knives.
The Spyderco Civilian is truly surgical where the Cold Steel Black Talon II is super tough and durable and will hold up in any combat situation for sure!
Spyderco looks much better. And the original. The other one is a copy.
Cold Steel is a "Monster"!!
Built like a tank, way stronger better knife over all. It may be bigger, but it is very thin and fits in pocket amazingly. Check out Cold Steel's brutal Talon hard test🔪🔪.
I'd like to see that design (from either company) with:
1) Plain Edge (or Licensed shallow _Veff_ serrations like the CRKT Heiho)
2) Karambit configuration
3) Better fucking pocket clip!!!
Cold steel makes a plain edge one
Otac Yeah, I just saw that. Still wish they would make a karambit variant with the S-blade, and get thier shit together with pocket clips. Spyderco does it right, why is it so fucking hard for everyone else? Kershaw clips look like they were designed in the 80's, Benchmade loves their phallic design, CRKT is just all over the place, and Cold Steel is famous for the "I can't get it in or out of my pocket" style, and it looks like they made a fat version of the BM clip on this one.
Otac Spyderco also used to make a plain edged Civilian but they were very rare-good luck finding one without breaking the bank!
+Peachy Keen
1) CS makes the BT II in a Plain Edge as well.
2) They also make a 3" Karambit with the XHP steel, although the name escapes me right now. I believe it is called the"Tiger Claw"
3) The Pocket Clip is very stiff. Quick way to adjust it is to slide one credit card under the clip, then a 2nd credit card. Pull back both cards upwards about 45 degrees and hold for a second or two.
Clip should now be slightly bent with a tiny gap between the clip and the G-10 handle allowing you to use it the way it was intended.
phpeters87 you are so right sir.. plusi actually like that the pocket clip is stiff beacause that way i am sure it won´t fall of my pocket. and while riding the subway i know it can´t be stolen from me. without noticing.
I purchased a Civilian on ebay about 5 years ago, for a very good price, later, when the clip broke off, I send it in to spyderco for repair and was told that it was a fake and they could get me a "nice" discount on "certain" knives, if they kept the fake. The discount did not justify the fake knife being destroyed, so I asked it be sent back to me. I am more of a Benchmade Fan, but I do love Spyderco. I recently found out about the Matriarch 2, so I purchased that one and compared it to the civilian. I preferred to get the Spyderco Matriarch 2 Signature Knife for $135 vs Spyderco Civilian Utility Knife with for $214.
Matriarch 2 Signature Knife review: ruclips.net/video/cJImk6kuJLE/видео.html
I might look at the cold steel for $95, since I am a "somewhat" knife collector.
I once ordered a Spyderco Tenacious, about 12 years ago. I ended up getting sent a probably fake ParaMilitary2!
great video, i think i prefer the spyderco civilian
I love the cold steel for killing “hogs” it really gets them in the neckline
huge cost difference. huge
Love me some cold steel. Don’t leave home without my big rajah 2.
the serrations on the CS look like kitchen knife
skills......I have no skills. I LIKE THEM FOR EMERGENCY rope cutting, like my tiger claw from COLD STEEL. Spyderco's are like women, Cold steel is like a hairy construction, hard hat dude.
Cold Steel makes great knives but their pocket clips are not very functional.
Cold steel💪👍
Cold steel serrations are more easy to break
The Black Talon II is sexier IMHO.
Good review il get both knives now I already got the cold steel I live across the pond Wales bro
The Spyderco Civilian is so fragile. I snapped the tip off mine the first time I used it at work to cut carpet. Not a good design or blade shape.
Yeah the tips can definitely break, Spyderco includes a little warning label with them now.
That's because it was made to cut people not carpet lol
Cutting carpet with the civilian? Are you mad? 😂
No way should these obscenities be allowed on the civilian market.
It’s literally called the civilian, of course we should have access to them. Criminals don’t follow laws, so we should all be able to protect ourselves by any means necessary. It’s not the weapon that makes a person dangerous, it’s the mind.
@@erickeating5709 That obscenity is not and never will be an appropriate edc .
If you need to carry that monstrosity to feel safe then I feel sorry for you.
Spyderco for the win. That other knife is a joke. The only “black talon” ill be carrying are the ones in my magazines.
Yes especially since Cold Steel changed ownership. I have a problem with a newer one and they don't answer and phone calls and leaving a message on their web site is again a waste of time. No more Cold Steel knives for me.
C'mon, you know COLD STEEL is the strongman of whackin shit! I prefer the CS black talon ll....I gotta have a big handle. My serrated CS TIGER CLAW, NEEDS A FRIEND in the other pocket. The CTS-XHP is great on the tiger claw. I made a special strop for touching up my tiger claw. A 2'' round strop. works great. I use these for cutting ropes in a emergency. ''its what I tell people'., the truth is, ME, these knives and my Mossberg 12 gauge are waiting for BLM & ANTIFA to come into my property. 🚷🚷
At least you didn't get political LOL
Cold steel; beefier and costs less plus built better.
They must have put it on sale, lots of people watching this old video lately :]
i just hate how immensly popular spyderco is. So is cold stell, but at least cold steel demonstrates their products, you juat mentioned how spyderco put in a warning label so as to not use the tip. You'll never hear cold steel saying that. Their motto is basically, yea, go ahead an try to break it. Which you did break one of their knives at one point, but it wasn't a fixed blade, and was used in a way where it probably wasn't meant to be used. Although at the same time, why market somethingbin a way where its seemed almost "indestructable", if it does have its limits? I still just really dislike spyderco, and would much rather go with cold steel. Spyderco seems plain, boring, all of their products look the same, just with a different handle, cold steel has a huge variety of different knives. Although, they do seem to overcompensate and make their knives bigger then usual, which may not always be a good thing for all people, especially those with smaller hands, but at least they have variable sizes. For somebreason, many people hate on cold steel, and are addicted and just LOVE spyderco, and i juat dont know why. Marketing wise, i never even heard of them years ago when i finally found out about them. I felt as though i was late to the party. I feel like the only guy in the world who just plain out jates spyderco. This is something i had to get off my chest for the longest. Sorry, but in every knife video, there is always everyone praising that damn knife, rarely saying anything bad about it, its like the john cena of knives, i hate it, and im tired of hearing about it every channel i go to. Sorry for venting.
Christopher cruz I've accidentally plowed the tip of the Black Talon into railings and cutting stands, and it wasn't damaged at all!
Its my own ignorant opinion, of course, i dont own either of them, since i am on a tight budget, so maybe i shouldnt talk unless i have experiance with them both. But if anything, i would probably have a better chance owning a coldsteel, since their price ranges would benifit me. Spyderco is marketed as light to medium duty, long lasting knives, but are they ever used for heavy duty stuff? Cold Steel is. Idk, my opinion may change over time until i aquire both an experiance for myself. Cold steel is my choice for heavy use. Whatever that may be.
But i never did say spyderco was a shitty knife. I'll give credit where credit is due. Spyderco is a beast of a life. I just prefer variety.
Mr 617 spyderco offers more variety than most companies. Have you seen their variety in steels? They offer many different locks and blade shapes as well
Once again Cold Steel does it better
BT 2 is 0.5 mm thiker than Civilian
+ stronger tip
Nuff said.
100% talon
I have both of those knives & the cold steel is far superior with the locking mechanism & the blade is so much more thick on the opposite side of the blade so much more rugged! Imo tho but civilian is definitely the original & 1 badass knife but for 1/2 the price Cold Steel all day especially with the cts-xhp steel. 😁
I've had a Spyderco police for like 25 years still in perfect condition because I liked it so much I never used it but I've had that lock fail on me just piddling around doing stupid stuff I love Spyderco but using the civilian you would not run into that problem because it's more of a swiper but I have a bunch of cold steel knives with Triad lock & never failed me 1 time! just my opinion I honestly saying Cold Steel is a superior knife because everything else is so similar but the locking mechanism is extremely important if you care to keep your fingers
Cold Steel- Making all other knives obsolete!