Spyderco Matriarch 2 – Review – 2024
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Here’s a sturdy, sharp, and easy-to-carry knife to protect you from imminent dangers up ahead!
We went all over the market to find the best self-defense tool. And guess what we ran into? There’s the Matriarch 2 by one of the most famous knife brands on the planet – Spyderco!
In this comprehensive review, we’ll tell you why it’s our Editor’s Choice. And also, we’ll get into detail about:
- This knife’s weight, length, features, and other specifications;
- Its advantages and the few things we think it can improve upon;
- The specific reasons why we gave it perfect scores on almost all of the metrics – except one; and
- Lots more…
If you’re wondering if a lightweight knife that needs to be unfolded can protect you, you’re in for a treat with this guide.
Careful now!
The sword is drawn…
Table Of Contents
Table of Contents
Recent posts
Categories
Editor’s Choice Award
SPYDERCO MATRIARCH 2
- Manufacturer: Spyderco
- Blade Style: Serrated steel blade with Emerson opening
- Blade Length: 3.57 inches
- Weight: 3.6oz (102g)
- Handle Material: Fiberglass reinforced nylon
- Style: Emerson opener- steel blade
Bottom Line: Called the self defense EDC blades, this Matriarch 2 folding knife is lightweight, easy to deploy, and very intimidating and scary-looking to boot.
Pros
- The handle construction is lightweight
- Scientifically designed to achieve maximum cutting performance
- With an easy and sturdy back lock mechanism
- Ambidextrous design means speedy deployment in either hand
- With a hook on the spine of the blade with an integral hook
- Scary-looking
- Excellently reputed brand
Cons
- You need to be careful with the Emerson opener as it can open in your pockets if deployed incorrectly
- You can’t use it for utility purposes (but why would you?)
Our Verdict – Spyderco Matriarch 2:
A woman needs her EDC knife, doesn’t she? Spyderco has the perfect self-defense weapon for women who want to protect themselves without hurting themselves – and still look stylish!
Meet the Matriarch 2 by Spyderco…
It’s our Editor’s Choice because it towered over the other self-defense knives we found on the market.
No, it’s not the cheapest, but every penny spent on it would be worth it!
From blade to handle material, the quality of this knife is unmatched.
Specifically, we mean…
The knife’s unique design makes it a high-quality defensive blade. It’s lightweight, balanced, and razor-sharp.
And its reverse S blade shape is made to maximize cutting performance. Dependable and effective, I tell you!
To elaborate…
It’s small and light, but the blade design sets it apart from a utility knife because of its serrated edge.
And compared to earlier blades of the same brand, this one has an Emerson opener. It means a small hook on the spine for faster deployment.
But despite the “renovations”…
The classic and vital features are still there.
Namely, the reliable pocket clip and the trademark round hole allow you to carry the knife however you want.
You can either put it in your pocket or secure it with the pocket clip. But if you’re afraid of its tendency to snap open and hurt your fingers accidentally, you can secure it with a lanyard and carry it around your neck.
That’s a sure way to intimidate potential attackers!
And by the way…
Don’t worry if you’re left or right-handed. This knife has an ambidextrous locking and deployment system.
Just carry and pull it whichever way you’re comfortable with, and you’re good to go.
Overall…
Whether you’re law enforcement or civilian – this is the self-defense tool for you.
And if you’re a woman – or you know a lady who needs a little protection – a knife that looks a bit scary would be perfect. And Spyderco Matriarch 2 surely fits the bill!
Our Analysis. Comparisons & Test Results
Value for Money Rating
As mentioned before…
The Matriarch 2 isn’t the cheapest on the market nor this list. But we still gave it the perfect score on value for money because of the overall quality of the knife.
It still exceeded our expectations.
First of all…
There’s the overall design. Every detail about the Matriarch 2 is made for convenience, comfort, and effectiveness of its intended use.
It has features that aren’t in other knives we bought. It also performs well when it comes to cutting, slicing, and other things that knives do. And you can’t deny it – it’s stylish too!
We’ll get into more details about those in each metric…
The important thing is that…
The Matriarch 2 will last you ages.
You don’t have to sharpen it all the time, and the blade and handle won’t easily get damaged. So, in the end, you’ll find that you actually saved a few bucks!
SPYDERCO MATRIARCH 2
FOX KNIVES FOLDING KARAMBIT
Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Pocket Knife
SOG SEAL Pup Elite Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
Clever Girl Straight Edge Knife
Spyderco Harpy Single Blade
Benchmade Turret 980 EDC
Fox Knives G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave
Cold Steel Black Talon 2
Blade Quality
The Matriarch 2 has a 3.57-inch alloy steel blade designed for form and function.
The reverse S blade shape has a robust tip and serrated edge. We’ll talk about the other features later.
For now…
Let’s just admire how strong and tough the blade material is. You can see its quality in its clean and smooth finish.
But the real test is when you use it. Well, we did. And it cuts through different materials so easily.
Don’t worry – we didn’t hurt anyone. But be sure that when someone comes at you, this blade will be able to protect you.
Aside from that…
The blade won’t rust easily even after it gets exposed to moisture. Just make sure that it’s clean and dry when you put it away so you won’t tempt corrosion.
This is a very important trait because the sharpness and overall appearance of the knife will be affected by rust.
And on top of that…
The blade’s edge is strong enough to withstand some light work. You’ll find it as good as new after using it – with maybe a few scratches, but no chipping off at all.
You’ll also find it has excellent edge retention. It doesn’t need to be sharpened as often as other brands do.
SPYDERCO MATRIARCH 2
SOG SEAL Pup Elite Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
FOX KNIVES FOLDING KARAMBIT
Spyderco Harpy Single Blade
Fox Knives G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave
Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Pocket Knife
Clever Girl Straight Edge Knife
Cold Steel Black Talon 2
Benchmade Turret 980 EDC
KA-BAR TDI
Features
As promised…
We’re now here to talk about Matriarch 2’s features. It has many – some of them we haven’t found in other brands as we said before. And all of them make this knife even handier.
Namely…
The pocket clip. This knife has a four-position clip that allows you to secure it in your pocket. You don’t have to worry about losing your protective tool.
And if you’re not a pocket clip fan, you can make use of the lanyard hole or the trademark spyder hole at the blade.
By the way…
That thumb hole has a very specific purpose. It’s like the Emerson wave opening feature – they’re both put in for a convenient deployment system.
When trouble’s at your doorstep, you don’t want to be caught with half a knife, right? Well, you won’t get into that situation with Matriarch 2 and its thumb hole and Emerson opener. This knife will snap into place safely and quickly!
Plus…
It’s ambidextrous, so whether you’re right or left-handed, this knife is perfect for you!
SPYDERCO MATRIARCH 2
KA-BAR TDI
FOX KNIVES FOLDING KARAMBIT
SOG SEAL Pup Elite Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Pocket Knife
Clever Girl Straight Edge Knife
Cold Steel Black Talon 2
Spyderco Harpy Single Blade
Benchmade Turret 980 EDC
Fox Knives G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave
Handle Quality
When it comes to the handle material, fiberglass-reinforced nylon comes highly recommended. And guess what – that’s exactly what the Matriarch 2 handle is made of!
But why do we recommend it?
That’s because it’s tough and strong yet comfortable to grip. And Spyderco designed the handle so that it won’t slip off your hand when in use.
A convenient grip is the most important thing about the handle if you ask us. It adds to the security that the knife gives as a defense tool.
Moreover…
When it comes to durability, there’s also no question about it.
You may hit something hard with it or accidentally drop it, and you can still pick it up whole. Again, this gives the knife a longer life.
SPYDERCO MATRIARCH 2
FOX KNIVES FOLDING KARAMBIT
Benchmade Turret 980 EDC
Clever Girl Straight Edge Knife
Fox Knives G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave
Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Pocket Knife
KA-BAR TDI
SOG SEAL Pup Elite Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
Cold Steel Black Talon 2
Spyderco Harpy Single Blade
Safety
When it comes to a self-defense tool such as a knife, safety has a lot of requirements.
But, simply put, it should mean that the knife is reliable in hurting the bringer of immediate danger and most definitely not able to hurt even just one of my fingers.
And with the Matriarch 2…
It ticked off both items on the checklist!
With the knife’s sharp blade, firm grip, Emerson wave feature, and your presence of mind, trouble have no chance at all.
There’s only one little thing.
We took a point off this knife’s safety score because, according to other reviews, Matriarch 2 tends to snap open without being triggered.
Based on our experience, it’s unlikely to happen if you’re careful enough to lock it in place. Still, that’s a breach of your peace of mind.
Good thing…
You can choose between two ways to carry it – lanyard or pocket clip. And nothing beats being extra careful around sharp objects.
SPYDERCO MATRIARCH 2
FOX KNIVES FOLDING KARAMBIT
KA-BAR TDI
Clever Girl Straight Edge Knife
Cold Steel Black Talon 2
Fox Knives G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave
Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Pocket Knife
SOG SEAL Pup Elite Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
Spyderco Harpy Single Blade
Benchmade Turret 980 EDC
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q - What is the blade length?
A - The length of this knife’s blade is 3.57 inches.
Q - How is the grip?
A - This knife has an FRN handle. Pair that with its ergonomic shape; you have a nice, firm, and secure grip.
Q - Can it be engraved?
A - Yes, it’s safe to engrave something on the blade without affecting its overall performance.
Q - What kind of blade lock does this have?
A - This knife has a Lockback mechanism. It’s also called a spine lock, which means there’s a notch at the back of the blade where the spine locks in when opened.
Our Final Verdict: Best Self Defense Knives
Now, we laid all the cards on the table. Surely, you get why Matriarch 2 is our Editor’s Choice!
There’s the durability of both the blade and handle, easy deployment, perfectly centered and snug locking mechanism, sharp edge, and high-quality overall design.
That’s why…
Even law enforcement officers recommend this as a self-defense tool!
Final Verdict CHART:
SPYDERCO MATRIARCH 2
FOX KNIVES FOLDING KARAMBIT
Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Pocket Knife
Fox Knives G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave
Spyderco Harpy Single Blade
KA-BAR TDI
SOG SEAL Pup Elite Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
Clever Girl Straight Edge Knife
Benchmade Turret 980 EDC
Cold Steel Black Talon 2
Conclusion: Best Self Defense Knives
Whether you fear for your life… or you’re just a civilian who wants to feel more secure as you walk on the streets…
Get yourself a Spyderco Matriarch 2!
There might be stories about it snapping open and hurting the hand that bought it – that’s a real threat, too, for sure.
But if you’re careful enough, you’ll be able to enjoy its benefits. You can have a sharp blade that retains the edge well, a durable handle with a comfortable grip, and unique features.
See?
There’s no need to pull a gun. A sturdy, small, and lightweight knife would be enough. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it. But if the occasion arises, being prepared might just save your life.
So, be careful out there, buddy!
RELATED: Best Self-Defense Knife (Definitive Review)
Other Versions:
If this is going to be your first Spyderco purchase, you’re in for a treat. This brand is well-known in this field.
In other words…
They offer more products of the same quality, only with different designs.
You might prefer an earlier model, the Spyderco Civilian. It’s intended for undercover law enforcement officers in places with strict protocols.
There’s also the Spyderco Dragonfly 2. It’s smaller than the Spyderco Civilian, though. So, if you consider yourself a big guy – or girl – this might not be your style.
Anyway…
Whatever your standards are, surely there’s a Spyderco knife for you!
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Bug Out Bill is an adventurer and survivor through and through. From the time he was just a little boy (Bug Out Willie) running and jumping through the backwoods of the rocky mountains in Colorado, to the man he is today. Backpacking through South America, scaling two 26,000+ ft peaks, sailing across the Mediterranean, surviving a near death 50 foot fall with very little food while waiting 6 days to be rescued in the wilderness, and everything in between. No wonder he wants to Bug Out, hahaha. BO Bill is truly a passionate outdoorsman when it comes to living life to the fullest with no boundaries. The way we were meant to live and survive. He shares that passion here with you in his writing and sharing. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Bug Out Bill website. . Now Bug Out!
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