Knife similar to Spyderco Street Beat, but not so durned expensive?

[Planterz]

I had a Street Beat to play with for a week in the Passaround. I loved the knife. Perfectly balanced, and the handles felt like they were custom made just for me. However, I've never purchased one, for three reasons:

1. I wish the blade was just a bit longer.

2. Its $160-170 street price seems disproportionately high for a slab of VG-10 and 2 slabs of micarta, especially compared to other knives with these or similar materials.

3. I've been broke.

Regarding my first trepidation, I'm aware of the Street Bowie, but that's too long for what I want it for. Regarding the second issue, I suspect the high cost is due to extra time/labor it takes to make the handles so round, smooth, and contoured. If it indeed was just 2 slabs of micarta that they glued and pinned to the handles, maybe with some beveling or rounding or "toxifying", I expect the price would have been much lower. Regarding the 3rd problem, I've been planning on finally getting one after I receive my income tax refund. But I'm wondering what else is out there.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Blade no shorter than 3", no longer than 4.5", preferably closer to 4.5".
• Nice and stabby. I don't want a double edge knife, but I want it very pointy. Without getting too "Prac Tac" about it, this is a knife I hope to never use for the reason I'm buying it.
• Not too thick. I plan to carry it IWB, so the thinner the handles are, the better. I'll sacrifice comfort of handling over comfort of carry.
• Some sort of deep finger choil, ring, or other grip feature that makes it very secure in the hand. This is a very important stipulation.
• Not too danged expensive. However, lets just say for the sake of exploring all options that cost isn't an issue.
• Steel that doesn't suck.

The "perfect" knife for me would be a Street Beat's handle with a Tom Krein TK-8 blade.

Thanks.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I can't offer an alternative (although custom may be a viable option), but I have a related question that maybe you can answer.

You mention good steel. I've been wondering... why, on a knife who's sole purpose is SD, is the steel choice (a high end steel) a requisite for people? Just curious because it seems like 440c would be perfect. When you think about it a high end steel seems to only raise the cost of the knife, when it's not really needed. That is unless I'm missing something obvious.

If it's just knife-nut-must-have-best-steel I totally get that.

Also, I've wondered about that choil for years. Since it came out actually. It's comfortable huh? That's interesting. I can see why it would be desirable on a SD knife, but it has always looked ergonomically wrong to me. I guess that's why he's designing these knives and not me.

Now I really want to hold one!

 

[ChrisJS1]

The spyderco street bowie looks to be a good bit cheaper. It has all the stuff you want except the blade is 5"

 

[HoosierQ]

ESEE Izula for about $60...$75 if you get the scales.

 

[Zidfeldts]

The Strret Beat is a great EDC and comfortable to use. I don't see it as a self defense knife but just a useful knife for daily use. I find VG10 to be about perfect for what I need in a knife. YMMV

 

[Vic303]

I'm in the same boat...I loved the SB on the passaround! I can't find anything similar, at a price I can handle. I used to own an Izula, and just never warmed to the knife. And all the scales I have seen for it are too fat, and I suck at making scales. I have a small Cantrell custom skeleton blade knife that I need to make a sheath for, but it too would benefit from scales as I don't really like cordwrapped knives.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

CRKT Crawford/Kasper Dragon has pretty much everything you want, but in a more mediocre steel. If price is really no object you could get the custom version in S30V, but it runs around $450.

 

[Planterz]

I can't offer an alternative (although custom may be a viable option), but I have a related question that maybe you can answer.

You mention good steel. I've been wondering... why, on a knife who's sole purpose is SD, is the steel choice (a high end steel) a requisite for people? Just curious because it seems like 440c would be perfect. When you think about it a high end steel seems to only raise the cost of the knife, when it's not really needed. That is unless I'm missing something obvious.


If it's just knife-nut-must-have-best-steel I totally get that.

I wasn't really specific in my OP. It'll be an EDC knife, and one that gets used for EDC tasks. But any knife can do that. The reason I want to get a knife like the Street Beat (or just get a Street Beat) is that it also has qualities that make it better than others should certain situations arise.

Also, I've wondered about that choil for years. Since it came out actually. It's comfortable huh? That's interesting. I can see why it would be desirable on a SD knife, but it has always looked ergonomically wrong to me. I guess that's why he's designing these knives and not me.

Now I really want to hold one!

Yes, it's very nice to hold. Maybe not as much for bigger hands though. I can't say. But in my hand, the way the choil makes me grip it naturally makes the knife "point", while the curve of the butt end is contoured to fit the base of my palm. Hard to describe, but when I hold that knife, it makes me feel like I'm a knife fighter, even though I know absolutely nothing about it. Makes it comfortable to use for other stuff too, like food prep.

ESEE Izula for about $60...$75 if you get the scales.

Blade is shorter than I want, doesn't have any sort of high-retention grip design, and it's not very stabby (I like pointy knives over ones with big bellies for EDC anyway).

CRKT Crawford/Kasper Dragon has pretty much everything you want, but in a more mediocre steel. If price is really no object you could get the custom version in S30V, but it runs around $450.

That looks interesting. Perhaps a bit long in the handle for IWB carry though. But definitely "high retention", and very stabby. Maybe something I could hang off my backpack strap for my 4am bike rides home from work.

 

[Loki]

If you want cost-effective look at the Mora 511 or 546. You get great steel - 1095 carbon or 12C27 stainless, a good finger guard, very sharp scandi ground and pointy clip-point blade. You can pick these up for between $8 and $12. You can get a custom kydex sheath if the stock sheath doesn't thrill you. These will do anything a Street Beat will do.

 

[BOBO]

Check out Gravelle Knives PCP. Very similar handle, over all length is about the same. Another option is Shadow Tech knives, they have many affordable options that have a deep finger choil, one is the Raptor 1 Lite.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Maybe a Cold Steel Point Guard. I'd get some custom kydex if you go that way, but it's definitely pointy, slim and high retention.

 

[Planterz]

Check out Gravelle Knives PCP. Very similar handle, over all length is about the same.

That's pretty cool. Great price too. But I want longer, not shorter.

Another option is Shadow Tech knives, they have many affordable options that have a deep finger choil, one is the Raptor 1 Lite.

Again, we're going the wrong direction in length. Looks cool though.

I suppose I should mention that I want stainless steel. Carrying IWB in the Tucson heat would turn the knife (or at least the uncoated edge) into rust.

 

[MassMatt]

I second what people say about the choil at the handle. I too thought it looked odd but when you have it in hand it makes sense, the knife feels very lively and secure in the hand. IMO you are paying for the Perrin design and the awesome fit and finish. Rounding everything off etc sounds simple but getting everything perfect costs.

As far as helping the OP I would say the Emerson laGriffe (also a Perrin design) fits many of your criteria but is smaller and less suited for everyday use. The Izula is less expensive and more suited for general use but would still make an excellent small SD weapon.

 

[Planterz]

Maybe a Cold Steel Point Guard. I'd get some custom kydex if you go that way, but it's definitely pointy, slim and high retention.

I've actually come close many times to buying one of those. I have a Spyderco Swick (wharncliffe) lashed to my backpack strap, and have always loved the grip and security of the Swick/SPOT. One thing that bugs me about it though is trying to figure out where my pinky would sit. I've come close to buying a Mini Tac Kiridash many times too. But I have moral issues with Cold Steel, and so have never pulled the trigger on either.

I've also looked at the CRKT Spew and Minimalist. Similar ideas, but they didn't intrigue me enough to replace the Swick on my backpack, or for IWB sheath carry.

 

[dericdesmond]

.

2. Its $160-170 street price seems disproportionately high for a slab of VG-10 and 2 slabs of micarta, especially compared to other knives with these or similar

Ebay sellers Id trust have them for about $142 tyd. Considering msrp is $275 and regular dealers pay about half that plus S&H/fee's if CC used, Id say its a pretty straight deal. Take care of it and once discontinued, if you need, you will be able to get most your $ back if not all and some if you need to sell it. Safe investment imo.

 

[Planterz]

Take care of it and once discontinued, if you need, you will be able to get most your $ back if not all and some if you need to sell it. Safe investment imo.

I admit, I have thought about actually getting 2 of them; one for IWB EDC, and one to lash to my backpack strap. But I figured that I should go with something much cheaper on my backpack, just in case it falls out of its sheath or gets wet from the rain or something (cheaper usually means more rust resistant steel). You're definitely right about them holding their value, especially after being discontinued. I once owned a Ronin, but sold it because I didn't like it. Then it was discontinued, and the value shot up. Ditto my Kumo. Kinda still wish I had the Kumo; laws here are freer than they were when I had mine.

 

[nccole]

I can't offer an alternative (although custom may be a viable option), but I have a related question that maybe you can answer.

You mention good steel. I've been wondering... why, on a knife who's sole purpose is SD, is the steel choice (a high end steel) a requisite for people? Just curious because it seems like 440c would be perfect. When you think about it a high end steel seems to only raise the cost of the knife, when it's not really needed. That is unless I'm missing something obvious.

If it's just knife-nut-must-have-best-steel I totally get that.

Also, I've wondered about that choil for years. Since it came out actually. It's comfortable huh? That's interesting. I can see why it would be desirable on a SD knife, but it has always looked ergonomically wrong to me. I guess that's why he's designing these knives and not me.

Now I really want to hold one!

The reason this particular knife has VG10 is because it is made in Japan. Japanese Spyderco's basically have four different blade steels with Damascus thrown in there. VG10, ZDP-189, H1 (not positive), and Super Blue. Super Blue is not a SS and is a premium, H1 is a specialty no rust steel, and ZDP-189 is a premium steel compared to VG10, so it has the cheapest steel for a Japanese Spyderco knife. Spyderco has not used AUS 8 for years now. I would not consider VG10 a high end steel, more of a middle of the road mainstay. I do see what you mean if it were to only be used for self-defense however. The Japanese do not like to ship out their steel, and do not like to use any steel that is not Japanese.

 

[dericdesmond]

I admit, I have thought about actually getting 2 of them; one for IWB EDC, and one to lash to my backpack strap. But I figured that I should go with something much cheaper on my backpack, just in case it falls out of its sheath or gets wet from the rain or something (cheaper usually means more rust resistant steel). You're definitely right about them holding their value, especially after being discontinued. I once owned a Ronin, but sold it because I didn't like it. Then it was discontinued, and the value shot up. Ditto my Kumo. Kinda still wish I had the Kumo; laws here are freer than they were when I had mine.

Its a custom collab (a much nicer user friendly one IMO) so like the kumo n ronin, it will be desired and certainly not lose any value as long as you buy right when available direct. Just make a point to only actually use one of them if you carry both. I hear ya on worry of it falling out of the sheath as spydercos fixed kydex can be hit or miss as far as retention is concerned. You could always have a custom maker make ya a better one or become friends with one (Id for a beer if lived in IN). Beter yet, buy the stuff to make your own and it will eventually pay for itself I guarantee :thumbup:

 

[Vic303]

http://www.crkt.com/SPEW-Fixed-Blade

Just found this one. Looks promising--like a smaller version of that Kaspar Dragon, or a bastige-child of the Ronin from Spyderco!

 

[Planterz]

The reason this particular knife has VG10 is because it is made in Japan. Japanese Spyderco's basically have four different blade steels with Damascus thrown in there. VG10, ZDP-189, H1 (not positive), and Super Blue. Super Blue is not a SS and is a premium, H1 is a specialty no rust steel, and ZDP-189 is a premium steel compared to VG10, so it has the cheapest steel for a Japanese Spyderco knife. Spyderco has not used AUS 8 for years now. I would not consider VG10 a high end steel, more of a middle of the road mainstay. I do see what you mean if it were to only be used for self-defense however. The Japanese do not like to ship out their steel, and do not like to use any steel that is not Japanese.

Just to be clear, I wasn't referring to VG-10 in my original post when I said "steel that doesn't suck". VG-10 is actually one of my favorite steels. I find it holds an edge well enough for my purposes, and takes little effort for me to get it stupid sharp. I'm very happy with the Street Beat using it (or rather, I will be, if/when I get one).