[MatthewVanitas]

Am glancing around to see what products compete with the Spyderco Street Beat (Perrin design).

http://knifeoutlet.com/shop/products/spyfb15p.jpg

The main one that comes to mind is Anza, which has the same sort of "notch to serve as a guard" as the Spyderco. Actually, they seem to be almost the same knife...

http://store.anzaknivesonline.com/catalog/2-3%20ruler.jpg

Any other mini-bowies, sub 8", sub $150, that I should look at?

[hso]

MV,

I'm thinking about another group buy for a custom. It would be one of Gary Wheeler's smallish "chute" knives. It could be in the $150 price range. Hand forged, dif heat treat, hand made sheath. A dozen or so and I bet I could drive the price down into that range.

[MatthewVanitas]

hso, got any specs or pics of those Wheelers? Google isn't giving me much, just lots of Loveless chute knives.

I'm still pondering the Entrek Lynx as well, but might keep that as a backup to a larger knife. I like folders for Stateside EDC carry (BM Mini-Grip in pocket, Douk-Douk on keychain), but if I'm going overseas I want something with no moving parts.


Oh, and is there a technical term for the "notch that serves as a guard"? It's like an anti-guard, but fulfills the same purpose.

[hso]

choil

[Never No More]

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/images/KN4204.jpg


http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2390

I have the full size version. This mini at $120

BTW Searles made Jim Bowies first knives

[MatthewVanitas]

@ Never No More: I guess "mini" is pretty relative when it comes to Bowies!

The critter you posted has a 7" blade, I was thinking something under 8" overall. Pretty neat knife though!


The Short Ka-Bar series is really cool, though a couple inches bigger than my goal. This new "recurve" blade shape is pretty cool though:

https://www.kabar.com/images/1253_large.jpg

If there were something like this, but about 7" OAL, that'd be awfully cool.

One of these would be pretty awesome with good grips, and if only it had a more prominent hilt:
http://i17.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/9b/19/6d31_1.JPG


Of course, at this point we're well beyond utility, in terms of pickiness, and have moved on to full gear-queer status. But window-shopping is fun, and I'll be able to justify at least one or two really nice knife purchases when I land my next job.

[MatthewVanitas]

Some of the BladeForums folks mentioned Ray Laconico for trad-style baby bowies. Now this is pretty awesome, 9.5" OAL:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1091532/sb2.JPG

[hso]

Price?

[MatthewVanitas]

Most of his stuff is between $125 and $200. I think the above one was $145. EDIT: the above was the "Southwestern Baby Bowie", and sold for $200.

I did some measuring of my hand vs. a butter knife, using a 3x5" card as a ruler. I'm thinking that 3.5" is plenty of grip for my small paw. Add a hilt and then about 3.5" of blade, and the whole package is barely 7".

A cross between the SW Baby Bowie and his EDC knife would be pretty close:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=72288&d=1179524136


Make it out of decent steel, coffin grip, not too chunky in the blade, and solid wood or micarta on the scales. I'm going to dig around for a week or so for more possibilities, after which I might have to PM this gentleman and see if he'll consider a custom piece for overseas work.

[rugerfreak]

Bark River Clip Point Skinner


Benchmade 201-----sort of

[MatthewVanitas]

I posted a similar question on BFC, and Sal himself (the owner of Spyderco) dropped in and explained why he thought the Street Beat was an outstanding product. It was a pretty convincing writeup, so I'm giving the Street Beat a pretty hard look now.

I've heard mixed things about the sheath, but that's replaceable. Every review I've read of the actual blade says that it's top components, great design, and perfect balance. I believe one guy said it will balance on his finger if placed in the choil.

To one degree, it's tempting to try and get something custom and unique if I'm going to spend $150. However, if the Spydie SB is an outstanding design with great materials, why mess around?

This will take a few days' pondering. Still thinking on the EnTrek Lynx as a backup.