Al Mar Back Up 2 or Spyderco Street Beat?

Got a Street Beat about a month ago. Great little knife. I have pretty big paws, so the handle is a little small but other than that I rotate it regularly as my EDC and love it ....Nice deep finger choil. Go for it:thumbup:
 
Fred Perrin and Sal Glesser both know what they're doing when it comes to knives.

As a result, the Street Beat by Spyderco is one of the nicer small production fixed blades available. The linen micarta handles are aesthetically pleasing, while the VG10 blade definitely has some cutting power. It's a pretty sturdy, well thought out design in a compact package.

:thumbup:
 
I'd consider the potentially weak tang on the Street Beat if it's meant for any hard use.
 
Depends on you and the intended usage, really. They are both nice knives. The hawksbill blade of the Backup 2 is touted as one of the better SD blade styles in untrained hands which might make it a better choice than the Street Beat if you are looking for SD capacity but don't have any particular training. On the other and, for non-SD uses, the clip blade of the Street Beat is a much better choice for EDC chores.

The handle shape of the Street Beat locks into your hand very nicely, offering supperior weapon retention in a fight but might be somewhat limiting to a blade forward, edge down presentation. On the other hand the more generic handle on the Backup 2 might not be as ultimatly secure, but it should make it more comfortable in a variety of different grips promoted by some close combat specialists.

Personally, I would chose the Spyderco but I could not find fault in someone else chosing the Al Mar.

J_Curd said:
I'd consider the potentially weak tang on the Street Beat if it's meant for any hard use.
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Don't batton with it, and you should be fine. :p
 
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I would like to see some stress tests on the Spyderco, I would be nervous trusting that thin tang. The last thing I want to do is rely on a potentionally weak knife when SHTF.
 
FOR NOW, Get the Street beat. It's Discontinued and getting Harder to get. then down the road get the Almar.
 
Sputnic said:
FOR NOW, Get the Street beat. It's Discontinued and getting Harder to get. then down the road get the Almar.
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Probably mean the perrin bowie?

Is discontinued quite some time but Spyderco made (makes?) a new run with black blades and green/black handle for Perrin

spyderco_fred_perrin_bowie_t.800.jpg
 
Hi J Curd,

I would be curious as to why you would think the Street Beat had a "weak tang". 4.0mm thick VG-10 X 1/2" thick (the thinnest point) should hold a half ton. I wouldn't want to try to break it without good cover. From where do you get your thoughts?

I will say that both have very high build quality. As to cost, VG-10 is more expensive than AUS-8 to purchase and process.

sal
 
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Its the most narrow area of the entire blade, at the fulcrum point. I'm basing it on pure physics.

1000lbs, thats impressive. Is that how it tested for you?
 
J_Curd said:
Its the most narrow area of the entire blade, at the fulcrum point. I'm basing it on pure physics.

1000lbs, thats impressive. Is that how it tested for you?
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No, we didn't break it. But we have broken quite a few bits of steel. (we have a computerized breaking machine that measures breaks). I'm basing my information on breaking other blades.

As far as "pure" physics go, measure the cross section of a 1000 lb test steel chain.

I don't think you could break a Street Beat at that narrow point.

sal
 
The physics of chain steel and knife steels are kind of apples and oranges...steel type, hardness, design. They would also fail differently...a chains rating is based on tensile strength...I believe a 1000lbs test chain would fail (deform) were you to apply 1000lbs of lateral pressure to one of the links.

But I agree that with the correct material and heat treat, amazing strength can result with little cross sectional area.
 
I guess we'll have to break one at some point. Just to know. The question has not been posed before.

But I don't think I'd refer to it as "weak". Especially for its size.

sal
 
I would like to see some stress tests on the Spyderco, I would be nervous trusting that thin tang. The last thing I want to do is rely on a potentionally weak knife when SHTF.
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WHat Dude???????

It's a 3.5 inch bladed VG-10 CCW Fighter/Slasher MBC Knife. Possibly one of the best designs I've seen. and feels PERFECT. The coil makes a better guard then if it actually had a guard. It's almost un-disarmable. And Great in the kitchen too. You don't have to be a physicist to understand that its not going to break using it in its intended roll. AND BEYOND. I have about a 1/16 piece of chain at the main connection point holding my 120lb heavy bag. Oh I see you already addressed the "Chain" Issue.

I bet it would penetrate a skull numerous times with no damage. maybe a touch-up on the sharp maker.

Probably mean the perrin bowie?

Is discontinued quite some time but Spyderco made (makes?) a new run with black blades and green/black handle for Perrin
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Yeah. You are right. I just thought I read that the Perrin Street beat(Micarta) was a Sprint run or along those lines. Didn't know it was an everyday catalog knife. (Is it an Everyday catalog knife Mr. Glesser?)
Luckily I have both versions, and Both Versions of the Almar back-up. They look GREAT In Magazines pictured with a Kimber .45. But all around the Street beat is about perfect.
 
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