The "mid-tech" Perrin Street Bowie from Boker is made of SANDVIK 12C27 stainless steel, it is as good or better, in my opinion, than most of the steels currently "in vogue" 12C27 holds a better, sharper edge than S30V, is far easier to sharpen,is tougher, and is a purer steel, (much cleaner-no impurities) Sweden makes the BEST steel in the world, due to the clean iron ore they have in abundance. The Spyderco is VG-10, a great steel, chip resistant, but harder to sharpen than 12C27, and I think doesn't take as sharp an edge. You WILL NOT get a better knife for the money, I own both and LOVE Perrin's design's. I also own a Boker made Perrin "Neck Bowie" and it is THE BEST small hideout knife I have ever had. These mid-techs are available from Laci Szabo, or from France (shipping costs more) The Spyderco is a 5" blade, has a super comfortable grip, and just feels "good". The mid-tech Street Bowie is a 4" blade, as a skeletonized grip and is extremely flat and concealable (you can wrap the grip w/paracord to improve the grip and feel if it is too thin-I already did mine like this) The mid-tech Neck Bowie is a 2.5" blade, if I am correct, and also has a skeletonized grip, and it feels GREAT, due to a slight upward "crook" of the blade. This one will slice like crazy due to the angle. The mid-techs feel sharper, due to their much thinner edge grinds and SANDVIK steel, they have "bite" to them, like a good carbon or Damascus does. It is up to you what size you pick, and what brand, since they are ALL Perrin's designs you won't go wrong, but I think the mid-tech is my choice, due to the size, versatility of the grip, concealability, and just what I think is the best stainless steel on the market-period. Hope this helps!
