Spyderco Street Beat vs. Anza mini-bowie?

MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

Go Army, Beat Navy!
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
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467
These two products seem really similar, in terms of both being reputable variants of a basic design. Basic small fixed blade with deep choil, right?

F4E%20Ruler.jpg


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The Spydie is VG-10 and micarta, running $150 or so. Includes a Tec-Lock sheath.

The Anza is "made from a file" and has plastic-impregnated wood or other grips, running $65-85. Available in a variety of blade profiles. Comes with leather belt sheath.


Anyone have any input on this choice as a small EDC utility knife for overseas work, both urban and rural? They seem much of a muchness, but was wondering if the Spydie justifies the increased price.

Any other maker, <$150, who makes a similar design?

EDIT: Something like this would be great, only not in 440C, and with a more prominent hilt or guard:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Knife-Blank-Bla...oryZ7306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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Something to consider is that the Anza is carbon steel, and will need to be taken care of to prevent rust, while the Perrin is stainless.

Also, the Perrin will have better edge retention and cut far more efficiently than the Anza out of the box due to the grind and Spyderco edge. The fit and finish will most likely be better on the Perrin as well.

For me, it's worth the price for the Spyderco Perrin, but the Anza is a nice design that will work hard and long for you. The file steel smells bad and will stink up your hands though.
 
I've had problems with my Anza TW. Just can't get it as sharp as my other knives and wear resistance seems low when used on miscallenous duties such as cardboard and plastic cutting, peeling fruits and carving some wood. I like the design and the compact size though.
 
Great info in only two posts! Much appreciated. Might have to start saving pennies for the Spydie.


Out of curiousity, is the third pic I posted just a generic offshore knife blank? It's 400C, and shaped like a knife, so if you toss on some scales and sharpen it up, are the odds good that it's an okay knife?

If so, any ideas on who can toss some decent scales onto it for me, for a reasonable price? It's a really nifty little design.
 
I haven't owned an Anza but I have owned file style knives and have never had aproblem with sharpness nor edge rentention. I have also owned the Perrin bowie but not the Street Beat. I like stag, bone, natural materials etc. I also high carbon non stainless steels so I would buy two Anza's and keep one for a spare! Ha how's that? You won't go wrong with either but I think I would use the Anza more and not be afraid to either. Just my two cents. keepem sharp
 
I really like the look of Both, but I have never handled either knife. It is hard to tell from a picture, but could the sharpening/edge retention problem be a result of the grind and edge geometry on the Anza? it looks like a tough one to get sharpened up.
 
The Streat Beat is a big hunk of VG-10 with hand fitted micarta...that is where the price goes. Lesser materials with less finishing would provide a lower price.
 
Hi Mathew,


The design carries the product and is in my opnion, the most important part of any producet. (A poorly designed, but high quality product rarely lasts a long time).

Fred Perrin is in, IMO, one of the best knife designers in the world today. His concepts are very well thought out and his forms "are" function. His Urban fixed Bowie concept has been refined over many years.

The Street Beat is a "no corners cut" production piece. The pattern, materials, ergos, grinds, geometries and sheath were all careully executed to the highest standards, to honor Fred's skill. Even the tang is skeletonized to maintain a better balance. I would gladly match the piece to any custom of the same goal.

Pleasae pardon my shameless plug. :o

sal
 
Once again, Sal shows himself to be a class act -- he can give a reasoned, articulate plug for his product without bashing another knife company. :thumbup:
 
I much prefer the Spydie it is one of my favourite fixed blades right now. Fred is an incredible knife designer and a great match for Spyderco as they both have a very distinctive style that is as functional as it is different looking.

The Anza is more a niche piece ,unless you specifically want a file knife I would go with the Spydie. That is not to slam the Anza it is just aimed at someone who wants something a bit old school.

440C is a very under rated steel if it is the REAL 440C. Sal had some problems with the chinese versions of 440C on the first Byrd knives not being the same steel as western 440C.
 
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