Temperance and Perrin

Lukers · Nov 6, 2004

Generally when I think of Spyderco, it is not a fixed blade. Honestly I am kind of picky of the Spydercos I buy. I like the models made on Golden, because they are made here, but also because of the g10 and s30v offerings. I love the Military, Para-Mil, Dodo. I do have an Endura that I reground to a zero edge. I love Spydercos. Every Spydie I have sold after owning, I ended up wanting to rebuy it afterward just because I missed it.

So I got to thinking about a fixed blade that could cut. Most every Spyderco I have owned has had an excellent cutting ability. Has anyone had experience with the Temperance and Perrin? Right now I am thinking hard about a black Perrin. Are these made in Golden? Can anyone comment of the sheath, comfort of the handle and the edge geometry. I think it would be a good EDC in my area of the country, when not on campus.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Luke

Blades · Nov 6, 2004

Before I ever handled the knives I wanted the Temperence. I liked the look of it, reminded me of my Calypso. Then I handled it, and while it felt okay, the Perrin felt better. The Perrin is what I have strapped to my sling bag that I EDC. It hasn't cut much, but it is there waiting for me if I need it.
I don't think you will go wrong with either knife. I would recommend which one feels "good" in your hand. For me it is the Perrin.
Let us know what ya decide.

Blades

James Muehlner · Nov 6, 2004

The Perirn is a very nice knife. I liked everything out of the box except for the factory edge (fixable) and the sheath, which was a too loose for me, and I'd prefer an IWB one. I ended up getting an IWB sheat from OnScene/Tactical, and now it's perfect. (Note: I handled another Perrin owned by TOB9595, and his factory sheath was much better retention-wise)

Nobody · Nov 6, 2004

The Perrin is really hard to beat. It's light, one heck of a good cutter, retains it's edge well, what more can I say. I handle other knives and keep going back to my Perrin. One small thing I'd change would be to put some small amount of handle material where your index finger holds the handle. Sometimes I find the lack of material width at that junction a little irritating to my finger if I'm doing a lot of cutting, but not a lot. It's really a tiny irritation. For me, the Temperance is a nice knife and all but I just can't like how the blade edge sits up higher than the handle. I prefer an edge that's even with the handle bottom or dropped down below it, similar to a kitchen knife. Just my 2 cents.

bansidthe · Nov 8, 2004

I have both knives but the perrin is the one that accompanies into the bush. Both cut well but the perrin has a nicer feel. The indentations on the handle of the temperance did not match up with my fingers and at the suggestion of another forumite I wrapped it with tommy tape and it is fine now. The shape of the temperance is a little more exotic but still I prefer the feel of tha now discontiued (

) Perrin

BOK · Nov 8, 2004

Another vote of confidence for the Perrin. Besides the stock sheath I love everything about it. Lighweight, nicely balanced very easy to carry.

I have a sheath coming from Normark so that will make the knife even better for me.

anomad · Nov 8, 2004

I haven't handled the perrin, but I am really impressed with the Temperance. Its one helluva cutter and mine came with a screaming factory edge. I almost always "tune up" new knives but not this one.

The knife is well balanced and fits my thin hands perfectly. the sheath is quite handy, but I agree with James above that a custom IWB would be an improvement. Its a bit of a large package for EDC on the belt, but would be fine tucked in the trousers or a pocket.

Lukers · Nov 10, 2004

Thanks Gents
I think I will go with the Perrin. I saw them on Spyderco's site and tried to order from there, but they were out three weeks ago. I will probably order from www.knifeworks.com. They have them for $80. Do you know of a better place? What is your preference as far a coated or satin blade finishes? Do they cut any different? Hmmm....maybe I should buy two since they will no longer be made....
Thanks for the help, I look foward to your comments as always,
Luke

BOK · Nov 10, 2004

Good choice

Coated blades will cut the same as the uncoated blades.

I wouldn't have minded the black blade myself but the other was all that was available to me. Really doesn't make any difference to me anyway.

Lukers · Nov 10, 2004

Anyone else have an opinion on the coating? I would venture to guess the satin blades have a finer polish than the coated ones before the heat treat. Could this affect the quality of the heat treat? Has anyone owned both black and satin?
Thanks
Luke

Nobody · Nov 10, 2004

I think coating or not is a purely cosmetic issue. I avoid coated knives as much as possible since I'm not really a collector but one who appreciates finely made tools that are intended to be used. The only coating I'd consider for a blade would be Bodycote's DLC as it is supposedly very, very durable.
For the Perrin, it's stainless VG10, why have a coating? My opinion only.

I'll also second what others have said here though about the sheath. It's OK, but I'd really prefer to pick up an aftermarket one that's got a little better retention. The knife itself is awesome as a user.

donutsrule · Nov 10, 2004

Nobody said:
For me, the Temperance is a nice knife and all but I just can't like how the blade edge sits up higher than the handle. I prefer an edge that's even with the handle bottom or dropped down below it, similar to a kitchen knife. Just my 2 cents.

If the Temperance is ever revised to improve the above, it will be one of our kitchen knives. Where else can you get a kitchen knife that comes with a trainer?

leroys_45 · Nov 10, 2004

I'm one of the oddballs here, but I prefer the Temperance over the Perrin. The finger cutout is just too big for me and I had one of the early ones with a less than perfect sheath. The Temperance fits just fine. I have 2 of them and have chopped the handle on one of them to make it a better IWB knife.

The blade shape on the Perrin is very nice, but I also prefer the continuous curve of the Temperance edge. Like others said, it's like a fixed blade Calypso to me.

Nobody · Nov 10, 2004

I agree that if the Temperance is ever redesigned with the blade dropped lower, I'll be all over it like white on rice.

donutsrule · Dec 10, 2004

Sal, I know you're always receptive to product evolution and improvement and that the Temperance is your baby. Are there any plans to change this knife in any way in the next 12 months?

Thx

Blades · Dec 12, 2004

I still want to pick up a fully serrated Temperence.

It might just replace my SE Endura that I have been carrying 10+ years.

Blades

Mr Blonde · Dec 13, 2004

I love the Temperence FB and have just about every variation of this model. Was there evere a black blade with serrations?

I would like to see a CE version of this blade. I think it could prove a commercial winner, for those who may be put off by the full serrations.

Wouter

donutsrule · Dec 22, 2004

donutsrule said:
Sal, I know you're always receptive to product evolution and improvement and that the Temperance is your baby. Are there any plans to change this knife in any way in the next 12 months?

Thx

Bump?

(And because it requires 10 new characters, I'm talking about the FB models.)