Street Beat: The excellent and the bad.

SeanH · #1

I just came from the SFO to pick up a Lil T (different thread) and had the chance to handle the new Street Beat by Fred Perrin.

First the good:
The knife is one of the best small fixed blades that I have ever had in my hand.
The fit and finish are flawless. The handle melts in your hand it is so comfortable. The handle is what I would call ¾ length. Though the handle is short, it is formed so well that it didn’t feel too small.

The deep choil gives you excellent control and feels just right. It works great in combination with the jimping on top to lock the blade in the hand.

The blade shape is perfect for fine work. I’ll leave it to those more educated than I to describe the technical aspects of the grind but I got the impression that it would do everything I would ask of it. It just felt right.

Now the bad:
The sheath of the one I saw had several problems that should never have happened.

It is a Kydex sheath with a Tek-Loc attachment system. The Tek-Loc was very loose where it attaches to the sheath because the spacers between the Tek-Loc and the sheath are too thin, even with the screws fully tightened.

There is too much room inside the sheath and the blade is allowed too much movement inside the sheath when it is fully inserted. Maybe that part of the blank they molded it around was too large.

For the price I would expect better execution and quality control on the sheath.

The knife, however, is simply fabulous.

DFD04 · #2

Very intresting info i am really anxious to go pick mine up.

Did you handel a CC #ed kinfe by chance?

SoCal Operator · #3

Thanks for the report. The Streat Beat has interested me for a while. I hope they iron out the sheath issues.

markg · #4

I have said before, that in many cases sheaths for fixed blades today are little more than shipping and storage worthy.

Would you want a holster that came with a gun? Or would you rather have your choice, depending on your needs.

A good after market (or custom) sheath is not too hard to come by or that expensive.

jaislandboy · #5

thanks for the review Sean....love Perrin designs... :cool:

Halfneck · #6

While I really like a good sheath to come with a knife, I'm more than happy if the knife is good.

If the sheath system is not to my liking I will just contact Blade Tech or another aftermarket sheath-maker.

fellyjr · #7

Halfneck wrote:While I really like a good sheath to come with a knife, I'm more than happy if the knife is good.

If the sheath system is not to my liking I will just contact Blade Tech or another aftermarket sheath-maker.

Just a suggestion but you might want to try contacting Mike Sastre at River City Sheath. I bet he could make a very nice custom sheath for the Street Beat.

SeanH · #8

DFD04 wrote:Very intresting info i am really anxious to go pick mine up.

Did you handel a CC #ed kinfe by chance?

No, the stock that SFO has for sale are un-numbered.

ktint · #9

SeanH,
Thank you for your info. Look like I have to activate my Kydex press and .06" kydex. :D I am definately going to get one. IMO I think it is quite expensive for fixed blade especially for general public. It is just IMO.

shootist16 · #10

Any chance someone could post a pic of the final production model? A pic of the sheath would be nice as well.

poodle · #11

all most every time i see a new fixed i like, the sheaths allways seem to be crap.

The Deacon · #12

markg wrote:I have said before, that in many cases sheaths for fixed blades today are little more than shipping and storage worthy.

Would you want a holster that came with a gun? Or would you rather have your choice, depending on your needs.

A good after market (or custom) sheath is not too hard to come by or that expensive.

I agree. I wish Spyderco sold their FB's the way they sold the Laguiole, with the sheath as an accessory that was sold separately. I'd then opt to pass on the sheaths and have a nice leather one made. I realize that for people in some climates Kydex is a godsend, but to me even the best of it looks like garbage.

Mike Sastre · #13

I've got a few of the Street Beats on order and will have sheaths avalable as soon as I get them in. My Drawpoint sheaths for the full sized Perrin Street Bowie have been, and still are, popular sellers for me. Hated to see the full sized FB04 discontinued - still carry mine a lot.

markg · #14

I have one of Mike's sheaths for the Gunting and is still going strong... If I have a problem with the Street Beat sheath, I will give you a shout. :)

Mr Blonde · #15

I agree that sheaths are usually hit or miss. The Moran sheaths were and are perfect! The Temperance sheaths are good, the Perrin sheath was terrible and the Kumo sheath is OK. Still, none are as good as that Moran concealex. Sorry to hear the Street Beat sheath were disappointing.

Wouter