Spyderco Fred Perrin Street Beat...

[Buffalohump]

I really like this design but I wish Spyderco would quit putting holes in their fixed blades.

If it has no purpose it shouldn't be there.

[The Deacon]

River City Sheaths makes very good sheaths and I too wanted a better one than the factory sheath. I paid $72.45 (including shipping) for a River City Sheaths Black Street Beat sheath with a Spyderco G-Clip. I believe the carbon fiber one is more expensive. For the Street Beat and other common knives it is not necessary to send in the knife.

I would like to say that I am pleased with the sheath but despite having paid for it on March 26th, I am still waiting for it and starting to believe that I will never see it.

Although I haven't gotten any responses to my recent emails I have talked to Mike on several occasions on the phone during which I was always told that the sheath would soon be headed my way.

During the last such phone call Mike indicated that he has had a difficult summer because of some serious medical issues. Because of this I haven't pushed the issue as much as I normally would and am still hoping probably naively that someday hopefully soon that I will get my sheath.

I don't know if I am a part of group of River City Sheath Customers that have had the same problem or just the one customer that fell through the cracks.

However, in retrospect I would have ordered from someone else and would recommend the same unless you are an extremely patient soul.

Glenn

Sorry to hear about your problem, but your post allowed me to stop wondering if I'd said or done something to offend Mike Sastre. Had inquired with him about getting a CF Concealex sheath for a Swick which a buddy of mine wanted. He quoted me a price, about the same as what you paid for your Street Beat's, but then, when I asked about delivery and how to place the actual order, I heard nothing. PM'd and emailed Mike a few times over the following weeks, then gave up and contacted Scott Gere who made me one very quickly and at a considerably more reasonable price.

So, I was luckier than you, but at least you know you were not the only case where Mike seems to have lost track of a customer.

As for the Street Beat, my experience was a bit different from Hannibal's. Great knife, mind you, and I have used mine quite a bit in the kitchen, but mine's sheath rattled like crazy from day one. Not a problem for me really, since I only ever use it in the kitchen where it hangs "naked" on a magnetic rack and, given my personal dislike for plastic sheaths, I'd spring for a leather one, or make one myself, if I wanted to carry it. Mine is CC#d, therefore early production, so maybe the sheaths of the later ones fit better, but it is something to consider.

[MrCharlie]

Thanks for the tip, Glenn.

[freeman7]

Oh! Sorry to hear that Mr. Sastre might be having problems. I had also inquired about a Swick sheath soon after getting my naked version. Heard back via e-mail that it would take a while to develop the pattern, then silence reigned. I recently sent another inquiry about Street Beat Sheaths. Maybe River City will ride again.

[MountainManJim]

I couldn't agree more with the review. Having carried one for a few weeks I found it to be in a wonderful knife, maybe even perfect.

Jim

[wptski]

Sorry to hear about your problem, but your post allowed me to stop wondering if I'd said or done something to offend Mike Sastre. Had inquired with him about getting a CF Concealex sheath for a Swick which a buddy of mine wanted. He quoted me a price, about the same as what you paid for your Street Beat's, but then, when I asked about delivery and how to place the actual order, I heard nothing. PM'd and emailed Mike a few times over the following weeks, then gave up and contacted Scott Gere who made me one very quickly and at a considerably more reasonable price.

So, I was luckier than you, but at least you know you were not the only case where Mike seems to have lost track of a customer.

As for the Street Beat, my experience was a bit different from Hannibal's. Great knife, mind you, and I have used mine quite a bit in the kitchen, but mine's sheath rattled like crazy from day one. Not a problem for me really, since I only ever use it in the kitchen where it hangs "naked" on a magnetic rack and, given my personal dislike for plastic sheaths, I'd spring for a leather one, or make one myself, if I wanted to carry it. Mine is CC#d, therefore early production, so maybe the sheaths of the later ones fit better, but it is something to consider.

Back in April of this I contacted River City Sheath about a custom sheath because I had one made a few years ago. After a 2/3 emails I shipped my knife to RCS.

After a month or so I started emailing asking about the sheath, no answer. I sent about one every few days for a month, no answer. Finally in June, I got a reply from a PM sent from here saying that he has some medical issues and bear with hime for a bit. I think in August I PM'd again, no response. A periodic check shows that he does log in at times, the last time was early this month.

I'm about ready to ask for my knife back after five months! I understand that somebody can run into problems like medical issues but after a peroid of time if you can't do the job, return the knife so the customer can go elesewhere.

Am I off base???

[g3]

I am pretty sure that emailing River City Sheaths at this point is a waste of time. I recently started sending polite reminders every two weeks that I think most businesses would respond too. On September 26th it will be six months since I paid for a sheath and the only email responses I ever have received were in late March and early May.

I have had good luck though reaching Mike on the River City Sheath phone number of (513) 868-9680. Mike is always helpful and apologetic but I haven't seen any follow through on what he said he would do. I am under the impression that my sheath is done and just has to be mailed to me but I think River City Sheaths is non functioning to the point that even finished products or knives that won't be worked on are not being shipped out.

I am guessing that River City Sheaths was essentially a one man operation and when I talked to Mike last he was dealing with some life threatening health issues so I really doubt he has been doing much work. Compounding the work issues is a several month backload that would probably be overwhelming for a healthy man. I am honestly starting to believe that I will never see my sheath but hopefully your situation will end differently.

Glenn

[wptski]

I am pretty sure that emailing River City Sheaths at this point is a waste of time. I recently started sending polite reminders every two weeks that I think most businesses would respond too. On September 26th it will be six months since I paid for a sheath and the only email responses I ever have received were in late March and early May.

I have had good luck though reaching Mike on the River City Sheath phone number of (513) 868-9680. Mike is always helpful and apologetic but I haven't seen any follow through on what he said he would do. I am under the impression that my sheath is done and just has to be mailed to me but I think River City Sheaths is non functioning to the point that even finished products or knives that won't be worked on are not being shipped out.

I am guessing that River City Sheaths was essentially a one man operation and when I talked to Mike last he was dealing with some life threatening health issues so I really doubt he has been doing much work. Compounding the work issues is a several month backload that would probably be overwhelming for a healthy man. I am honestly starting to believe that I will never see my sheath but hopefully your situation will end differently.

Glenn

The worst part is that he has my knife along with a check for $78 if I remember correctly! I really liked the other sheath that he made for me in a short period of time which was a custom job also and that's why I went with hime again.

[g3]

After more than six months I finally got my River City Sheath today and it is very nice :) Besides the wait I have no complaints. It sounds like Mike might be up and running again so hopefully those other people that were also waiting for things from River City Sheaths will start getting them as well.

Glenn

[Dr. Snubnose]

The knife is a great knife....sheath...no sheath..doesn't matter....I'd carry one in my teeth If I had to.....Doc :D

[RLR]

Another great sheath option is Eric at On/Scene Tactical. Did one for me and it rocks.

Oh, and that knife is perfect. Mine's all scratched up from use and always comes back for more. Swipe on a white rod and screams sharpness.

[Sequimite]

I really like this design but I wish Spyderco would quit putting holes in their fixed blades.

If it has no purpose it shouldn't be there.

According to Ed Schempp, the location of the Spyderhole is where all the cutting contest competitors have holes in their custom knives for a lanyard. So other people find the feature useful.

Aesthetically, I like the hole on most fixed blade, including the Street Beat. I also suspect that the uniformity across both folders and fixed blades is meant to protect their copyright by having no exceptions in the use of the hole.

[bell]

I am 66. I have no use for this knife. I own one. The fantastic handle design and material with the signature FP choil, the mini spydie hole, jimping, super blade design, **** it is my dream knife so I had to buy it. Try to explain that to your wife. I suspect it would be the dream knife of Hannibal of Fame for a nice dinner with Chianti. So I take it out once in a while and just, well, heft it. Hard to explain.

[JohnAPA]

I am 66. I have no use for this knife. I own one. The fantastic handle design and material with the signature FP choil, the mini spydie hole, jimping, super blade design, **** it is my dream knife so I had to buy it. Try to explain that to your wife. I suspect it would be the dream knife of Hannibal of Fame for a nice dinner with Chianti. So I take it out once in a while and just, well, heft it. Hard to explain.

Oh, I understand. Just be careful if you try to sleep with it.

[Doc Pyres]

The knife is a great knife....sheath...no sheath..doesn't matter....I'd carry one in my teeth If I had to.....Doc :D

LOL! Doc, you truly have a way with words! I find that if you hook one of your bicuspids into the blade hole, it helps with 'mouth retention.' :D

And I have to agree. The Street Beat is awesome. :)

[buglerbilly]

For all the Perrin addicts out there, and as it is a very pleasant and sunny Sunday here in Perth, West Australia, I thought I'd throw up this wee pic of everything I have that is Perrin, designed by Perrin and all of it just plain beautiful.............IMHO of course! :D

One of my all-time favourite shot I've done to-date...........



The non-Spyderco ones are genuine Fred Perrins accumulated over the last 18 months, I have a long way to go before I'm happy with this collection.............clockwise from the top, Perrin with CF handles, ditto with Cocobolo handles, ditto with Grey/Blue Micarta and finally Light Blue G-10...........apart from the Grey/Blue all are Drop Point blades ala Perrin with the former having a Modified Tanto blade.

The two Spyderco collabs are, of course, the Street Beat on the bottom, the one that started me off with my Perrin obsession and diagonally across the group, what is commonly called the Green Perrin that was on VERY limited distribution albeit I have seen a number offered recently for VERY decent prices.









You've just gotta love the Streetbeat!

Regards,

BRIAN

[Sequimite]

I know what Bell means. I've almost pulled the trigger on it several times as a piece of art more so than as the useful knife that it also is. A new member who lives 15 miles from me here on the north Olympic Peninsula is buying one and when I get my hands on it my last vestiges of resistance will probably be overcome.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Billy, Thanks for the eye candy pics...just gotta love em...Doc

[ozspyder]

Nice shots Brian :D

I will have to grab one or two of the Street Beats. Still have NFI why I haven't got one of these yet. Looks ideal for some BBQ work :p

[Dr. Snubnose]

Nice shots Brian :D

I will have to grab one or two of the Street Beats. Still have NFI why I haven't got one of these yet. Looks ideal for some BBQ work :p

Oz...I was shock to learn that you didn't own one of these babies....I always though you a Spydernut with good taste...indeed a fantastic BBQ knife....Doc :D