Spyderco Perrin Fixed Blade
Review by Phil Elmore
Spyderco's now-discontinued Perrin Fixed Blade was one of those beautiful self-defense pieces that comes along every once in a while. Offering nothing more than you need and nothing less than you'd want, it's an elegant but simple fighter that moves beautifully, performs admirably, and manages to look good while doing it. Its official specifications are as follows:
Blade Length: 5 inches
Blade Steel: VG-10
Closed Length: 5.36 inches
Handle Material: FRN (plastic)
Weight: 3.65 ounces
The knife shipped with a Kydex sheath that includes a Tek-Lock belt fastner. The knife does rattle just the tiniest bit while in the friction-fit sheath, but it fits securely enough and draws very, very quickly. The sheath has plenty of grommets and mounting holes so you can adjust how you want to carry the knife on your belt. The same company that offers Tek-Lok fasteners also offers an inside-the-waistband plastic clip that could take the place of the Tek-Lok unit.
The Perrin Fixed Blade handles beautifully. The point of balance is right at the index finger cut-out, the contour of which helps lock the knife in your hand while also forming an integral guard. The FRN handle has rubbery Kraton inserts that, combined with its ergonomic shape, make it very secure and very comfortable in my palm. The handle also boasts a lanyard hole.
A series of grooves cut in the spine of the blade, continuing in the FRN handle, help improve traction and control by providing purchase for your thumb. It's not really a "thumb ramp," but it acts in the same way. Any protrusions would spoil the clean lines of the knife, which has a very ascetic, almost butcher-knife appearance.
The long, clip-point blade proved to be an excellent cutter and was extraordinarly sharp from the box. It slices efficiently, penetrates deeply, and moves through the air in Filipino pattern drills with lightning speed. The balance and low weight of the knife combine to make it a natural fighter. Indeed, it's hard to picture using this knife for anything but self-defense; I would not consider it a utility blade (though of course it could be used for such chores).
If you have the chance to snag one of these pre-owned or never-used, you owe it to yourself to add this specimen to your arsenal. As of this writing, Spyderco offers a smaller Perrin Street Bowie that is just as nice (just not as large). If your tastes run longer rather than shorter, though, the Perrin Fixed Blade is for you. >>
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