Fixed Blade?

[Q-bert]

I really liked my endura that i've had for 4 or 5 years and I kneed to get a good fixed blade or some heavy out door use. I was wonding how everyone felt about the Temperance vs. the Fred Perrin bowie. My cousin who swears by a Cold Steel Outdoorsman, I think that knife is too expensive for what you get, thinks the Perrin is more for looks than heavy use.



I have only seen the knives on the internet and would like some advice. .

[travis quaas]

Q-bert,
Welcome to the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Forum!

I have the Fred Perrin. I believe it to be the best fixed blade out there. But, like all other <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> employees, I have to ask what you are going to do with this knife &quot;out door&quot;. The Perrin was actually designed more for tatical use. But, according to Sal Glesser, so is the Temperance. If you are truly looking for a knife that you can beat the heck out of, the Temperance is the one for you. It comes with Teklok sheath. The blade is 4mm thick. You have nice indexing with your four fingers as you wrap them around the handle. The reverse grip is strong. You'll notice the 'butt' of the handle. The butt is concave. So, the thumb can be nested in, while in reverse grip. Both of the Perrin and Temperance have VG-10 steel and flat ground. You have serrations on the spine of the blade for nice thumb purchase in a Filipino Grip on the both of them. Perrin has Kraton inlay on both sides of the handle. Go with the one that is the PRETTIEST!

(geez, I hope I'm not fired for that last sentence!)

Enjoy, whichever model you decide on. Let the rest of us know which one you picked and let us know how it worked out for you.

tq

I think it'll come down to the handle preference. The blades are same steel, well crafted and flatground, both have good points/tips(for thrusting, I don't know about heavy utility though).
The handle on the Temperance is more 'beefy' and probably well suited for large hands, the Perrin is slender and more comfortable in my hands.
I swore up and down by the Perrin for a while, but the Temperance has really grown on me and now I'm split either way.
I'd say go with the handle that looks like more of what you're looking for.

take care,
Ken

ps. Cold Steel has other more reasonably priced models that are quite tough in the same size range as the Outdoorsman that you might want to check out.

[Rex G]

Look at the handle profile, especially along the spine side of the knife. The Perrin has a straighter profile, while the Temperance is more curved. Think of other knives you have handled, and that will be a good clue. The best, of course, is to actually handle the knives themselves. I have handled both, and both are very stout, high quality blades. I just like the Temperance more, and will order one soon. A bonus for those living in areas where larger knives may be somewhat taboo is that the Temperance resembles a large kitchen knife whereas the Perrin has a tactical appearance. Welcome to the forum! I see you live in Texas, so either will be legal within the state, for carry.

[Q-bert]

The blade is longer on the Perrin, ii looks like both blades are 4mm thick, but the temperance is heavier is all the wieght in the handle?

[Rex G]

Both balance well, from what I remember. I usually notice those things right away. Certainly, the Temperance balances well, IMHO.

[Q-bert]

Travis I would be using for work I fix pumps and some times they get over grown with vines and need to clear them away and a machette woud be over kill. The area I was managing just expaned and this part of the country the pumps are more over grown the it might be too much for the Endura.

[Sword and Shield]

Howdy QBert! Welcome to <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>Land! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

I would probably say the Perrin over the Temp. An extra inch of blade is awfully handy to have around!

If this knife is going to be a user/beater, you might want to look at the Ka-Bar Mini as well. 5.25 inch 1095 blade, quite tough. While the Perrin's a bit tougher in most respects, I'll take the K in an all-out knife beating frenzy. They're cheap as well, around $40.

This is kind of a draw. You have great steel and craftsmanship in the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>, but you pay the price. With the K, steel is OK, workmanship is average, but it's also cheap.

Go with your instincts.

Never underestimate the impossible.

[sam the man..]

Welcome aboard Q-Bert! Temperance FB is your best bet. Heavy use depends entirely on how you define it.. Never use any knife for prying or as a screwdriver.. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[AllenETreat]

Q-Bert -


I say the Fred


Perrin Bowie is the way


to go <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> NOT to



say Rex G is wrong


about your State (Texas)



law ( ironic ; Texas is


considered &quot;Land of


the Bowie&quot; <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>



That aside, I


say, go with what


you want <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> and


with &quot;discretion


being &quot;the better



part of valor&quot;


knife &quot;laws&quot; be


damned <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Having


worked for an



attorney, I've found


that &quot;intent&quot;


is 9/10th's


of criminal



law <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>








&quot;If it feels good, it



probably is.&quot;



- Proverb










- ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Edited by - ATE on 11/14/2002 12:13:14 AM

[Rex G]

True enough, a &quot;Bowie&quot; knife is not legal in Texas, but then the Spyderco Perrin is not a true Bowie, IMHO. It is a clip point, but that alone does not constitute a Bowie knife. I don't believe that Spyderco calls it a Bowie, even though it is based on the handmade &quot;street Bowies&quot; made by Fred Perrin himself. A fixed blade with only one sharpened edge is legal up to 5.5 inches in blade length in Texas.

Edited by - Rex G on 11/14/2002 2:52:41 PM

[vampyrewolf]

How far back is the tang on these 2 models?

I know I do a lot of prying with fixed blades(which is why I normally end up buying the cheap fixed). Linda is waiting on my word to order a Moran Drop Point(can't go wrong at her price), but I was looking at the Perrin and Temp fixed... only price is holding me on these 2.

*Our greatest triumph comes not from NOT falling down, but from getting back up every time.*

[Rex G]

VW, for a cheap in price, but high quality FB, try the Glock knife. The blade is about 6 inches in length, though, which may cause legal problems in some areas. The blade is VERY stout.

[vampyrewolf]

Rex&gt; I can carry a 6&quot; legally(lucky to live up here in the 51st state)...

I tend to carry either a 4&quot; or 5&quot; though, as it's easier to get away with.

And shepherds we shall be, for thee my lord for thee. Power hath decended forth from thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. And we shall flow a river forth to thee and teaming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patris, Et Filii, Et Spiritus Sancti.