Are the Byrd's the best deal for $20?

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kindred_spirits

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Jul 16, 2006
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Hey guys. I was looking for a good, solid beater knife that I didn't have to worry much about, and could be replaced easily. I noticed that the Byrd knives are very well regarded around here. Is there anything else in the $20-25 price range that can compare? Ka-bar doziers? Thanks.
 
The Bolker Subcom or Boker Trance. There are several good reviews on these folders so do a search. I just placed an order for the Trance myself. For $26 bucks plus shipping it has to be one of the best deals going.
 
SAKs - victorinox.

Byrds will take more of a beating though and have better steal than a SAK. SAKs have little gadgets that come in handy under different scenarios.
 
I have one of the Byrds and also have a Kabar Dozier. Both are good knives. Since the Kabar hasn't had as much press, here's what I like about it:
Solid construction.
Solid lockup.
Blade slices nicely and takes a really good edge.
Thumb stud is rounded, which I find to be comfortable.
Handle has rounded edges which helps it feel pretty comfortable in the hand.
Handle is big enough to give a comfortable grip.
I think it is an excellent value for the money, but the Byrds are too.
 
Buck Odyssey at SMKW $19.99. Best deal out there and American made also. I have one thats been in my rotation for over 3 years.
 
In addition to the above:
Frosts Mora (laminate carbon steel above others)
Opinel

Actually, the only way to compare the above to a Byrd is to argue that you could possibly get both for the same price. . . tho' I believe the Byrd would be the better bet, in all honesty.
 
If you're looking for a well built knife that is tough enough to use as an every day beater the G-10 Byrd's are hard to top. The quality is simply amazing for the price.
 
Byrd's are awesome. Opinels are awesome too but in a different class than the Byrd , I see my Opinel as more of a old school knife , Byrds are new school all the way , so it depends what you prefer.
Another vote for the Mini Pika , excellent lockup , razor sharp ootb :thumbup:
 
When I bought my Junglee Sahara Jr. years ago (maybe c. 2000) it was made in the USA, AUS8 (57 Rc, IIRC) and tough as all hell. I see they are now going for half the price I paid back then, so I worry if the quality is as good now. But man, that was a good knife.
 
Hmm... I've narrowed it down to the Byrd Cara Cara G-10 and the Boker Trance. How is the 8crmov steel? Is AUS 8 much better? And how is the lockup on the lockback byrds?
 
Lock up is very good on the Byrds. Steel on the Byrds is also very solid. Should be not too different from AUS-8. To say which one is better seems a moot point to me. If treated well, both should be very comparable. You could argue that the added V in the Byrd steel adds to grain refinement etc. but really, I think bottom line is that you won't be able to tell the difference. The thing though is, that the Byrds seem to be treated very well, while AUS-8 seems to get less then stellar reviews here and there, I would assume because, of a batch of bad or too soft heattreat (just a guess though). The Byrds are run pretty hard at 60-61 Rc, which seems to perform very well. With Boker I wouldn't worry too much though.

Again, between the Cara Cara and the Trance you are in the lucky position of not being able to go really wrong. But I hope you realize that these two are quite different in size. The Cara Cara is by most standards a fairly large (long) knife while the Trance, like most (all) of Chad's designs, are fairly small and compact.
 
The 8Cr13Mov (it think its 13 anyways) in the byrds was originally supposed to be 440C, but for whatever reason was minutely different, so hence the different name. But from what I've heard its basically 440C.
 
Hi Buck,

440C has 16%-18% Chrome. that's the ingredient that categorizes the 440 series. A, B, or C is determined by the carbon content.

8Cr13MoV has 13% Chrome. Quite different.

sal
 
Are we looking at only folders here, or fixed blades as well? Because if it's fixed blades, too, then Moras (Eriksson or Frosts, makes little difference) in my opinion are the ultimate cheapo beater knives; they cost virtually nothing and their quality is higher than most knives far more expensive. Why pay 20 bucks for a beater knife when you can buy one Mora for three to five dollars, depending on where and what you're buying? :D
 
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