Byrd knives?

R

Runawayemu

Joined
Sep 30, 2012
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Hi all, I have always wanted a Spyderco Dragonfly (and by always I mean for about a year now) but haven't brought myselft to pay 50 bucks for a knife. I am now at the point where i am willing to do so, but i noticed the Byrd line. Seeing that Byrd doesn't have a sub-forum I am putting this here.

So what's the difference between the Byrd Robin and Spyderco Dragonfly? I love Spydies but if there is a minor difference i may just pay for the Robin and save myself some money. Do they have the same quality of a Spyderco? From what I saw, the Byrd knife is made in China but that is irrelevant to me. I have always loved Spyderco's designs and always appreciate the quality they have put out for me.

Thanks!
 
Steel quality. The Robin2 uses 8Cr13Mov steel while the Dragonfly uses VG-10. I've never used 8Cr13MoV and I have only had a VG-10 blade for a few days, so I can't offer up much of an opinion.
 
Byrd knives have good quality, however the blade steel is much lower-class. It still gets sharp and holds an okay edge. But VG-10 takes a much finer edge and holds it for much longer.

I like the G-10 on the Byrd knives, but like I said, the steel doesn't compare very well to the VG-10 on the Dragonfly.

Also, while the Byrd knives have great quality for the money spent, the Spyderco knives are always a step above.

$50 for a knife that's going to be used and last you for years is a good deal if you ask me.

I would go Dragonfly. =]
 
Thanks! Blade steel really doesn't matter to me because i don't use my blade more than a couple times in a week. I just like to have it on me :) I think I will just get the Byrd against what BladeChick reccommends. I just can't blow another $35 on something I don't require. Thanks for the info tho!
 
Runawayemu said:
Thanks! Blade steel really doesn't matter to me because i don't use my blade more than a couple times in a week. I just like to have it on me :) I think I will just get the Byrd against what BladeChick reccommends. I just can't blow another $35 on something I don't require. Thanks for the info tho!
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Why do you want a dragonfly? You can get a cheaper Spydie instead. The ambitious is only like $30, although it is 8cr13mov. It's still a very nice knife for the money.
 
Ferrari353 said:
Why do you want a dragonfly? You can get a cheaper Spydie instead. The ambitious is only like $30, although it is 8cr13mov. It's still a very nice knife for the money.
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I really like the look of the dragonfly and already had an Ambitious. I lost it within 24 hours which really sucked. Its a nice blade, but the Dragonfly has a slightly larger blade and I want to have the largest legal blade to carry without any doubts (my length limit in most cities around me is <2.5"
 
Well, if you don't care how it cuts or where it's made then any cheap knife should meet your needs.




Big Mike
 
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I've been quite impressed with the Byrd line.
Those bi-directional FRN scales is a huge improvement over it's predecessors.
I'm typically not a big fan of G10 scales since they cost and weigh more than the FRN versions.
Additionally, their 8CR13MoV steels are sort of a satin finish which makes it every so slightly, less prone to rust. Something Kershaw doesn't do on their 8CRs (bead blasted).
 
Big Mike said:
Well, if you don't care how it cuts or where it's made then any cheap knife shown meet your needs.




Big Mike
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Does blade steel impact performance as far as when it's sharp? I understand that softer steels lose their edge faster but I'm not aware that it really makes a difference in cutting. I guess that's kinda true that any cheap knife meets my needs, but I am a collector too and like to have nice knives. That being said, I like my knife to stay in one piece, I bought a S&W that pretty much sucks. The blade is way off center and I feel like it's going to break every time I use it. So not ANY cheap knife, just the lower end high quality company knives :)
 
Byrd knives are great for their price, but they're simply no comparison to the Spyderco line, proper, even within the FRN models. Leagues apart in terms of fit and finish, never mind the steel. The clips on Spyderco's knives are better finished, making them smoother and more comfortable. The G-10 and FRN used in the Byrd line are also not as comfortable and have rougher edges, in my experience. The blades are generally a little rougher along the angles and aren't as uniform in finish and symmetry. Of course, that's all to be expected, but in my eyes, it's a big difference and one I'm not willing to compromise over.

The Dragonfly certainly isn't Spyderco's flagship knife but the improved edge retention of its VG-10 steel (which for me has been significant), comfortable FRN and superior fit and finish put it head and shoulders above the Byrd line. I see it as this: Byrd knives are simple, useful, no-frills tools that you can lose or damage and not get too choked up over (which may or may not be a benefit). Spyderco knives, on the other hand, become more comfortable as they break-in and tend to become a trusted daily helper; something I look forward to using, admiring and keeping in top form at all times. This is precisely why you'll see folks gushing on and on about a Spyderco knife they've carried for years (or decades, in some cases) with fondness and pride.

My vote goes to the Dragonfly.
 
maintain, maintain, maintain...... blade steel has not been an issue for me but i love to sharpen and MAINTAIN. i own many blades with 8cr13mov from spyderco's to CRKT's, i find it very easy to sharpen and apply a back bevel with this steel over the VG-10, but don't get me wrong the Dragonfly will cut like a mother @#$$%^ forever
 
Runawayemu said:
Does blade steel impact performance as far as when it's sharp? I understand that softer steels lose their edge faster but I'm not aware that it really makes a difference in cutting. I guess that's kinda true that any cheap knife meets my needs, but I am a collector too and like to have nice knives. That being said, I like my knife to stay in one piece, I bought a S&W that pretty much sucks. The blade is way off center and I feel like it's going to break every time I use it. So not ANY cheap knife, just the lower end high quality company knives :)
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Better steels can get finer edges, but for the most part, I don't think they would cut much differently, other than the cheaper steels dulling more quickly.
 
Steel in the biggest difference (as others have said). I have a lot of knives in 8Cr13MoV... and it's a very decent steel. And a knife the size of a DF or Robin wouldn't get tons of "hard use" so for daily EDC chores I personally think 8Cr13MoV is fine.

I bought a DF G10 instead of the Robin specifically because I wanted the wire clip on the DF (as opposed to the rather large shiny clip on the Robin). But had the Robin had the wire clip it would have been a much tougher choice (especially considering the Robin G10 is about 1/3 the price of a DF G10).
 
Hi Runawayemu,

Both the Dragonfly and Robin are in-house designs. They'll both serve you well. The D'fly uses better materials and cost more. If price is an issue, I would suggest the Robin. Good and better, no bad.

BTW, there is a byrd subforum on the Spyderco website.

sal
 
emu, I don't think you can go wrong with the Robin, based on your reasoning. I'm on my 2nd FRN Byrd now, and and more satisfied with them then I was with my two Byrd G10 linerlocks. As has been pointed out, the cheaper steel is more prone to rust, and needs more sharpening. Neither looks like an issue for you.

I'll say one thing that will get me in trouble with the purists. Both of my Byrds, due to the choil and handle shape...are more comfortable in my hand than their partner Delica and Endura cousins. :eek:
 
I have carried a Byrd Cara Cara for three years and I have had no issue with the knife getting dull quickly, rusting or having poor fit and finish. I have the all steel version and there are no sharp edges, except on the blade. I have carried the knife in my wool kilt stocking in July and I have had no rust issues. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Byrd for what they sell for. On the other hand I find most Spyderco knives to be a bit on the high side for my wallet. Remember, Spyderco uses the same steel in some of their brand name knives.
 
I kind of want to get a Byrd version of the military or PM2 or Endura or something to use as a beater/user so I don't have to mess up my good Spydies....
But if I get a Byrd with inferior steel, that's probably far from my ZDP-189 Endura.
 
BladeChick777 said:
Victor - No trouble here. I WISH they would add a choil to the Delica and Endura.
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+1
I bought the Meadowlark2 instead of the Delica for that very reason (well, and it was quite a bit cheaper! :) ). Mine is the G10 version and I love it. The notched backspacer is so cool looking and the knife has an excellent feel in hand. I almost always carry my Para2 EDC when I leave the house, but around the house it's usually my ML2. Great knife... very sharp from the factory, easy to put an edge back on (8Cr13MoV, while it doesn't hold an edge as long as say S30V, is very easy to put a wicked edge back on).

I have toyed with the idea of getting a Delica, but I just know w/o the finger choil I will not like it as much as my ML2. :)
 
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