Byrd Knives?

N

Nikkogi

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Hey guys, I have been a long time knife collector/enthusiast and I've never and I've never had a Byrd knife. As I understand it, they are manufactured overseas and are very similar to Benchmade's Red Class which is now discontinued. So, how are the Byrd knives compared to the real thing- a Spyderco?

The one that I am thinking about picking up is the Wings knife in G10 as I like the idea of having both plain and serrated knives.

Thanks
 
I've owned two Byrd knives and found them to be very good values. The Wings (which I haven't used) looks functional with the two blade choices, I just wonder how comfortable it is to use because of the back of the unused blade being exposed. I don't know if the corners of the blade are filed or radiused, but if not, then I would probably take my file to it.
 
There are three things to consider when you look at the Byrd knives, design, materials choice and fit & finish. Where design is concerned, the same people who bring you Spyderco knives (Sal and Eric) also designed the Byrd class knives. So, design wise the Byrds are excellent.

Where materials are concerned, the steel used is a Chinese made 8Cr13MoV type steel, which is roughly equivalent to AUS8. The steel makes a good utility blade, but you will find that it needs more frequent touch-ups than the VG-10 used in many Spyderco knives. Some have reported a tendency toward rust spotting in some of the earlier Byrd knives, but I haven't heard of any problems lately. All in all, you will find the steel to be up to most tasks that a knife will face. The steel also takes a blisteringly sharp edge.

When you evaluate fit & finish, one must keep in mind the price point of these knives. These knives are not Spyderco brand, they are Byrd knives. That said, in comparison to a Spyderco, I would give them a 8 out of 10. You may run into some sharp edges here and there, but overall, the machining is surprisingly good and when you factor in the price, I would give it a 9.5 out of 10.

As for the Wings itself, the knife is comfortable in hand and smooth in action. It employs radiused tangs and Torx screw construction along with fine textured G10 slabs. The clip may be positioned tip up or down for left or right hand carry.

All in all, the Wings is a great utility knife that should provide years of dependable service.
 
I've owned a few Byrds and have to agree with A.P.F. 's comments. Good knives for the money. You will sacrifice some blade steel quality for the money saviings over a Spyderco.
 
Well said. A.P.F.'s post reflects my experience nicely. I still keep a wickedly sharp Byrd in my desk.
 
I find the Byrd knives to be great values.

The designs are extremely comfortable in the hand. The Cara Cara and Flight remain two of the most comfortable folders I've used at any price point.

I've had various experiences with fit & finish, ranging from 8/10 to 10/10. The G10 Flight I owned was extremely well finished, and the newer G10 Cara Cara's with skeletonized liners are built to better tolerances than the older ones as far as I can tell. Over the years the Byrd line seems to have increased in quality of fit and finish.

Comparing the Byrd steel to VG10, I found it ground more quickly, held an edge not quite as well, was a bit more prone to corrosion (Small surface spots that easily came off) but took an equally sharp edge. I'm very pleased with it's performance for the price paid, and unless cutting large amounts of abrasive materials like cardboard I think most users would be happy with it. It performed well for me with thin, reprofiled edges too...something I value in any steel.

The selection is a little more basic compared to Spydercos (Lock types, handle materials etc.), but the knives they have are very nice.
 
ditto to you guys, i've found the alloy roughly equal to aus8. knives are solid & lock up good.great for days cutting cedar or running on a coon hunt.if you lose it you do'nt feel like you've been kicked in the nards.
 
I always felt they look too much like a Spyderco. although I sell tons of Spyderco knives the Byrd knives are always sold out. Byrd knives are a great knife for the money. and like someone already mentioned earlier you don't feel as bad when you lose the Bryd as apposed to a Spyderco.
 
A.P.F. said:
There are three things to consider when you look at the Byrd knives, design, materials choice and fit & finish. Where design is concerned, the same people who bring you Spyderco knives (Sal and Eric) also designed the Byrd class knives. So, design wise the Byrds are excellent.

Where materials are concerned, the steel used is a Chinese made 8Cr13MoV type steel, which is roughly equivalent to AUS8. The steel makes a good utility blade, but you will find that it needs more frequent touch-ups than the VG-10 used in many Spyderco knives. Some have reported a tendency toward rust spotting in some of the earlier Byrd knives, but I haven't heard of any problems lately. All in all, you will find the steel to be up to most tasks that a knife will face. The steel also takes a blisteringly sharp edge.

When you evaluate fit & finish, one must keep in mind the price point of these knives. These knives are not Spyderco brand, they are Byrd knives. That said, in comparison to a Spyderco, I would give them a 8 out of 10. You may run into some sharp edges here and there, but overall, the machining is surprisingly good and when you factor in the price, I would give it a 9.5 out of 10.

As for the Wings itself, the knife is comfortable in hand and smooth in action. It employs radiused tangs and Torx screw construction along with fine textured G10 slabs. The clip may be positioned tip up or down for left or right hand carry.

All in all, the Wings is a great utility knife that should provide years of dependable service.
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Enough said. :thumbup:
 
I have the Wings and th Cara Cara G10. I prefer the Cara Cara, it's jusr better in the hand, and I also think that it's an interesting alternative to the Spyderco Tenacious: same blade steel, same decent midrange finish, lockback versus liner lock (depending on your preference), but the Tenacious has a flat ground.
 
Dagon said:
I have the Wings and th Cara Cara G10. I prefer the Cara Cara, it's jusr better in the hand, and I also think that it's an interesting alternative to the Spyderco Tenacious: same blade steel, same decent midrange finish, lockback versus liner lock (depending on your preference), but the Tenacious has a flat ground.
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I agree. I consider them beater knives, they would be my main edc if they held an edge longer.that's my only complaint with these knives.
 
sounds like everyone hit all the good points... i keep a g10 crossbill in my back pocket every day and it's great: strong, stout, pretty fast. it came pretty gritty from the shop, so i cleaned it out best i could and now it's nice and fast. they're worth the money you'll spend.
 
I've been eyeing the Raven and the Crow versions. I already have the Wings as a glove box knife due to it's having a PE and a SE.
 
NDJeep said:
I've been eyeing the Raven and the Crow versions. I already have the Wings as a glove box knife due to it's having a PE and a SE.
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I really like my Aluminum handle, black Raven. There is a marked improvement in fit and finish with SS liners and an open frame construction. The really surprising thing about the Raven is just how comfortable it is in-hand. It is equally comfortable whether choked up on the choil or with your index finger behind the finger guard. There is absolutely nothing cheap about the feel and operation of the Raven. Try one, I think you will like it.
 
I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering, now that the Cara Cara 2 in G10 has a FFG blade, what would you choose: a Cara Cara 2 (FFG) or a Tenacious/Persistence grade knife?
How would you compare the quality? I personally like the features of the Cara Cara 2 over the Tenacious, but would like to get some feed back from ones who actually own both or at least have handled both.
Thanks in advance!
 
Between the Cara Cara 2 and Tenacious, I would probably buy the Tenacious. Both are great knives for the money, but the Tenacious IMHO is slightly better.
 
Brules1 said:
Between the Cara Cara 2 and Tenacious, I would probably buy the Tenacious. Both are great knives for the money, but the Tenacious IMHO is slightly better.
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Thanks Brules1 for the reply, good to know.
I have heard that the Tenacious is quite large for pocket carry. (I do realize that the Tenacious is a large knife)
The thing I liked about the Cara Cara2 was that it is thinner and allows a person to get their keys out easier. Would you agree with this, or am I off on this? Thanks!
 
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