Byrd opinions? How good are they?

The Byrd blades offer a very good value for the asking price. They're as close as you're going to get to Spydercos at that price point, obviously, but they're very solid -- at the higher end of Chinese manufactured knives.
 
Byrds are probably one of the best knives for the money. I'd put them on par with Moras in that category. The fit and finish is great for the price and the materials are of a better quality than most Chinese stuff.

The G10 is great. I've got a G10 Cara Cara and it's probably of my favorite all-around beater folder.
 
I have a Cara Cara. Great Value and nice knife in it's own right.
If you like the pattern give it a go!!
 
You could buy five Byrds for the same amount of money as most of us here spent on our favourite EDCs.

At least five.

That said, you will seldom see a better price to quality ratio. If fifty dollars or less is all you want to spend on a knife, the Byrds are among your best bets. I once saw one in Hawaii - a fully stainless, fully serrated hawkbill folder in the 3-4" blade range - that had lived entirely on a boat for five years or so, and had never been sharpened. The action was a little sticky, but the lockup sounded solid and the blade and edge looked pretty good. There was some up-down wobble, as on all broken-in lockbacks, but no lateral play at all - likely from all the gunk trapped in there. Also there was zero pitting, and almost zero rust, which is remarkable considering the environment and the complete lack of maintenance.

That reminds me, I don't think any of the Byrds, or none of the sturdy ones, at least, can be taken apart; the pins are either peened or concealed or both - I don't know that much about the specific assembly process yet.

All the same, :thumbup: +1, you can't go wrong and good fortunes await and so forth.
Good luck with your new knife.
 
It is run a little harder than AUS-8 generally is, and it holds an edge a bit better than AUS-8 as a result. It does better with a 40 degree microbevel than it does at lower angles.
 
If you like liner locks, I'd buy the Tenacious. Lifetime warranty, not only 1 year like the byrds, and a round hole. Well worth the few bucks more than a byrd goes for.

If you want a lockback, you've GOT to pick up a CaraCara in G10. One helluva knife if you're looking for an Endura-sized EDC.

The byrd wings is worth a 2nd look, too.

Dennis
 
yablanowitz said:
It is run a little harder than AUS-8 generally is, and it holds an edge a bit better than AUS-8 as a result. It does better with a 40 degree microbevel than it does at lower angles.
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If it's harder, why not a sub-40 degree angle? Chipping?
 
My Byrd Wings Slipit it a fantastic knife. Fit and finish are flawless. Wonderful design. Handsome. Very practical. The steel is good stuff. Unique blend of modern and traditional ideas. I can't recommend enough.
 
missin_hobo said:
That reminds me, I don't think any of the Byrds, or none of the sturdy ones, at least, can be taken apart; the pins are either peened or concealed or both - I don't know that much about the specific assembly process yet.
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My G10 Cara Cara is a screw assembly. I haven't taken it apart yet, but it's probably about due.
 
I thought they were good. Unfortunately, after this, I have my doubts and will think twice before buying them again.
Sure, for the price I could buy another and still be below cost of "regular" Spyderco, but emotions (disappointment) and rationality do not always fit together :)
 
Another reason to buy the Tenacious --> lifetime warranty!

Seriously, I am sure you already know that this broken spring was just bad luck and can happen to any knife, including Spydercos (especially UKPKs... :rolleyes:)

It is of course disappointing, but after all, it is "just a tool" that does eventually wear out and/or break. It is sad that it happened to a Spydie product, but s**t happens, even to a Spydie/byrd. That said, I am not aware that the CaraCara's showed an elevated level of spring breakage per se. If you liked it, you maybe should just buy another one and see if this one hold up. (If not --> ok, no byrds any more AND maybe I personally would really bite the bullet, send them BOTH to Spyderco for inspection and see what would happen. I am positive that they would not disappoint me in that case, like they never did to date.)

Dennis
 
I have been looking for a knife between the closed size of a dragonfly and delica. I was told about the Byrd crow. any one have that knife? I'm used to a lock back rather than a liner lock.
 
I have several Byrd's and I agree with pretty much all has been said about them above. I'd rather do my Byrd's in FRN than the G10 I find the G10 a bit slippery on my Cara, Cara.
 
I only buy USA made Spydercos. I am sure they are good knives but no thanks. we need jobs in USA.
 
Without the profits from the knives made in Japan, Italy, Taiwan and China, I doubt Sal could afford to expand the manufacturing facility in Golden. Without expanding that plant, he won't be able to provide more US jobs.

Twenty years ago, there was no such thing as a US made Spyderco knife. Thanks to profits from knives made by overseas contractors, now there are.
 
yablanowitz said:
Without the profits from the knives made in Japan, Italy, Taiwan and China, I doubt Sal could afford to expand the manufacturing facility in Golden. Without expanding that plant, he won't be able to provide more US jobs.

Twenty years ago, there was no such thing as a US made Spyderco knife. Thanks to profits from knives made by overseas contractors, now there are.
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Well stated, well said, and spot on.

Few people realize how far Spyderco has come over the years, much less the nature of their roots.

Robert
 
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