Byrd vs Spyderco main line

I have a G-10 Cara Cara & a Spyderco Native in S30V. The Native is an outsanding little knife without question. But I really like the G-10 on the Cara Cara (and the size of it, an Endura is my future). I researched the 8Cr13 and found it was developed as an improved Scandik 13C26. It came quite sharp and I quickly sharpened it to a razor hone. The fit and finish is excellent. I'm pleased enough to have bought another as a gift for a friend who likes good knives.

Don't shy off the Byrd because of the steel.
 
I've been using a Byrd Cara Cara alot over the last three-four months at work and at home. Its a strong knife and holds a edge well. To me its more of a no frills work knife.
 
znode said:
I'm considering yet another knife to add to my EDC rotation :o. I have decided on yet another under $50 knife, and the current toss-up is between Delica and Meadowlark. Native is not in the running due to its looks (the swedge is a bit tactical), unfortunately.

Meadowlark +: I love the G-10 scales, and the "bird" aesthetics of the blade, and the fact that it is half the price of the Delica.
Meadowlark -:On the flip side, it is in a less wear-resistant steel, and manufactured in China. I don't mind the steel all entirely much; I enjoy sharpening, and with its edge stability 8Cr13 should perform like a razor.

Delica +: Comes in VG-10 steel, the blade is sabre-ground and would perform slightly better than hollow on binding material, and the Spyderco name. The overall profile should also therefore be thinner than Byrd.
Delica -: On the other hand, I hesitate on "skeletonized" liners and cheaper-feeling FRN. Also it is twice the cost :p. I believe there were old concerns with the clip rotating in place, but that is now fixed with the newest version having 3 screws.

You know it's an upstanding company of great R&D when its own product lines compete against each other :thumbup:.

I think the real solution is to get a Caly3, if only they weren't close to $100. :rolleyes:

But I guess my ultimate goal is to push me either way, and for future readers of the thread. Are there fit-n-finish concerns with Byrd that would not be in flagship Delica/Endura? Consistency in QC and manufacture? Are there more variations in perhaps cosmetic defects for the Byrd line? Any other concerns I may have missed?

EDIT: Err, Delica is Japan-made.
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I don't have a Robin, I have a Flight.
And I do have an FRN Delica.

YMMV, but I don't think the Delica FRN feels cheap.
While the F&F of the Flight is good for that price, the F&F of the Delica is better.

The VG10 steel signifcantly out performs the 8Cr13MoV of the Flight in edge retention, though the 8Cr13MoV holds an edge more than well enough for most EDC.

If you have the money to spend, I would recommend the Delica.
 
It has already been mentioned a few times and even though it's a little bigger than the Delica and the Meadowlark, I would recommend a Tenacious. The main reason is the full flat grind, cause edge-geometry is a huge factor for the cutting ability for a knife. The steel is also important, but it does benefit from a good geometry. Good combination is key!
I don't really understand the whole China issue. I never had any problems with my knives from Spyderco made over there and in some points there has to be a difference! Sal runs a great company, but even Spyderco can't make gold out of lead. I would prefer to buy products only made in my homecountry, but this is literally impossible.
So if you don't mind the size of the Tenacious, get one, it's a great EDC/EDU.
 
I like the Meadowlark but if it’s a choice between the two knives I would choose the Delica.

I have no problem with FRN handles: light, strong and a good grip depending on the pattern. Having said that, The Caly3 would be an excellent choice as well.

Rafael
 
Morales said:
It has already been mentioned a few times and even though it's a little bigger than the Delica and the Meadowlark, I would recommend a Tenacious. The main reason is the full flat grind, cause edge-geometry is a huge factor for the cutting ability for a knife. The steel is also important, but it does benefit from a good geometry. Good combination is key!
I don't really understand the whole China issue. I never had any problems with my knives from Spyderco made over there and in some points there has to be a difference! Sal runs a great company, but even Spyderco can't make gold out of lead. I would prefer to buy products only made in my homecountry, but this is literally impossible.
So if you don't mind the size of the Tenacious, get one, it's a great EDC/EDU.
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My only problem with the China issue is the Name. Spyderco has the knife made for them and Spyderco sells them but the knife does not say Spyderco on it. Even Benchmade puts their name on their Taiwan made knives.And yes I have told this to Sal
 
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bacman99 said:
My only problem with the China issue is the Name. Spyderco has the knife made for them and Spyderco sells them but the knife does not say Spyderco on it. Even Benchmade puts their name on their Taiwan made knives. And yes I have told this to Sal
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The Tenacious has the Spyderco name on it. My guess it has to do with quality control.

In the first year of production the quality control was not as good as it is now. There was confusion about which steel was being used so it made sense to differentiate between Byrd and Spyderco knives. Byrd: excellent value for money, Spyderco good value for money and tried and tested.

Rafael
 
bacman99 said:
My only problem with the China issue is the Name. Spyderco has the knife made for them and Spyderco sells them but the knife does not say Spyderco on it. Even Benchmade puts their name on their Taiwan made knives. And yes I have told this to Sal
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Hi Bacman,

Spyderco owns the byrd name. The knives are designed in house and very strict guidlines are followed with byrd. They will be evolved and refined as are Spyderco brand names. Training the makers is a long process.

We didn't use the Spyderco name because we felt it might affect the brand name (Spyderco) to have a lot of Chinese made models.

Benchmade, Buck, Gerber, Boker, Cold Steel, et al, are now making many, in some cases, most, of their main models in China.

We had to make the Tenacious model in China to adequately compete against the many, many Chinese made models now in the marketplace, but we do not plan to make many Spyderco models there.

Spyderco is known for better performing blade steels in our mainstream models. There is nothing like CPM-S30V or VG-10 available in China.

Taiwan is quite a bit different than mainland China, although many Taiwanese knife-makers are now setting up factories in China, or partnering with existing Chinese factories.

We do put Spyderco on our Taiwan made models, but we ship steel to Taiwan for our knives. We've been to the factories and know they're made in Tawian by the selected maker.

sal
 
IMHO, the made in USA and Japan Spydercos still have the edge when it comes to blade steels, out of the box sharpness, fit and finish, and the round hole is a plus.


The Byrds have the edge for bang for the buck in their price range.
 
I honestly like my Crossbill MUCH MORE than either my spyderco Delica or Ocean Salt (which did have minor rusting). Definitely get the stainless handle. The Raven and Cara Cara I like just as much.
 
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ah, necroposting.

I just got a crossbill with steel handle and it's an extremely well made knife. Very happy with it.
 
I'd don't really care for Byrd or Spyderco knives that much, but I will say this- my Meadowlark came fairly sharp, and locks up solid as a bank vault. The clip does wiggle a bit, but I'd still say they are a fantastic value, one of the best values on the tactical knife market.
 
well, byrds aren't OFFICIALLY spydercos...

And I hate to say it but I bought a used Delica that's yet to be delivered.

We'll see if I have to...

:barf: :barf:

when it arrives.

;)
 
Oh, and if I could do it again, I'd get the one with the G10 handle. Of course, if I could do it again, I would probably get something from Benchmade Red.
 
Don't be afraid of the Byrds. My FRN Meadowlark is excellent, stays plenty sharp, better ergos than the Delica, better clip retention(!) than the Delica, around $24 delivered to your door. I prefer the Delica hole to the Byrd opening hole, but that is about it. Also look at the Byrd Crow, an excellent value as well. As far as handle material goes, I traded my G10 meadolrk for an FRN, then got another FRN. Better grip, plenty strong, lighter on dress trousers.
 
jzmtl said:
I can tell you the fit and finish on byrd is as good as main spyderco line. I had a ss robin and it's as solid as my endura 4. I returned it thou since it's too small for my hands, but now I have a crossbill on the way.



I really can't tell if you are being serious or being a troll. :thumbdn:
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Or if he was trying to type a plus sign or an equals sign! :D
 
I used a G10 Byrd Robin to whittle a ball in cage. The knife sliced away micro thin layers of wood and sharpened up nicely. The only issue I had was getting a blister on my palm from the size of the handle. I bought a Meadowlark, but haven't attempted another whittling project.
 
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