Help me out, Benchmade Pika or Spyderco Cara cara?

C

coldlocus

Joined
Nov 14, 2006
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I've been getting far so long with my Leatherman Wave and different Victorinox, but thought of carrying around just a blade also, and one that is a little bit better but not too expencive. Looking around a bit (mainly here) it seems like Spydercos Byrdline and Benchmades Pikas are great budgetalternatives.
So which one would you chose, Cara cara or BM Pika?
And another question, are theese knives comfortable to EDC, maybe a bit big? Cause I'm considering the Mini-pika and Byrds Meadowlark also. Unfortunately, I cant try out either of theese knives in a store nearby.
 
Never tried the Pika, but I guarantee you won't be disappointed with the performance of a G-10 Cara Cara. If you are worried about blade play, ask for one with no play when you order it. The steel performs better than AUS 8 for me, and the knife is built like a tank. Fit and finish aren't up there with a $100 knife, but it is the most knife you can get in the $20 range. Carries great, too. In fact, I have one in my right pocket right now (along with a Meadowlard and Fallkniven U2 in the other pocket).
 
Have you considered a Ka-Bar Dozier? They are only about $20 new and are well worth the money, I am carrying one with me as an edc right now and I own 100+ knives, some costing more than $150, and I still like to carry my Dozier. I like the Pika a little better, because I feel it has tighter tolerences and a stonger lock, the Cara Cara is very good, it just doesn't have the fit and finish that a Benchmade has. If you do get a Cara Cara, I would definately get the G-10 version (about $5 more and WELL WORTH it), another word of advice, find a knife locally with the same length and weight as a Cara Cara to see if it is for you, it can be very big and heavy to someone not used to carrying a knife or used to carrying a small knife.
 
The kershaw storm is another option that provides a lot of knife for not much money. Might want to leave that as an option as well. I think sprawl-mart even carries it so you could handle it first. Just helping make the decision harder :D
 
I have never used the Cara cara but have used the Pika which I think is a good EDC. For a couple more buck the Benchmade Griptilian would be my favorite EDC in that price range. It has the axis lock whick is just awesome.
 
I own both the Mini-Pika and the Meadowlark, and both are excellent knives. First, your concern about size is legitimate. Some people are comfortable carrying larger knives every day, but I personally find the ~3" blade size of the Mini-Pika and Meadowlark to be ideal. Both knives use good steel, and the overall quality of each is far better than their prices would suggest. You really won' be disappointed with either. If asked to choose, I'm honestly not sure which I'd pick. I don't know this will help your decision, but the Pika is lighter and carries lower in the pocket, while the Meadowlark is available with SS, G-10, or FRN scales.
 
Thanks for all the answeres.
Heard good stuff about the Ka-bar, but can sadly only get the spydercos and Pikas where I am now (going to buy a couple of other stuff from the same dealer, so this is a throw-in buy).

Would you guys say that the birds are easier to open one-handed than the Pikas? The cometshape hole doesn't seem as good as the spyderhole, but on the other hand must people I asked here had a problem with opening the pikas onehanded.

Damn, just saw the Byrd Flight, very nice looking knife, if it hadn't metal handles, I would definitely get one!
And Benchmade Pika tanto and Mini-ambush. It surely aint easy to just buy one knife!
 
Never really looked at the Byrd knives, I bet they're great.

I just bought an Endura 4 and a large Pika. The Endura is a much nicer knife overall, but the Pika is real bang for the buck at $40, and that's retail price! Wholesale is about $25 from what I've seen. The only downside to the Pika is the handle is pretty light compared the blade, and it's one piece of zytel, kinda flimsy compared to the Spyderco. But otherwise it's got a great blade, smooth action, good lock, grabby thumbramp and it rides low in the pocket with the clip. I'd say it's a keeper.
 
If you could see the inside, you might not be so thrilled with the lock on that Pika. Ask STR about it some time.

The only Byrd I have is the Flight. I love the size and shape, but I'm not a big fan of stainless steel handles. That thing is heavy, but a great knife. Heck, it would be a great knife at twice the price.

I think the reason people have reported problems opening the Pika one-handed is because the opening hole is chamfered. The Byrd comet hole has a square edge which provides much better purchase for the thumb.
 
I just got a Benchmade 530 and a Mini-Grip 555, I actually like the 555 better, and it is a little cheaper. After getting a 555, I feel it is worth the little extra, I only paid $45 new from someone here on BF and I like it better than many other more expensive knives, I highly reccommend it. I would also look at the Ambush, Mini-Ambush, and a Monochrome, all of them are Benchmades, and all are the best you can get for the money IMO. Most people favor either Benchmade or Spyderco, it just depends on the person, get a knife from either company and you will be happy.
 
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