Question on G10 Flight

diamdave

diamdave

Joined
Nov 29, 2001
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3,303
Just received a G10 Flight off of eBay. I purchased it from a highly-rated dealer (feedback-wise).

But I have a couple of questions....

The pics show a silver colored clip. Mine has a black clip. I'm not complaining, I like the black one better, but I want to confirm that they are made that way and that I didn't receive a knock-off.

Also, the V shaped protrusion on the bottom of the blade just before where the cutting edge begins.... if you look at the edge straight on, that protrusion is sort of 'sliced off' sloping down to the left. Hard to explain. Doesn't affect the function, but I keep hearing how the fit and finish on the Flights is so good, it surprised me to see this.
Any info would be helpful, thanks.
 
I don't have a Flight, but I do have the G10 version of the Meadowlark. I ordered it from Knife Center and the picture they had showed a stainless clip and screws. When I received the knife, it had a black clip and screws. I e-mailed Knife Center about it and they said that Spyderco had done an in-line change they they weren't even aware about. If you look on the Spyderco website, they still show it with a stainless clip and screws. Rest assured, you didn't receive a knockoff. By the way, how do you like it? I thought about buying the Flight, but I thought it might be a bit big for me. That's why I bought the Meadowlark.
 
Overall, I like it very much. Knife came surprisingly dull... my meadowlark and cara cara came super sharp, haven't touched them up yet!
This one.... almost butter-knife. Not a big deal, but again, just very surprised.

Ergos are.... perfect. I like the Meadowlark a lot, i have misplaced it:mad: going on about three weeks now, so I bought the Flight as a replacement.

Haven't used it yet, but blade profile, handles, clip, everything seems good.
Just critical of the points I mentioned above.
 
Quite often the pictures used on eBay are stock photos of pre-production prototypes. Not every seller takes his own photos of the actual knife being sold. My G-10 Flight had a black clip as well.

On the other points, if I understand correctly, the part you are talking about being sloped is the blade kick or ricasso. It is the part that is ground to adjust how far the blade closes, hopefully between getting the point inside the handle and having the edge hit the backspacer. I've seen knives far more expensive than the Flight with that particular part crooked. Depending on where the edge rests when the knife is closed, it may be repairable if it really bothers you.

As far as the factory edge goes, well you win some and you lose some. Mine came shaving sharp, but it sounds like the new guy sharpened yours ;). Of all the things that can be wrong with a new knife, a dull edge is the easiest to fix. I usually sharpen mine before I use them anyway.
 
I got several Byrds - no problems at all. (Low price-good stuff. Not "handmade quality", but decent for the price.)

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That's a nice Troika you have there... and exactly what I have too :D (except for the FRN instead of G10 on CC and Meadw.)
 
Which knife do you like better, the Cara Cara or the Flight? How do they compare in terms of size, blade shape, handle ergos in everyday use?
 
Mine came with a pretty rough edge. However It appears that, rough as it was, it was ground pretty acute -- I'd estimate 30 degrees inclusive. Therefore it was nothing to put a very nice 40 degree inclusive microbevel on it. This 8Cr13MoV steel also seems to hold it's edge very well. I've had it for a week, carried and used it every day, and haven't had to touch it up yet, other than occasional light stropping.

I also took one of the sides off to examine the lock -- lock up is very secure. However, it was surprisingly difficult to put it back together -- like the screws didn't want to mate with the threads in the steel liner. That was the only other fit/finish issue I had. It did ultimately go back together just fine, and overall I think this is an amazing knife for the money.

Oh -- mine came with a black clip and is crooked at the tip of the kick as well.
 
Brodie,

It's hard to say which is better. My Cara Cara is in FRN which is more grippy, for me than the Flight. Also the Flight has no jimping on the spine where the thumb goes, could conceivably be a little slippery sometimes. Having said that, the ergos are better on the Flight. Very natural. I also like the Flights blade shape, but that is purely personal. Understand that I'm a guy who thinks a knife length in between a Delica and an Endura is perfect, with the shape of either one. I felt QC was a touch better on the FRN Cara Cara, which is why I said I was surprised, not bashing, but just surprised at the minor defects I noted on the Flight.
 
@Brodie: I own both (actually 2 G-10 Flights, CE and PE and PE G-10 Cara Cara) and I prefer the Flight - CC is considerably heavier and I found the finger choil to be quite irritating. Flight's blade is just a tad shorter, ergos are better when the knife is opened (my grip feels much more secure than with CC), the only downside are all those protrusious sticking out when the knife is closed, provided that you carry it in a pocket, of course, as these are irrelevant when you have the knife clipped somewhere. CC doesn't have these when closed but is more cumbersome when opened.
 
Jaislandboy,
What do you think of the Wing? How does it feel in the hand with one blade open? I like having a Plain edge AND Serrated blade, just not as a Combo blade.
 
DoctaD said:
Jaislandboy,
What do you think of the Wing? How does it feel in the hand with one blade open? I like having a Plain edge AND Serrated blade, just not as a Combo blade.
Click to expand...

hi DoctaD, the Wings is great value for the $ like the Byrd line in general.... my hand size is on the small side and I wouldn't want to do any prolonged cutting with it b/c i believe the Wings will feel more comfortable in med-large size hands. I find it difficult to wrap my 4th/5th fingers around the handle w/ just one blade open.... the linerlocks are solid though, w/ nil bladeplay :)

diamdave: my G10 flight came w/ a black clip too btw.
 
Brodie001 said:
Which knife do you like better, the Cara Cara or the Flight? How do they compare in terms of size, blade shape, handle ergos in everyday use?
Click to expand...
The Cara Cara is a worker, great ergos with medium/large hands, a típical "all rounder".
The Flight is thinner (liner and G10 too) than the Cara Cara, but it is also a sturdy one, and has less sheeple friendly bladeform. ;)
It rides well in the pocket, ergos are also great. Excellent choice for daily chores. :thumbup:

(I'm waiting patiently for the G10 Crossbill - the SS version was my first Byrd. :D)
 
Man, will they ever make a flat ground Flight now that Catbyrd and Tenacious are out ? :( That would be a killer Byrd, solid lock, solid handle (full G-10). Abovementioned models are both close, but not right on target. I'm waiting for more plain edge Tenacious' (pl ?) to swarm eBay to give it a try, but I'd prefer a lockback version. Juding by the stats that would be G-10 handle flatground Flight :)
 
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