Raven vs. Catbyrd for EDC

Y

Y.T.

Joined
Sep 12, 2008
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I've been borrowing my bf's Spyderco folder for the past couple of years and would like to get my own for an EDC. His is many years old and is no longer made. (edit & correction: we just did some digging and his is the 1995 CO95 Copilot with full serration, shown here and here... kind of like the Dragonfly mated with the Delica). That's out of my price range so I've been looking at the entry point Byrd knives.

(edit and update)
I originally settled on the Byrd Raven or the Byrd Catbyrd. But have since decided that I'd like to get a simple flat grind now, saving some type of hollow grind for later when I can afford a higher end Spyderco. So now it's between the Byrd Catbyrd and the Spyderco Tenacious (pics & info below). Both come in combo edge, use the same blade material with a similar blade size. The blade shape, handle shape and handle material differ between the Catbyrd and Tenacious and I'm not clear how that affects use and performance. I'd appreciate any advice you may have.

I just need an all-purpose folder, nothing specialized at this point. Something to use for camping, bugout, general "I need to open something" knife. I've read good reviews on the Catbyrd. It sounds like the flat grind makes it the kind of knife that can take a lot of abuse and will last for years. eta: I've read similar things about the Tenacious. (I haven't seen as much on the Raven. It looks like a knife with more versatility, also requiring more maintenance.) Since I don't have an in-depth understanding of the benefits/uses of each, I'm not clear which would best suit my needs as an EDC starter knife.

spyderco_raven_g10.jpg

Byrd Raven
- $37.59
- clip-point blade
- 8Cr13MoV stainless steel
- centerline grind
- some type of swedge or second edge on back of the blade
- liner lock
- blade length 3 1/2" (89mm)
- blade thickness 1/8" (3mm)

spyderco_catbyrd_by18.jpg

Byrd Catbyrd:
- $46.95
- clip-point blade
- 8Cr13MoV stainless steel
- flat grind
- looks like a small bevel on back of the blade
- integral LinerLock (Chris Reeves design)
- blade length 3 9/16" (90mm)
- blade thickness 1/8" (3mm)

spyderco_tenacious_c122.jpg

Spyderco Tenacious:
- $49.95
- leaf-shaped blade
- 8Cr13Mov stainless steel
- flat grind
- textured spine jimping
- Walker LinerLock
- blade length 3 3/8" (86mm)
- blade thickness 1/8" (3mm)
 
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I have both of those knives and have found that both are great performers.

If forced to choose, I would say that the Catbyrd has a deeper blade that is a great slicer. The Catbyrd also has a frame lock that many find to be more reliable than the liner lock of the Raven. In addition, the Catbyrd is a nice choice for dress clothes.

The Raven is a great knife as well, but I believe that the Catbyrd has a slight edge over the Raven.
 
I have neither, so take this with a grain of salt. In general, flat grind blades such as the Catbyrd will cut with less effort than saber grind blades such as the Raven, but for me the handle is as important as the blade, and I personally dislike steel handles. My personal choice out of the Byrd line is the G-10 Flight. It has a fully ambidextrous back lock which can be released without putting your fingers in the path of the (very sharp) blade edge and is lighter than most stainless handle knives. It has a more accute point, which is a feature I like and can be found online for $25 to $30.

If the two you mention, I'd go for the Raven for the (in my opinion) better handle material. It shouldn't require any more maintenance than the Catbyrd, and the saber grind blade is a bit stronger if you tend to pry with a knife.
 
Sorry, I don't have, nor have ever handled either. But I will say going on my experience with both Spyderco and various Byrds you are going to be getting quite a knife! I also suggest you consider the Byrd Meadowlark G-10 which is closer in size to the Delica. The Spyderco Tenacious is another tantalizing choice in that price and size range, one I have had experience with and can highly recommend.

By the way, if you are looking for good places to buy from I can personally recommend four places that I've bought from in the past and have had good experiences with:
NewGraham.com
GPKnives.com
Knifecenter.com
Knifeworks.com

They are all very good and I'm sure you will find many others here vouch for them.
 
A.P.F.
Thanks so much for the feedback. I can't believe I actually found someone who owns both. :)

yablanowitz,
Thanks for your thoughts. :) I took a look at the Flight. That's also a nice knife and in the same price range ($37.95). I've just become more familiar with using a wider blade, which is why I had looked at the Raven and Catbyrd. But I'll keep that in mind. :)

I have a question. It was my understanding that the term "sabre" referred to the shape of the blade (more narrow and tapered), while the "hollow grind" referred to the blade edge style? Is that what you meant, that you like the hollow grind style? Or that you like a different blade shape (sabre instead of the clip points shown below)?

edit: poked around and found reference to "saber-ground" on the spyderco site. As used in the delica. It looks like somewhere between traditional hollow and flat grind, less concave? haven't been able to find info on how that affects the performance and cut action though. The Flight is defined as hollow-ground on the site, and the Delica, Endura and Rescue are all listed as saber-ground if that offers any clue. :)

edit again... oh, I found this page, which gives a helpful explanation. :) pardon me while I get all this straight.
 
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carrot said:
Sorry, I don't have, nor have ever handled either. But I will say going on my experience with both Spyderco and various Byrds you are going to be getting quite a knife!
Click to expand...
good to know, thanks. :)

carrot said:
I also suggest you consider the Byrd Meadowlark G-10 which is closer in size to the Delica. The Spyderco Tenacious is another tantalizing choice in that price and size range, one I have had experience with and can highly recommend.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the recommendations. There are so many good knives it really is hard to make sense of it all and decide. :) Not being familiar enough with knife use to know the value of a leaf blade over a narrower blade, for example, I went with what seemed a middle ground closest to what I've used before.

carrot said:
By the way, if you are looking for good places to buy from I can personally recommend four places that I've bought from in the past and have had good experiences with:
NewGraham.com
GPKnives.com
Knifecenter.com
Knifeworks.com

They are all very good and I'm sure you will find many others here vouch for them.
Click to expand...
thanks! that's fantastic. :)
 
The Flight is hollow grind (which refers to the main grind being concave), but it is also saber grind, since the grind does not run the full height of the blade. The Delica and Endura (FRN versions) are a flat saber grind. The main grind is flat, but it doesn't run the full height of the blade, it stops halfway up, leaving the rest of the blade the full thickness of the stock the blade was ground from. The Catbyrd has a full height grind which is flat rather than concave (hollow), so we commonly call it a full flat grind, although it is also commonly shortened to flat grind. It gets really confusing when we knife knuts start going shorthand instead of using the full names of grinds. ;)

What I was refering to when I said I prefer the shape of the Flight is that it is "more pointy". I'm a sucker for a fine point. :D
 
Here's a comparison pic I shot some time ago to illustrate the different grinds.
Grinds.jpg


Top to bottom: Full hollow grind (concave full height grind)
hollow saber grind (concave part height grind)
flat saber grind (flat part height grind)
full flat grind (flat full height grind)
 
yablanowitz said:
Here's a comparison pic I shot some time ago to illustrate the different grinds.
Click to expand...
you rock, that's awesome. :) I think part of the problem I've had is the angle at which the knives are shot on the Spyderco site makes it difficult to see if an edge is concave or flat. From a direct side shot you really can't tell (and the descriptions kinda meander, sometimes not even mentioning the grind). It would probably be helpful if they'd also include an angled shot as you've done.
 
fyi, for anyone else new to the Byrd series and considering the Raven, here's an informative video review.
the voice over gets a bit rambling and slow, but it gives a very thorough look at the knife. It also helps you appreciate the differences between the lower priced Byrd knives and the higher priced Spyderco standard knives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mQQ5KdwoKw

and here's one on the Tenacious, which Carrot mentioned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TsuIuAYVJI
 
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