Spyderco Crow VS. Native

A

arreskow

Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
9
Hey Guys! I’m a complete novice when it comes to blades and since I intend to buy one real soon, I’d like to check a few things with you connoisseurs.
I’m interested in a Spyderco folder and there’s no shop carrying that brand in my home town in Sweden, so I don’t have access to hands on information.

1. What’s the difference (feel-wise and in use) between a Byrd series knife like the Crow and the much more expensive Native?

2. Any drawbacks with a black blade?

3.What about sharpening?

4. Is it hard to sharpen a serrated edge?

5. What internet shop providing international orders should I chose?

Thanks a lot!
 
1. What’s the difference (feel-wise and in use) between a Byrd series knife like the Crow and the much more expensive Native?
The egonomics will vary from hand to hand. I own all THREE knives (Crow, Native II and Native III) and the best ergos are, in order and FOR MY HAND, Native III, Native II, and Crow. BUT - the Crow's ergos are not bad, just not as good for me as the Natives. The Crow's handle scales are made from textured aluminum. The grip is great for metal but not as good (again, for me) as the FRN of the Natives.


2. Any drawbacks with a black blade?
Spyderco/Byrd's blade coating seems to be as sturdy as anything out there from production companies but ANY blade coating will get scratched off over time if the blade is put to sufficiently hard use. In my view, if you're using a knife hard enough to seriously scratch the coating, that knife is going to wear out mechanically long before the 'ugly' blade coating becomes an issue.


3.What about sharpening?
All the various Spyderco blade steels are easy for me to sharpen on my Sharpmaker. Even my ZDP Caly III's are easy to touch up but I don't let those blades get at all dull!


4. Is it hard to sharpen a serrated edge?
Not with a Sharpmaker but any good 'dog leg' or triangular-shaped sharpener should well on the Spyderedge serration pattern.


5. What internet shop providing international orders should I chose?
Look around on this forum and you'll find some vendors with good reputations... New Graham and Lighthound come to mind. Knifeworks and Knifecenter have been great sources for me personally but I don't know their international shipping policies.
 
- about the international shipping shop, I recommand knifeworks.com, or newgraham.com if Western Union payment is something you don't consider a problem (I do, so I buy at knifeworks).

- I do sharpen serrated blades on my sharpmaker, but it's quite long (maybe I do it wrong though). I'm considering the purchase of 701 profile stones, they're said to be better suited to sharpen serrated blades. They don't fit into an angle guide though, so if you don't feel like sharpening blades freehand, the sharpmaker would be just fine.

I can't comment the other points, sorry.
 
Forgot to add -- the Crow is available with satin finish (uncoated) blade. That's the variety I own. :D
 
I have had excellent dealings with New Graham.

I think most people who handle knives cite the Native as the standard by which to judge small working-knife ergonomics.

I especially like the ambidextrous clip and how nicely the knife fits in my waistband.
I don't put knives in my pocket, and prefer either my belt or waistband.
 
i have a few byrds, and i cant say this enough, the g10 byrd robin is one of the best byrds inmop. i also have the g10 cara cara and the crow, but i like the g10 robin way more. its one of the best little big knives around inmop. i cant praise the knife enough, especially since it only cost me $20. some byrds are better than others.

the native however is an awesome knife and worth the extra money.

SP-BY10GP.jpg
 
+1 3mptin3ss...

The Robin G10 would pass for a Spyderco if it had a round thumbhole. The Byrds are fantastic deals for what they cost but the Robin G10 stands out.
 
i am infatuated with my byrd crow. theres nothing bad about it in my mind. the aluminum handle is as solid as steel. and the byrd steel itself is easy for newbies to deal with. eg i lent someone my knife and they destroyed the blade. the entire edge had broken off. he tried to cut some heavy steel wire with it. i put it in a chefs choice and then touched it up with my sharp maker and i can shave with it as good as ever. the black blade also doesnt scratch like a non coated blade does. the lock is solid. i like it better than the natives. it has better action imo. and there is no play whatsoever (not the case with my frn delica). i've never owned a native, but i noticed the hole is slightly under the handle. thats a small nuisance imo. one good thing though, i think the vg steel is more corrosion resistant than the byrd knives. i left my crow outside one night, and the blade had surface rust on it. so dont think the coating makes it corrosion resistant. but basically all in all, you get a virtually indestructable, unruinable, high quality knife for around 20 dollars. go with the crow unless you just really prefer the ergonomics of the native.
 
I purchased my Native at Wal-mart for $40.00:eek: Check them out , I don't think that you can beat that deal on a new native anywhere ! I love this knife, it's light , slim in the pocket , feels good in the hand. :thumbup:
 
I just bought my first Spyderco, a Native from Wal-Mart this weekend. Took it home and played with it awhile, and fell in love with it. It'll be in my EDC rotation starting tomorrow.
 
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