spyderco ladybug 3 or byrd finch g-10?

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flipsyde

Joined
Jan 21, 2011
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i am deciding on two different keychain knives from spyderco. i am currently looking into purchasing a ladybug 3 frn or byrd finch g-10.

the ladybug 3 obviously is more expensive, since its from spyderco's direct line. however, i am kind of leaning towards the byrd for a few reasons.. cheaper, has actual screws instead of rivots, and g-10 scales. the only downside is its made in china.

i have not handled any of these in person. does anyone have actual experience with the two. please give me your thoughts on this?
 
I have both.
Finch is extremely sharp, right out of the box.
I paid $9 each for a pair, as opposed to $25 per Ladybug.
Don't knock the Finch for the country of origin - it's a great keychain knife.
 
My G10 Finch has held up fairly well to light pocket EDCing. I would buy another if the price is right.

I can't say that for the non G10 version. It has lousy retention, and the blade slips easily out of the handle -- not what you want to find when fishing in your pocket.

Sal has said that was one reason they were discontinued.

Where are you finding the G10 version -- and for how much?

For me, price would determine whether to buy the Finch or the Ladybug, which IMO clearly has the better blade.
 
timbo114 said:
I have both.
Finch is extremely sharp, right out of the box.
I paid $9 each for a pair, as opposed to $25 per Ladybug.
Don't knock the Finch for the country of origin - it's a great keychain knife.
Click to expand...

wow! If could find it for $9, i wouldn't even think twice about picking it up. the main reason why i am looking into these particular keychain knives is because im wanting to replace my sog e-clip, which is also made in china. it just has a cheap feel to it. i guess thats one of the reasons why i am second guessing the g10 finch.

flash900 said:
My G10 Finch has held up fairly well to light pocket EDCing. I would buy another if the price is right.

I can't say that for the non G10 version. It has lousy retention, and the blade slips easily out of the handle -- not what you want to find when fishing in your pocket.

Sal has said that was one reason they were discontinued.

Where are you finding the G10 version -- and for how much?

For me, price would determine whether to buy the Finch or the Ladybug, which IMO clearly has the better blade.
Click to expand...

i seen the g10 version on the spyderco website for $13 and some change (not including shipping), it also says its being discontinued.

im going to check out a local gun show tomorrow so ill be on the look out and possibly snag one of these up if the price is right.
 
This is from a post I made last year on BF that you may find helpful:

I have three Byrds of this type:

1) One is Finch-like but black and is called the Starling. The blade has almost no retention and just falls open.
It is staying in its box, as I'd be afraid to carry it without modification.

This Byrd will not fly!

2) The second is the BY11SBK Finch -- a serrated model with FRN handle and no liner.
I carried it in my pocket for several months until this blade pretty much lost all retention as well.

These are pinned knives, so if anyone has any ideas about how to salvage them, please let me know.

3) The third is the BY11GP Finch, plain-edged, with G10 handle and steel liners.

I began EDCing this daily when No. 2 crapped out. It seems to be holding up quite well. And I like it.

Why such a difference? It could be the addition of the steel liners. Or it could be simply a lack of QC with the other two. I will leave that to the engineers.

Sal was kind enough to send me a response to the above post:

Sorry for your disappointment. We too were quite disappointed. All of the Finch and Starling models were discontinued some time ago. There is probably still some old merchandise out there. No doubt it will haunt us for some time.

finding good makers is a difficult search. We've kissed a lot of toads in the process.

sal

This is from Flash again: I should sum up by saying that I wouldn't hesitate to buy the G10 version, depending upon the price.

Is it as good as the Ladybug? No way. But, so far at least, it has held up, unlike the other two versions, which I had to get rid of.
 
just go back from the gun show and was disappointed that no vendors carried spyderco, so no luck in my search. there were mostly kershaw and benchmade dealers there. i guess ill have to search online for what i want.

flash,
about how long have you've been carrying your g-10? doesn't it feel a little heavier duty than the ladybug with the little extra added weight? and whats the quality on the g-10?
 
flipsyde said:
flash,
about how long have you've been carrying your g-10? doesn't it feel a little heavier duty than the ladybug with the little extra added weight? and whats the quality on the g-10?
Click to expand...

At least eight months.
And, yes, it does feel slightly heavier than the Ladybug. (Note that the G10 model comes with a keychain, while the L'Bug does not. That said, the blade alone seems a bit heavier.)

I concur with smokinape re checking out the H1 Ladybug w screws.
 
I tried a Byrd a few years ago, it developed a ridiculous amount of blade play after a few months. Maybe they're better now.
I went back to my ss ladybug, and it's still going strong. It's beat up from riding with my keys, and I use it several times a day, but it locks up tight and the action is like new.
Byrds are less expensive, you get what you pay for.
 
Ritt said:
I tried a Byrd a few years ago, it developed a ridiculous amount of blade play after a few months. Maybe they're better now.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't count on it. Although my G10 Finch is still working, the two other models were as you describe.

The Ladybug is the better quality. I want to try one with screws next.
 
And just to complicate the issue is this forthcoming model:

Also, the Man Bug! This is version of the Ladybug with an almost identical blade but a stouter handle with a steel bolster. It has a flat grind.
 
Prefere the Ladybug. VG-10 blade....real sharp. Its a pinned
knife so its not intended for rough use.
 
I prefer the shape of the Finch, with the choil, and haven't had any problems with my (FRN) one, but I don't carry it often. Sounds like they just don't stand up to more frequent use.
 
I can't see myself carrying a yellow LB on my keychain everyday, so the h1 is out. Im going to jump on the band wagon and go with a LB3 in black.

Since flash had brought it up, the manbug sounds promising as well. Did a little but not to much info or even an eta on it at this time. It does sound more masculine!
 
flipsyde said:
I can't see myself carrying a yellow LB on my keychain everyday, so the h1 is out. Im going to jump on the band wagon and go with a LB3 in black.

Since flash had brought it up, the manbug sounds promising as well. Did a little but not to much info or even an eta on it at this time. It does sound more masculine!
Click to expand...

There is a black handled ZDP-189 LB3 in the 2011 catalog.
 
update.. i ended up purchasing a LB3 and just received it in the mail today. blade is extremely sharp and feels great in my hand. great choice over the finch!

can someone please clarify.. to my understanding and research, only the h-1 yellow or orange LB3's come with actual hex screws, correct? because on my plain edge black frn LB3 that i received today it has hex screws on it. im sort of confused right now.
 
flipsyde said:
update.. i ended up purchasing a LB3 and just received it in the mail today. blade is extremely sharp and feels great in my hand. great choice over the finch!

can someone please clarify.. to my understanding and research, only the h-1 yellow or orange LB3's come with actual hex screws, correct? because on my plain edge black frn LB3 that i received today it has hex screws on it. im sort of confused right now.
Click to expand...

They are Torx, but yes, all pinned models are being changed to screw construction. My Lady Bug that I just got yesterday has screw construction as well.

Side note: were you as surprised by the Lady Bug's size as I was? I never knew they were that small.
 
Orion's Belt said:
They are Torx, but yes, all pinned models are being changed to screw construction. My Lady Bug that I just got yesterday has screw construction as well.

Side note: were you as surprised by the Lady Bug's size as I was? I never knew they were that small.
Click to expand...

thnx for confirming! it scared me a bit as i was thinking the worst, that i might have gotten a fake. so i guess i have a newer LB3. thats great! as i originally wanted something with screw construction.

i expected the size of the ladybug as it was about the same measurement as my sog e-clip that i intended on replacing for keychain carry.
 
I've beaten the tar out of my SE Ladybug, and no complaints at all. I snagged mine for $20 shipped.
 
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