What's the better knife for the money Vapor or Spyderco Byrd

M

Marc123

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Feb 4, 2002
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I am buying a knife for a friend of mine. It's going to be a starter knife, nothing too fancy or expensive. I have narrowed it down to either the Kershaw Vapor or one of the models from the Spyderco Byrd line. Of the two which is the better knife for the money.
 
Byrd fairly easily. The steel is harder and more wear resistant, the edges are generally thinner and more acute and the locks solid and consistent.

-Cliff
 
My Byrd Crow amazes me. That kind of quality and performance in a $20 knife is unheard of.
 
I agree with Cliff, although he's much more scientific than I am. I owned a vapor for a short time, and did a Byrd passaround. I much prefer lockbacks and hole openers, so I preferred the Byrd. Both are fairly heavy in the pocket, being steel handles. If that is an issue, take a look at the Ka Bar Dozier with the opening hole. Much lighter, same price range. The Vapor is the nicest looking, Byrd is probably the stoutest.
 
Both are excellent starter knives. I carried a Vapor II as a beater for about a year, but it developed a LOT of blade play in all directions.

At the time, the only other frame lock I owned was a Sebenza, and side by side, out of the box the Vapor locked up as well as the Sebbie. Even with it's absurd amounts of blade play (it rattled when in the open position) the lock was never compromised.

I called Kershaw about washers and they sent, free of charge, entirely new fittings for the knife (pivot, handle screws, washers, clip screws and a new clip). That experience made me a Kershaw fan and my rebuilt Vapor is as good as new.

That said, the Byrds I've handled were tanks, but I've only handled, I don't own one. I think they'd make a wonderful entry level knife that'll take some abuse. The Meadowlark looks like it would make a mighty fine beater and you can't beat the price of those knives.

I don't know if you're interested or not, but another good entry level knife would be a Benchmade Pika. Not one that I own, but a friend has the big one and I've played with the little one before and they seem like good sturdy knives for a great price.
 
I own 2 byrds and I feel like a thief when I buy them because they are so inexpensive, yet so good.
 
Can someone post a pic of byrd. I can't seem to find it on any sellers lists.
 
I have a Vapor and have handled the Byrd folders and I'd have to say get the Byrd.

STR
 
Have seen the Vapor its OK, haven't seen the Byrd but based on past experience I'd take something made by Spyderco over Kershaw any day so I'd go with Byrd.
 
Thanks for the replies. I will go with the Byrd. I may also get the Benchmade Pika. For the price I can swing two knives.
 
Here is a pic.
BY08_M.jpg
 
And not just because I'm a Spydie guy. I picked up a Crossbill and a Flight. The Crossbill was a little two wide for my taste to carry in my pocket.

However, the flight was a different story all together. Razor sharp, thin and a rock solid lock-up.

For the price, you can't beat it.
 
I have the little Vapor and a Meadowlark. Both are good, but the Meadowlark gets the nod for me, despite it being a bit on the heavy side. Up here, they run in the $40 range so that puts it in the Ka-Bar/Dozier folding hunter range, but then, with the Meadowlark, you get SS and it's quite amazing how good the fit and finish is for the money:D Haven't seen a Crow or Raven up here yet, but they are sure on the list:)

- gord
 
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