Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

Discuss Spyderco's byrd knives.
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#1

Post by araneae »

First of all, thanks to Sal for sending these out. Second, wow. These are far and above the nicest Byrds to date. Fit and finish meets or exceeds the Tenacious line in my opinion. Blade stock is thicker and made from Carpenter's bd-1 and it wears Sal's signature proudly. Grinds are clean and the jimping is precise and exactly where it should be. Lock up is solid and the lock release is easily accessed. The g-10 feels quality and the pocket clips are brushed SS. Hardware looks high quality as well. Liners are all skeletonized. These are quality pieces well worth the higher price over the original versions. I'm sure the US steel is part of the cost; I like 8Cr just fine so we'll see how bd-1 is as a replacement.

My initial thought opening the Raven was it felt like a small super leaf. The Crow puts a somewhat smaller blade in a well designed and ergonomic handle that gives a 4 finger grip with or without the choil. I like both of these knives a lot already. If fhe Ti Byrds are coming from this maker, they will be impressive for sure. They need to give this factory more work.

Some teaser pics:
Image

Image

Image
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
User avatar
Donut
Member
Posts: 9568
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:47 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#2

Post by Donut »

That looks pretty awesome. I almost ordered the pair, but $45 each would have put the total around $100 with shipping and everything.

I will probably pick them up at some time. I'm eager to give them a shot.
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
Ecchi-Spud
Member
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat May 02, 2015 6:13 pm
Location: 1123,6536,5321

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#3

Post by Ecchi-Spud »

Now the hard part: Deciding WHICH ONE to order. (Knowing me, I'll probably have BOTH eventually . . . )
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#4

Post by araneae »

Some more pics.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
Chinook3
Member
Posts: 253
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:31 am
Location: Southern Ca

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#5

Post by Chinook3 »

Hi araneae, nice reveiw I too just purchased the Raven 2 getting use to it and liking it. Bought the knife to take the place of my Tenacious which I also really like no issues except ergo's really. I have been waiting to purchase a knife in this steel CTS-BD1, personally not a real hard knife user but just enough to get them dull and re-sharpen, the Raven 2 will be no exception. What about you what kind of "work" do you plan on putting your Raven 2 through? thanks :spyder:
My response is "Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there, it just means you can't see it". Sal G.
User avatar
MichaelScott
Member
Posts: 3008
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:42 am
Location: Southern Colorado

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#6

Post by MichaelScott »

I'm looking forward to you continuing comments. I like the Tenacious a lot for what it is in the price range, but, I could not get entirely comfortable with the ergonomics of the handle. I am interested in your experience with the Raven in that regard.
Overheard at the end of the ice age, “We’ve been having such unnatural weather.”

http://acehotel.blog

Team Innovation
User avatar
Donut
Member
Posts: 9568
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:47 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#7

Post by Donut »

Any chance of an "in hand" picture?
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#8

Post by araneae »

A good chance.
Raven
Image

Image

Crow
Image

Image
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#9

Post by araneae »

Today the Raven got a little use at work. I cut some dirty burlap off a balled tree and some jute twine. Also opened a box up. The factory edge lost its hair shaving ability. I won't sharpen it yet. The blade has picked up a few light scratches. Going to try and give it some more work this week.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
User avatar
Donut
Member
Posts: 9568
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:47 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#10

Post by Donut »

Thanks for the review and pictures. It looks like a real quality knife!
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
User avatar
Donut
Member
Posts: 9568
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:47 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#11

Post by Donut »

araneae, when these two knives are closed and you put a little pressure on the spine, is the blade solid or does it move?

My Crow, the stop pin presses on the blade and it doesn't give. On my Raven, it feels like the closed is resting on the detent and when I press on the spine it gives until the choil hits the stop pin.
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
User avatar
araneae
Member
Posts: 5490
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#12

Post by araneae »

Donut wrote:araneae, when these two knives are closed and you put a little pressure on the spine, is the blade solid or does it move?

My Crow, the stop pin presses on the blade and it doesn't give. On my Raven, it feels like the closed is resting on the detent and when I press on the spine it gives until the choil hits the stop pin.
Mine seem firm in the closed position.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
User avatar
Donut
Member
Posts: 9568
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:47 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#13

Post by Donut »

Thanks.
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
shoggoth80
Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 1:10 am

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#14

Post by shoggoth80 »

Those are looking really nice! Gonna have to keep my eyes peeled.
User avatar
v8r
Member
Posts: 1936
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:04 pm
Location: Van, Texas,USA,Earth

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#15

Post by v8r »

I like the new script on the blade.
bornagainprimative
Member
Posts: 234
Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:53 am
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#16

Post by bornagainprimative »

First ones I'm interested in
mts49
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:01 pm

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#17

Post by mts49 »

araneae,

Thank you for the pictures and the review! Have you sharpened yet?

Also, Could you throw in a picture of the Crow2 and Raven2 with a Delica4 or PM2 or CaraCara for a size comparison?

Thanks!
User avatar
Donut
Member
Posts: 9568
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:47 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#18

Post by Donut »

I can't remember if I still have the Cara Cara, but I know I have the other 4.
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
User avatar
JAfromMN
Member
Posts: 1543
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 1:41 pm
Location: MN

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#19

Post by JAfromMN »

I may have to give a new Byrd a try.

I couldn't get along with the steel they used in the old ones.

But I already know from my lwt manix experience that bd01 is a good steel for me.
User avatar
SpeedHoles
Member
Posts: 2725
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:53 am
Location: Mitten

Re: Crow & Raven 2 Full Review

#20

Post by SpeedHoles »

Excellent review! Any more updates?

I now have a Crow 2 on the way...
Going back to Caly.
Post Reply