Review: BYRD Crossbill

[224477]

Hello Forumites,

I dont know how to start. This is my 1st review with LOUSY pics.. :o
Another FACT, please note that English is not my natural language, so appologize my faults.

The Crossbill is my 2nd BYRD knife, after a week spent with Cara Cara.
I have the plain-edged version.
I am not going to write about the meassures, please note the pics, comparing the Crossbill to a SS Endura, for your imagination. The weight is a little less than Endura, I guess it could be about 145 gram.

Fit and Finish are IMO great for a 30 dollar knife. You will get more than expected for this money. I would say it is about 90 per cent of fit n finish of a stainless steel handled spyderco knife.

The blade has a little side play, but estimated only 0,25mm, so nothing serious. I got more blade play on the Endura than on the Crossbill.
It also "rocks" when you press harder on the back of the knife, but also, it is similar or less like the spyderco rockin´.

All Byrds knives use some kind of washers, they are cuprum coloured, but i dont have idea which material it is exactly. I forgot to mention it before.

The blade was sharp out of the box, but not as sharp as spyderco knives, you must give the byrd a ride on the sharpmaker. I was sharpening it yesterday for the first time and didnt get that edge angle :confused: It is more than 30 degree, but I dont know how much exactly, maybe Sal could help here with the answer.
Steel is ok, I am happy about those 61 HRC. It holds edge very well!

The lock is great. It is a typical mid lock folder. I guess it could be heavy duty, because it is much harder to unlock than the Endura or other spydies I have. It has also a Boye dent, so you can calmly grip the knife as hard as you want.

The clip is stainless, looks simillar as the one on Spyderco Kopa. Fastened with a trio of torx screws and the Loctite is not used, so you won´t strip the screws so fast!
You can attach it TIP UP or TIP DOWN, but only for right hand deployment. It rides quite low IMO. It could have better tension, I would preffer the same style (full clip) as Cara Cara has, ´cause the knife is quite heavy and may slip out of your pants during certain activities like running or jumping.

Grip is very good! Although it is stainless hadled, where the slippery is the surname, the ergonomics a la :spyder: NATIVE (double finger choil) makes very comfortable and safe grip in the forhand saber grip, edge out. In backhand saber grip edge out also very comfortable! Less comfortable when edge in, in both positions mentioned above, but in some hands could be this also OK. The handle is thicker than on most SS handled spyderco knives, I took a picture, but dunno if it is good to see.

The combination of good grip and safe lock gives me a good result for MBC use of the knife. Thrusting is limited, only when held in some 45 degree angle in hand position, then it could be possible (Imagine to thrust with a pistol grip knife..)
Most of the MBC use could be for slashing and "cut n paste" cuts. The tip of the blade is very sharp, so it will find its way in the target easily.
You can also use the pommel of the handle for strikes, the grip is safe so no need to be affraid.

PROS:
- the price, for 30 USD best bargain, IMHO
- steel, very good edge retention
- GREAT ergonomics, fits comfortable your hand, makes a safe grip even as a SS handle.
- fit n finish
- heavy duty :confused: lock, I guess it is..

CONS:
- I would prefer FULL clip, like Cara Cara, for more tension.
- ambidextrous clip attachment (I am a lefty..)
- 30° angle of the edge to keep it sharper.
- what about making a full serrated version (poor mans Civilian???)

I hope you will enjoy my basic review, I will try to be better next time.
Thank you for reading!
J.

[Piet.S]

Thanks for your review, no appologies needed. Its fine as it is.

[Burnett]

Thanks for the review indeed. Although I don't plan on buying a Byrd knife, it was an interesting read.

[JDEE]

Good review. Tallies with mine and others reviews of the Byrd range. I would just like to make a point regarding the Byrd range - I have read comments from some who said they would stick to their Spydercos. Well the Byrd was designed by Spyderco, made for Spyderco, distributed by Spyderco so why isn't it a Spyderco - is it because it hasn't got the "hole" or the "bug". If this knife was made in Japan could they do a better job and what price would it be?

[224477]

Good review. Tallies with mine and others reviews of the Byrd range. I would just like to make a point regarding the Byrd range - I have read comments from some who said they would stick to their Spydercos. Well the Byrd was designed by Spyderco, made for Spyderco, distributed by Spyderco so why isn't it a Spyderco - is it because it hasn't got the "hole" or the "bug". If this knife was made in Japan could they do a better job and what price would it be?

I always considered the Byrd as a part of Spyderco. For me it is interesting to buy even "cheaper" Byrd/ :spyder: for a reasonable price, which will perform well.

Thanks for the kind words on the review...

[DAYWALKER]

Pozdravuj Priatel!!!

Great review bro!!! Very good information, and the pics were fine!!! I tell you, your english is better than most of my co-workers! :D Keep up the great reviews!

BTW, how do you like the swedge on it? Does it come really thin at the tip?

God bless and Maj sa Dobre Priatel :cool:

[224477]

Pozdravuj Priatel!!!

Great review bro!!! Very good information, and the pics were fine!!! I tell you, your english is better than most of my co-workers! :D Keep up the great reviews!

BTW, how do you like the swedge on it? Does it come really thin at the tip?

God bless and Maj sa Dobre Priatel :cool:

Hey brother!
Where did you get that "Pozdravuj" :eek: I must check our later conversation to find out :D Your Slovak is better from day to day!
I am happy that you liked my review. It is nice to hear from a friend :)
The swedge is fine, it is sharpened a bit like a dagger, so the "rib" of the tip is still 3mm thin, it is same as you would look at TIP of the police. I was doing some slash test on a few plastic bottles in full speed, first have been affraid of possible breaking, but absolutely nothing happens. It is well built and the sharpest part of the whole knife (the tip..)..
E ya later.
Aloha,
J.

[DAYWALKER]

Ahoj 224477!!!

Ooh...hope I didn't say anything bad to you... :o

Anyway, yes, again I say your review was great! Good to know about the tip on the Crossbill. I think it is a VERY nice knife. I'd much rather beat up a Byrd than a Spyder :rolleyes: :D

we'll be in touch, God bless and dovidenia :cool:

[greencobra]

Hello 224477. A very good review you have done. Nothing wrong with the photos or your English skills. Wish I could read and write a second language.

[psimonl]

To JDEE,

Another differrence between Byrd and :spyder: is the warranty. Spydies are for life and Byrd only for 30 days from purchase date.


Simon

[ghostrider]

Great review 224477,

I appreciate it because I have a Crossbill in the works, although it won't be here for some time.

Question:
Is it possible to use the Endura clip on the Crossbill?

[224477]

Great review 224477,

I appreciate it because I have a Crossbill in the works, although it won't be here for some time.

Question:
Is it possible to use the Endura clip on the Crossbill?

Thanks for the kind words.. :)
To be honest, at the moment I am looking on the SS Delica and the Crossbill.
The screws are not the same, the Byrds has bigger ones (radius), the distance between holes is also another (Screw holes in handles..). I would give a try, maybe :confused: Maybe not :confused:

[224477]

To JDEE,

Another differrence between Byrd and :spyder: is the warranty. Spydies are for life and Byrd only for 30 days from purchase date.


Simon

I found in the box of the Cara Cara a piece of paper from Spyderco, which says about one year warranty "All byrd knives are warranted to the original ownerto be free from defects in materials and workmanship for ONE year from the date of purchase." I got no time to scan, so pls. just believe me :rolleyes:

[Joyce Laituri]

Terrific in-depth review 224477, thank you. We're still learning more and more about the byrd line here in-house and your feedback is greatly appreciated.

The Byrd knife warranty does span one year.

Anyone carried one around salt water? Thoughts? Experiences? Likes, dislikes?

Joyce @ Spyderco

[ghostrider]

Thanks for the kind words.. :)
To be honest, at the moment I am looking on the SS Delica and the Crossbill.
The screws are not the same, the Byrds has bigger ones (radius), the distance between holes is also another (Screw holes in handles..). I would give a try, maybe :confused: Maybe not :confused:

I used to have the Meadowlark and found that the clip from the Meadowlard fit on my gray Calypso Jr. I used original screws to the CJ and didn't transfer them from the Meadowlark because I wasn't sure they would fit.

[224477]

Terrific in-depth review 224477, thank you. We're still learning more and more about the byrd line here in-house and your feedback is greatly appreciated.

The Byrd knife warranty does span one year.

Anyone carried one around salt water? Thoughts? Experiences? Likes, dislikes?

Joyce @ Spyderco

Thank you for your kind words Joyce. I am glad to be helpful.
Regards,
Jano

[crahen]

Great review and pictures And your english is better than a lot of people living here in the U.S. :eek: (And they can't speak a second language either :rolleyes: )

[spyderknut]

Thanks for an excellent review 224477! I can't wait to get my hands on one of those!

[AllenETreat]

224477 -

I couldn't agree more! Let's bring those pics BTT! :cool:

AET :D