What do real Spyderco Fans think about Byrd knives?

[Evil D]

I have nothing against them, they just aren't for me. I'm ok admitting I'm a snob lol.

Mora knives cured me of snobbery. It's very liberating to have a well made tool you can beat to death without worrying about it. Byrd knives are in that same category.

It really isn't cheap knives that aren't for me, I have Svord Peasants and a Higo No Kami which are both under $20. I'd just sooner buy a Tenacious over a byrd.

[bearfacedkiller]

^ That is where I am at. I like Spyderco for my quality blades but mostly look towards other options for budget knives. I am obviously a big fan of Spyderco but once I get under $30 there are lots and lots of options and some I would prefer to Byrds for a couple of reasons.

I like budget knives too. I am a really big fan of SAKs and Moras. I have a Kabar Dozier folder that is a great budget folder. Spyderco stands out in the premium category but the budget category is just really really flooded with options and depending on where you stand on country of manufacture quite a few of those options are not made in China. I am not anti-China but it can influence my decisions when there are other options.

[Candyman]

Just like the Spyderco line there are ones that I like and ones that I don't. The Byrd Raven 2 is one of the greatest knives out in the market for the price in my opinion. As some have said they are great entry level knives and then there are a few that exceed entry level.

Rich (Candyman)

[Wrathhog]

Not much. Bought my son a Robin and was really shocked how awful it was. Much better can be had for the money.

[ConspicuousConsumption]

Sal's mentioned on the forum that he sometimes carries a Byrd. Yeah, he has a hand in the knives for sure, and probably wants to promote them, but I doubt he'd carry them if he didn't think they were worthy.

I actually think the comma hole is better for opening than the Spydiehole. Kinda grips the finger a bit better.

I keep a Byrd Meadowlark in my backpack as backup.

[zhyla]

I grabbed a Byrd rescue model for yard abuse. I think it was the Cara Cara 2? Awful experience. Just would not lock reliably. I recently just threw it away. I think this is not the norm for the Byrd line but it didn’t make me want to buy another.

[sal]

Hi UMT,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[swigert]

I own ALOT of spydies. I’ve never even considered a Byrd. I’m an admitted knife snob though. A S30V para 2 is my beater.

Like many have mentioned I’ve sometimes been ordered why they even exist. Why not just discontinue it and focus even more on the budget line if Spyderco and get more people in the actual Spyderco Brand.

[JRinFL]

I have avoided Byrd knives and will continue to do so. I do not like awkward opening hole (eye?) and most do not appeal to me even if they sported a proper hole.

[PayneTrain]

I have nothing against them, they just aren't for me. I'm ok admitting I'm a snob lol.

My sentiment as well!

If I weren't a snob, I'd buy them. But, I am, so, I won't! :)

I much prefer to pay more for better. While the designs are the same and are tried and true, the bump up in materials is well worth it to me. And these days it's so hard to find something not made in China that when I find it, I almost have to buy it regardless of what it is and whether or not I need it!

[spyderwolf]

They are not for me.I dont like the ''byrd eye''hole,but the main reason is i would never buy a '''daughter brand''.Either the original,or a 5$ junk from the gas station.Its like buying a Skoda instead of a VW.They are 95% the same car,but the feeling they gave you is 100% diferent.

I do get your metafor, but i have owned 2 Skodas, and the fact is that Skoda does better at the Swedish annual vehicle check than their VW counterparts :)
As for Byrd/Spyderco i am beginning to think they should scrap either the Spyderco value line or the Byrds as they overlap each other IMO.

I think you got a glimpse in the future.I would bet the Byrd's will go extinct in a couple of years,and the (lack) of interest showed by the :spyder: fans here are backing my opinion.

[JD Spydo]

The only BYRD knife I've been tempted to buy and I'm probably going to get two of them at some point because I want the Crossbill model in both PE & SE.
It's probably because of my Hawkbill craze that I'm going to cave in and eventually cross the line so to speak and get a pair of the Crossbill models.

I can see why Spyderco has taken on a discount line of folders because it probably paves the way for that user to eventually want to check out the high end Spyderco models. It's really a smart marketing move on Spyderco's behalf.

Also I tend to be a "MADE IN THE USA" guy to a large degree but there are exceptions>> which is why I own so many GOLDEN,CO USA Earth models. For instance when it comes to chain saws I love the German made STIHL line the best because of their high quality standards>> and I've not found a USA made saw that can compete with them. Spyderco's Japan made blades are very respectable and I feel good owning them as long as it's got the Spyderco name on it.

Quality is what drew me to Spyderco to begin with and I certainly don't want to compromise at this point. But there are always exceptions and at some point I'm going to check out the Crossbill model ( PE & SE).

[eddiebob]

I see the Byrd knives as part of a business model. At this point in my life I am not interested in entry model anything. Probably safe to say I am a knife snob. Chris Reeve and top end Spydercos don't phase me. So is life...

[vivi]

I really like them and in my opinion most Spyderco fans overlook them. The Cara Cara 2 in particular is one of my favorite designs at any price point from any company. The steel performs just fine for typical EDC work.

In fact I have a challenge going on where I invite forum members to carry a Byrd for 30 days and see for themselves just how capable they are. I EDC'd a Byrd Cara Cara 1 for two years and I put it through more abuse than most people here seem to put their entire collections through, judging by their photos of knives that look as immaculate as the day they were purchased.

If the H1 Pacific Salts didn't exist I'd either have a Police or a Cara Cara in my pocket right now.

[C99c]

For those who are fans of simple steels, the Byrd knives give us inexpensive options in several sizes and designs. I have a Cara Cara 2 combo blade and it's one of my favorite general utility folders. I don't like it more than my Enduras, but I don't think of it as a lesser product because of where it's made or because the hole is a different shape (which actually works better with gloves than the normal Spyder hole, in my experience).

I've gifted Byrd Rescues to several folks. Some of them still use them, a couple moved on to Salt series knives. The Byrd line is a good introduction to Spyderco's designs for "non-knife people".

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I have nothing against them, they just aren't for me. I'm ok admitting I'm a snob lol.

And what may I ask is the reason for this tragedy? :) :spyder:

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I like Byrd knives, a lot. Yes, its true. It is not an Endura or a Salt. But, it is better than any other knife of that price range and production I know of. I have a Byrd in my hands right now, two of them: The original Cara Cara and the Cara Cara 2. Both are exquisite in their fit and finish and edge sharpness and handling.

Both are razor-sharp and have the beautiful satin finish.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I really like them and in my opinion most Spyderco fans overlook them. The Cara Cara 2 in particular is one of my favorite designs at any price point from any company. The steel performs just fine for typical EDC work.

In fact I have a challenge going on where I invite forum members to carry a Byrd for 30 days and see for themselves just how capable they are. I EDC'd a Byrd Cara Cara 1 for two years and I put it through more abuse than most people here seem to put their entire collections through, judging by their photos of knives that look as immaculate as the day they were purchased.

If the H1 Pacific Salts didn't exist I'd either have a Police or a Cara Cara in my pocket right now.

I agree 100 percent, Vivi.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I personally think the Byrd knives, the more robust ones such as the Cara Cara, do not get the recognition and respect they deserve and are worthy of, from the folding knife community.

This Cara Cara 2 I have right here has zero blade-play whatsoever, it has a solid lock, and it is extremely rust-resistant, and scalpel-sharp.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

They are not for me.I dont like the ''byrd eye''hole,but the main reason is i would never buy a '''daughter brand''.Either the original,or a 5$ junk from the gas station.Its like buying a Skoda instead of a VW.They are 95% the same car,but the feeling they gave you is 100% diferent.

I do get your metafor, but i have owned 2 Skodas, and the fact is that Skoda does better at the Swedish annual vehicle check than their VW counterparts :)
As for Byrd/Spyderco i am beginning to think they should scrap either the Spyderco value line or the Byrds as they overlap each other IMO.

I think you got a glimpse in the future.I would bet the Byrd's will go extinct in a couple of years,and the (lack) of interest showed by the :spyder: fans here are backing my opinion.

I completely, totally, and utterly DISAGREE to the nth degree with this prediction. I instead predict that the Byrd line will increase in variety and we will see a continuation of the Cara Cara which is extremely useful. Infact, it is better than and rivals the Tenacious.