Byrd Tern: First Impressions

[Spydergirl88]

I have owned many Spyderco knives, but only 2 Byrd knives including this Byrd Tern I picked up today. What intrigued me about this design was the common features it shares with many Spyderco knives I love:
FFG
Opening Hole
Finger Choil
Jimping
Wire Clip
Linerless G10
Half Stop
I love the UKPK but it is too big for my needs. I also prefer G10 to FRN. I decided to try out the Byrd Tern and I am so glad that I did. I instantly fell in love when I had the knife in my hand. The ergos are great for me and the walk and talk is snappy. I washed the factory oil off of the blade, sharpened it up more on the Sharpmaker with the fine stones, and put a short wire clip on it from a Dragonfly. The factory Tern clip is too long for my liking. Overall, I highly recommend this knife!


Size comparison next to the Lil Native and Dragonfly HB

[J D Wijbenga]

Looks like the size I like to. Currently enjoying the Elmax Urban. The Tern could be and inexpensive alternative.

[sparky2016]

Really great pix (as always), thanks. The photos do a nice job showing the contouring on the G10 handles, which IMO makes all the difference. A really terrific value.

A Slip Joint, worth noting.

[Jazz]

I'm thinking of this one. How is the detent when open? Does it feel secure, like the UKPK?

[Spydergirl88]

Yes I was surprised with how nice the detent was. I replaced the clip bc the wire clip it came with had zero retention/tension. I actually run it clip less now. I am not worried about it opening in pocket at all. I need to reprofile the edge thinner, not great from factory.

[Ric]

The detent is strong than a Swiss Army Knife.

Unfortunately never handled a UKPK.

[Doc Dan]

The back spring tension on the one I bought many years ago was so weak that the knife was unsafe. I otherwise loved the design. It makes me happy to hear that this is no longer the case. I may have to give this knife another go.

Now, where is that slip joint Lil Native?

[pantagana23]

Could a kind soul, if possible, take a picture of the Tern with Urban (UKPK as a bonus if you have this also.
Ordered one a month and a half ago and still waiting (2 months is now a standard shipping time from US to Europe if you don't use DHL or similar fast shipping options, which in case of a cheap knife like this just isn't cost effective), so would like to see the comparison.

[yowzer]

Could a kind soul, if possible, take a picture of the Tern with Urban (UKPK as a bonus if you have this also.

Here you go:

[pantagana23]

Here you go:

Thank you.

[OrangeShoes]

The knives appear to be handy and convenient to use. In Addition, the handle feels very nice and durable.

[S-3 ranch]

Bought me a meadowlark, pretty decent knife, work in the ranching and hunting business
And am hard on my knife, sometimes opening 50-200 feed bags a day, so I carry a meadowlark and a old delica G-2 fully serrated
The lark is easy enough to strop or sharpen @17* on a worksharp, wish I had some D2 steel for just a bit more tougher steel

Edit I broke down 30-40 cardboard boxes and rolled the edge, but reprofiled the knife back to sharp enough to push cut a paper towel ( very interested to see how the Chinese steel will hold up)

[pantagana23]

A little advice for any lefties changing sides of the pocket clip on the Tern:
DO NOT try to switch sides of screw and bolt on the back, nor extract the bolt part more than absolutely needed for the wire to slide in.

Just had half hour of my life lost reassembling it.

The spring is one piece and in the end you'll have to put all bolts from one side, insert blade, hope it doesn't deform G10, and screw it back together