Raven Review

[Jimmy_Dean]

Story begins like many other of my stories:
first day off in ages, decide to go DVD hunting, come back home with no DVD but a new knife...

This time, my victim was a Byrd Raven PE. I have been contemplating buying one of those for a few weeks. I was curious at what Spyderco could make a "made in China" knife any good. In any case, the price tag was 23,75$ CAN, which was attractive enough to take the plunge:

Right of the bat, the knife has a very good feel in the hand, great feel I should say. The liner is rather thin so it doesn't have a solid 'thunk' like my Milie has but it certainly locks the blade open in a very firm position, with 0 blade play. Fit and finish pass the inspection. The double, full-lenght liners and aluminium scales give a nice heft to the knife and the ergos are very good, perhaps better than I had expected, but then again, it's designed by Spyderco! I quite like the comet hole too. Some will find it not as attractive as the simple Trademark round hole but it works just as well with a distinctive design. In fact, you can hide a portion of it with your fingers and see that the comet is actually just a round hole in disguise. Clip is very reminicent of a regular Spyderco clip and works just as well, can be made tip-up or tip-down.

Now, the steel was a concern. I recently aquired a Ronin which made me fall in love with VG-10. That things refinied sharp in my book! So could I be content with a 'lesser' steel, such as 8Cr13MoV? Sure I can! The edge was properly ground out of the box and rather adequate but a few passes on the whites made it shave effortlessly. While the knife only whittled a little so far and fixed diner tonight(open-back construction!), I can tell that the edge retention is quite acceptable and it touches up easily with the 204. It's a working knife with a working blade steel and it suits me fine. My only quasi-bad comment goes to the aluminium scales. I know the catalog says that the feather design improves grip, and maybe it's because I've been EDCing a g-10 Milie for some time but the aluminium handles are still slipery, there's no way around that. Still I like the feel of them and the look is very satisfying, and I just read that some Byrd knives will be offered in G-10 so maybe I'll give that a try too. If they even make a FRN version, I'm in!

Bottom line: I'm really glad I bought this knife. It's a lot of fun in a small and inexpensive package. I'm sure I will buy some more of those but it's not replacing any of my Spyderco. When I really need to use a knife, I'd prefer it to be a Spydie but I will enjoy scattering the Byrds around in the house, car and school bag so there's always a knife handy. I think these two product line-up complement each other very well and offer something for everyone and every budget.

It took me forever to even look at the Byrd products but they are sure worth the money. I'm sure you too can also find something you like in it!

-Dean

[ghostrider]

Thanks for the review JD. I myself am a proponent of the byrd line and couldn't agree with you more on the Raven. The "8 etc." steel is quite good and I find that often times all that is required to bring it back to shaving sharp is a few strops on a piece of cardboard. Can't wait for the G-10 versions.

[jaislandboy]

Yeah, Dean enjoyed reading your review and I bought a pe Raven and Crow the other day and give these Byrds 2 thumbs up as well! :cool:

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha Jimmy Dean,

Great review...I too was initially skeptical about this "byrd line". I got bit swayed when Jurphaas was going crazy over the Meadowlark and Cara Cara...then after winning a few byrds from :spyder: , I was convinced that they are great knives. Especially considering their price point...amazing.

God bless and take care :cool:

[surawut]

Does anyone kow that Spyderco will replace the handle for this model to G10 this year?

[dialex]

Hi JD. Thanks for the review. I am a bit reluctant too when it comes to knives made in China (or Taiwan). I had to lay my hands on a Salsa to realize that Chinese is not necesarilly crap. There are some Byrd models I like very much. They seem so well made they deserve a round hole

[224477]

Thanks for the cool review Jimmy! Awesome stuff :cool:

[smcfalls13]

Excellent review :cool:

[Pete1977]

The one thing I think I don't like about my raven is the comet hole.

I could definately see myself buying a spyderco knife in G-10 and 8Cr13MoV steel with a ROUND hole. :)

My only quasi-bad comment goes to the aluminium scales. I know the catalog says that the feather design improves grip, and maybe it's because I've been EDCing a g-10 Milie for some time but the aluminium handles are still slipery

I found the handles slippery as well, but then I wet the knife. The feathered pattern, I call it "fish rib" myself, actually made the handle grippier, with a slight suction effect!.

it is a great little knife you've picked up. I've edc'd it at work for about a month now without a complaint or problem!

I too got a military to use, replace actually, the raven. I just sold it on bladeforums, it made me remember why I sold my other military. that knife is just too big for my hands! and the 440V wasn't that hot for a steel snob like me. :)

pete

[deeker]

I received a Raven as a gift from my brother-in-law yesterday. I didn't get a chance to play around with it much, but I agree with much of what you say about the knife.

Very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the Byrd Raven, I will have to try some of the others in the line-up.

[psimonl]

Hey...

Great review. As a Mather of fact, I was right there last week end and hesitated to buy one. But with the sale coming this week end (starting tomorrow (wink wink!!!) well I guess I don't have a choice and plunge for a byrd to go along with my soon to have Inova T3 (Flash light is starting a lot of my play money!!!)

BTW, Am I the only one that really don't like those feathered dinosaurs in the catalog!?!?!?!

Simon

[CKE]

Good review and the price is hard to beat. Next time I am in TO I might stop in Le barons and pick one up.

Craig

[spydutch]

Thanks for the review JD :cool:

[castingseth]

Great review... I do agree the comet hole takes some getting use to, I had to relieve the edges a little on my cara cara. It felt just a little to edgy until I polished them with a dremel.. I can't think of anything to make my crossbill any better, it wants to eat boxes. Awesome knifes for less than twenty bucks!

[raven]

Hey Jimmy Dean, Great review and Thanks Much for Sharing. I'm yet to get a Raven or any one from the Byrd Line. Everyone of the reviews I've read, have all had nothing but good things to say about these knives. The more I read, the more I have to eventually get one. Again, Thanks for Sharing.

God Bless :)


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