Review: Flatbyrd BY16P

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redback
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Review: Flatbyrd BY16P

#1

Post by redback »

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Just a short review of this knife, which arrived today.

Small and flattish, mostly 6mm and about 8mm thick at widest point (pivot). Action is very stiff and rough. Bought it for my wife but there is no way she can open this. I have to use two hands, so although it says "One hand open" on the packaging, it's not. The linerlock is accessed via one of the holes in the handle, and is very awkward to use. I find myself struggling to get the liner lock to release, and as I said the action is rough as guts.

Blade is shaving sharp.

Would I buy again? No. Would I recommend this knife? No.

Uses: utility knife alternative only. Into the kitchen drawer this goes.
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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cobrajoe
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#2

Post by cobrajoe »

I also have a flatbyrd, and the action was really rough and grinding. Solution? I took it apart and gave it a thourough cleaning. There was a bunch of grit in there from the bead blasting (I think..).

Now it's extremely easy to open and close, and it's the number one knife I use for back pocket use without a clip.

-Just my own thoughts
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Th232
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#3

Post by Th232 »

Ditto about the initial stiffness, but I found that once I broke it in (like with any knife), the action was quite easy. Regarding the lock position, I actually find it easier to access than a usual liner lock, just put my index finger on the spine, my thumb in the hole, and there it goes. No need for turning the knife in my hand or anything.
Will

"No one wants to look the fool. Everyone does the best they can. If they knew better, they'd do better" - old woman on the railway tracks to Sal.

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redback
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#4

Post by redback »

Perhaps this knife will become easier to use with time, but out of the box it's a dog. I'll try disassembling and cleaning, perhaps work on the liner lock too...
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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redback
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#5

Post by redback »

Just noticed that the gray paint on the aluminium scales is already rubbed off in places; had it out of the box less than an hour, lol.
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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jaislandboy
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#6

Post by jaislandboy »

same here redback, mine needed some Lube and some "breaking in" through knifesturbation before it had a smooth pivot action :rolleyes:
brian
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Spygineer
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#7

Post by Spygineer »

knifesturbation!!! that is hilarious and yes I am guilty
I'm Hooked like a hawkbilll!!!:D
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redback
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#8

Post by redback »

Ok, took it apart (needed to break out my torx screwdriver with T-9 and T-6 bits). Dirty inside, black machining gunk on plastic washers. Used 600-grit waterpaper to smooth all surfaces. Lubed up all parts with silicone grease and silicone oil, 12000-weight and 350-weight and some silicone spray to make it all gel. Reassembled (tricky to do, the little pillars kept not seating right and made the blade all crooked for a while, not for the manually challenged). Now action is far smoother, 80% improved, can open with one hand. Time taken: 45mins.
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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redback
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#9

Post by redback »

Only problem now is that the linerlock does not lock the blade. Maybe this is my fault: is there any special way that the pivot bolt, which has one flat surface, needs to be oriented?
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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Th232
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#10

Post by Th232 »

Nah, the pivot should only sit one way, sounds like you did a good job with it. Just tighten/loosen the pivot until you find a nice balance, after taking mine apart I had to work on the pivot a bit, mine's off centre by maybe 0.5 mm, but still opens up fairly smoothly.
Will

"No one wants to look the fool. Everyone does the best they can. If they knew better, they'd do better" - old woman on the railway tracks to Sal.

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cobrajoe
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#11

Post by cobrajoe »

redback wrote:Only problem now is that the linerlock does not lock the blade. Maybe this is my fault: is there any special way that the pivot bolt, which has one flat surface, needs to be oriented?
I believe the flat surface on the pivot bolt should match up with the flat spot in the hole on the handle, it prevents the bolt from turning when tightening. As for the non-locking, mine actually has the stop pin behind the blade a little bit crooked, but it is still very strong and locks up solid.

After straightening that pin with a pair of needle nosers, the lock barely catched, until I opened it quickly once, now ever thing lines up and locks solid.

Glad to hear it got smoother though, I'd bet it's a rather common problem with the flatbyrd.
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redback
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#12

Post by redback »

Well, can't seem to get mine to work properly. Every time I tighten up hard the blade still wobbles laterally and there is a 0.5mm-1mm gap on the one side of the blade (between blade pivot hole and liner), even with the pivot hard tight. If no other suggestions, may just bin this item.
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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Th232
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#13

Post by Th232 »

I don't know how much of a difference this'd make, but maybe turn the pivot the other way around?
Will

"No one wants to look the fool. Everyone does the best they can. If they knew better, they'd do better" - old woman on the railway tracks to Sal.

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redback
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#14

Post by redback »

That did help some, thanks. It still only locks up 1 out of 3 times it's opened. Last time I buy a Chinese Spyderco product.
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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bma
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#15

Post by bma »

redback wrote:That did help some, thanks. It still only locks up 1 out of 3 times it's opened. Last time I buy a Chinese Spyderco product.
FYI, the Tenacious is much better than the Byrd Robins I bought. The Robin had *very* stiff action until I lubed it and opened it many times; the tenacious was as good as any Seki Spydie. It's not for everyone (it's not a LBK) but it's a great deal for $35.

bma
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tonydahose
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#16

Post by tonydahose »

i second the kudos on the tenacious. i have been EDC one at work and home now for a few weeks and love it.
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224477
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#17

Post by 224477 »

Spygineer wrote:knifesturbation!!! that is hilarious and yes I am guilty
yeah, thats one way how to solve a problem of stiffness :D

It has a pivot screw, and not a pin, that means you can easily adjust the force.
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redback
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#18

Post by redback »

Yeah, I got a new tenacious today too, which seems ok, also a bit stiff and rough, but for the price not too bad. I chucked it into my knife box for a rainy day. I really must stop buying these things....
My Spyderco knives: C95 Manix (x2), Dragonfly, Endura, Rescue, S1 Salt (x2) (EDC), Flat Byrd, Tenacious
Other: BM Rukus (x2)(EDC), BM Skirmish, BM Mini-Griptilian, Fallkniven S1, CS Spike, Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert, Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife, CS Finn Bear, Ontario RAT-7 (x2), many Ontario machetes
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mrappraisit
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#19

Post by mrappraisit »

jaislandboy wrote:same here redback, mine needed some Lube and some "breaking in" through knifesturbation before it had a smooth pivot action :rolleyes:
knifesturbation, that's perfect Brian :D

The only Byrd I own came exceptionally dirty from the factory. I had to take it apart, and clean it too. There are some Byrd's I am interested in and the Tenacious looks cool, but I would rather save my money, and buy a better quality :spyder: knife. Just my opinion (subject to change)
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araneae
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#20

Post by araneae »

redback wrote:Well, can't seem to get mine to work properly. Every time I tighten up hard the blade still wobbles laterally and there is a 0.5mm-1mm gap on the one side of the blade (between blade pivot hole and liner), even with the pivot hard tight. If no other suggestions, may just bin this item.
If you're gonna bin it ship it to me! I've had no problems with my Flatbyrd. Sorry to hear you got a bum one. I have had a couple Byrds that were stiff from the factory, but after some wd-40 cleaning and a good lube they are just fine. They really are great knives for the $.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
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Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
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