Byrds good enough for professional use?

[steve andrews]

Are the Byrds, specifically the Meadowlark Rescue, robust enough for professional use by a Fire & Rescue Service.

I ask because my Brigade is considering banning the carrying of personally owned knives on Health & Safety grounds. :mad:
I have made recommendations to them that, instead of removing a potentially lifesaving tool from us, they should be issuing a suitable knife on a personal basis.

I need to find an inexpensive, reliable and compact knife to recommend as part as my documentation.
Unfortunately, knowing the financial constraints that they have, I doubt that they would invest in Seki-made Spydercos.

So, would a Byrd be appropriate?
Is there a figure that I can put on lock strength?
Thanks in advance.

[224477]

I think YES, its a normal, solid made knife, no cheapo from the Gas station.

[HoB]

Yes, most certainly. I would expect that the quality control is not as high as on the Spyderco models, so I could see a lemon slip through, which is why I would use a Byrd first on a try out basis, but a Byrd without defect should hold up to professional use just fine. In fact, it seems ideally suited. I would imagine that a deal could be worked out with the guys at Spyderco, that those Firefighters get only samples that underwent a quick, individual inspection.

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: What're ya cutting with it? pants, seat belts and maybe fiberglass insulation? :spyder:

[tap]

Is there a precedent with other Brigades banning personal knives? What does the law say? What are you and others carrying while on duty? I don't see the conection to "health". Safety might be an issue depending on what people are currently carrying and doing with those knives. Is it possibly a display and uniform issue? Most things can be cut with EMT shears. Those are standard issue. As a volunteer, I have a regular FRN Meadowlark PS clipped to the radio pocket on my bunker coat and my daily EDC on medical calls. The law here says that blades must be under 4" on the ambulance.

[doubleclaw]

"Health and Safety grounds" Hmph.

Sounds like more nanny state BS to me.

Next thing you know, ALL cutting tools will be banned and destroyed, so that we can ALL take a huge evolutionary leap backwards into a new age of scrabbling helplessly at modern materials with our teeth and fingernails.

Will they ban teeth and fingernails next?

How about let's all of us get dismembered, so that we don't have arms or legs to commit horrendous crimes with. It's for our own good, you know!

We can all flop around on the ground in happy, Socialist Fraternal Bliss! Wheee!

[steve andrews]

Is there a precedent with other Brigades banning personal knives? What does the law say? What are you and others carrying while on duty? I don't see the conection to "health". Safety might be an issue depending on what people are currently carrying and doing with those knives. Is it possibly a display and uniform issue? Most things can be cut with EMT shears. Those are standard issue. As a volunteer, I have a regular FRN Meadowlark PS clipped to the radio pocket on my bunker coat and my daily EDC on medical calls. The law here says that blades must be under 4" on the ambulance.

I know that some other UK Brigades have banned the carry of personal knives.
Our problems have come since one of the guys left a cheap POS knife in his firejacket when his gear was sent to the laundry. One of the laundry workers put his hand in the pocket and found the knife open. Although not injured, he complained to the Service and the "Safety Team" have decided that a blanket ban on personal knives will solve their problems. The easy and stupid option.

Many guys have invested in good knives - Spyderco Enduras, Delicas, Salt I, Pacific Salts, Benchmade Grips, Mini Grips and Presidios - and a ban will deny them a useful and potentially lifesaving tool.

We are an island Brigade and our responsibilities include water rescue and line rescue (formerly known as cliff rescue), so a folder is preferable to shears. We are issued a Leatherman Wave which is carried on our uniform belt under our fire gear, but this is impossible to get to when wearing a line rescue harness, life jacket or breathing apparatus set.

UK knife law (which doesn't really apply to the Channel Islands) states that a locking folder can be carried if is required for your job. I'm sure that professional firefighter qualifies.

[Blue72]

I would contact spyderco directly and have them assist you in your proposal.

[dclevinger]

Steve,

I have several Byrds and would have to say that they are more than good enough. Please keep us posted on what the bosses have to say.

[huugh]

Certainly they are.
Though I'd probably prefer riveted (i.e. stainless steel) ones = no maintenance.

[tap]

The problem of having any ONE knife secure AND readily accessible while wearing different types of gear is a big issue with any clip type knife. The only solution is MORE knives secured to all types of gear. You won't be wearing the fire fighting coat while in the water or on the ropes. Management doesn't appear likely to want more knives. It seems unlikely that you could convince them to issue A rescue knife. If you told them that each member needed 3 rescue knives maybe the issue would die down. :D

[SimpleIsGood229]

Yes, I think a Byrd would be fine. A serrated Atlantic Salt would be better, but I do agree with you, Steve, that your brigade aquiring something that spendy is unrealistic, sadly.

I think YES, its a normal, solid made knife, no cheapo from the Gas station.

Don't'cha mean petrol station? :P :D

How about let's all of us get dismembered, so that we don't have arms or legs to commit horrendous crimes with. It's for our own good, you know!

We can all flop around on the ground in happy, Socialist Fraternal Bliss! Wheee!

I know we're not really supposed to talk about politics here, but I REALLY laughed at that one!

[jaislandboy]

heck yes.... they're good enough :)
but too bad there isn't a G-10 version of the Meadowlark Rescue (yet) .... the FRN ones have nested skeletonized steel liners and are "tough enough" like a Delica4 would be.....but the G-10 versions (though slightly heavier) seem to be constructed a little more bombproof :rolleyes: :confused:

[Fred Sanford]

Steve,

I would say yes, as I have personally handled a Byrd Flight. I do not own a Byrd though.

What sucks is the fact that one guy messed up and instead of punishing the one guy they punish everyone else. People are so sdrawkcab.

[Manix Guy 2]

Give the knife a chance , at the price , so what . I am getting a Wings tomorrow , have both Dyads want to see how it compares . I have had some very good field reports about Byrd models , not collectors and they have been positive . Only model I had a brief contact was a G10 Cara Cara , and for the money was a good user user . MG2

[Hookpunch]

I would say yes, my Raven is about as sharp as my Salt and a good , heavy robust blade. I don't think there is a better value in a knife than the Byrd line (certainly better value than Gerber...they have really gone down hill), which is something that the civil servants appreciate.

[Jurphaas]

Dear Steve, I believe a Byrd BY17 Cara Cara Rescue or a Byrd BY19 Meadowlard Rescue would be an excellent choice to fill your demand.

As I go thru the replies to your question, I can not find any, which answers or tries to answer your direct question.

Allow me to answer your question in concern of the technical side of the knives and their build quality.

Please note, that these knives are all fitted with the exact same technology we put into the Spyderco C10 Endura 4 and C11 Delica 4 FRN models. It's the trickle down system at work here! The features are:

1. Blade steel 8Cr13MOV - 8% carbon, 13% chromium, 0,4 manganese, some small amounts of nickel, silicon etc. A very good stainless steel manufactured in China. (this is the main difference with the Spyderco models)

2. High Tech Fiber Reinforced Nylon handles with bi-directional texturing. So, when you pull the knife out, you have good grip. When you push the knife in, you experience good resistance preventing you to slip on to the open blade.

3. All screw construction with nested internal skeletonized steel handle liners. This makes for a very sturdy but light knife.

4. Ambidextrous tip-up/tip-down - (left hand /right hand) clip positions (4).

5. Spine and choil jimping - this prevents sliding and provides grip to the thumb and fingers.

6. Safe Hollowgrind Sheepfoot blade pattern. Strong back lock (one of Spydercos strongest lock systems) with Bavid Boye safety dent.

7. Smooth opening and closing action because of use of Phosphor bronze bushings.

9. Large Comet opening hole for easy opening even while wearing gloves.

10. Serrated or Combo edge configuration for immediate cutting power. Serrations are like a turbo charger on a car engine. They provide superior imediate cutting power. Excellent grind to cut fiberous materials and webbing with.

11. Economical and affordable and available in two sizes. BY17 and BY19!

12 Byrd knives are backed by a one year limited warranty to the original owner.

I hope this will help your superiors in their decission making efforts.

Note: Spyderco's UK distributor is Edgar Brothers Leisure Ltd. in Macclesfield.

Thanks and good luck!
Jurphaas :)

[clovisc]

ABSOLUTELY. i wouldn't hesitate on a byrd at all... the quality is incredible. i couldn't believe my FRN meadowlark wasn't a seki-made delica... seriously... though a tad shakier at first, they're getting that good nowadays...

[smcfalls13]

I was fortunate enough to win a G-10 Cara Cara a while back, and when the vast portion of my repertoire was liquidated, that was one of the few that were kept, and I've been beating on it mercilessly since.

It's got a bit of corrosion on the blade, but that's user error, I opened a bag of chemicals, and was not particularly diligent about cleaning the blade afterwards :eek:

Byrds are great value, and they hold up to abuse well.

I'm impressed with the Tenacious thus far as well, in a similar price range.

[DainBramage]

Blade steel 8Cr13MOV - 8% carbon, 13% chromium, 0,4 manganese, some small amounts of nickel, silicon etc. A very good stainless steel manufactured in China. (this is the main difference with the Spyderco models)

How do the Byrd owners out there feel about 8Cr13MOV?