I just popped open a box from knife center containing the highly anticipated (at least for me) Byrd Wings Slipit. I can say enthusiastically that it is better than I hoped for. Kudos Sal and crew!
Fit & finish are superb. On par with regular Spydies and well above the earlier Byrds. Tolerances are tight. No sharp edges or corners. Both blades are shaving sharp out of the package. Ergonomics are good for a 2 blade folder. Action is smooth. The backspring keeps both blades firmly in place with choils for added safety. The blades actually have more closing resistance than my UKPK, but not too much.
4 way hourglass clip is similar to the big Wings and other Spydies. I feel it should have the Byrd name stamped on it though like the big Wings, it could also stand a bit more polished finish. It is such a nice piece that it deserves to have its name more prominently displayed. There is jimping on the inside of the choil, but none on the thumb ramp. This is the only fault I find. IMO you can never go wrong with thumb ramp jimping.
Overall grade: A+ :D
I can see myself re-thinking the necessity of an Urban now that I have this knife at under $30.
Here are some pics:
More after dinner...
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
And a few more in hand shots. For reference, I wear a size XL glove, but have relatively thin fingers. I may get some comparison shots in tonight or in the morning. If anyone has a knife they'd like to see it with I can try to accommodate.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
How is the thickness of the knife? I was wondering if having 2 blades would make it uncomfortable for pocket carry.
How does the thickness compare to some of the more common Spyderco's knives?
Cheers,
Mike
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. Douglas Adams
CajunMike wrote:Thanks for the review. Love the Pics.
How is the thickness of the knife? I was wondering if having 2 blades would make it uncomfortable for pocket carry.
How does the thickness compare to some of the more common Spyderco's knives?
Cheers,
Mike
Its just over .4 inches or about 11mm thick. That's a bit slimmer than a Para, but a bit thicker than most frn models. Very pocket friendly.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
So it's smaller than the G-10 lockback Wings? Looks really cool, especially for the price, and I actually like the byrd steel, sharpens very sharp, very easily.
Thanks for the pics, Nick. I just ordered one (yesterday) and it's on the way. Weekends make it rough anytime you have a knife on the way... anxious, excited and eager about sums it up. It's one reason to not hate Mondays :)
I was supposed to intro these and do a sales pitch. Apologies.
The model was prompted by requests from customers in several countries. We made quite a few models and prototypes before we got to the design refinements and quality that we were seeking. Probably a year & 1/2 in R&D.
We went through wood scales, carbon fiber scales and finally ended up with textured G-10.
There is nothing quite like it in the market place.
The two blades are under 3" in length. We chose 2-3/4" as a good compromise between, performance, legality, social and political friendliness. The advantage of a plain edge and a serrated edge, as well as the advantage of just having two blades. A fairly strong tip on both blades permits harder use.
The spine of the closed blade is the handle for the opened blade. A great deal of attention was put to the ergos in use and still be able to handle the "hump" of the hole opener.
We tried to keep it as thin as possible (very tight tolerances between blades) and as light as possible (The liners are skeletonized).
The 4 way hourglass clips adds a few holes, but offers more custom carry, user friendly, clip carry. This piece is winning no beauty contests. "use me" is obvious in the design.
Finger choils for safety and control with jimping in the choil.
A lot of value, quality and design refinement, especially at the price.
This Byrd is just begging to be used. I haven't bought a Byrd for quite some time, but this one looks like it will make the shopping list. A user with PE and SE blades, is a winner in my book.
Aaron
Current EDCs: Golden models
:spyder: FG D2 Military:cool: Orange UKPK:spyder:
Very nice review , I have one question for you . Mr. Blonde commented that the Slipit Wings was not very lefty friendly , do you have the same impression ? Regards MG2
Manix Guy 2 wrote:Very nice review , I have one question for you . Mr. Blonde commented that the Slipit Wings was not very lefty friendly , do you have the same impression ? Regards MG2
I have to agree with Wouter, the knife would be difficult for southpaws to operate one-handed.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
Good Review and Great Pic's, thanks for confirming my purchase decision(got one on order). :D
I don't have XL hands, so I think they will fit the Wing well.
Nice review, thanks for sharing. As was discussed, I did find left-handed opening too difficult but I have good hopes that -with sufficient sales- a left-handed variant could be in the works.
