I've always found the apparent clash between these brands to be interesting, some people seem very adamant that Byrds are not Spydercos and should not be associated with them. Years back some one came on and said they were on the fence between a Meadowlark 2 and a Delica 4, he saw the similarities and was curious if the Delica offered features he would pay extra for. He received one reply that I still recall clearly...
"They are completely different knives. There is no comparison between a Byrd and a Spyderco."
...Wait, what? I understand the huge difference in materials and cost between the brands, but that statement struck me like 2+2=5. In my opinion, Byrds are designed to wipe out knockoffs by offering proven designs in more affordable formats while retaining a level of quality that assures and impresses the buyer. A Meadow Lark is not a Delica much like my name is not Steve, but it's fairly obvious that it is a modified version of the Delica design that offers similar handling and fills the same niche for a reduced price. I myself carry a Delica, when people are truly impressed by it I often give them a Meadow Lark. If I like a Byrd design enough, I may upgrade to a Spyderco and give the Byrd away to some one who will enjoy it.
I'm truly amazed I never hear people saying 'Well, there's this Byrd model...' when some one shows an interest but is tight on funds. Some people need a Lexus for the quality, others just need a Toyota to get them to work. Coincidentally, those brands are from the same company and I don't think they're too upset when some one can only afford a Toyota. When some one compliments my Delica, they're complimenting Spyderco's design team. When they compliment my Meadow Lark, they're complimenting the same people for a project with the extra challenge of efficiency and end cost.
Byrd Knife Quarantine
I don't know if the two lines clash besides a small group passionate people hellbent on each side. These same people would argue (and have) over the color orange for knife scales.
On the most practical level like you said a knife is a practical cutting tool. Byrd's are safe and 8Cr13Mov is not a shabby steel. They are comfortable models based on successful siblings. I agree there is no reason to buy a knock-off or even subpar offering given what you can get from Byrd for $15-20.
If someone buys a folding knife for $5, it...
* Will be marginally safe
* Will be marginally sharp
* Will likely be heavy and clunky.
I've tried to put working edges on cheap knives. It's better to just buy someone a Byrd or Tenacious. That is unless you are stuck on a deserted island with nothing but a sharpening stone and crappy tools. :)
On the most practical level like you said a knife is a practical cutting tool. Byrd's are safe and 8Cr13Mov is not a shabby steel. They are comfortable models based on successful siblings. I agree there is no reason to buy a knock-off or even subpar offering given what you can get from Byrd for $15-20.
If someone buys a folding knife for $5, it...
* Will be marginally safe
* Will be marginally sharp
* Will likely be heavy and clunky.
I've tried to put working edges on cheap knives. It's better to just buy someone a Byrd or Tenacious. That is unless you are stuck on a deserted island with nothing but a sharpening stone and crappy tools. :)
I like seeing the Byrd stuff mixed in with the Spyderco stuff.
Most of the time we see posts trying to prove that the Byrd models can stand up next to the Spyderco models anyways.
The one I remember the most was the one where the guy preferred the Byrd serrated Sheepsfoot for working on a Commercial fishing boat for the ease of sharpening and the inevitable knife finding its way overboard.
Most of the time we see posts trying to prove that the Byrd models can stand up next to the Spyderco models anyways.
The one I remember the most was the one where the guy preferred the Byrd serrated Sheepsfoot for working on a Commercial fishing boat for the ease of sharpening and the inevitable knife finding its way overboard.
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
I gotta be completely honest, and i mean this in the nicest and most respectable way, but i have absolutely zero interest in Byrd knives. I appreciate the concept, but they're just not for me in any way. I like some of the designs, but the steel is lost on me and my use for knives so an additional forum wouldn't really matter to me. There aren't so many Byrd posts that they annoy me or anything, it's simple to just not click them.
~David
Give the Byrds their own sub-forum! Perhaps more people would be inclined to post there and a result there would be more to learn. I'm all for that. Although I'm not inclined to buy Byrds if only because I'm in a position financially to indulge in most of the new Spyderco offerings that I want, I'm open to buying the occasional Byrd to give to friends. Go for it Sal. And as was suggested, call it the Aviary.
You can't display a toad in a fine restaurant like this! Why, the good folks here would go right off the feed!
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Knifestyle
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I don't see the need for it myself. I've posted a couple Byrd reviews right in the Spyderco General Discussion section, and I don't recall anything awkward about it.
Personally, I would likely never check into the Byrd specific forum and would probably miss any opportunities I might've had to help or learn. My 2 cents.
Personally, I would likely never check into the Byrd specific forum and would probably miss any opportunities I might've had to help or learn. My 2 cents.
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Cheddarnut
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Mud Shrimp Moe
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- Location: Plano, Texas
Since opinions are sought, mine is to NOT make a separate forum for Byrds.
The reason for this is that I do have interest in both Spyderco branded and Byrd branded knives. And I don't have time to surf two different sub-fora. So if there were a Byrd sub-forum, I suspect I'd end up missing out on good content. And, as others have said, it's easy enough to not click on a thread that doesn't interest you, as long as the OP makes the thread title reflect the theme of the thread.
The reason for this is that I do have interest in both Spyderco branded and Byrd branded knives. And I don't have time to surf two different sub-fora. So if there were a Byrd sub-forum, I suspect I'd end up missing out on good content. And, as others have said, it's easy enough to not click on a thread that doesn't interest you, as long as the OP makes the thread title reflect the theme of the thread.
I would like a sub-forum, but i can live comfortably without the subforum.
What I am almost ashamed of, is how people look down upon the Byrds. They are great knives. I would love to see more respect for, per example. I bet there are a lot of Endura owners who would prefer the ergo's of Cara Cara2 over those of their Endura, but they have to give them a chance. I think a subforum would give those knives more exposure, and they deserve it in my opinion.
What I am almost ashamed of, is how people look down upon the Byrds. They are great knives. I would love to see more respect for, per example. I bet there are a lot of Endura owners who would prefer the ergo's of Cara Cara2 over those of their Endura, but they have to give them a chance. I think a subforum would give those knives more exposure, and they deserve it in my opinion.
I most likely would prefer the ergos. I really like that the Meadowlark 2 has a 50/50 choil...i've always liked the Delica but i really like having a choil so that would be the perfect solution for me...except for the steel. I need better steel. To me it's like having a Ferrari with a Prius engine in it.Koen Z wrote:I would like a sub-forum, but i can live comfortably without the subforum.
What I am almost ashamed of, is how people look down upon the Byrds. They are great knives. I would love to see more respect for, per example. I bet there are a lot of Endura owners who would prefer the ergo's of Cara Cara2 over those of their Endura, but they have to give them a chance. I think a subforum would give those knives more exposure, and they deserve it in my opinion.
~David
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timberweasel
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Since Spyderco has gone through the trouble of giving the Byrd line it's own marketing niche (logo, packaging, deployment hole, etc.) why not have it's own sub-forum here too? I'm noticing more vendor web-sites creating a separate section for Byrd knives... gotta be a reason for it 
In order to make a Byrd sub-forum practical and less hassle for the Mods, maybe it should be a 'going forward' kind of thing: no need to move/migrate old threads, and the inevitable 'cross-talk' should be permitted (comparisons such as Cara Cara vs Endura are bound to pop up on either Forum anyway.)
I think it would be nifty-neat to check out a sub-forum here and see what's shakin' with the Byrd line! New model releases, photos, tests, stories... you name it. Since they're so affordable, I bet there are folks out there who have collected every Byrd model launched--thar be content out there, for sure! I, for one, would give it a browse... :)
In order to make a Byrd sub-forum practical and less hassle for the Mods, maybe it should be a 'going forward' kind of thing: no need to move/migrate old threads, and the inevitable 'cross-talk' should be permitted (comparisons such as Cara Cara vs Endura are bound to pop up on either Forum anyway.)
I think it would be nifty-neat to check out a sub-forum here and see what's shakin' with the Byrd line! New model releases, photos, tests, stories... you name it. Since they're so affordable, I bet there are folks out there who have collected every Byrd model launched--thar be content out there, for sure! I, for one, would give it a browse... :)
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Half Sack
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I was about to buy one when I won mine! Thanks Byrd Week :cool:
I keep checking them out every now and then, right now I'm more interested in Spydie sprint models than regular spydies but I'd have no problem buying a Byrd. I keep my eye on ones I want, I don't need a million Spydies having some Byrds seems like the closest between more Spyders and no Spyders.
I'd like a subforum it might bring more attention to them but might not be necessary, I'd like to see more posts in the regular forum from Byrd owners/people curious and more Byrds in the picture thread.
I keep checking them out every now and then, right now I'm more interested in Spydie sprint models than regular spydies but I'd have no problem buying a Byrd. I keep my eye on ones I want, I don't need a million Spydies having some Byrds seems like the closest between more Spyders and no Spyders.
I'd like a subforum it might bring more attention to them but might not be necessary, I'd like to see more posts in the regular forum from Byrd owners/people curious and more Byrds in the picture thread.
Welcome to our newest member, Half Sack
:spyder: Endura4 wave, Ladybug Hawkbill H1, Byrd Hawkbill, PM2 digi camo, Sharpmaker *Sprints: Dodo Orange, MeerKat Burgundy, "R" Nishijin *Discontinued: Caspian H1 :spyder: #ByrdWeek Winner :cool:
No one likes the dark - Robin Sherbatsky
*Signature not updated, purchases missing...*
:spyder: Endura4 wave, Ladybug Hawkbill H1, Byrd Hawkbill, PM2 digi camo, Sharpmaker *Sprints: Dodo Orange, MeerKat Burgundy, "R" Nishijin *Discontinued: Caspian H1 :spyder: #ByrdWeek Winner :cool:
No one likes the dark - Robin Sherbatsky
*Signature not updated, purchases missing...*
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Cheddarnut
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