Spyderco Forums

soooo, im totaly hooked over here!
bought a D4 and a meadowlark a couple of weeks ago, (**** im impressed with the quality on the meadowlark, compared to the D-4) and am now looking for a replacement for my old goddard.
Ive been looking around, and i think im set on a cara cara CE (want a "big" knife), but should i take the g-10 or Frn? ive been very satisfied with FRN for a long time, but.
whats so good with g-10? does it feel better, like more robust?
the knife is goin to be used for...everything, from hiking, to food prepping..so..
please enlighten me, im all ears

My limited experience tells me that G-10 will be quite a bit stiffer and grippier, but it is just about as heavy as SS.

My final reccomendation:

If you want a light weight work horse, get the FRN

If you want good grip and a very solid handle, go for the G-10

G-10 is lighter than SS, but if the knife has liners, those will add weight making it comparable to a SS handled knife. G-10 is really grippy, and has a solid feel (even in a linerless knife) that few FRN knives have. If possible, handle both the FRN and the G-10 knives before making a choice, you may find one is far better for you than the other.

Hi Curly - good question, difficult answer. The BY03 Cara Cara and the BY04 Meadowlark are the cornerstone models from the byrd series.
I have the the SS and the G-10 models and I must say that the G-10 Cara Care wins the comparison by miles! It is everything I care for. Modern, clean and with quality looks. An excellent blade steel and best quality handle materials. Steel liners, black G-10 and a wonderful spine decoration thrown in by Sal and Eric, practicly for free.

Now, from the FRN Cara Cara, I've just received the announcement and a small picture with a discription. They have a new bi-directional slip-free texture and nested internal steel liners and a 4-way pocket clip! There is a $9.00 difference in retail price.

So, what should you buy??? Honestly, I have no clue..... Both models are winners as they are very hard to beat in the value for money class!
So, for what it is worth, which ever model you choose, you just can't go wrong..... :)
Have fun choosing... Jurphaas.

One thing I favor a lot in G-10 is its ability to stay grippy covered in oil and with gloves....

On a camp-outdoor knife, it is really important...

Simon

I would kind of reccomend the G-10, mostly because you said you don't have any experience with it, and it is a great material. Mostly I reccomend it because the knife is a great deal, and if you are unsatisfied with it, you aren't out that much money.

But that's just my reccomendation.

Hi Curly....I've got both G10 and FRN versions of the CaraCara.....the G10 version's only CON is the significant weight difference over the FRN version....I actually prefer the FRN version esp. if I was going to use it as an EDC....there is more than enough grip from the FRN texturing and the nested steel liners make me think that the FRN Cara Cara's lock strength must be comparable to the Endura4's.....I got the G10 one first and was impressed......then I got the FRN version and I was Doubly Impressed.....I guess they saved the best for last...! :rolleyes: :p

I like the G-10 a lot, but after a year of carry I have noticed that the the grippyness gets worn down some. FRN is lighter and it has been my experience that it will wear down as much. Tough decision, I think I would go with the FRN if you will use it a lot.

well...been thinking a little, im gonna get a cara cara (frn, but now the choice is between CE or PE) , but (here it comes) i think im gonna get one more, and this is gonna be a Spydie, and this one is gonna be a big one, so the spydies im looking at is the manix and the military...so again guys/ladies need some advice. the knife is still gonna used for everything, and used ALLOT!.
for now im leaning towards the manix, but like the "slimness" in the military

Curly wrote:well...been thinking a little, im gonna get a cara cara (frn, but now the choice is between CE or PE) , but (here it comes) i think im gonna get one more, and this is gonna be a Spydie, and this one is gonna be a big one, so the spydies im looking at is the manix and the military...so again guys/ladies need some advice. the knife is still gonna used for everything, and used ALLOT!.
for now im leaning towards the manix, but like the "slimness" in the military

The Manix is a lot of knife. It is much hevier in comp to the military (I have the CF version). The blade shape is also different. The Manix is my fav in the Spyderco line up. So I say if you need a hard use knife get the Manix, great lock, ergos, and steel. Later save up and grab a Millie. :spyder:

Curly wrote:well...been thinking a little, im gonna get a cara cara (frn, but now the choice is between CE or PE) , but (here it comes) i think im gonna get one more, and this is gonna be a Spydie, and this one is gonna be a big one, so the spydies im looking at is the manix and the military...so again guys/ladies need some advice. the knife is still gonna used for everything, and used ALLOT!.
for now im leaning towards the manix, but like the "slimness" in the military

Something else to think about....

The ATR is a BIG folder but it is also thin in the handle. The lock up is SOLID and the handle ergonomics are good.

I just came into posession of a SE black ATR ( :) Thanks again Taz :) ) and I can tell you that the catalog does not do it justice. I passed this knife by several times but did not appreciate its utility until I held it. This thing screams TOOL.

If you want something to take out in the field, you need to concider an open handle design like the ATR. If both the Manix and the ATR were dropped in the mud, the ATR would be the easer one to clean. An added bonus, the ATR has a ridge of metal above the Spydy hole that makes it easier to open while wearing gloves.

If you would like some pics, I can take some this weekend...

Go with the frn. They have steel liners now so they are more durable, and it will be lighter than g-10. :spyder:

Well Curly my 2cents for the Military vs. Manix question.....the Military is no slouch in the "hard user" category and the pocket carry is Much more comfortable than the Manix (if that's an issue).....You can't go wrong with either but how about a 80mm Manix (just to confuse the issue)! :p
but I also agree with SeanF.....the SS ATR would stand up to lots of hard work and is also much more comfortable for edc than the Manix... :rolleyes:

Wow double-triple post...

Anyway...... If you keep on looking on this forum, well my friend, you'll end up getting both.....

They both have their plusses and minusses.......

But they both are great...... Don't you ever forget that

Simon

Having handled the manix, mil, and atr, but having carried none of them, my reccomendation is with the atr. It really does scream tool, and it is slim too. The ergos were great when I handled it. I didn't get to really put them to the test, but both the butt and choil of the knife are designed in such a way that your hand wont slide, even if the handles are SS instead of G10.

thanks all for good replies! but im still in a drag for the manix..been looking at the atr, but there is something about it i dont like, maby its the SS handles, or the cobra hood..but i like the millie and manix better..but thanks for the advice! if i know myself, and i should, i bet ile end up with them all, over time..
**** i love to be bitten!

uhm, is there anyone out there that can post a picture comparing a D4 with a Manix.
and, is there anyone who can post pictures comparing a manix PE with a CE..if theres anyone that have both..

Curly wrote:been looking at the atr, but there is something about it i dont like, maby its the SS handles, or the cobra hood

I recently found that the cobra hood really helps in the gloved opening of the knife. Just FYI.

well, i dont doubt the functionality of it, it looks useful, and i bet it is. but theres something about the whole feeling of the knife, it dosent "click".. (but im gonna get one in a while :D )