byrd meadowlark 2 user review
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:10 pm
I decided to pick up a meadowlark 2 FRN PE after seeing the new improved flat ground models were released. I originally wanted a delica 4 FFG, but didn't have enough money for one at the time ( plus they didn't have black available as a scale color). For about a month now I have been using this knife almost daily for a home repair/remodel project, and it has proved it's worth.
I cut dense foam subfloor, carved, whittled and fit moldings, scraped and cut drywall,opened bags, boxes, peeled apples and even used it many times to prepare myself a salad. I have a feeling I tested it pretty decently. It performed so well that I bought myself a SS version about a week later for a backup.
I really have no complaints about the knife. Granted, I would rather have an actual ffg spyderco, but for $18 for the FRN and $21 for the SS model, I think these models are a great value. Also, the steel isn't as bad as people may think. Throughout my remodel, I have extensively tested 8cr13mov and found it to be a very serviceable "working mans" steel. While I've found this particular steel does dull faster than the more expensive ones, I found that I can steel it on a long shafted round screwdriver, or even the cheap steel in the kitchen knife block and get a very viable edge back on the blade. I could easily go a couple days of medium/hard use steeling the edge back to sharpness before it degraded enough to reprofile. However, even then it was pretty easy to get a fresh new edge back on it.
If I had to give one criticism to the knife/knives, I would note that they came out of the box fairly gritty and dirty on the insides for some reason. Both models came this way. I just cleaned them out with a pipe cleaner and a few drops of oil, and they are smooth opening now. Both models have the satisfying loud "click" of a well made lock when opened.
So, if you're on the fence about byrd knives, I'd say try one of the new ffg models out. I think they are a great value, and I will carry both these models into the next year and continue my real world tests on 8cr13mov stainless.
I cut dense foam subfloor, carved, whittled and fit moldings, scraped and cut drywall,opened bags, boxes, peeled apples and even used it many times to prepare myself a salad. I have a feeling I tested it pretty decently. It performed so well that I bought myself a SS version about a week later for a backup.
I really have no complaints about the knife. Granted, I would rather have an actual ffg spyderco, but for $18 for the FRN and $21 for the SS model, I think these models are a great value. Also, the steel isn't as bad as people may think. Throughout my remodel, I have extensively tested 8cr13mov and found it to be a very serviceable "working mans" steel. While I've found this particular steel does dull faster than the more expensive ones, I found that I can steel it on a long shafted round screwdriver, or even the cheap steel in the kitchen knife block and get a very viable edge back on the blade. I could easily go a couple days of medium/hard use steeling the edge back to sharpness before it degraded enough to reprofile. However, even then it was pretty easy to get a fresh new edge back on it.
If I had to give one criticism to the knife/knives, I would note that they came out of the box fairly gritty and dirty on the insides for some reason. Both models came this way. I just cleaned them out with a pipe cleaner and a few drops of oil, and they are smooth opening now. Both models have the satisfying loud "click" of a well made lock when opened.
So, if you're on the fence about byrd knives, I'd say try one of the new ffg models out. I think they are a great value, and I will carry both these models into the next year and continue my real world tests on 8cr13mov stainless.
