Spyderco Byrd Lightweight Knife with Stainless Steel Blade and High Performance FRN Handle

Recently I heard about Spyderco’s byrd line so I’ve picked a few up to give them a try. I’m writing this review with the intention of serving as a primer for people who are curious about the byrd knife line, and to provide some side by side pictures.I’ve been a very happy owner of a Sypderco Delica 4 FRN for a couple of years. It’s been my EDC for most of that time, and it’s the folding knife I recommend to people that want an affordable, high quality knife to carry around.I’m not a knife expert, but I’m learning. Most of my knowledge comes from owning Benchmade, Kershaw, Ontario, Cold Steel, and Spyderco knives, and figuring out what I like. I can’t offer a good assessment on steel or locking mechanisms.The bottom line is this: The byrd line is a terrific value and the Spyderco quality is still there.I’ve put up some side by side pictures that help give a sense of the size and look of these terrific knives.General thoughts about the byrd line:I really like FRN, and think it’s wonderful on the Spyderco Delica 4. On the Robin 2 and Cara Cara 2, it’s a bit simpler and not as refined. The textured pattern on the Delica 4 is more artful and sophisticated, and Spyderco calls it Bi-Directional Texturing. It provides a better grip when you need it, but is smooth if you feel it moving away from the blade. The byrd line is more general. It’s still grippy and feels fine, but it isn’t quite as good. It has little bumps as textures, but the Bi-Directional Texturing isn’t there, and it actually is noticeable.Byrds have a similar opening hole to the Spyderco, but it’s a comet shape. There’s no noticeable difference, and I like the look. It doesn’t feel any different than opening a traditional Spyderco. I think the comet shape is unnecessary, but looks better than the traditional Spyderco hole.I haven’t purchased the Meadowlark 2 (the byrd equivalent of the Delica 4). I hear it’s great, I just haven’t picked it up yet.Spyderco byrd Robin 2 FRN************************Comments: I love the size of this knife. It’s small and lightweight, but I don’t believe that I’m sacrificing much in blade size. The weight is barely noticeable in my pocket, and I don’t really notice its presence. This is comparable to the Spyderco Dragonfly2. The blade can cut hair right out of the box, and the opening and closing is smooth immediately.Description from the Spyderco Website:Much of the byrd Knife Line is being upgraded through a process called C.Q.I. or constant quality improvement. As the line broadens, existing models are receiving upgraded enhancements such as improved ergonomics, four-way pocket clips and high performance full-flat ground blades.The Robin 2 Lightweight is refreshed with these new features. Its mid-size makes the Robin2 an easy knife to carry everyday in an office our outdoor environment. Its full-flat ground blade is high-carbon 8Cr13MoV stainless steel with a comet-shaped hole for one hand opening/closing. Jimping (crosshatching) dots the spine, making a textured section where the thumb rests, creating tactile resistance that restrains the folder from sliding and slipping when cutting. The FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon) handle is molded with Bi-Directional Texturing with a fish-scales pattern. The scales hold the knife steady while cutting even in hands that are wet, slick or gloved. The welcome addition of a four-way clip offers the option of carrying the folder tip-up/tip-down or left-right-handed and a lanyard hole located at the back of the handle accommodates a secondary-retentive thong or cord. Custom knifemaker David Boye's dent feature is a half-moon-shaped snip of steel removed from the lock's release lever as an added safety feature to the back-lock.Spyderco byrd Crow G-10************************Comments:I’m not a huge fan of G-10. It feels fine, but not very grippy. I haven’t carried a G-10 knife enough to confirm that it will tear up a pocket, but I’ve heard that in multiple reviews. This is currently only available in G-10, so FRN is not an option. That having been said, this is another very nice knife. It’s the little brother of the Spyderco Raven 2, and it’s great. It cut hair right out of the box. It doesn’t have the back lock of a lot of the byrds and Spydercos (which I like), but the lock is good. The lock is a liner lock, and it’s a bit clunky out of the box, at least for mine. It wasn’t as smooth as I would like, but after working it for about 30 minutes, I could start to see an improvement. That having been said, the liner lock immediately feels better than the liner locks of a lot of other knives, and I can easily open and close it with one hand. The liner lock isn’t quite as smooth as I would want out of the box, but it’s a small negative on an otherwise terrific knife.Description from the Spyderco site:The Crow™ 2 is more than just an updated version of the handy, pocket-friendly design of the first-generation Crow; it’s a significant step toward defining the future of the byrd line of knives. The Crow 2’s most significant improvement is its full-flat-ground CTS BD1 blade, which provides enhanced cutting performance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Like all byrd knives, it also includes a signature “comet-shaped” hole for swift, ambidextrous, one-handed opening.The improved handle construction includes full skeletonized stainless steel liners, textured G-10 scales, and a robust new clip design that now offers both left and right-side tip-up carry. An enlarged relief cut makes operation of the sturdy LinerLock mechanism easier than ever, while the knife’s open-backed construction reduces weight and simplifies cleaning and maintenance. Compact, convenient, and incredibly capable, the Crow 2 sets a new standard in affordable cutting performance.Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara FRN************************Comments: This knife is a steal at its current price. Buy it now, then come back and read my assessment. Yours on the way? Great!This is the byrd equivalent to the Spyderco Endura. The knife cuts hair right out of the box, and is a dream to open and close. I’m not going to carry this around as an EDC because of its length, but it’s absolutely worth having. The opening and backlock are both butter smooth, and I’ve got no complaints about this knife. The ONLY thing that should give you pause is to decide which version you want. They have stainless steel, FRN, G-10, and they’ve just released a Titanium version.Description from the Spyderco site:Already one of the best values in our popular byrd line, the Cara Cara 2 Lightweight has been completely reengineered to yield the new, improved Cara Cara 2.Its many upgrades include a full-flat-ground blade for enhanced edge geometry and cutting performance, a Bi-Directional Textured-? FRN handle that offers a superior grip and increased control, and phosphor bronze pivot washers for even smoother blade operation. Like its predecessor, it also features spine and choil jimping for precise control during use and a four-position clip that supports all possible carry configurations.Conclusion:All of the knives I’ve mentioned are great. You won’t regret the purchase of any of these knives. If you want a small EDC, get the Robin 2. If you want something bigger, investigate the Meadowlark 2/Delica 4. The Cara Cara 2 is worth having. Period.I’m still making my mind up on the Crow. I don’t know where it fits in on the hierarchy, but it is a great looking knife that is high quality. At the very least, the Crow 2 is a terrific value.

I Received mine in fairly rough shape. It did not have any of the quality control I have come to expect from Spyderco so they gave me a discount. I was pretty unhappy at first because Spyderco is known for their quality. I Expect that quality any time their name is on a product weather it costs $10 or $300The Byrd brand is usually a very high quality discount brand for Spyderco containing great value. Their Cara Cara 2 with other handles is fantastic. I got this one though because I wanted it for an EDC blade and so the slender profile and lighter weight appealed to me.That being said this may not be the knife for knife guys as the plastic handles will at first sight and feel seem cheap to you... At first I felt like I was holding one of those cheap $5 Walmart knives complete with unfinished moldings and finish problems.That being said I had no complaints about the blade itself. I like mine a little sharper than it came but that was easily fixed and was plenty sharp for most people. (It was easily as sharp as any others in the price range (except maybe the Buck Bantam -Which always seems to come just a hair sharper)Blade: had no complaints. The 8Cr13MoV is really pretty good. Love the flat ground. Love the blade shape. Really an outstanding blade provided you keep it clean and oiled.Lockup: was good. Put a couple drops of oil in it and it felt even better.This left the finish... I spent about an hour cleaning it up and working on the fit and finish. I am now quite happy with the knife. It seems really solid and I got rid of the quality control problems that bothered me so much in the beginning. The plastic is of good quality. Cleaned up the metal liner and have it in good shape now.The Jimping is great and it has the quality I expect.The discount bumped me up to 5 stars. I imagine I might have just gotten a knife that slipped through unfinished. Just know the same might happen to you. Just know also that with a little TLC you can get it where you want it and at a very reasonable price.