SpydercoByrd 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.

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.

Nice for the money, very sharp with nice mechanism. I have a couple of Spyderco knives bought around 20 years ago, and the byrd feels cheaper and much less precisely constructed. The true Spydercos have such superb actions and tight tolerances and are now really pricy, so maybe not a fair comparison. Not keen on the plastic handle - ss feels much more solid, though maybe less grippy. Practical utility knife.

Excellent knife, great value. Very thin, slicey blade; good cerrations -- along enough of blade to make them useful -- half rather than quarter. Very light weight. Long blade. Similar to more expensive Endura but with better blade shape, all be it budget steel. Easy to sharpen. Smooth enough to open & close fast one handed. Warning: Not UK legal to carry out and about.

Very good knife, sharpens easily although doesn't hold edge too well. An obvious step down from the usual spyderco quality but still a great knife at a great price

I am so pleased with this knife it comes very very sharp ! I have got a geber knife and a shrade one as well and whilst these knifes were a lot more money ( they are both fixed blades ) they didn't come nearly as sharp and required extra sharpening .The knife opens and closes very easily and is extremely light but still feels very well made. I expect this knife to last a long time judging from its performance and build quality .

Brilliantly sharp and wonderfully crafted knife ... larger than a standard pocket knife, but quite brilliant. Good price for the quality, too.