[Mp7]

Hi guys.

It´s not like i have more carry-knives than pantpockets,
BUT this knife just seems to be a grab.

it´d be like 35€ from an ebay seller. NIB.

I´ve read split reports on a german knife forum,
but here Spyderco seems to be especially well liked.

Anyone got any input on this model?

http://www.outdoor-treasure.de/images/produkte/cache/m347-b17.jpg

[bikerdoc]

Mostly used by rescue professionals, steel is 8cr13Mov.
I like spyderco knives. If you want/need it - go for it!

[mole]

The Byrd models are good knives. My brother sometimes carries the Cara Cara Rescue with a plain edge and the plastic handle. That's too big of a knife for my personal tastes, but he seems to like it ok. The only reason why he really got it was because it was a big blade in a more politically correct looking package.

Remember that this a knife made in China for Spyderco, so you should be able to find it for less than 35 euros. www.thebladeshop.com has the one you pictured for 19 dollars. They don't do international shipping, so they can't sell you one but it should give you an idea of how much it should cost.

[mp510]

That configuration is probably a bit specialized, but if that's what you like/want- go for it:)

Leroy Thompson wrote a pretty good review of Byrd Knives in the April 2009 issue of SWAT Magazine.

[Todd A]

The Byrd Cara Cara is decent quality for its price point.

I don't own the Resue, mine is the G10 plain edge.

Ok knife, it will take a shaving sharp edge easy.But mine has an annoying habit of chipping under moderate use.

I haven't sharpened out the latest chips yet so here is a pic. My son used it carving up a stick.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/toddma/100_1083.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/toddma/100_1081.jpg

[poor_richard]

byrd's are good knives, and great knives for the price point. I own six of them, and have been carrying a CE Crossbill since 2005. One of the local knife sellers was impressed at how well it's held up for four years.

The steel is very hard, and it takes a good edge. I've found that the byrd steel can be honed to a toothy, aggressive edge, or a finely polished edge well enough. It'll do both. Often times, all it takes to get a used edge back in shape is to strop it on cardboard, or leather loaded with jewelers rouge. The fit and finish rivals that of knives costing much more, and they are the best bang for the buck in the knife industry today.

I have one of the original Cara Cara's that I bought back when I first got my Crossbills. I find the handle comfortable. It was a little smaller than the Endura 3, but probably closer to what the Endura 4 is like.

All in all, they are very good knives for the money. They aren't collector peices, and you won't get a high resale value on them, but then they are users, not safe queens.

ToddA,

Sounds like you got a lemon. I've been EDC'ing a byrd for about four years now, and never had that happen. If it keeps chipping on you from moderate use, you should contact Spyderco as they may want to look into what is wrong. It could be your sharpening abilities (not saying it is), it could be what your cutting with it, or it could just be a bad heat treat. I will say that I'm surprised. I've known the byrd steel to go dull, sometimes roll, but never known it to chip like that. Then again, it can also depend on how well you maintain the blade. If a blade is let go long enough without edge maintenance, then it's eventually going to chip no matter who made it. Only you know if it is something that you should contact them about.

[unloved]

Don't order from thebladeshop.com!!!! They are crooks. They take money and never ship knives. There are multiple threads on www.bladeforums.com full of hundreds of tales from people who ordered knives, were charged, and never received the knife they ordered. I'm one of those people. I'm still fighting with the scum trying to get a refund for a knife I ordered almost a year ago.

[mole]

Don't order from thebladeshop.com!!!! They are crooks. They take money and never ship knives. There are multiple threads on www.bladeforums.com full of hundreds of tales from people who ordered knives, were charged, and never received the knife they ordered. I'm one of those people. I'm still fighting with the scum trying to get a refund for a knife I ordered almost a year ago.

I've ordered from thebladeshop and few times over the past few years and never had any real trouble although the last time was in Feb of 08. They had switched management or something and the usual guys I dealt with where always "unavailable." Personally I'll not do any more business with them because of the attitude the manager had with me when I made him match a competitor's price.

I'm not saying to use them or to avoid them. They were just handy to pull up on the web. The last knives I ordered came from New Graham.

John

[ArfinGreebly]

The Byrd Cara Cara is decent quality for its price point.

I don't own the Resue, mine is the G10 plain edge.

Ok knife, it will take a shaving sharp edge easy.But mine has an annoying habit of chipping under moderate use.

I haven't sharpened out the latest chips yet so here is a pic. My son used it carving up a stick.

104144

104145

So, Todd,

What happens when you steepen the bevel just a bit?

I'm guessing it's a little over-hardened in relation to the bevel angle, and another couple of degrees might reduce the tendency to chip.

Does that sound reasonable?

[Max C.]

I used to get a good bit of chipping with my Meadowlark but after about two-three years of continuous use and sharpening rather often (anywhere from once to ten times per month) the edge doesn't chip and is just as sharp. I use it a lot and legitimately dull the knife before sharpening.

I think after prolonged use the edge becomes work (strain) hardened and the chipping goes away as a result but thats just a theory.

[Todd A]

I am not too worried about the Cara Cara.

I don't use it that often, I only bought it on a whim. I never felt like sending it back, as it is only a $25 knife. It mostly lives in my knife box.

When I get around to it I plan to convex it.:cool: That should take care of it's chipping issues.

All in all I won't tell someone not to buy one. It is a decent knife otherwise for its price.

[The Highlander]

I've got 2 Spyderco Tenacious folders in the same steel, and I haven't experienced any chipping whatsoever, even under heavy usage. (Whittling wood; made a few small spear points out of some branches out back) While the tenacious is Spyderco, I believe they are produced in the same factory as the Byrd line. Try changing up the geometry of the blade as AG recommended. If that doesn't work then you may have just had a bad heat treat or something.

[RatDrall]

Byrd knives aren't made by Spyderco, only sold by them. Byrd are made in China.

Byrd knives aren't that bad, they're good when compared to other cheap Chinese knives, but they're still cheap Chinese knives.

I'd buy it for a car knife or some other purpose where I wouldn't care so much if it got lost or stolen.

[The Highlander]

Byrd is more of a sub-division of Spyderco, and after checking my blade, it too is of chinese origin. I'd hardly call these cheap chinese knives.

[poor_richard]

Byrd knives aren't made by Spyderco, only sold by them. Byrd are made in China....

Many knives in Spyderco's line are not made here in the U.S. by Spyderco. They contract out many knives to several countries of origin.

byrds are not your normal "Chinese junk product". They are designed, and tested by Spyderco. They are made to Spyderco's specifications. Join the Spyderco forum, and you'll learn that they are not treated as a junk knife. They are a better quality than many knives costing more.

Todd A,

I realize that it's not worth the price of the knife to send it in, but it's normal for Spyderco to want to review a product that is defective in order to ensure better QC in the future. It's one of the things they do to provide a better product to the end line user. The chipping in your photos doesn't look normal to me unless you've put it through a vast amount of cardboard or something. It is possible that you got a bad heat treat, and they would probably want to review it for quality control purposes.

[franconialocal]

I own over 30 Spyderco's (yes, I have a sickness)...and here is my advice. Stick with the Spyderco line exclusively but stray from the "Byrd" line. They are "ok", but sacrifice alot to meet the price point (quality). They are Spyderco's "economy" line. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra $$ on a pure Spyderco line. If I had to pick my favorite from the basic line, I would go with the Endura.

Spydieguys.com is great and the Spyderco website is sweet. Lots of literature avail. about the steel used, history, etc.

PM me if you want to know more....I've "done my homework" on Spyderco and, in my opinion, they are the best (followed by Benchmade, Cold Steel and SOG...to name my "top 4")

[KBT1911]

I have carried a Spyderco Harpy for 8 years now and love it. I wore it out real bad once and the factory resharpened it for only $5 and it was chipped all to hell! I'm a Spyderco fan for life!

[poor_richard]

Here's a little something Sal Glesser said about the byrds back in 2005.

Hi Ghostrider, thanx much for the kind comments.

The byrd brand is growing. Different sizes, materials and designs on the way.

The Robin (2.5" blade) and the finch (2.0" blade) due this summer.

Yes, it is a cost effective alternative to Spyderco models, and yes they are made in China, but Eric and I designed them. We control the quality, materials, we break 'em, we check 'em.

IMO, I don't think you will find more "bang for the buck" anywhere.

sal