Anyone used Byrd Finch (or other small knives)?

[hopkin]

So, camping season once again and as usual I will carry a little survival kit in my pocket as well as the kit on my belt and in my pack.

I want to buy a small, foilding knife to put in it, something better than the small, fragile opinel I use now. None of my local shops sell little folders so I'm buying online. I've been looking at the boker subcom and small spyderco knives (the Byrd Finch). I've already rejected the little buck folders as too heavy and the small SAKs as too fragile.

Anyone used the finch? Spyderco are usually good (I've got a UK Penknife) but the very cheap Finch might not be any good. All I need is something light, small and capable of light cutting tasks, like making kindling or tinder.

Any advice appreciated. I'm only online about twice a week so apologies if I'm late in replying.

 

[Fosbery]

Not used a Finch but Byrd make good stuff.

However, for a survival kit I would reccomend a SAK. The slipjoint ones make not be as durable as a lockback Byrd, but the saw more than makes up for it. You can also get locking SAKs now anyway.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I gave a friend a Byrd Robin as a present, and was pretty pleased with the quality. It was a bit chunkier than the usual Spydie; not crude or poorly made, just not as graceful.

The Robin was pretty heavy though, being solid stainless steel. The ones with synthetic scales are probably fair lighter.

 

[hso]

Welcome to THR, hopkin!

The Byrds I handled at Blade Show and the one larger one I have all feel like good solid knives. The reviews are very positive for them. The smallish knives seemed like credible knives for inclusion in a pocket survival kit.

Where will you be hiking mostly?

BTW, Bodington's is marvelous stuff.

 

[AnthonyRSS]

I bought a couple of Byrds for groomsmen gifts a few weeks ago and was very impressed with the quality and thus the value of the knives. I got mine from www.knifeworks.com and they gave me excellent service and also have the best prices I found.

Anthony

 

[hopkin]

Okay, I think I'll buy the Finch and try it out. youcan never have toomanyknivesand even if it's not ideal for the kit I'm sure I'll find a use for it.

HSO, I'm off to the Brecon Beacons for a weeks walking and rough camping. It's a wonderful place, lots of little pubs wherever you go and frequent opportunities to tease the people training for SAS & Para selection.

 

[Sharpdogs]

The Byrd knives are excellent knives, especially for the money. I carry a stainless steel Robin, but you can always opt for the G-10 versions to save on weight. I have not handled the Finch but I have no doubt that it is just as good as the other Byrd models.

 

[Spinner]

Have you considered the Mercator Black Cat?

Its a simple, rugged lockback folder with good, high carbon Solingen steel in the blade, a nice drop point blade shape, light, reasonably priced, takes a wicked edge and holds it well. Hard to beat in my opinion .... it ain't as swoopy as some of the other stuff around, but it is tough and functional though.

http://premiumknives.com/ShopSite/Mercator_K55K_Solingen_Germany.html

Spinner

 

[coelacanth]

umm. . . . .

Just one man's opinion but the military issue aluminum handled SAKs are really quite stout. I have carried a slipjoint called the "Pioneer" for years and it has performed yeoman service on many outings.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I'll second a Victorinox Pioneer. An early 80s one is my EDC knife. With the can opener, bottle cap lifter, reamer, screwdriver blades, and wire stripper it's more useful than a knife with only cutting blades.

I have a Peanut Lighter from County Comm attached to it, because you never know when you'll need to set something on fire.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

@Dave:

I have a Peanut Lighter from County Comm attached to it, because you never know when you'll need to set something on fire.

That's pretty slick! How's the quality for $5?

How many flames do you get one on tank? Will it only light a dozen times or so, or better than that? Looks like a great idea.


Getting back to the Byrd series. The thing I like about the Byrd as a utility knife, vs. the Swiss Army, is that the blade locks. That makes my fingers happy.

The Mercator is cool, light but solid and incredibly slim (thought a little long). It doesn't have one handed opening, though you can sort of hold it by the blade and flick. It doesn't have a pocket clip though, which is one of the greatest modern developments in pocketknives.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

MV,

The quality of the Peanut Lighter is pretty good. It uses regular Zippo flints and lighter fluid. It's not windproof like a Zippo but that's ok for me. The fill lasts for many lights and does not leak. Mine hasn't been refilled in a couple of weeks and it's still ready to go. For $5 ea. pick one or two up and see for yourself.

 

[shecky]

I have a Byrd Starling. Almost identical in size, with all black blade and frn handle. Tiny, lightweight, but practical. No clip on these tiny knives. Very good steel. Solid lockup. One hand opening, though it might be a bit fiddly with such a tiny knife. The Finch has a bigger hole an may be easier to open one handed. When I carry the Starling, it unobtrusively stays in my back pocket until needed.

 

[Lucky Strike]

I have a Spyderco Jester....same size as a Byrd Starling/Finch but it comes with a modified sheepsfoot blade. I like the design better for a small knife.

This isn't a picture of mine (mine's serrated) but mine's on my keychain too with a similar quickrelease keychain. Extremely handy and a great "oh crap" seatbelt cutter

It cost me $25 online.