Beginners Folder

[cerbera147]

***Newbie Question Alert***

What's the difference between Spyderco and Byrd? Are they part of the same company?

Their knives look similiar but different. They also seem to cost significantly less; I'm guessing there's a reason for that.

I am drawn to Spyderco's UKPK as an EDC folder; it looks great and obviously has a large following for a reason 

Now for my 'inside' knife I'm thinking bigger is better and assisted opening also interests me.

[Freudian Frog]

***Newbie Question Alert***

What's the difference between Spyderco and Byrd? Are they part of the same company?

Same company, Byrd is the brand they produce in China.

[cerbera147]

***Newbie Question Alert***

What's the difference between Spyderco and Byrd? Are they part of the same company?

Same company, Byrd is the brand they produce in China.

Thanks 

Does this affect quality? Is Byrd their 'value brand'?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

***Newbie Question Alert***

What's the difference between Spyderco and Byrd? Are they part of the same company?

Same company, Byrd is the brand they produce in China.

Thanks 

Does this affect quality? Is Byrd their 'value brand'?

That's about the size of it

The steel's tend to be not as good, but the qualities about the same

[cerbera147]

Could it be a viable option for a learner?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Could it be a viable option for a learner?

Definetly mate

As your going to get a lot of blade for your buck

Did you have any model in mind?

[cerbera147]

Definetly mate

As your going to get a lot of blade for your buck

Did you have any model in mind?

My only reference at the minute is Heinnie. There are a few there that have caught my eye; the Meadowlark, the Meadowlark G10 and the Flight 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Definetly mate

As your going to get a lot of blade for your buck

Did you have any model in mind?

My only reference at the minute is Heinnie. There are a few there that have caught my eye; the Meadowlark, the Meadowlark G10 and the Flight 

Well the Meadowlack is a deservedly popular knife, and there's a good few people on her who've got one

[Gareth]

I've got the Cara Cara and would happily recommend Byrd as a brand.  The Cara Cara itself however is just too big for my tastes.

[Benner]

AO's are great fun, but I find the novelty is quickly lost when really a decent folder will open just as fast and in some cases even faster.  The best AO system speed wise (IMO) is benchmades Nitrous system.  That thing is rapid 

[cerbera147]

I've got the Cara Cara and would happily recommend Byrd as a brand.  The Cara Cara itself however is just too big for my tastes.

I must've missed that one  I might aim for it

AO's are great fun, but I find the novelty is quickly lost when really a decent folder will open just as fast and in some cases even faster.  The best AO system speed wise (IMO) is benchmades Nitrous system.  That thing is rapid 

Perhaps I should experience an AO first, sounds cool though 

[Benner]

Kershaws are pretty sweet as well and should be available for your budget.

[DaveK]

Definetly mate

As your going to get a lot of blade for your buck

Did you have any model in mind?

My only reference at the minute is Heinnie. There are a few there that have caught my eye; the Meadowlark, the Meadowlark G10 and the Flight 

The bottom two in this pic are both variations of the Meadowlark Dan, They are both excellent knives that I would happily recommend.

[Styerman]

The Buck 110 is about as classic as it gets . Nice in the outdoors too .

Chris

[GraysonK]

I don't know what they cost over there, but over here a great Spydie especially for the money is the Tenacious.  It's a big knife (at least for me), great lock up, more than decent steel, and just a big knife.  Not CS Voyager X2 big, but big nonetheless.  If you want a good round the house/outside the house knife I suggest something from the Salt series...a serrated Pacific Salt is gorgeous.   

[TangoDown]

I'll post my usual recommendations for inexpensive EDC folders:

• Kershaw Skyline - $35 (USD) : US made, good Sandvik steel, nice the blade shape, G-10 handles, liner lock, hollow ground blade, bead blasted finish, 2 position clip for right handed tip up or tip down carry, phosphor bronze washers, light weight, smooth and fast flipper w/ thumbstuds also (non-AO)
  
• Spyderco Tenacious - $30-35 (USD) : Chinese made, high quality, high value, very good fit & finish, decent steel, G-10, handles, liner lock, 4 position clip for tip up/down/left/right carry, phosphor bronze washers, fast & smooth deployment, open construction, full-flat grind, Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping
  
• Buck Vantage Pro - $40-45 (USD) : US made, S30V "premium" steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, very high value considering the Paul Bos treated S30V premium steel, great clip design that rides very low in pocket, hollow ground blade, 2 position clip for left or right tip up carry, open construction, flipper and thumbslot (non-AO), no jimping
  
• Kershaw Leek - $35-50+ (USD) depending on steel and handle options : US made, steel handles, frame lock, good Sandvik steel (other steel choices include S30V, ZDP-189/Sandvik composite blade), hollow grind blade 2 position clip for right hand tip up or tip down, thumbstud and flipper w/ AO
  
• Spyderco Native - $50 (USD) and up : US made, great S30V steel (other steel options available), FRN handles, linerless, pinned construction on the cheaper models, spear/leaf shaped hollow ground blade, 2 position clip for right or left handed tip up carry, light weight, linerless Spyder Hole (non-AO), great thumb jimping
  

All are 3 - 3 1/2". All are in my EDC rotation. The Buck Vantage Pro has a lot of "bang for the buck" with its material choices. The Skyline is my favorite and gets the most carry.

[jzmtl]

• Buck Vantage Pro - $40-45 (USD) : US made, S30V "premium" steel, G-10 handles, liner lock, very high value considering the Paul Bos treated S30V premium steel, great clip design that rides very low in pocket, hollow ground blade, 2 position clip
  

Vantage pro has gone up in price quite a bit unfortunately. One of my most frequented dealer in u.s. just raised price to $60.

[ASH]

Sanremu 710, is a new "poor people sebenza", cheap, but the quality really good. Use the same steel like the Byrd.