Byrd Cara Cara FRN or Meadowlark G-10

[ari6126]

Which one should I get? The Meadowlark is $5 more expensive. I have small hands, so I'm leaning Meadowlark. Comparison shots anybody? How much nicer is G-10 over FRN. Also hurry guys, the sale ends today.

In a related question, are the clips on the Byrds held on by Phillips screws not Torx screws?

[Gareth]

Only thing I'd say is that I found the Cara Cara quite big, and I don't think I've got particularly small hands.

[WhichDawg]

the G-10 is much nicer! the FRN feels cheap and not as sturdy, but it's not! it just feels that way.
the Meadowlark is nice for it's size and price. I forgot what type of screws it has  
(I traded mine with ducktapehero because I pretty much stopped carrying dedicated folders)

like Gman says, the cara cara is much bigger (surprising big) but a really nice fit in your hand.

I'd suggest go with what you think you need (as in size and carry) you can always get the other
one later, and you will!

[jzmtl]

My cara cara use phillips. If you do have small hands as you say, meadowlark would be a better fit.

[ari6126]

I got the Meadowlark. I'll post some thoughts when I get it.

[ducktapehero]

I'm sure you'll love it. I love mine, thanks again WhichDawg.   For inexpensive knives they are IMHO simply unbeatable. For the vast majority of users you'll 95% of the performance of a regular Spyderco for 1/3 the price.

[ari6126]

I got the Meadowlark today. I'm liking it. Picture latter maybe.

[ari6126]

So I'm really liking the Meadowlark. It came sharp, with perfect lockup. You guys were right, G-10 is great. The size is nice, it gives me just enough to hang on too. It's easy to open one handed with and without gloves. The lanyard hole can only accomandate one piece of paracord even if it is hollowed out. It's not a problem for me because I don't like lanyards on knives with pocket clips but it might be a problem for others.
Overall it's a great knife. For $16.22 shipped, I couldn't be happier.
A note: the clip is held on with T6 screws, not Phillips.

[ari6126]

Now the pictures should work:

[ducktapehero]

Sweet looking. I like the G-10 handles. I have the FRN handles, they make it very lightweight but as WhichDawg says it kinda makes it "feel" cheaper. I haven't had any problems but the tactile feel isn't as good if you're used to heavier knives. But you're gonna love this knife. I promise, and if you don't, I'll give it a great home. 

[WhichDawg]

Fab ari6126! 

now get the cara cara in G-10! (it's sweet too)

I have found in large blades (bigger than cara cara) G-10 is not ideal,
like say for choppers, heavy use blades (fixed) because G-10 is so hard
and cold the vibrations travel up to you!

but for smaller blades/folders it's fantastic

[Pacu]

Get a Cara Cara too...

Nice, solid lockup..feels like great quality in the hand. The price vs. fit and finish ratio is outstanding.  PST thrown in for size reference.

[ari6126]

The Meadowlark is big enough for me. It is actually slightly larger than I was expecting.

[Pacu]

i do like those G-10 scales on your meadow better than the slick metal on my cara

[ari6126]

i do like those G-10 scales on your meadow better than the slick metal on my cara

I don't really understand SS for knife scales, it's heavy and slippery. Isn't also about the same price as FRN? I'm loving the G-10. I've found the first drawback of the knife. The clip is too big. I think it is the same clip as the Cara Cara, even though it is a smaller knife. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[jekostas]

i do like those G-10 scales on your meadow better than the slick metal on my cara

I don't really understand SS for knife scales, it's heavy and slippery. Isn't also about the same price as FRN? I'm loving the G-10. I've found the first drawback of the knife. The clip is too big. I think it is the same clip as the Cara Cara, even though it is a smaller knife. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Stainless Steel doesn't create hotspots in the grip under heavy use.  Sal Glesser's gone on record as saying that he prefers his models released in stainless first so they can figure out the grip ergonomics independent of the friction afforded by FRN or G10.

[ari6126]

i do like those G-10 scales on your meadow better than the slick metal on my cara

I don't really understand SS for knife scales, it's heavy and slippery. Isn't also about the same price as FRN? I'm loving the G-10. I've found the first drawback of the knife. The clip is too big. I think it is the same clip as the Cara Cara, even though it is a smaller knife. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Stainless Steel doesn't create hotspots in the grip under heavy use.  Sal Glesser's gone on record as saying that he prefers his models released in stainless first so they can figure out the grip ergonomics independent of the friction afforded by FRN or G10.

What's a hotspot?

[jekostas]

i do like those G-10 scales on your meadow better than the slick metal on my cara

I don't really understand SS for knife scales, it's heavy and slippery. Isn't also about the same price as FRN? I'm loving the G-10. I've found the first drawback of the knife. The clip is too big. I think it is the same clip as the Cara Cara, even though it is a smaller knife. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Stainless Steel doesn't create hotspots in the grip under heavy use.  Sal Glesser's gone on record as saying that he prefers his models released in stainless first so they can figure out the grip ergonomics independent of the friction afforded by FRN or G10.

What's a hotspot?

A spot where the grip become uncomfortable because of the friction on the hand.

[ari6126]

i do like those G-10 scales on your meadow better than the slick metal on my cara

I don't really understand SS for knife scales, it's heavy and slippery. Isn't also about the same price as FRN? I'm loving the G-10. I've found the first drawback of the knife. The clip is too big. I think it is the same clip as the Cara Cara, even though it is a smaller knife. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Stainless Steel doesn't create hotspots in the grip under heavy use.  Sal Glesser's gone on record as saying that he prefers his models released in stainless first so they can figure out the grip ergonomics independent of the friction afforded by FRN or G10.

What's a hotspot?

A spot where the grip become uncomfortable because of the friction on the hand.

Oh OK.

[ari6126]

So it's got even cheaper. It's now $13.69 shipped from Sierra Trading Post. Use code RCE6422P. Basically it's a serious knife for a silly price.

[WhichDawg]

wow! that's the cheapest I've ever seen it!

and I'm with ari; metal scales...I don't get it