Byrd Cara Cara 2 vs. Buck 110 Eco

[ThundahBeagle]

This is a both a review of the Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2 Rescue knife in orange, and a comparison of it to another knife - the Buck 110 Ecolite  Paper Stone in green. The Byrd is in active production, while this particular type of Buck is not.  The comparison may not seem on par to some people...the Buck is a plain edge clip pointed hunting knife with few features and strong ties to the old classic, while the Byrd is a new fangled, feature laden rescue knife with a sheep's foot, scalloped (serrated) blade.

So they are very different, but I feel in this case, the US made Buck, with its lightweight, paperstone Ecolite handles, would be an interesting contrast to the FRN textured handes of the Chinese-made, US-owned Byrd. Or not.

[ThundahBeagle]

This review and comparison is born out of Etherealicer's knife vs belt thread. I got the Byrd and wanted to see how it stacked up, and then I started doing the comparison and got carried away in that thread. Thanks Ether.

So, describing the Byrd Cara Cara 2 Recue...

My first thoughts about this blade after unboxing it was: "wow!" That's a lot of knife for not a lot of money. It is big- perhaps bigger than the Spyderco Atlantic Salt. I like the handle shape of the Atlantic Salt better, but I really can't complain, considering the Atlantic Salt cost almost a hundred dollars more than this Byrd.

Some real world stats as I measured them:

Length closed = 123mm
Width = 10mm
Blade Length = 10mm
Cutting edge = about 87mm
Blade type = serrated/scalloped Spyder Edge
One hand open with birds eye comet shaped hole
One hand close able. I just press the back lock, give a tiny pulse to the handle and the blade closes halfway. I close it with my fingers or against my leg.
Weight = 3.6 Oz or 102.5 grams
Spine width = 3mm

[zoidberg]

[ThundahBeagle]

The handle of the Byrd is Orange Firberglass Reinforced Nylon.

What can I say, i love the color orange...The shape of the handle is rounded at the butt with some large scalloping at the inside of the handle, for your fingers, but not individual finger grooves. The edges of the Byrd are not chamfered at all, and are rather squared off. The general texture of the handles is peppered with ovals that are raised on one end only of each oval. They are raised athe the ends facing the center of the knife where the name plate is. Those ovals near the rear of the handle are raised in one direction while those near the front are raised in the opposite direction. This lends to the appearance of bird feathers, and lends to the effect of a knife that is easily grippable and won't easily slip from your hands when wet. It does in fact bite into your hand a little bit.

The material of the handle seems durable and is extremely lightweight. The fit and finish is GREAT for a knife of this price. Not the best, but it is very good. A couple of notes on this are the fact that the filler plate, which would rest in the heel of your hand during use, is just a tiny bit incongruous and not quite flush with the two side plates of FRN. And at the channel in which the blade sits when closed , the FRN exhibits a number of small scuffs. These appear to be the detachment points from the mold- type that appear on plastic model car parts when they are removed from the the parts mold in the model set. Please understand that these are NOT a deal-breakers for me, just and observations. These minor observations did not interfere with the operation of the knife at all, and are barely perceptible except when inspecting closely.

The Byrd Cara Cara Rescue 2 has a lanyard hole and a pocket clip. While the pocket clip can be placed in one of 4 positions,  I wish the lanyard hole were larger in diameter. I could not string cut paracord through it, so I opted for a more simplistic, old-time solution and strung a 54 inch workboot lace through it for making a lanyard. I also wouldn't mind if the clip allowed for deeper pocket carry, but I'm really not complaining. It's a rescue knife and meant for easier access, after all.

[ThundahBeagle]

Byrd Cara Cara 2 Rescue is a lockback knife. Unlike the Buck 110, however, whose lock release is way back on the backstap, this one is just forward of center. It has the Boye dent in the release to prevent accidental release of the lock. It works fine. Between the lock release and where the blade meets the backstap, you will find some jimping. This provides excellent grip for your thumb to apply pressure if you have not choked up closer to the blade. If you choose to choke up a bit, the spine of the blade behind the birds eye also has jimping, as does the choil.

The handles are held together with six-pointed torx.

Now, the Buck EcoLite has a much smoother handle, and frankly, I would much rather grip the Buck 110 handle if I knew I was going to be usin gnome the knife for long periods, like skinning game or something, but this Byrd is great for what it is...you take it out in wet conditions cut a rope, strap, or seat belt and put it back. You won't lose your grip on this Byrd.

[ThundahBeagle]

Moving on to the blade, I have to say I was impressed the moment I opened it. It opened smoothly in one motion and is a nice shiny 8Cr13Mov stainless steel.

I am no metallurgical expert, but my research tells me it is similar to Aus8, which is supposedly better than the 420HC used in my Leatherman. Ok. If they say so. I'm not expert enough to know the difference at this stage. All I can do is test the blade and see how it behaves.

Sure, I really would prefer the Atlantic Salt with its H1, corrosion resistant steel. Living here in coastal New England, that would be a bonus. But the truth is more likely that I won't be upset at having to wipe down, oil, and sharpen a knife now and then,  so I'm good with it until time or conditions show me otherwise.

Good gravy this blade is something else!. With the comet style bird eye opening hole, the blade looks like a fossil or skeleton of some prehistoric pteradactyl. It's shined to a satin finish and the edges of the spine are square with no flash or slag. There is jimping at the choil and where the spine meets the backstrap, and it all gives me confidence in use.

On to the serrated cutting edge. The Spyder Edge appears near flawless. I've only ever handled an Atlantic Salt Spyderco to campare it with, but I think this one is a job well done. The grind comes up a wee bit higher on one side of the blade than the other. You can see it in relation to the bird eye opening hole. But it doesn't matter.  The scalloped serrated blade is precision. Wicked shaaahhp. That's New England dielect for extremely sharp.

The reason I will later compare this to the Buck 110 EcoLite Paperstone is because they are in the  same league of shaaahhpness. One is serrated and one is plain edge, but between the two of them, I have NEVER seen a sharper knife right out of the box. And it is tough to tell which is sharper.

One single slide up my arm laid bare a swath an inch and a half wide by two inches long. I want to say it took more hair off than the Buck, but only because the Buck is plain edge, and there is technically more edge-area per inch of blade length on a scalloped  blade.

Just hair popping sharp, with no effort.

[eamo]

 

[ThundahBeagle]

First test - lined notebook paper.

I held one sheet up and put the blade to it. I sliced off edges and corners of the paper with ease. No effort at all. And at about the speed of casually dealing cards for poker. The slices were as wide or as narrow as I wanted them. Some an inch wide, some just thin ribbons.

Un-frigging-real. Tough to tell if it is better than the Buck at this. Subjective maybe, but the Buck 110 is the only other knife I've ever been able to do this with, right out of the box, so well, and so easily. I don't know if the official Spyderco blades are better or not, but this is proof that with proper quality control, the stamp "Made in China" does not have to mean "chinsy."

Next, I moved up to some 1/8 inch (3mm) paracord. Whip. Right through ithe when doubled up.

I have a Lupine brand dog leash. It is a nylon Web weave but is much tighter than the average dog leash weave. It makes for a very stiff and rigid  leash when first bought, but they guarantee it for life, even against  chew through. That was next

[ThundahBeagle]

My old Lupine dog leash was in fact chewed through by Scout my ThundahBeagle. I sent them a picture of the damage and they sent me a new one forthwith and at no cost to me. If you ever get the chance to purchase a Lupine dog leash, you will not be disappointed.

Anyhow, that's why I had this extra dog leash lying around on which to test. About an inch wide and maybe an eighth of an inch thick (25mmx3mm).

The Byrd made short work of it. Nice and clean, the cut was. And on the first slice. So did the Buck 110, by the way. One shot the both of them. Resting side by side you couldn't tell which knife had made which cut. This surprised me as I thought the Byrd would have the edge here and it did not necessarily have. It did slice through magnificently, however. Well done.

[ThundahBeagle]

Finally (for now) I tested the Byrd Cara Cara Rescue 2 on some rope that I have in the back of my Jeep. It is a nice nylon braid of medium blue with flecks of yellow and red, about 3/8 of an inch in diameter, or perhaps 9.5mm. I use this type of rope to tie onto Scouts leash to give him another 20 feet when we hike.

Like a lightsaber through an arm in a wretched hive of scum and villainy. My arm was near fully extended before I had registered that the rope had been cut well before. And a nice neat cut at that.

The Buck cut it in one slice as well, however, the cut surface was not left quite as neat as the one the Byrd had cut.

Again, both in one shot.

Unfortunately I have been unable to source any old, unused seat belt just yet, but when I do, I will test both knives on it for sure.

Pics to follow.

[ThundahBeagle]

After testing so far, I think these two knives compared well.

The Buck 110 EcoLite lacked a clip or lanyard hole, and the grip on the handles was much smoother, so given the choice of long hard use on a single given day, I'd choose the Buck in general.

Having said that, the pattern and texture of the FRN of the Byrd Rescue ensured that I could keep it in my hand in wet conditions -maybe even with lard slathered on it - even if for some reason it was actually being pulled from me.

The Byrd Cara 2 Rescue blade was solid and capable and lockup was just as good as the Buck 110 Eco. Up and down or sideways.

Overall fit and finish very good for a knife of this price. The minor, minor flaws are easily overlooked. Quite Frankly, when you see the pics of the Buck 110 Eco, you will see that fir and finish is not perfect there either. The liner and scale separates ever so slightly from the blade at the front of one side on the Buck.

The Cara Rescue 2's sheep's foot serrated blade is much safer to work with when on a boat or around people or animals you don't want to hurt. Of course, that's what it is designed for. The Buck 110 Eco has a clip point plain edge that is just laser sharp and pointy. If that's what you need then great.

I am a big proponent of buying American made when possible, unless we are talking Swiss Army Knives or Finnish Puuko or something like that. Not against anything made from any other country, just that every time I see something stamped Made In China, I KNOW at least 200 people lost their jobs. So I try to support US made when I can. That being said, proper quality control has absolutely convinced me to buy Chinese on a number of occasions. One is the Kurgo Tru-Fit dog harness. Look that one up. Nesting metal clasps.

The other is the Byrd Cara Cara 2 Rescue knife, and presumably by extension, any other of the Byrd line.

Great value. Very good overall quality. Great blade.

As I mentioned, I hope to have pics up soon.

[Steinar]

A very nice write-up! Thank you!

[ThePeacent]

nice read!!!

I a very happy with all my Byrds and in fact I have another one coming to my mailbox 
yes, they usually come scary sharp,    and the steel is very easy to sharpen to high sharpness too 

The technical term for the handle texture is Bi-Directional FRN, as the name implies it is functional in the push and in the pull,
sacrificing comfort for a secure grip that ensures it won't slip on stressful situations 

I hope you enjoy the knife and I look forward to the pics! 

[eamo]

Great work Thundah looking forward to the pictures - might i suggest a synopsis of the Cara Cara over on Ether's original thread as well ?

[ThundahBeagle]

The (Spyderco) Byrd Cara Cara 2 Rescue

[ThundahBeagle]

The Byrd Cara Cara 2 Rescue and the Buck 110 EcoLite Paperstone

[ThundahBeagle]

Detail of the Byrd bi-directional FRN handle.

VERY "grippy"

You can see the mold detachment points at the opening along the inside of the channel.

[ThundahBeagle]

The Byrd's teeth!

[ThundahBeagle]

Not important, but aside from the channel and squared edges of the handle, this center fill panel is the last tiny detail where the fit and finish is sacrificed for a great blade and a low price.

Really, I didn't care. Neither should you if you appreciate a truly great blade at a truly great price.

You can see my bootlace from my work boot being used as a lanyard.

[ThundahBeagle]

Slick and smooth (and comfortable for extended use) detail of the Buck 110 EcoLite Paperstone handles in green. Unfortunately this Buck is no longer in production. The Buck 110 LT has replaced it. No lanyard hole or clip, unfortunately, but this, the fact that this is sheath-carry, and the handle comfort are part of this Bucks attachment to the old-school. And that's not necessarily bad, either. It was intended for use in a rather stable environment of skinning game, where the Byrd Cara Cara 2 Rescue is meant for being used on a boat as it picked or heaves-to, or at a crash scene to cut someone free.

[ThundahBeagle]

So again, these two knives were invented for two very different sets of working conditions.  I am only comparing them because these have been the sharpest knives out of the box I've ever experienced,  and they are both the less expensive, lightweight options. They are both great knives in their own regards.

[ThundahBeagle]

Blade detail of the Buck 100 EcoLite Paperstone in green

[ThundahBeagle]

Even the Buck had minor fit and finish issues in its lightweight, less expensive lines...

[ThundahBeagle]

Both vs Paracord

[ThundahBeagle]

Both vs. Rope
The Buck left it a little frayed. So little, it could have been my execution of technique. But here it is

[ThundahBeagle]

Both vs. 25mm tightly woven dog leash by Lupine.

Similar to the belt that Ether was testing in his threat, but I have reason to believe this is woven tighter. I've not seen a dog leash as tightly woven as this, not have I experienced hiking backpack lashing that was as tightly woven as this.

All I can say is that Lupine makes a hell of a leash.

[ThundahBeagle]

The paper flew like confetti.  I'm not kidding when I say I was slicing off an inch or a millimeter at will, like dealing a deck of cards. And it didn't matter which blade I used, but the Buck could be used in a slicing motion while the Byrd had to be pushed once a single serration was lined up. But it did so amazingly quickly.

[ThundahBeagle]

Sorry the pics are not better. They are actually quite good, but there are size restrictions on the picture size, it seems.

They might be better if I used a hosting site, but I often see that cat showing up where other folks had originally linked to photo bucket, so I opted to go this way.

[Steinar]

Sorry the pics are not better. They are actually quite good, but there are size restrictions on the picture size, it seems.

They might be better if I used a hosting site, but I often see that cat showing up where other folks had originally linked to photo bucket, so I opted to go this way.

I'd rather see pictures than those broken links, so thank you for that. 

[ThundahBeagle]

...aaaand now I feel rather foolish. Such a great knife for the money is this Byrd - a great knife period, actually - but such a great knife is it that I was constantly shredding paper, cutting string, and anything else I could, ever since I got it.

Well the knife stayed nice and shaaahhp, at least until I opened the coffee with it. That kind of coffee that is vacuum packed in a half pound or a pound sized pouch. You know...the "space age" ones that are sometimes aluminum-backed...