Byrd Crossbill \"Imported by Spyderco\" mini-review
I purchased two of these hawkbill blade stainless steel knives from New Graham. The knives were 18.97 plus shipping. These knives were to be used as a work tool and would be cutting through heavy plastic wire insulation, zip ties , cardboard, plastic banding , rope and other materials encountered in my job as an electric utility groundman. Quality midgrade non-serated hawkbills are virtually non-existant so the Byrd Crossbill was something I was excited to hear about. I've some experience with Spyderco quality so I was anticipating an economically priced knife that offered spyderco quality construction with compromises in the materials used. A sort of generic spyderco , if you will.
I received the knives a scant 2 days after ordering via USPS. This was my first order from New Graham so I was very impressed with the speed at which I received the order. The humorous inclusion of a magnetic band aid dispenser was a nice touch that impressed me. Little things mean alot! The knives were securely packaged and arrived in off-the-shelf retail condition.
The knives are packaged in plain white cardboard boxes devoid of any printing. Upc labels affixed to the boxes indicate model number and name: "BY07P Crossbill". To the importers credit, packaging is "no frills" and should add very little to the cost of producing this knife. Best to spend the money where it is most appreciated , the knife itself. The Crossbill is further encased in a clear plastic bag that likely cost less than the time I spent writing about it. Also enclosed in the box is a single folded sheet of paper detailing the limited one year warrantee through importer and distributor, Spyderco. My impression is that care was taken not to infer that Spyderco had anything to do with the knifes manufacture. Due to the low initial cost of the knife, the prepaid return shipping requirement in addition to the time and money to return the knife for warrantee repair, I suspect the number of warrantee returns will be low. This is likely by design.
Upon handling the Crossbill for the first time I was impressed with the sheer substantiallity of the knife. This is a heavy folder as can be expected from its stainless steel scales and the moderate size of the knife. The design is striking. Hawkbill bladed knives generally have an intimidating demeanor to them and stir the ancient recognition of the beak and the talon as potentially lethal elements. The teardrop shaped hole in the Crossbill coupled with the angled taper to the knifes point further accentuate the similarity to avian armaments. Put simply, this knife looks like the head of a buzzard. Spyderco has a number of models whose form is clearly beastially inspired so perhaps at least the design of the knife is done by Spyderco.
The handle of the knife is of heavy brushed stainless steel and is pierced by 3 decorative diamond shaped voids on each scale. Ergonomics of the handle are very good with cutouts for the index and middle fingers as well as a comfortable valley atop the handle for aiding leverage and control with the thumb. A pocket clip is attached via 3 torx head screws and can be repositioned 180 degrees to suit those who prefer blade tip up carry. The clip is a bit on the flimsy side. In the course of a week and a half of carry it has flexed a bit and no longer grips my pocket with its original tension. However, the torx head screws remain snug. For those who wish to keep the Byrd on a leash a lanyard hole is also provided. I've found the handle of this knife to be comfortable and very compatible with the blade geometry during both pushing and pulling cutting tasks. Leather work gloves didn't hinder the usability of the knife to any appreciable degree. Slipping hasn't been an issue but I haven't used the blade with sweaty or wet hands. It's likely that this will be an issue under some circumstances simply because of the low friction afforded by stainless steel.
Stripping heavy wire is a task bordering on abusive for a knife. Biting into metal, even as soft as copper will dull a blade quickly and can leave nicks and bends in the cutting edge. Etching of the Crossbills blade indicates a blade steel of "8Cr13MoV" just below the "byrd" brand name. During the past week and a half of moderate to heavy use the originally shave sharp blade has dulled but less than I would expect. I'm no expert though. My observations of a steels edge holding ability are likely skewed more by my impressions of a knifes overall apparent quality than real objective use. I'll limit myself to saying that the blade of this knife has easily met my expectations and performed admirably the tasks I've challenged it with. The blade works. Sharpening still isn't an issue so I won't comment on the ease of rehoning.
Spyderco's trademark hole is absent in this blade. No confusion, it isn't a spyderco. Ambidextrous, one-hand-opening is facilitated by a teardrop or comet shaped hole in the blade. The unbeveled comet works very well with hands clad in leather work gloves or bare. My hands are about average size but the comet is large enough that I believe those with very large hands may complain about handle real estate before having problems with deployment.
The actual dimensions of the Crossbill's curvaceous cutter are easily found online. Let me just conclude my comments of the hawkbill blade on this knife by saying that there is quality here. It is well made, sharp and very useful as well as visually appealing. However, it is unlikely that anyone would confuse this blade with one of those from a much more expensive, "real" Spyderco. The biggest giveaway is the country of origin etching on the blade , "China" just hasn't aquired a reputation for the manufacture of quality knives.
Byrd uses the lockback design to maintain the blade in the open position. Both examples that I recieved made a resounding click when the lock engaged when new. Disengaging the lock is anything but smooth. I believe that the lockbar is rubbing against the scales leading to a very gritty feel during engagement as well as abrasion marks on the visible portion of the lock. Intermittant failure of the lock on the user unit began after spraying a solvent to clean out some grime and relubing with silicone. The lock fails to engage when opened and then the spring fails to seat when closed. The net effect is zero tension on the closed blade , a potentially dangerous situation for those carrying tip up . I'm generally dissappointed with the lock mechanics on both of the Crossbills. My only other issue is with the gritty feeling when the knife is opened.
If quality control improves and tolerances get a bit tighter these knives would be an excellent value, these units may even be a bit on the rough side due to the immaturity of this model, I don't know. Personally, I'd have to hear some great comments from people I trust before I decided to buy another Byrd.
I purchased two of these hawkbill blade stainless steel knives from New Graham. The knives were 18.97 plus shipping. These knives were to be used as a work tool and would be cutting through heavy plastic wire insulation, zip ties , cardboard, plastic banding , rope and other materials encountered in my job as an electric utility groundman. Quality midgrade non-serated hawkbills are virtually non-existant so the Byrd Crossbill was something I was excited to hear about. I've some experience with Spyderco quality so I was anticipating an economically priced knife that offered spyderco quality construction with compromises in the materials used. A sort of generic spyderco , if you will.
I received the knives a scant 2 days after ordering via USPS. This was my first order from New Graham so I was very impressed with the speed at which I received the order. The humorous inclusion of a magnetic band aid dispenser was a nice touch that impressed me. Little things mean alot! The knives were securely packaged and arrived in off-the-shelf retail condition.
The knives are packaged in plain white cardboard boxes devoid of any printing. Upc labels affixed to the boxes indicate model number and name: "BY07P Crossbill". To the importers credit, packaging is "no frills" and should add very little to the cost of producing this knife. Best to spend the money where it is most appreciated , the knife itself. The Crossbill is further encased in a clear plastic bag that likely cost less than the time I spent writing about it. Also enclosed in the box is a single folded sheet of paper detailing the limited one year warrantee through importer and distributor, Spyderco. My impression is that care was taken not to infer that Spyderco had anything to do with the knifes manufacture. Due to the low initial cost of the knife, the prepaid return shipping requirement in addition to the time and money to return the knife for warrantee repair, I suspect the number of warrantee returns will be low. This is likely by design.
Upon handling the Crossbill for the first time I was impressed with the sheer substantiallity of the knife. This is a heavy folder as can be expected from its stainless steel scales and the moderate size of the knife. The design is striking. Hawkbill bladed knives generally have an intimidating demeanor to them and stir the ancient recognition of the beak and the talon as potentially lethal elements. The teardrop shaped hole in the Crossbill coupled with the angled taper to the knifes point further accentuate the similarity to avian armaments. Put simply, this knife looks like the head of a buzzard. Spyderco has a number of models whose form is clearly beastially inspired so perhaps at least the design of the knife is done by Spyderco.
The handle of the knife is of heavy brushed stainless steel and is pierced by 3 decorative diamond shaped voids on each scale. Ergonomics of the handle are very good with cutouts for the index and middle fingers as well as a comfortable valley atop the handle for aiding leverage and control with the thumb. A pocket clip is attached via 3 torx head screws and can be repositioned 180 degrees to suit those who prefer blade tip up carry. The clip is a bit on the flimsy side. In the course of a week and a half of carry it has flexed a bit and no longer grips my pocket with its original tension. However, the torx head screws remain snug. For those who wish to keep the Byrd on a leash a lanyard hole is also provided. I've found the handle of this knife to be comfortable and very compatible with the blade geometry during both pushing and pulling cutting tasks. Leather work gloves didn't hinder the usability of the knife to any appreciable degree. Slipping hasn't been an issue but I haven't used the blade with sweaty or wet hands. It's likely that this will be an issue under some circumstances simply because of the low friction afforded by stainless steel.
Stripping heavy wire is a task bordering on abusive for a knife. Biting into metal, even as soft as copper will dull a blade quickly and can leave nicks and bends in the cutting edge. Etching of the Crossbills blade indicates a blade steel of "8Cr13MoV" just below the "byrd" brand name. During the past week and a half of moderate to heavy use the originally shave sharp blade has dulled but less than I would expect. I'm no expert though. My observations of a steels edge holding ability are likely skewed more by my impressions of a knifes overall apparent quality than real objective use. I'll limit myself to saying that the blade of this knife has easily met my expectations and performed admirably the tasks I've challenged it with. The blade works. Sharpening still isn't an issue so I won't comment on the ease of rehoning.
Spyderco's trademark hole is absent in this blade. No confusion, it isn't a spyderco. Ambidextrous, one-hand-opening is facilitated by a teardrop or comet shaped hole in the blade. The unbeveled comet works very well with hands clad in leather work gloves or bare. My hands are about average size but the comet is large enough that I believe those with very large hands may complain about handle real estate before having problems with deployment.
The actual dimensions of the Crossbill's curvaceous cutter are easily found online. Let me just conclude my comments of the hawkbill blade on this knife by saying that there is quality here. It is well made, sharp and very useful as well as visually appealing. However, it is unlikely that anyone would confuse this blade with one of those from a much more expensive, "real" Spyderco. The biggest giveaway is the country of origin etching on the blade , "China" just hasn't aquired a reputation for the manufacture of quality knives.
Byrd uses the lockback design to maintain the blade in the open position. Both examples that I recieved made a resounding click when the lock engaged when new. Disengaging the lock is anything but smooth. I believe that the lockbar is rubbing against the scales leading to a very gritty feel during engagement as well as abrasion marks on the visible portion of the lock. Intermittant failure of the lock on the user unit began after spraying a solvent to clean out some grime and relubing with silicone. The lock fails to engage when opened and then the spring fails to seat when closed. The net effect is zero tension on the closed blade , a potentially dangerous situation for those carrying tip up . I'm generally dissappointed with the lock mechanics on both of the Crossbills. My only other issue is with the gritty feeling when the knife is opened.
If quality control improves and tolerances get a bit tighter these knives would be an excellent value, these units may even be a bit on the rough side due to the immaturity of this model, I don't know. Personally, I'd have to hear some great comments from people I trust before I decided to buy another Byrd.
