Spyderco Flatbyrd
Review by Phil Elmore
The Spyderco Flatbyrd is another take on a theme that is addressed once in a while within the knife industry -- the "credit card" knife. Roughly the size of a business card and as flat as physically feasible, the FlatByrd offers folding knife cutting power in an envelope that is a little easier (and more discreet) to tote.
The "locking device" -- not truly a liner lock, and not exactly a frame lock -- is a springy piece of metal that is part of the handle. When the knife is opened, this locks the blade until one releases it (there is a large hole in the handle itself to give your finger access to the lock piece inside). Lockup is positive and the "locking device" engages the blade tang fully, to the left of the tang (leaving plenty of room for wear). There is no blade play.
The flat wharncliffe-style blade is ground on both sides and ships nicely sharp. The 8CR13MOV steel (whatever that is -- Spyderco says it's a high-carbon, chrome/molybdenum/vanadium steel with good edge retention) held up well in test cutting and was reasonably easy to resharpen. An integral guard of sorts protects your fingers while you use the knife, and the aluminum handle -- while thin and perhaps a little awkward because it is so broad compared to its width -- is comfortable and rounded for what Spyderco calls a "pinch-free" grip. The holes in the handle help improve traction a little bit. The ramp on the back of the blade hump provides natural purchase for the thumb. Sadly, there are no thumb grooves.
The knife opens stiffly. It has loosened a little in the time I've owned it, but will never be what I'd call "smooth." The comet-shaped Byrd opening hole, which I've never found very attractive, actually looks very much in place on the Flatbyrd, because of the way it matches the contour of the blade curve itself.
The Flatbyrd has no pocket clip and no provision is made for one; this knife is intended for loose carry in a pocket, purse, or even a wallet. It's nice and light, ad I've carried it all around in my back pocket without ever finding it uncomfortable. There are times when I forget it's there at all. Overall fit and finish are good. The knife is made in China (the Byrd line is, after all, an attempt by Spyderco to outdo the Chinese Spyderco fakes that have flooded the import market) and exhibits the kind of quality of which the Chinese are capable when a foreign interest oversees the operation. The blade is, officiall, 2.5 inches long, and the Flatbyrd is 3.125 inches closed.
This is a nice little utility cutter with a very budget-friendly
price tag, offered by a first-class American manufacturer (though it is
itself an import). It does the "credit card knife" category
justice and will serve very well for a variety of mundane and
light-duty chores. >>