Thought I'd share a little with what I do with my Byrds after I get them new.
I realize Byrds may be for the budget conscious folks, but it doesn't mean that they need to look/feel budget.
When I get a new Byrd Meadowlark, FRN/G10, there are several areas where I do a little fine tuning to freshen them up.
- First step is to do a take down and and clean.
- While the knife is apart I look for areas than can be smoothed or edges that can cause a minor scratch or scuff to my skin,
a. The thumb hole and blade in general - sometimes have very acute edges. Well machined but sharp, so I take down the edges for the thumbhole, spine, jimping, and then do a light polish (reduces corrosion IMO - I use around salt water and rinse after each use, no problems so far). fine tune lock bar and blade contact areas - for smoother deployment.
b. I do the same for the scales, clean up screw holes, knock down the edges etc....
c. The backspacer on the FRN does protrude a bit, so I take it down a little to level with the scales. The G10 has less of an issue with the stainless backspacer, but I polish the entire spine/backspacer to satin finish and knock down edges.
- Then I just check the factory bevel and correct if needed, or just strop to hair splitting - before re-assembling. :)
I've gotten compliments on them many times. My friend who turned me onto these knives was surprised at what a little work can do to make them feel premium. Functionally I think they are great knives. The lack of fit and finish on some can be easily remedied to an extent, then they become a fine working instrument. The 8CR13MoV has been a great daily user and easy to touch up if needed. The Byrd and 8Cr13MoV lettering is fine, but sometimes I wish I can polish out the "Ⓡ and China". :P Best of all, if I lose or scratch them up during use, it doesn't hurt like some of my other more pricier knives.
Any other mods folks do regularly on these?
Anyone modify or improve their Byrds?
-
- Member
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 11:51 am
Re: Anyone modify or improve their Byrds?
I just gave the one I have a good sharpening on the WE130. It's a treat to carry and cuts nicely.
- araneae
- Member
- Posts: 5494
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:10 pm
- Location: A lil more south of the Erie shore, Ohio
Re: Anyone modify or improve their Byrds?
I'll often do a lot of the things you mentioned to tune up my new knives.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
Re: Anyone modify or improve their Byrds?
What do you use to knock down the spine? I've used the sharpmaker browns placed on the bottom of the base.yogibearal wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 4:01 pm...
a. The thumb hole and blade in general - sometimes have very acute edges. Well machined but sharp, so I take down the edges for the thumbhole, spine, jimping, and then do a light polish (reduces corrosion IMO - I use around salt water and rinse after each use, no problems so far). fine tune lock bar and blade contact areas - for smoother deployment.
...
-
- Member
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 12:47 am
- Location: New Zealand
Re: Anyone modify or improve their Byrds?
I had to put a wire clip on after catching my knife on a bench and destroyed the screw holes. Lucky I had a wire clip and bolt from a broken dragonfly 2. A little cutting and I'm quite pleased with the result ( it is my work knife so not perfect) now I wish all G10 meadowlark's had the wire clip
Re: Anyone modify or improve their Byrds?
Great job!
Re: Anyone modify or improve their Byrds?
I've modified a couple. Here's a link to one of my posts:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=77767&p=1209599&hi ... d#p1209599
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=77767&p=1209599&hi ... d#p1209599