Spyderco UKPK vs. Byrd Tern

[@pixelb3285]

I prefer the Tern over the UKPK for a couple of reasons. When the Tern is at its half-stop, the choil is exposed. You could hold the handle and push the blade fully open again with the index finger. Trying to do the same thing on a UKPK would cut your finger open, as the UKPK's choil isn't exposed when half open. The Tern also feels all around sturdier, with its g10 scales, thicker blade stock and full backspring. Due to its slightly smaller length, I am able to carry the Tern in my pants' watch pocket, where it cant scratch up anything (like my phone for example) in the normal pocket. It did wear a hole into the lower end of the watch pocket, which however doesn't matter as it's not visible from the outside (covered by the normal pocket) and I don't store anything else in there. The same can't be said about the UKPK, and due to me having to carry it in the same pocket as my phone, it must've caught onto it one time, which led to me losing the UKPK after about a month of carrying. If Spyderco were to make a knife that's 100% like the Tern design-wise, but in BD1N and with Spyderhole instead of the byrd comet-hole, I'd be all over that.

[@thomasdenton132]

I own a Byrd Tern and almost every version of the UKPK and have to say that the Tern is and will continue to be my every day carry knife. With the right sharpening its every bit as sharp as the UKPK and whilst the edge retention isn't as good as the UKPK it's still way above average for it's price. In my opinion the best EDC knife is one that you're never hesitant to use, the price of the Tern makes it ideal for abusing with everyday tasks. My UKPKs stay in their boxes, my Tern earns it's keep.

[@gapster77]

Thomas Denton Well said, my tern doesn’t have any of the issues of this one in the Vid, I really like it, and as cool as Spyderco Knives are, I really like the look and feel of the Byrd, it’s got it’s own place. I would defo replace it if I lost it.

[@simonh6371]

Interesting, all of the comments here from people in the UK say the Byrd Tern is better, only the USA based commenters say the reverse. Speaks for itself.

[@ToxikDnB544]

And here we are today where the Tern is £40 and the UKPK is £80 Ah the simple times when knives were as cheap as chips :(

[@lpj55]

And that's why I've just ordered the Byrd Tern - arriving in a few days' time from HH, hopefully! Having said that, I like that the Tern is slightly smaller - it would have been nice to have a choice of scale colour, but I'm content with black. Oh, and the stronger backspring on the Tern is another plus.

[@ToxikDnB544]

@@lpj55 Yes! I have had my tern for around a year now - It has served me well. The only thing i would say is that the blade arrives stock a little less sharp than i would like it, but once i gave it a grind with my sharpmaker it could cut clean through thin reciepts with little to no effort

[@jimhebrank74]

I am an "Yank" who likes small, non-locking knives. I had the Tern before, and I wasn't impressed. Today I received the Spyderco Urban Lightweight. It says it's made in Maniago, Italy. Impressed! It had lots of side to side blade play at first. I tightened it up with a Torx driver. Now it's perfect. I have many Spyderco knives. (Finch, Centofante 3, Delica 4, Cat with BD-1 steel, Native 5 lightweight, Manix 2 lightweights blue, etc.) and they always delight me with their quality control, sharpness, and quality. Love your videos, nice job!

[@frederickj.7136]

@ Jim Hebrank... A fellow yank with an Urban here -- mine, in K390. I thought I would want to keep my K390 (super!) Urban forever, but with only some bedside fidgeting on the knife, the blade's detent & "lock in" at the full open position has noticeably weakened. Now, thumb pressure can tend to push the leaf blade forward in use (there's leverage behind that, of course). Originally, the blade resisted this pretty well. Could the hard K390 "supersteel" have abraded the back spring alloy and it's notch to have caused this? What has been your experience, Jim? I'm disappointed over this 'premature', wear-related development. My Spy-DK (different blade geometry, similar to the UKPK) shows *no* such tendencies. Thanks for assisting (anyone?)!

[@simonh6371]

Update: I bought a Byrd Tern and a month later a Spyderco Urban, both of which I prefer over the UKPK judging by reviews, specs etc. I loved the Tern but after I bought the Urban in Bohler N690, I prefer it over the Tern, the backsprings are much stronger plus it has a half stop, and even though the blade is shorter, it's thicker and made from better steel which has held it's edge better than the 8Cr13MoV on the Tern. The only point the Tern scores over it is it's G10 scales. I'd recommend both but tbh if you only want one spend more and buy the Urban from the get go.

[@gapster77]

I bought this Byrd Knife, I knew that it would give you the general feel of a slip-joint Spyderco Knife, I wanted to see if I would like this before investing more money. I’ve had this Byrd for approx 4yrs, and I really like it, it is much better than the example in this vid so guess it’s just luck of the draw. The Jimping is sound, no grit on the slip, and the screw on mine hasn’t compromised the G10. What this guy is saying is true in any case, it’s not a Soyderco, it’s blade is made out of Chinesium and it’s not going to put up with any heavy graft. I use mine for light duties and I’m very happy with it for the price. I have a few Spyderco Knives now, and although I don’t have the UKPK I do have the Squeak, I highly recommend the Squeak as it’s blade is made from excellent steel and it’s a little smaller and non-threatening looking. Good Vid, sorry to see your Byrd was a “Friday” special.

[@willj476]

I wish that living knives were legal in the UK, even if they kept all the other knife laws it would give us so much more choice!

[@dylanblack8714]

Don’t we all brother

[@colchesterritter8992]

Have both thanks to your review. HH just released a red G10 S30V exclusive so I guess I'll get another.

[@UnseenSpirit]

Colchester Stu I have the BD1 version. Thinking of getting that one but it's about 80 quid. Not sure if I should spend that on something else lol

[@Wldmanuk]

got both uk pk pushes the law to max but byrd tern you can easily see its under 3 inches you will understand if ever caught with one by Mr plod

[@clarky4492]

sec 139 says cutting surface

[@taopaipai]

My personal reason for picking up a Byrd over a spyd was that for me it is a work knife, so yeah an EDC but an EDC that is going to take some abuse. If it was going to be a pocket knife that would see occasional use, i would probably have went with the spyderco, but i know im gonna wreck it over time.

[@mountainbearoutdoors]

love my little tern although its so light ive forgotten I had it on me :) might get a ukpk when I have the cash!. good review buddy.

[@MaybuTron]

Looked at the Spyderco ukpk for a while on Heinnie then decided that my budget wouldn't stretch to it just yet. I think to have the same steel for just over half the price of the ukpk, the Byrd is a good budget option. I'm impressed with mine, not always easiest to deploy, but love it for the price.

[@clarky4492]

look on amazon 50 quid for any UKPK leaf or ukpk, the crkt is an ace alternative on hennie there orange 1

[@phibeslives4048]

Another concise review. Thanks for the input. I think I like the Tern a little better than you did, of course, I don't have a UKPK to compare it to. The screw on the pocket-clip was ground in deep on mine too though; the head of the torx is basically stripped, so moving it is essentially out of the question. I'm not a lefty, so it doesn't matter, but it's something to consider if you are.

[@alphadawg81]

The 'Spydey hole' was actually patented, until the patent ran out.

[@Lex5576]

The UKPK is leaps and bounds ahead of the Tern IMHO. I've never been a huge fan of non-locking knives, as I live in the US where locking is legal. But I'm extremely pleased with the UKPK. The action is so crisp that I find myself opening and closing the thing just out of habit. I've found that most Byrd knives sound like there's sand or grit in the pivot when closing. The assembly area in that Chinese plant must be filthy. Sanrenmu's own production doesn't come shipped that dirty. Clearly, much more time and attention went into making the UKPK in Colorado, than was spent in China making the Tern. Another thing I've noticed about Byrd, is that even though the blade may have a mirror finish, it's one of the worst to attract smudges and oil marks from general use. The BD1 blade of a UKPK seems to stay cleaner, and is more precision ground. Without a doubt, the UKPK is worth that few extra bucks (quid for our British friends), than just settling for Byrd's second or third best.

[@Sup3rSaiy3n]

Totally agree with all of your excellent points. Thanks for your contribution, it's sure to help others that read the comments.

[@FactFinderGeneral]

I feel like this may have changed over the years because I see this similar comment from years ago but my Byrd Raven from last fall is excellent and doesnt have this issue. Noticed a drop in those types of complaints.

[@flytdigforhelvede3961]

British lads*

[@michaelcampbell9541]

The Spyderco is now twice the price of the Byrd ! The Byrd has g10 so what if you need to sharpen it more !

[@freqeist]

Got my UKPK today 9th March 2015 my handle is different. But I love it.

[@requiscatinpace7392]

Great to see a UK based reviewer!! Subbed!!

[@Richardpuller246]

Great video.Just got my Spyderco ukpk 3 weeks ago and was not to impressed.My PKs are normally more traditional ,but I have to say Im totally won over now.Great bit of EDC.Thanks again.

[@blackriverrampscom]

Haha in Britain it seems much easier as Here in Germany. Here it's like 40€vs110€.. that's shame. But nice video and thanks for your help.

[@paulw.7234]

Unwichtig siehe Vorname ja leider

[@ocbtyga3238]

wollt ich auch sagen traurig aber wahr

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

you are going to need a sharpener for either knife there should not be a huge difference in edge retention between the two. even my ZDP delica needs sharpening from time to time. :)

[@APN34Z]

Doesnt the Byrd have a stronger spring due to it being full and not half like the Spyderco?

[@mustermannstyle9674]

Good video!!Wich slip joint spring is stronger? Ukpk's or tern&

[@Sup3rSaiy3n]

The tern.

[@MaybuTron]

Sorry, I was referring to the metal on my grasshopper, not the ukpk. My next knife WILL be the ukpk.

[@Vintagegamer542]

Love you vids. Can you recommed a few uk legal knifes for my collection I have just picked up a spyderco ukpk droppoint frn and a spyderco bug set. Im thinking of a H1 dragon fly2 or a ladybug3 H1 which would you recommend first.

[@BX138]

I got a Tern for Christmas today, and it'll be my EDC knife forever. Yeah, i can afford a UKPK, but I don't have to buy the most expensive knife I can afford. I imagine most people watching this video, already have a knife sharpener, if you get a UKPK, you don't need one? 🙄😏🤣

[@jasonbuchanan7591]

ukpk cost me 80 pounds wow they have gone up should have gone for a bird turd

[@Sup3rSaiy3n]

Haha love that. Their steel is actually alright

[@garryt2533]

Rather have a Boker Plus XS, better knife than either of them imo.

[@nickvojdani4273]

Spyder co is way cooler