The BY23 byrd Tern is a non-locking folder. Folding knives with blades that don't lock open are in many cases the only legal-carry pocketknife option in countries and cities where restrictions have been adopted forbidding carrying folding knives with locking blades. As more counties enact strict knife laws, the concept of non-locking knives continues gaining momentum.

The Tern has a black G-10 handle resistant to warping and fading. The blade is held in the open position during cutting by a notched-joint at the knife's pivot. When closing the blade, the notch produces resistance functionally similar to traditional slip-joint penknife. To enhance control and comfort there's a deep finger choil which jogs the index finger into position on the bottom of the blade directly under the thumb.

Placing the index finger in the choil, the finger acts as a stop, inhibiting the blade from closing when cutting and allows the user to choke-up closer to the cutting edge with comfort and dexterity. A wire clip positions the folder to carry deep in a pocket, tip-up and ready for use left or right-handed.

The Tern has an 8Cr13Mov leaf-shape full flat-ground blade available in a PlainEdge. The handle is assembled with screw-together construction.