Hawkbill Blades are PERFECT Companion Blades

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
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There has been some talk about companion blades which I think is great. Because if you do a lot of serious cutting chores like I do in my job and other activities then you will know that one knife just isn't enough to get you there most of the time. So just for the record I've been carrying and using some of Spyderco's premium Hawkbill blades as a "Companion Blade" for a few years now.

Now your situation might be different>> maybe a fully serrated Hawkbill blade isn't what you need for your own cutting chores. So I would like for you all who carry more than one Spyder to tell us what your companion blade is that you prefer.

I've found that Hawkbills and "Reverse S" blades like the Dodo and Matriarch are great companion blades to give you versatility for a myriad of different cutting chores.

I know that many of you carry more than one Spyderco folder>> and some of you might even carry a Spyderco fixed blade as your companion blade. So let's talk about it.
 
My new-ish Ladybug3 Hawkbill Salt has turnes into one of my favorite companion blades. It's a great way to carry a hawkbill regularly if you like hawkbills but find carrying one as your primary EDC difficult.
 
I cut a lot of tough materials at work. Most of the time a PE with good steel will stay sharp all day, other times an SE is in order. As a result I like to carry a PE with a SE Matriarch as a backup. I have a few CE knives and like them but do not carry them as often. IMO Spyderco has the best and most aggressive SE pattern. If that won't work then it's time to break out the heavy cutters or power tools. I have been using SE blades for so long that I can do the same things, and in many cases more, than I can with a PE blade. So as far as a companion blade goes I prefer an SE blade for one.
 
For one reason or another it's nice to have the Lil Matriarch clipped inside my waistband, regardless of whatever else I might have on me.
 
I never had much interest in hawkbills (and I owned some) until I picked a SE Tasman Salt about 2 years ago. Since then, it's been my favorite knife.
Lightweight, the handle fits my hand just right, and cuts with ease the varied materials I've used it on.
 
I have never used a hawkbill. I can see where one would be very useful for me. I am trying to decide on which model.
 
You don't have to convince me! I'm right handed, been carrying two Spydies every time I have on pants with pockets for years and years. The right front pocket knife varies. Right now it is one of the brown M4 Manixes. Great knife, I'm pleased with it. But a whole slew of knives have been in and out of that pocket over the years. Natives, various Caly's, Shabaria, full size PS Tim Wegner, etc, etc. But in all those years, the left front knife has stayed the same. G10 fully serrated Harpy. They still make the full metal Harpy but the metal ones have never appealed to me. Give me the solid grip of G10 anytime.

I tend to draw my right side knife whenever my brain sends out the "need a knife" message. But if I'm out working on the property and I need to cut a rope or a water hose... that sort of round and tough stuff... my brain changes the message and I pull out the Harpy. One good pull and it goes right through the toughest hose. Easier and safer to cut some things with the hawkbill knives. Sort of specialized, I wouldn't carry one as my only knife. But I won't leave mine behind either!

Gregg
 
JudasD said:
I carry a Spyderhawk now. Love it. i am really diggin' the SE hawkbill.

JD
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That's what I'm currently carrying as a companion blade at this particular time myself. I do tend to like the Harpy a little bit better for some jobs and if I can ever replace the G-10 Harpy I lost I'll probably go back to it for most of the time. However when I'm out in the timber or in the country working I'll always opt for the bigger SPYDERHAWK SE with the H-1 blade.

There are so many cutting chores you can do with a serrated Hawkbill blade that will save the edge you worked so hard to achieve on your plain edged blade. So most of my rougher cutting jobs I use the fully serrated Hawkbill for.
 
I bought a SE Byrd Hawkbill to try out as a companion blade, as well as to try out the SE edge. I carried it some but it was a bit large to put in my pocket with my other EDC stuff. The Ladybug was just too small. I think I need something like a Dragonfly, or even something of similar size but without the height of a knife with a thumb hole.

The Byrd seems to be a good knife for the price and I think it would be a good utility blade. I didn't carry it enough to fully evaluate the SE but in a few informal tests it didn't offer any advantages over a good sharp plain edge. The SE possibly offers advantages when things start to get dull though.

DSC_7547b.jpg
 
Does or did Spyderco make a serrated hawkbill knike on the Endura frame?
 
Thanks for that link. i may try that. I used an Atlantic Salt the other day and thought it would be great in a hawkbill blade.
 
That Tasman looks like it may work. I will start with that and see how it does. I own a landscape company and work outside everyday. I have been using a Manix 2 for a few months and love it, but I thought a hawkbill would be a great counterpart.
 
I often carry a matriarch or harpy with a smaller plain edge like a mouse, a lone wolf loveless folder, or a benchmade terzuola, park avenue.
 
nccole said:
Delica sized: http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=214 Some worry about the tip on the Matriarch and Civilian for utility work.
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Paper work with those knives state that they are not suited for utility purposes. The Civilian has a longer hook end than the Matriarch. I would not use the Civilian for utility but I do use the Matriarch. All you have to do is treat it as you would any thin tipped knife.
 
Personally my favorite hawkbills are all pruner-style blades. I prefer the straight base that they have.
 
brownshoe said:
I often carry a matriarch or harpy with a smaller plain edge like a mouse, a lone wolf loveless folder, or a benchmade terzuola, park avenue.
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I'm very anxious to try the newer/smaller model Matriarch. I love my older VG-10 model so much. And as far as the HARPY goes it's my current favorite. Even though I love my 3 Spyderhawks and the blades are bigger and more suited for brutal work>> but my G-10 Harpy was one of my very favorite Spyderco companion blades of all time.
 
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