Hawkbill Curvature

WVDAVE

WVDAVE

Joined
Aug 27, 2009
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Is there that much difference in the curvature of the Crossbill G-10 and the Spyderhawk? I'm looking to get my first hawkbill and thought the Crossbill was a cheap way to see if I like this style blade, but if the difference is that great that it would sway me one way or another I'll get the Spyderhawk. That Superhawk looks real interesting, but that comes at a later time.
 
I'd put the Crossbill in between the Superhawk and Spyderhawk, but much closer to the Superhawk in terms of curvature. Spyderhawk, IMO, has a much more pronounced curve.

Paul
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That Superhawk should really come now rather than later. It's going to get darned expensive
(Unless, of course, you get Jill to give you one of her 5)
 
Top to bottom: Spyderhawk (VG-10, but the H-1 is the same), G-10 Crossbill, Harpy and Merlin

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The Crossbill is a pretty good entry level hawkbill. I personally prefer the greater curvature and blade angle of the Spyderhawk, though.
 
The Superhawk has very little curvature compared to the original Spyderhawk and the Harpy. I'm not sure as to why Spyderco designed it that way. To me the curvature of the blade creating a constant angle of attack is one of the big selling points of a Hawkbill in my opinion.

Although as sturdy and beefy as the construction of the Superhawk is I highly recommend it for hard use. That G-10 handle could take massive punishment and give a grip which would in turn give you the user great leverage.

I personally recommend people use a Harpy or Tasman to see if a Hawkbill will be useful to them. Also I like the curvature of a Hawkbill for pull cuts.
 
I have just recently become interested in the Hawkbill and have just got a SuperHawk and a LadyHawk. I also want a Harpie and the Tasman Hawk and wonder if I should get the serrated version or the plain blade in the Tasman as the Harpy comes serrated only. Any advice is appreciated as most of my knives are plain edge. Thanks. Oh, thanks for the photos.

RKH
 
By and large, I prefer plain edges for most of what I do, but I prefer teeth on my hawkbills. Serrations just seem to work better for the things I use my hawkbills for.
 
Thanks Yablanowitz. That is what I was thinking. I prefer plain blades on most of my knives but it seems that serrations would work better on the Hawkbill to help draw into the curve of the blade.

RKH
 
Back on track I do believe I'm going to get the Spyderhawk plain edge as my first Hawkbill. Just seems to be the best option for the money. That Superhawk is amazing. I think I'm in lust with this knife.
 
yablanowitz said:
By and large, I prefer plain edges for most of what I do, but I prefer teeth on my hawkbills. Serrations just seem to work better for the things I use my hawkbills for.
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Oh I'm with you 100% on that one Yablanowitz :thumbup: IT's not too often I carry one of my PE Hawkbills to actually use for that reason.

Which is why I can't for the life of me figure why Spyderco didn't make the Superhawk or the Captain in SE :confused:

I know many of you don't count the Captain as being a bonafide Hawkbill. But with the curvature on that blade it will do almost the same set of cutting chores a Hawkbill will with the same efficiency.

Like I've said before I just don't understand why you at least couldn't get them by special order if nothing else.

When you all see how much of a beast the SE H-1 Spyderhawk is I'm sure most of you will agree.
 
I just ordered a Superhawk last night for just over 100 dollars. I'm so excited! Last time I handled it, it was in the SFO, and it was a knife that my friends and the people working just went "That knife really fits you doesn't it?"

I remember the curve being significant, but not as much as, say, an Emerson Combat Karambit.

Greg
 
I think that the discontinuation of the Superhawk had a great deal to do with the great fanfare that the newer H-1 Spyderhawk is receiving. Not to mention that you can get the new H-1 Spyderhawk with a Spyderedged blade which you could not get with the Superhawk :confused:

Not to mention that the newer Spyderhawk is more designed for hard work. I think that the H-1 Spyderhawk is truly going to win many converts to hawkbills and as result you'll see a surge in popularity for many of Spyderco's Hawkbills ( past and present models).

The H-1 Salt series is going to make a lot of blade designs very popular that weren't all that popular the first go around. I predict that the sales of the H-1 Spyderhawk will trend upward for the entire year of 2010.
 
I handled a Superhawk and a Spyderhawk today. The Superhawk didn't impress me that much. It was nice, excellent fit and finish , but it didn't feel right in my hand. On the other hand the Spyderhawk was just about perfect, nice fit and finish, the frn handles were very comfortable and the size was perfect for my hand. I' m going back tomorrow and pick one up. Just have to decide between plain edge or spyderedge.
 
Vic303 said:
I think I will have to get a Crossbill. At least it is affordable!
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It's more than just affordable. It's a good beater hawkbill that you need not cry over if you lose it. My first one went AWOL in my girlfriend's back yard for a couple of months, and I bought another just before she found it. They are good users.
 
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