Hawkbill style knife more useable for most situations?

I love using a hawkbill and feel like it is more effecient for many things. It really shines in doing draw cuts, cutting rope, pruning, etc. For things like cutting cardboard, opening packages, etc. I feel it is really the best blade shape for that type of work.
Downside is as previously stated when cutting against a surface, like a cutting board. This is the reason I do not carry a hawkbill every day because I use my knives for food prep more than anything else. I have tried carrying a hawk bill as an edc, but it just didn't work for me. Now maybe I need to consider carrying it with a secondary blade, and have the best of both worlds, but I can't get over feeling silly carrying multiple blades on my person.
Just food for thought, if you look back at knives in the 17th century, the hawk bill seemed to be one of the most popular patterns back then.
 
chevyrulez1 said:
I can't get over feeling silly carrying multiple blades on my person.
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In your post you acknowledged the practicality and efficiency of a hawkbill for common EDC tasks, and the need for another blade shape for food prep. These factors eliminate any objective silliness of carrying a hawkbill and another blade shape. Free your mind and live in the light. ;)
 
I now carry a minimum of 3. It used to be 2. Now I am going to work out 4.
1 large or medium knife.
3 small fixed blades.

I know there are a lot of very, very nice folders out there. But I prefer fixed blades. Small fixed blades can be carried in pockets.

I usually only use 1 sometimes 2 per day. But that leaves 1 or 2 untouched ready for duty if needed.
 
ferider said:
Just be patient ... more time here and it will happen :)
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I was at work one day and realized I had a Case stockman in my pocket with 3 blades, a multitool on my belt with a plain and serrated blade, a Milwaukee utility knife clipped on my pocket for boxes and rough stuff I didn't want to use my main blade for. Then I started thinking about the Victorinox SD in my backpack, a Dexter knife in my desk drawer, a Mora in my truck, and another multi-tool in my console of my truck.
It was an aha moment, I asked myself "what am I doing? I think I have a problem!" 🤣
 
I bought a Klein electricians knife years ago that had the spear blade, the screwdriver blade, and a hawk bill blade. Looking at it I thought it was perfect. After I got it and carried it a while I started thinking it was too heavy (Edited to say Bulky really more than heavy) in my pocket so I quite carrying it and kept it in my toolbox.
Maybe I need to try to find a belt sheath for that one and revisit that idea 🤔
 
Spyderco, in their main and yard lines make some very useful, low profile , sort 2.3” -3””, mildly curved hawkbills with full serrated options. They can do almost any chore s well as their straight blade counterparts, even thrust. It they really excel ,IMO, AT TWO IMPORTANT
 
Spyderco makes , in its Name Brand and Byrd lines have some very practical, multi-purpose hawkbill folders, with gentle curves, that don’t look like frightening talons, can be used for virtually all straight blade tasks, even in straight thrust and yet give the users the unique benefits of a Hawksbill in two critical tasks, especially when purchased with serrated edges.

First and foremost, they make great seatbelt cutters, allowing u to free urself and others from the belt by cutting it ,, after the an an accident jams the buckle lock. A somewhat common occurrence, take it from an experienced EMT. The curve and serrtions improve the bite on the belt and reduce the danger of stabbing oneself s you slip them under the seatbelt, and employ a freeing uppercut.. ( because the tip point is not straight foreword ). I have personally cut enough people free from jammed seatbelts acting s a responding EMT , in cars on fire or likely to be from leaking gas and a battery spark, that having the blade curve is big plus in relieving my personal fear of burning up in an auto, after an accident. It is also easier , and much less likely to cut the victim, to cut the pannts and other clothing of an accident victim or someone shot or stabbed, to reach the site of the injuries with a curved blade, than with a straight blade poscket knife, typically designed with. Slightly upswept tip.

Second is in self defense. If your mugger, as they are want to do , grabs you in a rear naked choke, application of the hawk tip to the inside soft crook of the elbow, even if covered by a heavy coat, ( that’s when the serrations come in handy) , followed by a hard down pull of the knife handle and a right and left wiggle , is very likely to hurt like hell, cut an artery and/ or ligament, rendering the arm useless. Even in a face-to-face encounter, a long raking slash with the serrated blade tip and blade accross the brow, eyes or nose , is easier and more effective than with a short pocket knife blade and likely to dissuade, and terrify an attacker , with the pain, blood in the eyes and sheer volume of blood, then trying to “ sewing machine” him with multiple thrusts from 3” pocket knife.) Also, it’s also likely to be seen as a “ get off me”, less than lethal defensive reply to the attacker, not and as an attempt engage in a fight to kill ur attacker. Better from a legal , self defense plea, standpoint.

Last is a counterpoint. A 3”” , straight, not upswept, serrated Wharncliffe , serrated blade might equal the hawkbill in the above discussed situations and be its better for slicing foods. But, perhaps not in the rear naked choke defense, because you might her to reposition the knife in ur hand or really bend ur arm and hnd ,Hard, to get the downward cut. Trade- 0ff would be improved thrusting from the wharncliffe’s very straight heavier tip. I have to think that one through more throughly.
 
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