New Small Spyderco Hawkbills Setting A Trend

[JD Spydo]

I will be the very first to admit that I'm really surprised at the huge sales of Spyderco's two newest Hawkbill blades which both happen to be smaller ones. The Ladybuy Hawkbill and the Dragonfly Hawkbill both are selling really well from what people in the business have told me.

I find that extremely interesting considering that Spyderco for years has had some really nice Hawkbill models like the Harpy, Spyderhawk, Superhawk, TASMAN, Merlin and to some degree you could throw in their lineup of Reverse S blades as well. The people I've talked to that have gotten either the LadyHawk or DragonHawk have all told me that they love them and use them a lot.

I believe we'll be seeing an increase in popularity of the bigger models to follow. Because many of the people who have bought these smaller Hawkbill folders have never previously used any of the bigger models in most cases. As much as most people like the smaller Hawkbills I look for the popularity of the bigger ones to catapult. I believe it's going to show people how useful these blades are and I hope that it spurs more sales of the bigger units. It seems like a brilliant marketing move on Spyderco's behalf.

 

[BMCGear]

I wouldn't mind carrying a smaller one as a companion blade.

 

[JD Spydo]

I wouldn't mind carrying a smaller one as a companion blade.

And I believe that's mainly what is driving the sales on both of these smaller Hawkbills is that they can get a quality companion blade without having to invest a lot of money. The concept of "Companion Blades" is growing and Hawkbills ( especially Spyderedged) seem to make excellent companion blades.

I plan on getting both of them in SE to see what all the excitement is about. But as much as I like the HARPY model I kind of doubt if I end up using one full time.

 

[neffarious]

Full sized hawkbills are of limited use. Little ones to open blister packs and other things of that sort are fantastic.

 

[JD Spydo]

Full sized hawkbills are of limited use. Little ones to open blister packs and other things of that sort are fantastic.

That's interesting! Who would have thunk it?? Now I do respectfully disagree with you about bigger Hawkbill blades because I've personally found a lot of good uses for the Harpy, Spyderhawk, Merlin and even the TASMAN gets time occasionally.

I guess however it does depend on what your everyday cutting chores entail? But what the heck if it works for you and other guys also seem to like the Little Spyderco Hawkbills>> well that's just great but I do think it will whet the appetites for many of those users to eventually want to try some of the bigger Hawkbills.

On second thought I might just get the Dragon-Hawk and pass on the Lady-Hawk.. Because I believe that the Dragon-Hawk will do everything I need it to do.

 

[on_the_edge]

Full sized hawkbills are of limited use. Little ones to open blister packs and other things of that sort are fantastic.

I have a little Ladybug H1 that opens pretty much anything in the kitchen that needs opening. A lanyard and keyring on the end of it and it feels as secure in hand as a larger knife.

 

[neffarious]

Mines vg10. Non hawkbill. I don't have a hawkbill Any More. just didn't get enough use to keep. I've pondered the ladybug version many times though.

 

[Lapedog]

I think most people into knives carry a larger plain edge often with no recurve. So the serrated hawkbills are a great companion because they allow someone to have a the sort of function opposite of a straight plain edge.

 

[gadgetgeek]

Another factor could just be price. Its easy to justify the little cheap folders just to try out, no extra pocket space or wallet space really needed. Great way to try out a steel or a shape, and that could lead some to be more willing to jump into a full feature knife.

 

[JD Spydo]

Another factor could just be price. Its easy to justify the little cheap folders just to try out, no extra pocket space or wallet space really needed. Great way to try out a steel or a shape, and that could lead some to be more willing to jump into a full feature knife.

I think that there is a lot of truth in what you just said. But I still have to believe that there was something more than economics. Because if it were just a case of going to the "cheaper" blade most people would never go with a company of the caliber of Spyderco to begin with.

Now Spyderco on the other hand does have the distinction of really being the "king of Hawkbill blades" >> I wouldn't even have a clue where to send someone if they wanted a hard use, work type Hawkbill to be offered by some knife company other than Spyderco.

Their bigger Hawkbill models have been available for quite some time and these little Hawkbill models are kind of a "new kid on the block". And I never seen any other Spyderco Hawkbill model catch fire like these two smaller models have. Actually there may just be a trend developing around smaller folders.

 

[Lapedog]

I think that there is a lot of truth in what you just said. But I still have to believe that there was something more than economics. Because if it were just a case of going to the "cheaper" blade most people would never go with a company of the caliber of Spyderco to begin with.

Now Spyderco on the other hand does have the distinction of really being the "king of Hawkbill blades" >> I wouldn't even have a clue where to send someone if they wanted a hard use, work type Hawkbill to be offered by some knife company other than Spyderco.

Their bigger Hawkbill models have been available for quite some time and these little Hawkbill models are kind of a "new kid on the block". And I never seen any other Spyderco Hawkbill model catch fire like these two smaller models have. Actually there may just be a trend developing around smaller folders.

Where do we get statistics on which Spyderco models are selling? I'm not calling you out but rather would like to know for my own interest.

Or are we are just basing it on the ammount of hype surrounding certain models? (Reviews, youtube videos) Because in that case the Pikal and Matriarch were very popular on the net but I wonder how many actually sold as they were specialized blades.

I had heard Spyderco sells virtually every knife they make essentially as the distributors pick up most the stock.

 

[gadgetgeek]

I think that there is a lot of truth in what you just said. But I still have to believe that there was something more than economics. Because if it were just a case of going to the "cheaper" blade most people would never go with a company of the caliber of Spyderco to begin with.

Now Spyderco on the other hand does have the distinction of really being the "king of Hawkbill blades" >> I wouldn't even have a clue where to send someone if they wanted a hard use, work type Hawkbill to be offered by some knife company other than Spyderco.

Their bigger Hawkbill models have been available for quite some time and these little Hawkbill models are kind of a "new kid on the block". And I never seen any other Spyderco Hawkbill model catch fire like these two smaller models have. Actually there may just be a trend developing around smaller folders.

I see your point, but what you can get at the entry level from spyderco is so much better than what the same dollars will get you from another company in a lot of cases. Either way, its making me kinda want to get one.

 

[Knifeoholic]

I picked up a Dragonfly Hawkbill for a couple of my friends. Not really "knife guys" per say, but I'm starting to convert them . Within a day or two they both called to tell me how unexpectedly useful the blades had been for them! Might have to grab one myself to go along with the Tasman, and the Spyderhawk sprint that's coming!