So I just got a folding hawkbill knife ...

T

TomFetter

Joined
Dec 6, 2004
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1,103
... found it for sale at Home Despot last night, described as an electrician's knife. Lockback folder, stainless steel, prolly made in China. The steel's not fabulous, but will take an acceptable edge ... wish it was carbon steel. Some kind of wood for the handle scales, which looks much better with the lacquer sanded off. Tonight, I'll give the scales some linseed oil.

for $7, I'm not complaining much. It's a cool shape, and will be good for pruning stuff in the garden, working with drywall, and cutting sheet goods like carpet or lino. Surprisingly solidly made, for the price.

But what else would you use this style of knife for?
 
I like the hawkbill knives, especially if they are serrated. I think the saying goes, "Sink the tip and let 'er rip". I have a spyderco Tasman Salt with a full SE that I use around the office to cut nylon rope and open packages. It works really well for that. While not my favorite shape, I find the hawkbill to be very useful for jobs that require severing things with pulled cuts.

Jake
 
Good for "skinnin bark" off of branches for walking sticks and such.

--Mike L.
 
Opinel makes a curved blade version in carbon steel. Ragnar (ragweedforge.com) has them for $18, in stainless for $19. They're good for dead-heading flowers, and harvesting herbs.
 
The ranchers around here use that kind of blade for anything, but mostly for leaving on the gate of a Pick-Up truck, driving off, and if it's lost, not worrying about it. Many a fine Case knife has been lost on the Prarrie to the angst of their owners, and those Chinese blades make great use-em's n loose-ems.

Trouble is, that means your good knife, the one you trust, is left at home for it's own protection. That's no good, either!


munk
 
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