Spyderco's Hawkbills: What do you use them for?

[JD Spydo]

In my personal opinion I think that Spyderco's Hawkbills are truly the best on the market by far. They are useful for so many cutting chores where you need the leverage of a "pull cut". I also think that Hawkbills really shine with a sharp serrated blade ( Spyderedge preferably).

I find new uses for my Hawkbills almost daily and currently with all the holiday stuff going on at this time I've been using my H-1 Spyderhawk SE quite a lot here lately. It has done everything I've wanted it to with a wide variety of demanding cutting chores. Like cutting cardboard for instance I don't use anything else other than a Hawkbill. They are also great at cutting any fibrous material, very heavy plastic straps, clampacks and all types of cordage.

Now I want to know what all uses have you guys/gals found that Spyderco's Hawkbills are highly useful for. I find that a Hawkbill blade really brings out the best in a serrated edge and a serrated edge works best in a Hawkbill because you are always at a good cutting angle.

So what cutting jobs have you all found Hawkbills highly useful for?

 

[jnichols2]

I find new uses for my Hawkbills almost daily and currently with all the holiday stuff going on at this time I've been using my H-1 Spyderhawk SE quite a lot here lately. It has done everything I've wanted it to with a wide variety of demanding cutting chores. Like cutting cardboard for instance I don't use anything else other than a Hawkbill. They are also great at cutting any fibrous material, very heavy plastic straps, clampacks and all types of cordage.

I have a Civilian and a Harpy. I find them great on fibrous material and cordage. They are plain super at ripping clampacks open. Maybe I need to refine my techniques, but I find my plain edges cut cardboard better. They suck at slitting envelopes, and it's impossible to cut a steak or apple.

They are the best knives I have at cutting seatbelts, but it's too scary to think what a slip might do. Better to get an Assist or Rescue for safety. Besides, I wouldn't want the police finding a Civilian in my car.

 

[JD Spydo]

I have a Civilian and a Harpy. I find them great on fibrous material and cordage. They are plain super at ripping clampacks open. Maybe I need to refine my techniques, but I find my plain edges cut cardboard better. They suck at slitting envelopes, and it's impossible to cut a steak or apple.

They are the best knives I have at cutting seatbelts, but it's too scary to think what a slip might do. Better to get an Assist or Rescue for safety. Besides, I wouldn't want the police finding a Civilian in my car.

I can see where a Civilian model might make the Police a little uptight but I've shown at least 3 of my Harpy models over the years to local Police I know personally and they had no bad reaction at all. The Harpy and the Tasman both are truly a worker's knife. Even now carrying my H-1 Spyderhawk I just play it cool and watch what I do with it.

It's too bad about the Civi also because there you have the advantage of the Hawkbill and the blade configuation of the Reverse S which give you some belly to cut a little more aggressively. I love my VG-10 Matriarch ( 1st Generation model) because it's been a blessing in so many ways. I actually prefer the Matriarch over the Civi because my hand doesn't fit the Civi as good as it doe the Matriarch. I also feel much more secure control with the Matriarch as well.

I also find that keeping that 1/2 inch of tip on all serrated Hawkbills extremely sharp is a huge advantage and helps you to start your cut. If people would learn to use the Hawkbill they would discover what a huge advantage they can be on some jobs.

 

[randomlooker]

My SE Spyderhawk is my go too tool for trimming vegetation -- especially stuff like blackberry brambles. It just eats them for breakfast and wants more.

Other hawkbills (Tasman, Meadowlark HB, Crossbill, Ladyhawk, a Swiss Army knife, probably some others I'm forgetting) get use cutting down boxes, zip ties and other straps, clamshell packaging, the occasional rope, etc. Anything that involves sinking a really pointy tip in and/or pull cuts, essentially.

 

[JD Spydo]

My SE Spyderhawk is my go too tool for trimming vegetation -- especially stuff like blackberry brambles. It just eats them for breakfast and wants more.

Other hawkbills (Tasman, Meadowlark HB, Crossbill, Ladyhawk, a Swiss Army knife, probably some others I'm forgetting) get use cutting down boxes, zip ties and other straps, clamshell packaging, the occasional rope, etc. Anything that involves sinking a really pointy tip in and/or pull cuts, essentially.

You make a good point "randomlooker">> because most people look at the Spyderhawk and take it to be nothing but a ninja type weapon. But the Spyderhawk even with it's bigger size is one really nice tool for a lot of cutting jobs. Since I either lost or got stolen my G-10 Harpy my H-1 Spyderhawk is not getting a lot of duty.

It's really just a full sized Tasman if you look at it as the tool it's meant to be. Now I'm not saying that it couldn't be used for self defense but I don't think that is the primary intention of the design as with any of the other Spyderco Hawkbills. The Harpy for instance was brought about and target marketed for the fishing and seafaring industries. But it's handy for a lot more than those duties. The Spyderhawk truly gets a bum rap because first and foremost it is a serious and efficient tool.

 

[JD Spydo]

The 2 big items I find Hawkbills to be really handy for and that's clampacks and anything to do with cardboard. It seems that any other type of knife is actually risky to use with a clampack if not just outright dangerous. But with a Hawkbill blade you can keep it in a constant, controlled pull.

Spyderco years ago marketed the Harpy for the commercial fishing industry I was told. And I can see why they would find the Harpy advantageous using with commerical fishing gear. The Harpy is also the most ridgid knife of it's size and I've actually used it for an EDC blade on occassion.

On cardboard with serrated Hawkbill you not only go through it easily but you have much more control with a Hawkbill. Because by pulling it instead of pushing it you can control the cut much better.

I do also find uses for plain edged Hawkbills but not nearly as many as I do with Spyderedged versions. I use a plain edged Hawkbill on occasion when processing fruits and vegetables.

 

[Over Kill]

My tasman salt SE eats rope like the cookie monster eats cookies.

 

[Andre]

I carry as backup for SD. Tonight I'm out on Community Policing Forum (CPF) patrols in Alberton, Johannesburg (RSA). In the knife department I only carry Spyderco. Spyderhawk, Matriarch 2, Delica ZDP, all standard kit.

 

[JD Spydo]

My tasman salt SE eats rope like the cookie monster eats cookies.

I truly believe that H-1 steel has taken Hawkbills ( other types of blades too) in other directions. I really love my H-1 Spyderhawk SE and I use it just about everyday since it's been my EDC for a while.

Even with that said I still want a Harpy in one of the supersteels just to see how it will perform compared to the standard VG-10. and I also hope to see the Harpy in a variety of handles someday because I truly believe that would boost sales of that great mid-sized Hawkbill.

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

Hawkbills are great for cutting rope and breaking down boxes.

The tip allows you to make very precise cuts.

I've recommended hawkbills as SD blades for over a decade now. Very intuitive knives to use in a clinch, similar to the kerambit but far more socially acceptable. I've gifted the Byrd hawkbills to every girl I know.

 

[JD Spydo]

Hawkbills are great for cutting rope and breaking down boxes.

The tip allows you to make very precise cuts.

I've recommended hawkbills as SD blades for over a decade now. Very intuitive knives to use in a clinch, similar to the kerambit but far more socially acceptable. I've gifted the Byrd hawkbills to every girl I know.

The self defense aspect of Hawkbills goes without saying. In all fairness the Reverse S blades might be just a little bit better being that they are mainly geared for SD only>> at least that's the way it is with the Civilian and Matriarch.

I don't know of any blade that's better at cutting rope and other fibrous materials than a serrated Hawkbill. The inner arch part is always at an angle to where you are cutting by simply pulling>> and the angle give you more leverage to be sure.

For quite a long time now I've carried a Hawkbill as a companion to a standard blade. Currently I'm carrying a C-60 Ayoob along with an H-1 Spyderhawk ( until I get my Harpy replaced). And almost every day I use the Hawkbill for something and usually something a little different every day. The Harpy and the Tasman models truly are perfect companion blades. Whereas the Spyderhawk is an awesome blade that's quite capable of many different tasks. And the more I carry an H-1 Hawkbill the more I believe that H-1 is almost a perfect steel for Hawkbills.

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

The self defense aspect of Hawkbills goes without saying. In all fairness the Reverse S blades might be just a little bit better being that they are mainly geared for SD only>> at least that's the way it is with the Civilian and Matriarch.

The S-curve blade has been demonstrated to be better for SD purposes . . . especially if the person has been extensively trained in its use. However, the Civilian and Matriarch have thin tips that are unsuitable for utilitarian purposes, they are more expensive and harder to find, and the average person will not bother to train regularly if at all.

 

[JD Spydo]

The S-curve blade has been demonstrated to be better for SD purposes . . . especially if the person has been extensively trained in its use. However, the Civilian and Matriarch have thin tips that are unsuitable for utilitarian purposes, they are more expensive and harder to find, and the average person will not bother to train regularly if at all.

I agree mostly with what you just said. Albeit I used to hear of broken tips on the Civilian and Matriarch>> but since they've been making them with VG-10 I haven't personally heard of even one. I'm sure that there has been some broken but not like when they were made with G-2 and ATS-55.

And I 100% agree that Hawkbill blades are geared for hard work whereas the Civi and Matriarch are not. All of my Hawkbills ( the users anyway) have done some pretty mean work and I haven't broken a tip on any of them. Also I'm hearing of more and more agricultural work being done with them and I've always heard how great they are in the fishing and seafaring industries.