Hawkbill Uses? Let'

[JD Spydo]

It's been a while ( a long while at that) since we've done a thread exclusive to the multifaceted uses of Hawkbill blades. Most of us find uses through trial and error and by happenstance.

Also I've found Hawkbills better than standard blades by chance and by using what was handy at the time. Hawkbills are gaining in popularity and different uses are discovered almost daily.

What uses do you use your Spyderco Hawkbill ( or any competitor's Hawkbill for that matter) for and how long have most of you actually used them?

What new uses have any of you recently discovered for them which actually surprised you to find out they were efficient at doing? What everyday practical uses do most of you use them for?

Also you can list Self Defense uses as well. And tell us what occupation you use them for. OK let's make a list >> JD :spyder: O

[rodloos]

I read someone on here talking about using the hawkbill SE in gardening, and I wasn't sure what to think about that until I tried it. It really works GREAT when trimming weeds/small branches while I am mowing or working in the yard. No sawing action required, just hold the weeds / branches with one hand and PULL the hawkbill back towards myself, cuts very effortlessly.

[Mako109]

Gardening is a traditional use for hawbills. Just Google “pruning knives” and you’ll receive a plethora of hits on hawkbill styled knives.

I’ve used a hawkbills for clearing outboard motor props fouled with hydrilla weed and fishing line. Usually tilt the motor up, reach out, hook the tangled mess and pull.

[Donut]

I often use my Cricket (sort of a hawkbill) to remove wrist bands. The curvature of the back of the blade helps from poking yourself when sliding it next to your skin.

[angusW]

At work whenever I have to use the brushcutter that has plastic blades, I have to use my se Tasman on small trees and branches that the brushcutter just cannot effectively attack.

Just last week I started carrying my PE Spyderhawk ,after a long hiatus, and used is to skin a 19 conductor cable. Worked pretty good.

[JD Spydo]

I often use my Cricket (sort of a hawkbill) to remove wrist bands. The curvature of the back of the blade helps from poking yourself when sliding it next to your skin.

Sure you can classify Reverse-S blades such as the Cricket, Matriarch, Civilian ect as a Hawkbill blade. They really are in many aspects and have some of the same cutting abilities. I will even go as far as classify the Dodo as a Hawkbill of sorts.

In some cutting jobs the Reverse-S blades seem to have some advantages. Most of them have a slicing action that is superior to most Hawkbills. I have in the past used my Matriarch as an EDC for such stuff but due to it's rarity I don't carry it much anymore.

[yablanowitz]

I read someone on here talking about using the hawkbill SE in gardening, and I wasn't sure what to think about that until I tried it. It really works GREAT when trimming weeds/small branches while I am mowing or working in the yard. No sawing action required, just hold the weeds / branches with one hand and PULL the hawkbill back towards myself, cuts very effortlessly.

That was probably me, since that is my primary hawkbill use. I also use my Ladybug Salt Hawkbill (geez, the name is bigger than the knife) for breaking down boxes without damage so they can be re-used. I've used them for stripping wire and splitting Romex jacket as well.

[grg]

I primarily use my hawk bill for cutting shrubs weeds,and such.I use a tasman salt serrated,it works great.

[bohica1998]

Hawkbill knives have been the traditional style for roofers, flooring, carpet workers for a very long time!







I particularly like this last design, due to the 'cable/string/wire cutter' built-in! Hey, JD! Here is a pretty good candidate for the fixed-blade hawkbill thread!

As with any type of knife, care should be taken to ensure you ONLY cut that which was meant to be cut!
(WARNING! NSFW, small children or the squeemish!)
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/picture. ... ureid=1292

YIKES! That had to hurt!

[JD Spydo]

Bohica you rascal :D !!! Where in the heck did you get that Buck linoleum knife :D I got one of those myself after looking for almost 2 years. I thought I was the only one in the northern hemisphere that even still had one :eek:

I do like that line up that you've presented us because it sure makes non-Hawkbill people try to think out of the box and consider the wide array of jobs that can be done with them. Because historically they've been around for ages and Spyderco brought them into the new century to be sure.

Knowledge is power and knowledge enables folks to consider some things that they've never thought of before. Because the Hawkbill blade sure suffers from a public relations crisis to be sure. It's time for some education about the curved wonders that Spyderco has made available to us.

[maded]

Gardening is a traditional use for hawbills. Just Google “pruning knives” and you’ll receive a plethora of hits on hawkbill styled knives.

I’ve used a hawkbills for clearing outboard motor props fouled with hydrilla weed and fishing line. Usually tilt the motor up, reach out, hook the tangled mess and pull.

Just poking my nose in here... A scythe is a gardening tool right? And that's a "hawkbill" too...

[PHAS_95]

how good are hawkbills at slicing food? Would one be good for food prep. (slicing onions and peppers) on a canoe trip?

[jabba359]

I use my ladybug salt hawkbill in the kitchen quite a bit due to the rinse and forget nature of the steel, but it isn't the most practical for slicing food. Not that I haven't used it for that before, but my Millie does the job much easier.

[JD Spydo]

how good are hawkbills at slicing food? Would one be good for food prep. (slicing onions and peppers) on a canoe trip?

There are some types of food processing that Hawkbills are good for. Like trimming onions and garlic for instance. But as far as being a premium culinary knife I don't tout them for that type of cutting chore.

Opening all kinds of packaging is one cutting job they are good for. There are some jobs in the kitchen that Hawkbills do come in handy. But they are not a kitchen knife per se.

I have used my Spyderhawk for cutting up Brocolli, Calliflour, Brussel Sprouts and a few other hard to cut veggies.