Superhawk/Superleaf blade swap (or scale swap)?

dschur · #1

Has anyone ever swapped the blade (or alternatively the scales) between the Superleaf and the Superhawk?

I love the peel-ply CF scales of the Superleaf, but I think I'd like the blade shape (and gimping) of the Superleaf better on a day-to-day basis (sorry hawkbill fans, it just seems difficult to slice an apple with one or other food). I'd also prefer the low-ride clip of the Superleaf.

So I was wondering, has anyone ever swapped the blade? Are there any issues that present themselves? They look almost identical. Alternatively if there were lock geometry changes engaging with the tang, I wonder if the scales could be swapped.

Call me nutty, but I just might try it myself.

A borrowed pic showing them side-by-side:

Queue Miley Cyrus "best of both worlds"...

casey1 · #2

looks like it'd work. Wouldn't hurt to try... maybe :)

mikerestivo · #3

I compared mine side-by-side. The Hawk scales are a bit thicker I think, but I don't see anything that would negate a blade swap. I say go for it. I would like to see the end result.

Brummie · #4

Well, what happened? Are they swappable? I have a Superleaf. Thinking of buying a Superhawk. Would like to know.

defenestrate · #5

I oil forward to your findings.

catamount · #6

Yes, I have done it successfully. The thinner G-10 scales make the wider Superhawk nicer to carry, and I also prefer the CF on the Superleaf.

Brummie · #7

Thanks for letting us know.

dschur · #8

Yes I did not have an issue with the swap. I was unable to swap just the scales though as they did not match perfectly the liners of the other knife (I think they are machined together). Also, the SuperHawk is slightly thinner as it users thinner spacers and has thinner bronze washers.

In essence I wound up switching just the blade and keeping the spacers, so I have the liners, stand-offs, scales and spacers of the SuperHawk, and the Blade of the SuperLeaf. I then sold off the G-10 Hawk blade, recovering most of my costs and now I am left with one of my favorite knives, a custom CF scaled SuperLeaf with a black clip!