Everyday uses for your Harpy/Merlin

[cmassicotte]

I've seen a number of posts extolling the virtues of the Harpy – and to a few the Merlin. My question goes to what your actual daily/weekly uses of these knives are. I don’t have a Harpy, but after hearing the enthusiasm of Harpy owners, I am thinking of getting one – the G-10 model if I can find one. I use my more plain bladed Spydies (both PE and SE) for opening letters, cutting veggies, steak, cardboard boxes, opening various packages, minor pruning in the garden, etc. Except for pruning, I can't imagine using the Harpy for any of the above uses. Not being a sailor, or a fisherman, I don’t need to cut rope, canvas, or nets.



But I WANT a G-10 Harpy.



Please, my fellow <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> brethren, help me justify this purchase. Help me NEED one.



Thank you all,



Chuck





There is no right way to do a wrong thing



Edited by - cmassicotte on 9/5/2002 5:40:14 PM

[mnblade]

>"help me justify this purchase. Help me NEED one."

=====================

Sorry, man, I just can't.

[Al]

Chuck ~ You definitely need one but first you've got to find one of the most elusive Spydies ever, rare as gold dust they are in this part of the world...but Mr Hasegawa of Hamonoichiba in Japan, has 'em by the box load of shiny new G-10 Harpies, email him at: nao117@mvj.biglobe.ne.jp
Don't forget to mention me! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[Blade Santa Cruz]

I used another hawkbill as an EDC for several years and it performed extremely well "for opening letters, cutting veggies, steak, cardboard boxes, opening various packages, minor pruning in the garden, etc." In fact, I miss it so much that, as much as I love my Military, I'm having another custom hawkbill made for my new EDC. You'll be pleasantly surprised as to how useful it is. Hawkbills have terrific cutting power.

[Knife Knut]

How about using a large dowel as a cutting board?
Starting the peel on oranges?

I do not own a harpy, but own its cousins Cricket and her big brother Civilian.
I use the Cricket all the time for cutting tape on boxes, opening packages and opening letters.
Heck, getting it for pruning with sounds like a good enough excuse to me.

BTW, a pruning trick i figured out is you can cleanly cut small stems with a serrated knife by closing the knife on it.

Knife Knut on a shoestring budget.

Edited by - Knife Knut on 9/9/2002 6:25:17 PM

[toothed]

For me, either a Harpy or a Merlin open chip (and other snack) bags--this is a very important and vital function necessary for the long-term survival of mankind (although womenkind may think otherwise); cut out newspaper and magazine articles; rip open those "hard as nails" plastic bubble packaging of toys, batteries, and other stuff; peel oranges; and other usual duties (i.e., open envelopes, cut cardboard, cut string/loose threads, etc.). Maybe others can add to this list. If you don't hear from anyone else within 3 workings days, I hereby authorize you to proceed to the nearest Spyderco sales site and purchase a Harpy or Merlin. (I like the plain-edged Merlin).

[Jeff/1911]

Chuck,

Let me return the favour...

-Because it's there...(somewhere)
-Because you can...(Eventually)
-Because it will be lonely without you...
-Because it NEEEDS you...

There you see? The reasons are obvious. Besides, I just obtained a G-10 Harpy myself (in a recent trade with J Smith) and I really like it. I opened your thread with interest to see if I could get some ideas about what to use it for as well, but this is just because I haven't really had time to find out for myself too much yet.

The Harpy is a more robust design than the Merlin, with a somewhat thicker blade and with G-10 handles it is just plain gorgeous and very easy to hang onto.

Get one; you simply must. Here are two nice pictures of the G-10 Harpy for you to drool over.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.

[Roshi]

All of the above plus it excels opening cardboard boxes.

It will even do a credible job up close in self defense but of course you'd be better served with something else if it was to be primarily for that purpose.

I like it as my second EDC when I carry two knives with a Military or similar large knife as number 1.

You may want to hold out for the SpyderHawk which will be a larger version of the Harpy.

See the "Harpy XL" post over in the Spyderco section of Blade Forums for more info and to experience a "love fest" for hawk bills.

[icebj¿rn]

cmassicotte
This type of blade shape is traditionally used for a knife used when working in the garden (in germany). Maybe not the SE but the PE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> . So you have one use more.

[vampyrewolf]

I bought my Fixed blade hawkbill(CRKT BearClaw) for the simple fact of boot removal(army boots, straight lace). I was wearing it and just had to use it b/c it was there.

chip bags, string, paper clippings, cardboard, pruning, finger nails...

and with the addition of the PE Merlin to my collection, I have set aside the CRKT(which had some rust on me) and now carry the Merlin. The merlin has excellent tip control, and I used it last night to open a toy package up for my neice, just too smoothly... I'll try and post a pic from my camera if I can save it small enough....

[hawkbill]

Sorry... it took me awhile to see this, Chuck. All I can add to that which has been posted so far, is that a Harpy/Merlin will do everything well (except poking things in a stabbing-fashion).

curved blade=good

[John Watson]

cmassicotte, I can tell you one thing that they are good for, those tough plastic molded display packs that just about everything that Wal-Mart sells comes in. Other knives tend to slip off this plastic, except SE possibly, however the Merlin PE that I have hooks into the plastic and cuts it easily without as much chance of slipping off and cutting something you didn't intend, like yourself.

I also use mine for boxes, mail, cleaning my nails, etc. I do see the limitations on general use around the kitchen where I use a lot of my EDC knives.

I also carry my Merlin in the off front pocket as a backup defensive edge.

[cmassicotte]

Thank you all for your support and great advice. I probably should have asked this in the beginning, but PE or SE? I only intend to have one, and at the moment, I am inclinded towards SE -- not to mention that Hamonoichiba seems only to have the SE version in G-10. <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Chuck

There is no right way to do a wrong thing

[Jeff/1911]

To me, it "works" best as a serrated knife although that is mostly in my imaginations eye. I've never heard of a plain edge, G-10 Harpy myself. I vote for a toothy one.

Jeff/1911.

[Mike Sastre]

G-10 Harpies are only in the serrated version. Glad to see that more people are getting thier eyes opened as to just how usefull a hawkbill blade is. Once you carry and use these for everyday utility, you'll be hooked (pun intended).

[toothed]

...And if you do get a Harpy/Merlin, you should also check out the neat neck sheaths Mike Sastre makes for them.

[Spin]

I have also considered getting myself a harpy but have decided against it earlier...

only one question, how on earth can you guys cut a piece of steak with a hawkbill blade???

[The Cool]

Steak with a hawkbill is easy - just pull-cut across.

Now julienne-ing carrots is another matter <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[AllenETreat]

cmassicote :

I got my G-10 Harpy SE from glasshartt ;
e-mail her : GlassHartt@aol.com for $62.50.
Whether she can pull another such rabbit out of a hat is another question. I don't see to
much practicality as an everday cutting tool,
but the psychological effect(s) it would have on your opponent if you drew it on him/her would be tremendous <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Look at the way "Hollywood" use(s) such fiendish looking
blades <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[liko]

I think the best uses for a hawkbill blade are those for which the blade is designed: those involving pulling cuts. A harpy would make an excellent box cutter, string/rope cutter, scorer for tougher materials, etc.