How happy are you with your Harpy?

[The Duck]

Looking at getting one but the serrations keep puting me off.Give me your experiances with the Steel handle Harpy.



Quack Quack

[Mike Sastre]

SS Harpy was my first hawkbill and second Spyderco knife (bought in early mid-eighties) - outstanding utility blade that can also be used for self defense if needed. I used it as EDC in construction and home improvement fields. Still have it - I use it as a sheath form now - but replaced it with the G-10 version (discontinued; get one if you can) for its better grip.

[Rex G]

I am very pleased with the Harpy, serrations and all. I wish I had gotten several in G-10 when they were available. I carry both conventional and hawkbill blades. With the right techniques, hawkbill/billhook blades are wonderful for defense.

[Roshi]

The Harpy is my favorite Spyderco folder. I agree with Mike that the G-10 is better than stainless. My G-10 Harpy is the onlt knife I have with serrations but they work well on a hawkbill which is primarily for pull cuts.

If you insist on a plain edge go with a plain edge Merlin. It's a lower cost Harpy "wanabee". Hawkbill blade in FRN scales. Spyderco is also coming out with a larger version of the Merlin in late November but it's only available in serrated edge.

If you can find a Harpy with G-10 get one. It's a high quality upscale hawkbill.

[java]

Pretty much in agreement. JMO but, it seems like it's stainless for show and G10 for go! Although my SS Harpy is not a purebred SS my experience with other SS knives keeps me from using them as an EDC. I like the look, heft, and feel but sometimes I think G10 is named so because it grips ten times better than stainless. The G10 Harpy is in the second EDC rotation or as my G10 Rookie calls them, her TDK - Todays Date Knife. Now the SS Cricket will undoubtably work up to an EDC for me, and I will purchase hordes of these little guys, but there will be alterations to the some of their scales - maybe something along the lines of Agrip.



"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" Neo-Javanese proverb

[jaxon]

Wow Java. That's pretty<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

Jaxon

Weekend yet?

[mac_heath]

I carry the low-cost Harpy wannabee Merlin (SE). It's very nice. I understand that the blade on the merlin is thinner, which means that it isn't as strong, but it binds less when cutting all the way through something (like carving up a cardboard box).

Personal preference, but I think if you're going to get a serrated blade, you might as well get a hawkbill or sheepsfoot. Those blade shapes put the serrations towards the target material, rather than away.

The standard curve of a drop, clip or spear point knife allow for fine slicing movements. Those movements are not needed when cutting with serrations.

The Merlin is incredibly light and I have yet to sharpen the ATS-55 blade. I'm looking forward to the SpyderHawk.

there is no ginger

[sam the man..]

well, there is a plain edged SS Harpy.. Very-very AWES<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>ME! Love the PE Merlin too! <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>

Sam

have bone implant will travel..

[vampyrewolf]

I love my Merlin PE... The ats-55 is still sharp after about 2.5months of use. I've only steeled once with my ceramic steel.

The hawkbill blades are useful for various tasks, and I probably tend to overuse mine.

*Our greatest triumph comes not from NOT falling down, but from getting back up every time.*

[AllenETreat]

I have it in G-10 ( thanx glasshartt!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>)
and am happier than a pig in $h_t

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

[Al]

If any Harpy Aficionados are interested, SS Harpies in PE should still be available from Mr Hasegawa, you have to email him though, as its not advertised on his Website ~ tell him Al sent ye...<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[cmassicotte]

Well I'll tell ya'll when I get mine. I am in the process of ordering a G10 Harpy from Hamonoichiba <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

[hawkbill]

The only thing I can add would be that not being happy with SS due to lack of grip should not be a hinderance. I modified the steel scales on my VG-10 blade Harpy to give the surface stippling.
Sorry, pic is too big to post. Contact me if you want an email of modif. Harpy.
curved blade=good

Edited by - hawkbill on 10/31/2002 9:40:41 PM

[Mike Sastre]

The SS Harpy uses just fine, the G-10 is just a little better. I have also used a SE Merlin for many years as a whitewater rescue knife, and the only thing better will be the upcoming SpyderHawk.

[The Cool]

Love the Merlin and Mr Sastre's sheaths are brilliant