Harpy/Merlin

[Zrexxer]

See if I'm correct in my understanding: The C08 Harpys were only made in Stainless Steel handles, and a limited production of G10 handles in 1997.



The only version having FRN handles is technically a C21 Merlin... is that right?



Dan

[AllenETreat]

Zrexxer -

Yes, the C08 Harpy's were SS handles ;

the C21 Merlin ( with plastic molded

clip ) which I HAD, was followed, We

see in the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> "Y2K" catalog by a "Harpy

lightweight" which was then followed

by the C08PBK ( now discontinued <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>)

and C08SBK Merlin(s). These former

three had the "reversible clip".

What followed? The

EnduraHawk<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>/SpyderHawk!


-AET ( the reprobate of the forum )

[hawkbill]

And just to chime-in, the Harpys are tip down carry with 3mm thick blades, while the Merlins carry tip-up, and 2.5mm thickness blades.

(And the SpyderHawk is tip-up with 3mm thickness...in case you were wondering!)

"I am what I am, and that's all that I am"....Popeye

[Blade Santa Cruz]

I just finally received my G10 Harpy...and what a knife!! I can see it is a more expensive knife to manufacture, but it feels and looks great. It has great materials and a superior design. The tip design is what I had hoped the Spyderhawk would be, but isn't. The Harpy is strong and functional and meant as a genuine working knife. The G10 handle with steel liner is also impressive; it feels like a real knife in your hand. It makes a Spyderhawk look and feel pretty shabby, with its thin tip (much like a Matriarch) and FRN unlined handle. Ah, well, I'm just glad I snagged a G10 Harpy when I finally did.

[hawkbill]

BSC: I agree with you about the G-10 Harpy being one well-built tool!

Can't leave without saying though, that I've been cutting everything I can find with my SpyderHawk (EDC cutting tool) since it arrived in December, and the tip is just dandy. Maybe I haven't run up against a challenging enough medium yet, but so far it has done exceptionally when compared to my other cutters. The tip profile does look thin, but mine seems very tough.

And I know how you like the FRN <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"I am what I am, and that's all that I am"....Popeye

[Blade Santa Cruz]

Hawkbill,

I'm glad your Spyderhawk is working out well. I've heard of several tips breaking off that model and it's not surprising. I've compared one with a Matriarch and the tip design and thickness are very close. Not so the G10 Harpy, which appears much stronger.

Then again, perhaps it's a case of applying some common (or perhaps uncommon) sense in using the knife. (You're talking to a person who carried and used a Civvie as an EDC for a few years without damaging the tip.) I've no doubt that the 'Hawk cuts very well and, if not put to rough use, will certainly do the job, FRN handle and all. Plus it IS a lot less expensive to manufacture and Spyderco can offer it at an affordable price point. I would see that as a major objective: to sell a reasonable quantity of them. If you built an over-designed version, it would probably cost twice as much and sell at one tenth the volume. That would be a poor business decision. So I'm delighted with my G10 Merlin, which is or will be a real "user". And good luck to all that have a new Spyderhawk as well.

[Blade Santa Cruz]

Sorry for that slip of the keyboard; it's not obvious how to edit goofs. Of course I meant "G10 Harpy at the end of the post, not "G10 Merlin."

[AllenETreat]

Gang -

I HAD also the G-10 Harpy ( built like

a tank compared to my Merlin SE ) but

as Rex G(igout) was in need, I sold'em

mine for the $62.50 "Classy Glassy"

got it for me for. Rex G is a good cop

& I wouldn't have had it any other way!

As for my EnduraHawk<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>/Spyderhawk,

yeah, the tip's a might thin, but then

there's ALWAYS the G-10 Harpy's cousin,

the SE Merlin, if the Hawks tip should

fail! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> AS hawkbill used put in his

post(s) curved blade = good!<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


-AET