Any thoughts from Byrd Hawkbill owners? Is it a tough and durable knife? My Taz Salt is too pretty to mess up ripping through cardboard
Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
- SpydieCollector
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Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
Seems like a good price but I don't want to be disappointed with the quality as I already own a Tasman Salt 2.
Any thoughts from Byrd Hawkbill owners? Is it a tough and durable knife? My Taz Salt is too pretty to mess up ripping through cardboard
Any thoughts from Byrd Hawkbill owners? Is it a tough and durable knife? My Taz Salt is too pretty to mess up ripping through cardboard
Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
F&F of the Taz HB is a little nicer and corrosion resistant. In all other aspects I prefer the Byrd HB. All the Byrd lock backs I own are superior and tighter in precision than any Seki lock back I've handled. Serrated 8Cr13MoV is highly underrated. Edge retention is at least as good as H1/H2. The serrations are also slightly less spikey on the Byrd HB. Pretty impressive IMHO.
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
Thanks for the information, I'm tempted to stick one in my basket next time I place an order, as they are relatively cheap. I own a few Byrd Terns and I cant fault them.skeeg11 wrote: ↑Sat May 24, 2025 9:58 amF&F of the Taz HB is a little nicer and corrosion resistant. In all other aspects I prefer the Byrd HB. All the Byrd lock backs I own are superior and tighter in precision than any Seki lock back I've handled. Serrated 8Cr13MoV is highly underrated. Edge retention is at least as good as H1/H2. The serrations are also slightly less spikey on the Byrd HB. Pretty impressive IMHO.
- jasonstone20
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
I had a Meadowlark 2 that I liked so much, as I carry 2 blades IWB, groinline, it became the blade I carried on my left hand, with my bigger folder being on the right side, since I am right-handed. I really like the serration pattern, and find it superior to any other that I have found or used, and the Spyderco Tenacious serrations are number 2. My next-door neighbor was working at the grocery store a block away from our apartment building, and didn't have a pocketknife, and I believe everyone should have one, plus it would help him out in his job, as the handle is suppieor to the majority of box-knives, and the serrated edge should last a very long time on cutting the corrugated fiberboard which we call fiberboard. Took a year before he needed it sharpened, and he was working doing the stockwork, so that says something. Wasn't that dull when I got it to resharpen, either, it was still capable of cutting.
SpydieCollector wrote: ↑Sat May 24, 2025 2:25 pmThanks for the information, I'm tempted to stick one in my basket next time I place an order, as they are relatively cheap. I own a few Byrd Terns and I cant fault them.skeeg11 wrote: ↑Sat May 24, 2025 9:58 amF&F of the Taz HB is a little nicer and corrosion resistant. In all other aspects I prefer the Byrd HB. All the Byrd lock backs I own are superior and tighter in precision than any Seki lock back I've handled. Serrated 8Cr13MoV is highly underrated. Edge retention is at least as good as H1/H2. The serrations are also slightly less spikey on the Byrd HB. Pretty impressive IMHO.
"Gotta love living in 2019 baby, (63rc too soft on a production knife)"
--Shawn Houston
"I am still discussing issues of steels and performance at this stage."
--Cliff Stamp, May his memory be a blessing
"Cause geometry cuts, .....steel determines the level and the duration"
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"But in general, I'm all about high performance, Ergos, safety. That's why I've been accused of 'designing in the dark' "
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--Shawn Houston
"I am still discussing issues of steels and performance at this stage."
--Cliff Stamp, May his memory be a blessing
"Cause geometry cuts, .....steel determines the level and the duration"
--Roman Landes
"Life is GOOD!"
--Stefan Wolf, May his memory be a blessing
--Ken Schwartz, May his memory be a blessing
"But in general, I'm all about high performance, Ergos, safety. That's why I've been accused of 'designing in the dark' "
--Sal Glesser
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Actinolite
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
I have a Salt 2 SE and a Byrd Hawkbill. I honestly think the Hawkbill is better made, the serrations are more useful, and the Hawkbill shape helps with pruning. When doing yard work, the Hawkbill is great for pruning small branches, cutting hoses and other things. I used to carry a plain edge, but it didn’t work even close to as well, even when the PE had just been sharpened.
Hawkbill and rust? I clean it whenever I use it. I’ve had no problems.
And the Salt 2? I keep it in my pickup truck for emergency use and I don’t have to worry about it rusting.
Hawkbill and rust? I clean it whenever I use it. I’ve had no problems.
And the Salt 2? I keep it in my pickup truck for emergency use and I don’t have to worry about it rusting.
Oldest: 1974 Buck 110.
Newest: Manix 2 LW, CPM 15V
Knives owned: Too many, yet always finding another.
Newest: Manix 2 LW, CPM 15V
Knives owned: Too many, yet always finding another.
- SpydieCollector
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
I really bonded with the Salt 2 after buying one due to the handle egomomics. Fits my hand perfect. I never did get round to buying the Hawkbill, but I still want a couple in my collection. Too many good Spydies to choose from including the Byrd range. So much fun.Actinolite wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 10:28 amI have a Salt 2 SE and a Byrd Hawkbill. I honestly think the Hawkbill is better made, the serrations are more useful, and the Hawkbill shape helps with pruning. When doing yard work, the Hawkbill is great for pruning small branches, cutting hoses and other things. I used to carry a plain edge, but it didn’t work even close to as well, even when the PE had just been sharpened.
Hawkbill and rust? I clean it whenever I use it. I’ve had no problems.
And the Salt 2? I keep it in my pickup truck for emergency use and I don’t have to worry about it rusting.
Last edited by SpydieCollector on Tue Aug 26, 2025 9:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
,
Last edited by SpydieCollector on Tue Aug 26, 2025 9:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
- SpydieCollector
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
I really bonded with the Salt 2 after buying one due to the handle egomomics. Fits my hand perfect. I never did get round to buying the Hawkbill, but I still want a couple in my collection. Too many good Spydies to choose from including the Byrd range. So much fun.
- SpydieCollector
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
I kept pressing 'comment' instead of edit lol
- KeepCalm&Carrion
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
If you're happy with your $100 Tasman, then I think it's reasonable to assume you'd also be quite happy with the $40 Byrd hawkbill. I personally prefer the Byrd -- for me, hawbills were meant to have that finger choil, and I also like the Byrd's balance point better.
My advice: buy a Byrd hawkbill and let the Tasman out of its cage.
My advice: buy a Byrd hawkbill and let the Tasman out of its cage.
- SpydieCollector
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Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
They'll certainly be a couple of Hawkbills in my collection soon. It's in my top five must buys at the moment. Just a few rungs down the ladder from some others I'm salivating at buyingKeepCalm&Carrion wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:46 pmIf you're happy with your $100 Tasman, then I think it's reasonable to assume you'd also be quite happy with the $40 Byrd hawkbill. I personally prefer the Byrd -- for me, hawbills were meant to have that finger choil, and I also like the Byrd's balance point better.
My advice: buy a Byrd hawkbill and let the Tasman out of its cage.![]()
Re: Thinking about buying the Byrd Hawkbill ...
I've got the Hawkbill.

I've had it a year, maybe a bit longer. No complaints
u.w.

I've had it a year, maybe a bit longer. No complaints
u.w.
- SpydieCollector
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