Isn't It About Time: For a Fixed Blade Hawkbill?

[JD Spydo]

I think it should be in H1. It's gonna get used. It should also be as curved as the Tasman - if it's gonna be a hawkbill, it should be 100% hawkbill. SE H1 is awesome.

- best wishes, Jazz.

Oh Yes this is truly a blade that needs to be in the H-1 Salt Series and I do hope to see one there soon. But I also think that a Premium version with a top notch steel and a super fine handle material is in order as well.

Absolutely I believe this is going to be a blade that will be used a lot by whoever buys it. But I do believe that there will be enough market share for both variants. Personally I would own them both if they come available.

There are a lot more cutting chores I would do with a fixed blade Hawkbill than I would trust to do with a folder. And I know I'm not alone wanting one in a fixed blade.

[Pockets]

Personally, I don't have much need for a large hawkbill, but I'd go for a small one. Also, a finger choil would be nice...

[N. Brian Huegel]

Something different than the Al Mar Model 2 BackUp?



If so, how so?

[GSO]

I'd be interested in a fixed hawkbill if they could keep it Tasman Salt size. In my experience, the hawkbill design is optimal when it's kept to a small size--especially when serrated. Also, it helps the knife look less vicious, which I think is an inherent problem with hawkbills... especially when serrated.

[JD Spydo]

I'd be interested in a fixed hawkbill if they could keep it Tasman Salt size. In my experience, the hawkbill design is optimal when it's kept to a small size--especially when serrated. Also, it helps the knife look less vicious, which I think is an inherent problem with hawkbills... especially when serrated.

Hey I completely emphasize with you guys/gals who want a smaller maybe Tasman sized fixed blade Hawkbill. I've said before in this thread that there needs to be a smaller and larger version. And hopefully of the same style and design.

Fixed blades do have their own distinct advantages over folders in many ways. Almost all survival/prepper manuals prefer fixed blades in survival type situations for many reasons. And the Hawkbill would be no different IMO.

So why not have the best of both worlds size-wise?

[ceya]

As one who designed/built and tested one based on me liking a hawk bill shape and Bowie knife.

Sheathing is not a major issue, the curve of the hawkbill just cannot be with a big curve.

Ed Chavar (RIP) and I had work this out. I'd redrawn my design 5 times before we finally made the prototype ( 5 months from napkin to actual blade).

The hawkbill shape does have its place in a field environment. I have tested mine and others have too.

I am going to read every post in this top and try to help JD Spydo achieve this( I remeber back in 2005 you wanted this)

JD if you need to hold my Ceya's Hawk again, Let me know. Lets finally get this done.

Small size 4 " blade, 4.5 " handle is a comfortable size all around.


S/F,
CEYA!

[JD Spydo]

As one who designed/built and tested one based on me liking a hawk bill shape and Bowie knife.

Sheathing is not a major issue, the curve of the hawkbill just cannot be with a big curve.

Ed Chavar (RIP) and I had work this out. I'd redrawn my design 5 times before we finally made the prototype ( 5 months from napkin to actual blade).

The hawkbill shape does have its place in a field environment. I have tested mine and others have too.

I am going to read every post in this top and try to help JD Spydo achieve this( I remeber back in 2005 you wanted this)

JD if you need to hold my Ceya's Hawk again, Let me know. Lets finally get this done.

Small size 4 " blade, 4.5 " handle is a comfortable size all around.


S/F,
CEYA!

Yeah I think I"m going to take you up on that one. When I had it in my hand the first time I remember that I didn't think that it had enough curve to do what I thought Hawkbills do best. However I'm taking a different point of view regarding a fixed blade Hawkbill because it can't have too much bend to it or otherwise you would have a serious problem sheathing it. And all fixed blades need a good sheath especially in a survival situation.

Also when I had it in my hand the first time I never really envisioned what it might have been like with a fully serrated Spyderedge >> because I want it available in plain edge and Spyderedge both. I did like the super solid construction and the blade geometry; those aspects I did like.

I'll be contacting via PM tomorrow. Yes it's definitely time that our lobbying efforts start to pay off.

[Stuart Ackerman]

Hawkbills are sometimes seen that have the curve quite pronounced, but at a negative angle to the blade...look at post #43...

In my opinion, it appears to be driven by economical use of the steel and saving extensive thought about sheathing...and possibly assumed difficulty in hiding the big curve of the overall knife under jackets etc...SOB carry solves most EDC issues...

My Boomerang was designed to trap and hook...and then pull and slice...

Serrations might improve the cutting, especially through clothing and ropes...but I am too snowed under with orders to make another with serrations right now...but if I must, I will...

The Boomerang was supposed to be available in three sizes...one like Daywalkers, and two slightly smaller...5 inch, 4 inch and 3 inch blades descending, and the handle reducing proportionately at the same time...

Sort of like an Endura becoming a Delica, then the Delica becoming something smaller again...

Hope this all makes sense?

[sal]

Hi Peeintheshower,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

OK JD, we can talk.

First of all, as most of you know, the hawkbill market is not very large and the fixed blade hawkbill market has to be smaller still, then we top it off with a fixed blade expensive hawkbill,.......it's not likely to remain a regular in the line for very long.

Also design time is limited, and models in queue for a production spot are numerous. The possibilities that I can see are; 1) use the Mule Team handle and do a run of fixed "Mule Hawks" as mentioned. Blade about 3-1/4". No scales or sheaths, limited number and probably consumer direct through SFO. 2) Use the new fixed blade (2-3/4" blade) and make a short run hawkbill version using the FRN scales on the "Enuff" and fit the blade into the current sheath that fits 3 blade shapes.

Thoughts?

sal

[Evil D]

I like the Mulehawk idea...that sounds awesome.

[Stuart Ackerman]

Naked Mule Hawk...
Sounds good!
Regardless of who designs it, I am in!

[xceptnl]

+3 count me in for a MULEHAWK or two. H1, XHP, M4, N690 . . . suprise us!

[Studey]

Sal, thank you for taking the time to chime in. I think the new fIxed blades ("enuff"?) would be a excellent way to introduce a fixed blade hawkbill.

[JD Spydo]

Hi Peeintheshower,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

OK JD, we can talk.

First of all, as most of you know, the hawkbill market is not very large and the fixed blade hawkbill market has to be smaller still, then we top it off with a fixed blade expensive hawkbill,.......it's not likely to remain a regular in the line for very long.

Also design time is limited, and models in queue for a production spot are numerous. The possibilities that I can see are; 1) use the Mule Team handle and do a run of fixed "Mule Hawks" as mentioned. Blade about 3-1/4". No scales or sheaths, limited number and probably consumer direct through SFO. 2) Use the new fixed blade (2-3/4" blade) and make a short run hawkbill version using the FRN scales on the "Enuff" and fit the blade into the current sheath that fits 3 blade shapes.

Thoughts?

sal

Mr. Glesser the idea of the "Mule Team Hawk" was truly suggested all the way back to the first page of this thread and the more I think about it that would probably be the very best and maybe even the only way to go with it. Not only would it give Hawkbill enthusiasts a taste of different blade steels this could probably be one of the best collectible Spyders to come along in a long time.

Would something along the line of the older Tek-Lok Sheath be out of the question?

Is the 3 to 4 inch size the only one that can be done feasibly?

Would it also be within reason to do a batch in Spyderedge and plain edge both?

Hey I have no objection at all to FRN scales or even just let the owner/user put up whatever scale they desire just like on the Mule Team line.

As many times as I used my G-10 Harpy on really rough jobs with good success I will tell you that it was always in the back of my mind about the possiblity of the folder lock maybe failing. A fixed blade Hawkbill woud truly also be a dream blade for people that use Hawkbills for very hard work.

Also if you all elect to do a run in any of the tool steels I wonder if a black blade coating would be in order.

Just a few brainstorm ideas off the top of my head. I'm sure the other guys/gals might have some more urgent suggestions.

Personally I would be using one of these units very hard where I work and I would also be putting up one for the collection.

I'll do some more thinking and go back and read over the other suggestions that were made. JD Spydo

[JD Spydo]

I very rarely doublepump my own thread but today is truly something special here in the community of Spyderville Today is the Birthday for our "in House", highly esteemed Hawkbill specialist Dr. Hannibal Lecter MD

And Doctor Lecter absolutely MUST post on this thread before he leaves his Birthday Party The Good Doctor and I have consulted one another many times in the past about this subject and really came to the consensus that there is an absolute need for a fixed blade Hawkbill From the Spyderville community.

Doctor Lecter took a rest and a sabatical for a while to explore Karambits and other unique and unorthadox blades. For the man who made the Harpy famous and declared the G-10 Harpy one of Spyderco's flagship blades we now must pick his brain for his thoughts on a FIXED BLADE HAWKBILL

I tend to believe that the good Doctor will probably lean toward the H-1 Salt Series being he did a lot to usher in the H-1 Tasman model. But then again he might just go the route of a Micarta handled, supersteel version.

[Blerv]

I would much prefer a limited run of your new FB as it would have scales and a sheath. I assume those will be VG10.

Going with a Mulehawk is fine but adds to complexity for the ELU. I'm not sure if having an access of snobby steels would necessarily be as beneficial or as proving to the Mule project. That is, unless you have an excess of something.

Beggers can't be choosers. Looking forward to this creation

[Studey]

I think Blerv makes an excellent point. Make it with scales and a sheath, and more people will buy it and be able to experience it.

[dj moonbat]

Mulehawk for sure. I totally need a good yard knife.

[JD Spydo]

I would much prefer a limited run of your new FB as it would have scales and a sheath. I assume those will be VG10.

Going with a Mulehawk is fine but adds to complexity for the ELU. I'm not sure if having an access of snobby steels would necessarily be as beneficial or as proving to the Mule project. That is, unless you have an excess of something.

Beggers can't be choosers. Looking forward to this creation

Blerv I'm not trying to be confrontational or disagreeable but you really have me scratching my head on a couple of points you've made here. Why would doing a fixed blade Hawkbill in the same format as what they are doing with the Mule Team Project be a bad idea ??? The more I think about the idea along with the fact that Mr. Glesser himself seems to sort of like the idea I can't see how it would be a dudd or a failure at all.

First of all if they did do a couple of small runs ( 600 or so) of them in a couple of selected supersteels it would make this blade highly collectible and really sought after not only by guys who collect the more unique and obscure models >> but it would be a dream knife for avid Hawkbill users as well. They could do maybe 2 runs of them in 2 different blade steels to see how they would sell before tooling up for doing many of them. And you could even start out by doing a less expensive version for a pilot run just to check and see how the market would react.

I kind of gather that you yourself are not a fan of or even a user of Hawkbill blades>> and if that is the case I can see you honestly disliking the project just from that standpoint alone. But there are so many avid collectors who would druel over a very unique and specialized Spyder like a fixed blade Hawkbill and it would be a great tool for a bug-out bag. Not to mention it would be a great blade for guys in the fishing industry and other specialized trades.

With all the people that have been clamouring for another run of the G-10 Harpy and for those alo calling for the Spyderhawk to be done with G-10 scales I just can't see how this could be a failure. All I can say is to at least give it a chance with a limited number of pieces like maybe 600 of 2 variants on 2 different runs. But to play it really safe do a pilot run with some blade steel that they already have a lot of material in stock with FRN scales just to see how the market would initially react.

With the several positive voices on this thread alone I think it's obvious there are many Hawkbill enthusiasts that would get at least one or 2 just for the collection. And who better to do this project other than Spyderco who I truly think is the king of the Hawkbill?

[Invective]

Throwing in my support for a Mulehawk. PE and SE. Depending on price, I might be persuaded to pick up two of each :P