If you are planning to get a compact knife, you will most probably hear of the hawkbill knife at least once. But before buying or using it, you will definitely want to know what is a hawkbill knife used for, and how it is different from other knives?
And to help you with your knife uses, we will list down the tasks you can do with a hawkbill blade.
To make better use of a hawkbill knife, you must know the disadvantages of having such a knife. Only then you will not damage the blade trying to do a task not meant for the knife. So, we will make you familiar with its drawbacks too. Are you ready to dive right in?
What Are Hawkbill Knives Used For?
Hawkbill knives are easy to work with because of their size and shape. And most hikers carry such knives to carve wood and cut through ropes. Basically, these knives are ideal for slicing and carving.
If you are on a wilderness trip, keeping such knives can be handy. Ask why? Because they are suitable for making kindling for campfires. These knives have multipurpose uses only if you know how to use them.
In order to get a better insight into its uses, go through the next sections.
What Are The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Hawkbill Knife?
Just because the hawkbill knife is compact in size, doesn’t mean that it has limited use. It is a multipurpose tool to work with. However, it has its drawbacks too. And here are some of the significant benefits and drawbacks of the hawkbill knife –
Benefits:
- You do not need to have a strong grip while cutting anything with the hawkbill knife. As you can use the entire length of the blade to cut or slice anything, it doesn’t require much pressure from you.
- If you are into agriculture or horticulture, you can use the Hawkbill blade to prune trees or shrubs.
- You can cut ropes, tapes, and stripping wires with the knife. And the best part is the knife will not slip away while cutting through the strongest ropes.
- During camping, hiking, and combat situations, you can rely on the knife to handle tactical cutting purposes.
- You do not have to sharpen a hawkbill knife every now and then. Because its tip remains sharp even after using the blade for years.
Drawbacks:
- As the size of the blade is compact, you cannot get much work done at once with it.
- Its unique shape or the unmodified version of the knife might not be a good fit for multipurpose uses.
- If you have a premium quality blade, you will mostly need to contact a professional to sharpen it
How to Sharpen Hawkbill Knife: 7 Effective Steps
The steel used in making the Hawkbill knife is different from the ones used in regular knives. Also, the shape and curve of the Hawkbill blade aren’t the same. So, sharpening such a knife requires a little different approach. And here are the steps to do that –
Step 1: Clean the Knife
First off, you must clean the knife properly so that there is no dust or dirt on it. You can use warm water while cleaning it to kill any germs. Do not forget to wipe it off with a dry cloth.
Step 2: Hold with a Proper Grip
Hold the knife with proper grip without much pressure so that you do not break the blade while sharpening it. Keep the blade steady in your hand, and make sure that you are comfortable while holding it.
Step 3: Stroke the Knife
Take a small stone that does not have a straight edge. Otherwise, you will not be able to sharpen the curve of the hawkbill blade. Then, stroke the knife on the stone without any pressure.
Step 4: Use Downward Motion
While stroking the blade, use the downward motion. And you need to stroke each side of the blade for at least 4 minutes using that motion.
Step 5: Get Sharpening Stone
Ensure to get your hands on a sharpening stone for better finishing. You will easily find such stones online. You need to sharpen both edges of the blade using the sharpening stone.
Step 6: Keep the Tool Clean
After sharpening the knife, do not forget to remove the grit or dirt from the sharpener. Otherwise, you will struggle to sharpen a knife with it next time.
Step 7: Clean the Blade
Use a leather fabric and dry cloth to clean the blade. This step will ensure the longevity of the sharpness of Hawkbill knife. Then, you can cut paper with it to check the sharpness of the blade.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q’s):
- Can You Chop with a Hawkbill Knife?
The Hawkbill knife is not ideal for chopping as its shape does not allow it to chop something properly. Nonetheless, you can slice fruits or vegetables with it. And it will not require much pressure to do so.
- Can You Open Bottles with a Hawkbill Knife?
Yes, the pointy tip of the blade makes it easier to open any can or bottle of beverage. If you do not have a can opener, you can use it to crack a hole.
- Is Hawkbill Blade Better than Karambit?
Yes, the use of a hawkbill knife is not limited to combat situations only, as it is good for everyday hiking, fishing, or even slicing tasks. On the other hand, the Karambit knife is mainly for tactical uses. And the damage risk is high with the latter.
Conclusion
The Hawkbill knife has been in use for regular and combat purposes for ages. But if you have not worked with it before, you will not know “what is a hawkbill knife used for.” But as we have described above, you can use it for various tasks, from slicing to making kindling’s to cutting through ropes, etc.
These knives come in different versions. And most of them are ideal for handling difficult cutting and carving tasks.
