Should I buy the Crossbill or wait for the Tasman to come out

[johns]

You guys have me thinking about putting my first spyderco purchase (grey handled matriarch) in the safe. So I want to get another hawkbill, but funds are low due to other purchases that I shouldn't have made.
I want a PE and am consideriing the Crossbill, but if the Tasman looks like it might come out in the near future, I'd rather wait for it.
Any opinions on a realistic release date for the Tasman?

[ghostrider]

You can get the Crossbill for about $25 USD. I haven't heard anyone complain of it yet. The release date of any Spyderco is unknown IIRC. I say, get the Crossbill now, then save for when the Tasman comes out.

Most who have tried the CB like it. It has a silky smooth action, and a wickedly sharp, pointy tip. The ergonomics are great, and it weighs more than the SS Endura according to the online catalog.

But I’m biased. I think everyone should have a Crossbill.

[clovisc]

they're two very different hawkbills, that's for sure. but for now... crossbill! you won't want to sit around waiting for the tasman to come out on its as-yet-unspecified date!

then get the tasman later... try some of that serrated H1 steel... :D

[johns]

Hmmm - I was thinking plain edge - what do you folks suggest?

[Rob]

Huh?! Tasman? Seems that I missed something. What is that going to be?

Cheers, Rob

[ghostrider]

Huh?! Tasman? Seems that I missed something. What is that going to be?

Cheers, Rob
IIRC, it's basically a Spyderhawk with a H1 blade. Might do a search to double check though.

[anson argyris]

The Tasman is a knife with a H-1-Hawkbill-blade, not necessarily the size
of the Spyderhawk, maybe only as large as the Harpy.
According to what I've heard, it should be available in the end of 2005.

[spydutch]

Johns, don't do that. Go for fully serrated, especially with a hawkbill which is designed for cutting rope and other fibrous material.

[clovisc]

the tasman is going to be a merlin-sized hawkbill. H1 steel.

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: With a larger hole and maybe jimping!!! :spyder:

[224477]

Hey johns,

I will second Ghostrider on this one.
We dunno when the Tasman will hit the market, so make a good investment and buy a Crossbill, you cant get bad on that one! I also got it in PE, and I have to say that it spents a lot of EDCing time in my pocket.

I like to use this one to perform the CB:
"Its a poor mans civilian.." :D

Let us know about your result!

J.

[The Deacon]

Well, considering the Crossbill can be purchased TODAY for around twenty bucks plus shipping, while the Tasman is not likely to hit the streets for six months or more, it comes down to how bad do you want a hawkbill right now. Only downside is the weight. The Tasman, being part of the Salt series, will almost certainly have FRN handles and thus be much lighter. As for SE / PE, plain is easier to sharpen, serrated takes longer to dull. Serrated is better for the tasks hawkbills excell at, gathering cuts through fiberous material, so is probably the more sensible choice unless you have some specific need for plain or, like me, are just too darn lazy to enjoy sharpening serrated.

[ATR216]

Hello Johns, I have a PE crossbill. It is my first Hawkbill knife. I bought it to see if
it would be good to use opening blister-packaged items. It is great....a definite best buy. The grip design is superb....William :)