A hawkbill blade curves sharply downward and inward from the spine toward the edge, producing a hooked, talon-like shape — the cutting edge sits on the concave inside of the curve, similar in profile to a hawk's beak or a claw, which is the basis for this knife's "The Claw" name. This geometry is purpose-built for pulling and hooking cuts: the curve itself helps draw the edge into and through materials like rope, cordage, strapping, carpet, linoleum, and other fibrous or sheet materials, in a motion where you hook the material with the blade and pull rather than push or slice straight through. Hawkbills excel at these specific tasks and are commonly used in marine, rescue, electrical, and carpet-laying trades. They are not a general-purpose everyday carry geometry — the curved edge and inward hook make hawkbills poorly suited to push cuts, fine detail work, food prep, or most everyday tasks that a drop point or spear point handles more naturally. If your primary cutting needs are general everyday tasks, a different Launch geometry will likely serve you better; if you regularly cut rope, strapping, or similar materials, the hawkbill is a purpose-built tool for exactly that job.

"The Claw" refers directly to the hawkbill blade's curved, hooked silhouette — the blade's shape resembles a claw or talon, curving inward toward a point with the cutting edge on the inside of that curve. The name is a direct, accurate description of the blade geometry rather than a marketing flourish unconnected to the knife's actual design.

The Kershaw Launch 10 uses a side-button automatic mechanism — press the button on the spine of the handle and the blade deploys instantly, locking open via the liner lock. To close, disengage the liner lock with your thumb and fold the blade back into the handle. The Launch 10 is a folding automatic knife — the 1.9-inch CPM-154 hawkbill pivots from the handle, the curved hooked blade swinging into its locked open position at full extension. Automatic knives are subject to the same state and federal restrictions as OTF automatics. See the legality FAQ below before purchasing.

Side-button automatic knives are subject to strict regulation under federal and state law. Under federal law, the interstate sale and transport of automatic knives is restricted. State laws vary significantly: some states permit automatic knives freely, some restrict blade length, some require permits or military or law enforcement status, and some prohibit them entirely. Knifeworks cannot provide legal advice. It is your responsibility to verify that automatic knives are legal in your state, county, and municipality before purchasing. Check your local laws at akti.org (American Knife and Tool Institute) or call us at 888-225-9775 — we will not ship to addresses in states where automatic knives are prohibited.

A hawkbill's curved edge cannot be sharpened on a standard flat stone the way a straight or gently curved blade can — the concave curve needs to follow the edge's arc throughout the sharpening stroke. Tapered ceramic rods, small diameter sharpening rods, or curved sharpening tools designed for hawkbill and karambit-style blades work best, following the curve of the edge from heel to tip in a rolling or pivoting motion. Many hawkbill users send the blade to a professional sharpening service or use a guided sharpening system specifically designed for curved edges, since freehand sharpening on a flat stone is significantly more difficult on a hawkbill than on a straight blade.

CPM-154 is the powder metallurgy version of the classic 154CM stainless steel formula, produced by Crucible Industries. The powder metallurgy process produces a more uniform carbide distribution than conventionally melted 154CM, resulting in better edge retention, improved toughness, and cleaner sharpening behavior while retaining 154CM's excellent corrosion resistance. Edge retention matters in particular on a hawkbill given how much more involved resharpening the curved edge is compared to a straight blade — CPM-154 reduces how often that more difficult sharpening process is needed. The black finish adds a functional corrosion barrier on top of CPM-154's already strong stainless resistance.

Kershaw offers a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. If the knife fails due to a manufacturing defect, Kershaw will repair or replace it at no charge. Warranty service is handled directly by Kershaw — not Knifeworks. Submit a claim through Kershaw's website at kershawknives.com with a description of the issue and proof of purchase. Normal wear, black blade finish wear, handle anodize wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Launch 10 7350BLUBLK is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. Domestic manufacture is a consistent feature of the full Launch series. The 7350BLUBLK carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.