Evolutionary adaption equipped birds with curved talons to onto what they grasp. Similary, a hawkbill blade's curve allaows for reaching and downward pulling cuts while the arcing portion of the edge keeps what you're cutting from sliding off the blade's sharp tip. Mariners and fisherman alike found the motion efficient for severing line, netting and webbing and the hawkbill shape is ideal for the task. For comfort the handle has dual postion finger choils and weight reducing cutouts. Blade length: 3-1/2" Blade steel: 8Cr13Mov Plain Edge.