Cryptic crossword clue
Hard cutting smooth 22s up to form spiky layers 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ECHIDNAS

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "spiky layers" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case spiky layers = echidnas.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does ECHIDNAS mean?

ECHIDNAS noun
  1. Any of the species of small spined monotremes in family Tachyglossidae, the four extant species of which are found in Australia and southern New Guinea.

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