Question about Fixed Blade

Looking for opinions
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http://bugei.com/product_873_detailed.htm

James Williams, the designer of the Hissatsu, is a former Army officer and martial arts practitioner/instructor with over 40 years of experience. He knows cutlery as President of Bugei Trading Company, producer of fine Samurai swords. As one who has trained tactical law enforcement and military forces for the Surefire Institute, he has developed a unique and powerful approach of unarmed combatives. His system of defensive tactics, known as The System of Tactical Strategy has its origins in the ancient Samurai military systems as well as the Russian military art of Systema...

Hissatsu in action

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Basically, my question is to see if anyone has seen this knife or heard anything about it.

Constructive criticism is appreciated b/c it could save me time and money in the long run.

Thanks in advance

Back to lurking

You're going to carry a 12" OAL knife around campus?

I have one and know James, what specifically are you looking for?

TR

Call it instinct, but red flags pop up as soon as I hear about a knifemaker who makes "Samurai swords", "fine" or not. I know that there are some craftsmen out there who do make quality katanas, but the -vast- majority are junk made for kiddies and wannabes. All of the knifemakers that I have personally experienced as making quality product tend to stick with knives.

Mr. Harsey?

ETA: Disregard. Experience with the craftsman trumps natural suspicion. :D

I'm looking for the quality of the knife in all aspects.
The steel, the grip and how it feels in the hand.
Overall, I'm hoping for someone's "review" on this knife. But anything is a help.

plus - anyword on the "folder" version?

Exactly your point is why I came here seeking some advice and opinions.
plus everyone on Bugei forums seem a little biased - but still good info.

I am not a big believer in civilians carrying a big knife for self-defense. It is very hazardous legally, and tactically, if you do not have the requisite training to use it.

This is not a utility knife for field use. It is only made for killing another human, and your carry of it will be viewed as packing a concealed weapon.

The Hissatu is made by CRKT, a great economy knife company. It costs about 30% of what a mid-range custom costs, and must be reviewed in that respect.

It appears to be well-made blade of AUS-6, which is a decent inexpensive steel.

It balances and cuts well, though the factory edge could use some improvement for serious work.

The grip is made of Kraton, and once the release coating is removed, it is VERY grippy.

It would appear to work well for its intended purpose, and be an especially good penetrator.

TR

Thanks for the Info.


Been looking at other forums about it too and they all seem to agree with your statements.

From Bugei Forums,
I have been looking at this knife as a collectors piece and NOT a utility knife.
I have had some experience with Tanto's but barely enough to be labelled as an amateur.


Also - i have read of a "folder" version coming out in the near future.

again - thx

At this price range, it is hardly a collector's item, but it is very good for what it does.

Bugei does sell collector grade swords, if you are into that.

TR

For Collectibles of this sort, Check out Paul Chen's Hanwei series of Swords/Tantos etc. Very nice stuff at affordable prices.

One of my Coworkers bought one of these CRKT Hissatu Tantos and it is an interesting knife, but as has already been stated, it is good for one thing and one thing only. For a general purpose civilian, it would make a very fine letter opener.

Hey, I know James. Good dude. Sitting at his display at the SOCOM shot last year listening to his video replay over and over and over....got real old though. Good thing I had the Strider and Eagle guys keeping me sane.

As to knives, I usually carry a Simonich Raven as my large knife, Dwyer D-AL as the mid-range fixed blade, and a Strider SMF as the folder. Then add the Victorinox multi tool to the mix for good fun. This is at work. At home I find that I am able to present and use most effectively a small fixed blade knife like a Strider SA of DB. Quicker for me to deploy than a folder and more stout as well. I think that a lot of folks overlook the small fixed blade knives...to their loss. But, I still carry the HAK and SMF just about everywhere nowadays, so the DB went to a new home.

Saw another Dwyer you have on eBay . . .

That's the one I'm talking about. Have to unload it and an early AR to finance a new computer that can run all my CAD/Photoshop/Architecture stuff programs faster than the dinosaur I currenlty own. Feel free to chip in... ;)