[riddleofsteel]

took a minute after shooting today to snap a few quick shots of the new black blade CRKT Hissatsu.

http://yerfrockethellhound.com/bh1.JPG


http://yerfrockethellhound.com/bh3.JPG

http://yerfrockethellhound.com/bh4.JPG

Please excuse the rather pedestrian photography skills. No time to set up outside in natural light and the flash does not do this great looking knife justice.

[JShirley]

The pics look fine, and that blade looks well-designed.

Seen Troy yet? :)

John

[Soap]

How does she handle?

[riddleofsteel]

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.

I understand a number of Spec-Ops community were given or given deep discounts on the Hissatsu by Williams. Some of the first models went to the middle east on the vests of some of the "real deal" front line fighting men. Reports from them say the Hissatsu is working VERY well for its intended purpose
.
Excellent review here; http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=406


The Hissatsu is a killing knife. If you want a utility knife look elsewhere. The pedigree of the Hissatsu shows big time when you pick it up. This knife is remarkably strong and rigid for a blade that ends in an almost needle point. The maximum spine of the blade is maintained all the way to the blade tip. So it is a spike on the end but a STRONG spike. There seems to be ZERO flex to the blade even under the most extreme tests I have conducted so far.
I made up a shoulder rig for it in a crossdraw setup with the handle hanging down under my weak side arm, tilted slightly forward. The straps and hardware from an old Jackass shoulder holster were perfect for the job. When you draw the knife its length and curved design make it a natural for a sweeping slash up and out to the target's underarm, arm or neck. The knife is light and seems to be an extension of your hand. I practiced some Kenpo kata with it just replacing an open hand strike with a sweeping slash or a punch with a stab from the knife. Result, perfect balance and natural feel. My padded striking dummy made from an old heavy punching bag with rolled mat/2x4 arms and legs and basket ball head will never be the same. Deep cuts and stabs that would have opened arteries and penetrated vital organs were almost effortless and the knife and its finish did not suffer. The two angle wedge design really works. At one point I cut all the way down to the 2x4 bone of the dummy under its arm. Instead of sticking the knife "bumped out" of the wood and continued to cut.I cut quite a bit of canvas and mat and it will still shave you. The blade is AUS-6 steel so while it will dull faster that say a Benchmade made of harder steel it also means a few passes on a stone and its back to shaving sharp.
My only reservation is the lack of a handguard. Deep stabs to a heavy canvas bag taught me to grip tightly and use proper technique. A slip here could really damage your fingers and/or hand. I am thinking about wrapping the grip with silk cord and building up the area closest to the blade just a little to prevent my hand from sliding. The Krayton "rayskin" finish on the grip would look natural under a traditional Japanese cord wrap and make the weapon a little safer to boot.

Of course the Japanese have had many years to perfect these designs. I am just glad some of them are available to us at a reasonable prices to "play" with.

[JShirley]

Yeah, the lack of a guard was my sole reservation when I saw it too, but for a knife of its type, the blade design is about perfect.

John