HideawayKnife???

[spydermdz]

anyone know anything about these knives? they use great steel, CPMS30V so i am thinking about giving them some of my business... you can never have too many concealable fixed blades. anyone have any of these?

http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php

i was amazed at how they conceal all these knives.. it was amazing the time they spent studying how to conceal and carry these little knives.. i heard they were pretty tough as well.

[WORKER#9]

HAK's are very serious tools and very popular.

Ths Swick is a similar Spyderco product.

[peacefuljeffrey]

I've checked them out after seeing mention of them. I have not had an opportunity to try out their knives, though -- never held one. I suppose it's important before buying one because they say that they custom size them to fit your hand!

One thing, though, that stops me from being interested is that I have not seen a blade shape that pleases me. Most of them are either "tanto" style or recurved, and I don't want either of those. If they had a spear-point type or drop-point, I might go for it. (My big objections regarding tanto and recurve have to do with personally resharpening.)

The company's knives seem to have their adherents, for sure. I doubt you'd be disappointed if you got one.

worker#9, you're right, the Swick does seem pretty similar, and it too is S30V. I don't think there's as much substance to the Swick blade as there is to the HAK, and the HAK seems to have a more disarm-proof grip. I cannot vouch for how ergonomic or comfortable it feels, though. I have found that finger knives don't feel right to me. Even my Swick doesn't feel 100% seated in my hand -- it has to fit so very many hands that it's not made for just one.


-Jeffrey

[WORKER#9]

I am not really a Hak or Swick guy, but concealed fixed blades are against the law in California! I might be more of a player if I lived in a free state!

[spydermdz]

I am not really a Hak or Swick guy, but concealed fixed blades are against the law in California! I might be more of a player if I lived in a free state!


now he wants to admit he lives in a communist state! ;) i was suprised at how well these blades have been spoken of for SD. and jeff, you are wrong my man, the HAK make a straight version and it is similiar to the yojimbo if you like that one.. thats the one i want. i think strider makes it or somehting, hell i dont know. i have been readin about it all afternoon. i am going to get one here soon if i can afford it. i might go ahead and get one of these rather than getting the yojimbo next... i love the conealable factor and that these are all fixed blades and can be hidden better than about anything else. i am VERY IMPRESSED!!!! i cant wait to get a HAK!!!!!!!!!!

[peacefuljeffrey]

spydermdz,
Straight blades (wharncliffes, etc.) are next in line to recurve, hawkbill and tanto for being a pain in the A to sharpen, in my opinion, if one is using tabletop bench stones (as opposed to automatic machinery, belts, wheels, etc., which I don't have the luxury of using).

Straight blades present a different challenge, because a straight blade on a flat, straight stone has the risk of making a single point of contact instead of contact on-the-flat. To me, it seems kind of easy to mar the edge, and difficult to get the entire length of it all sharp at the same time.

That's why when I sharpen straight edged blades, I don't use my Spyderco Ceramic Bench Stone, I use the ProFile, because I opt to run one point of contact down the curved side of the stone rather than attempting to sharpen flat edge on flat stone.

-Jeffrey

[spydermdz]

ahh gotcha jeffrey. my bad man

[smcfalls13]

I had a 44C Utility HAK, but ended up selling it. Having two fingers in the hole was great for retention, but using it for utility posed a lot of problems. The blade is angled wrong for my hand, and trying to use it for boxes involved an uncomfortable twisted wrist.

The HAK is best for SD and concealment applications, the SWICK beats it on everything else.

[Slick]

One thumbs up for the HAK. I've got a Swick as well as a Strider finished HAK straight blade in CPM S30V with DLC coating. The Swick can not compare to the HAK in concealability and retention. The HAK can not match the Swick in overall cutting utility.

The HAKs are pricey and take getting used to. The out of box edge on my HAK didn't match the amazing factory edge on the Swick.

I wish everyone could try all the knives we would like to check out. The HAK is very different and deserves consideration. It would be good if you could check one out before buying. I love mine and carry it as the perfect neck knife.

[peacefuljeffrey]

Having two fingers in the hole was great for retention, but using it for utility posed a lot of problems. The blade is angled wrong for my hand, and trying to use it for boxes involved an uncomfortable twisted wrist.


That's been my concern. I am not sure how the HAK is supposed to be held. My natural inclination would be to crimp the metal of the handle-ring in the angle of my fingers' main knuckles (you know, the big knuckles on your fingers). Is that how they're supposed to be held, or are you supposed to have them on the length of the fingers, between one set of knuckles and the other?


The HAK is best for SD and concealment applications, the SWICK beats it on everything else.

But what "else" would you really want to use a Swick for?
Honestly, I got a Swick because it's a Spyderco principally; because it's a good steel; and because I like the design more than many other neck knives I've seen. But I don't think of it as anything but a last-ditch, I-have-nothing-else-to-fall-back-on knife (whether for self defense or utility). I think of it as one of those better-than-nothing, but-not-real-good-at-much kinds of knives. To me, the most useful of knives are a few inches longer, at least, and have a belly (as a drop point or spear point). I have trouble thinking of a Swick as anyone's first choice for any specific task: I think that's why it's a neck knife, not a back-pocket-carry utility folder.

-Jeffrey

[Dr. Snubnose]

Haks. though a nice concepts are very pricey for what they are and also they take too much time to get used to .... any knife is conconceable if you are willing to change your dress style a little, or put some thought into a concealable carry system...Doc :D

[spydermdz]

Haks. though a nice concepts are very pricey for what they are and also they take too much time to get used to .... any knife is conconceable if you are willing to change your dress style a little, or put some thought into a concealable carry system...Doc :D



just what the DOCTOR said!!! ;) :cool: :spyder:

[smcfalls13]

My natural inclination would be to crimp the metal of the handle-ring in the angle of my fingers' main knuckles (you know, the big knuckles on your fingers). Is that how they're supposed to be held, or are you supposed to have them on the length of the fingers, between one set of knuckles and the other?

Here are some pics of the one I used to have.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c43/smcfalls13/000_0177.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c43/smcfalls13/000_0174.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c43/smcfalls13/000_0172.jpg

That's it's intended grip, but I don't care for the edge being at such an extreme angle relative to my hand. And with two fingers in the hole, that blade can't rotate at all, which means my wrist has to rotate, the SWICK can be rotated to suit the angle I prefer.




But what "else" would you really want to use a Swick for?

I carry one for opening boxes, cutting tape/packing material, and general utility. It's reserved for heavy duty boxes, because it's sharper than my Tasman, and on heavy cardboard, I'd rather have a fixed blade.

It's also convenient to carry when I want a knife on me, but don't want to show any clips.

[peacefuljeffrey]

SMC, thanks for posting the pics. I'm finding you easier to take, now. ;) LOL! (Are we lightening up, yet? :) )

The way you are holding the HAK in the pictures is the way I thought it might be intended. I always have worried that such a grip does not provide much lateral control and support against having the blade torque to left or right. Maybe it comes down to how well-fitted it is to the individual's fingers? You would know: I do not.

I guess that use with gloves is almost out of the question.

Maybe a two-fingerer is just not the kind of knife for me... I have that to think of.

HAK's prices are also a bit too much for me considering just how much knife you get. I'm sure some people swear by them, and I'm sure they're quality made, and there's nothing wrong with them. I wish I could get my hands on one so I could see whether I like it. Of course, I would need them to make a spear point or drop point version, as I have yet to see a blade style by them that I care for. The closest would be a wharncliffe type.

Sorry, I'm hard to please. :p

-Jeffrey

[smcfalls13]

SMC, thanks for posting the pics. I'm finding you easier to take, now. ;) LOL! (Are we lightening up, yet? :) )

Today, yes, because I was off of work, and that typicaly puts me in a much more tolerant mood, and because you haven't posted anything that irritates me(that one post really did p*** me off, and I don't know why)


I always have worried that such a grip does not provide much lateral control and support against having the blade torque to left or right.

Before I cord wrapped, yes, it did have a tendency to torque to the sides if my grip was anything but white knuckle tight. After cord wrapping(like the picture) it was more snug, and it didn't move as much. It's custom made to your finger size, but I bought one that was alread made(impatience) and close to my size, but not exact, which is why the cord wrap helped.


I guess that use with gloves is almost out of the question.

I tried it once. Couldn't get my fingers in the hole.


Maybe a two-fingerer is just not the kind of knife for me...

Not for me either, but others love them.

I'm quite content with my SWICK.

[para-force]

It's a great weapon, but it lacks in use as a tool.

It's okay for small cutting jobs like pruning stuff out in the garden, but for extended use it can be awkward.

Cameron was a very nice woman to deal with though, and she runs a very legit business. It's a great weapon that I wouldn't hesitate to use in emergency situation, but I usually use my knives for tools, so it usually sits at home while the Native rides in my pocket.

Here's some pics.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2934/hak6et.png
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1856/hakmoneyclip3ko.png

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: I especially like the ones mounted under jacket collars, fast and ready. My wife carries her spin that way on her denim jacket. :spyder:

[Ging]

It's a great weapon, but it lacks in use as a tool.

It's okay for small cutting jobs like pruning stuff out in the garden, but for extended use it can be awkward.
Thanks for the info, was thinking of getting one (when I get some money :D ) as a tool for around the house, as I couldn't EDC one here wthout a lot of problems :rolleyes:

[Joe Talmadge]

I have a HAK I bought strictly for utility use, no defensive use in mind. When I hold my HAK, the edge is not quite at as extreme an angle as in Scott's picture, but for utility use, I would still prefer even a little bit less angle. However, the angle is made up for by the feature that makes the HAK so amazing for utility use. If you're, say, cutting up 20 boxes, or puttering around your garden pruning, your typical work pattern may look like this: 1. manipulate the thing to be cut with both hands, 2. now hold it in place with one hand and cut with the other, 3. now use two hands again to manipulate, 4. repeat. With the HAK, I don't have to keep putting the knife down and picking it up. I simply open my hands, and can manipulate whatever I want with the fingers of both hands, and the blade is held out of the way but around my fingers. When I want to cut, I close my right hand, and the blade is brought to bear. I love this enough that I'm usually willing to forgive the required wrist articulation.

For defense, the HAK is a fine choice (I might lean towards the Swick though) if you're going to carry such a small blade. If I were lucky enough to be able to carry a fixed blade legally, I'd probably go with a bigger blade though. Normally I wouldn't want to go much smaller than the Disciple, my fave small defensive fixed blade by far.

Joe

[peacefuljeffrey]

Thanks for the info, was thinking of getting one (when I get some money :D ) as a tool for around the house, as I couldn't EDC one here wthout a lot of problems :rolleyes:


Like, um, going to jail? (While I hear they now give "warnings" to people like robbers and burglars?) :(

Sorry you're in such a situation. That sucks.

Speaking of that, are there any knives that you can legally carry there? My understanding is that it is prohibited to carry anything that can be perceived as or used as a weapon, even defensively.


-Jeffrey

[spydermdz]

i thinkDoc said it best. with the proper attire, about any knife is concealable. (keep things in perspective though) machetes do NOT apply of course :p

[smcfalls13]

i thinkDoc said it best. with the proper attire, about any knife is concealable. (keep things in perspective though) machetes do NOT apply of course :p

No...

I'm pretty sure I could conceal a 12"-18" Machete if I was given the proper wardrobe. The bigger ones would be a little tougher :p

[spydermdz]

No...

I'm pretty sure I could conceal a 12"-18" Machete if I was given the proper wardrobe. The bigger ones would be a little tougher :p


i cant get ANYTHING past ole scott!!!! anywhere. here BF, ANYWHERE! :mad: LOL!!!! :D

[smcfalls13]

i cant get ANYTHING past ole scott!!!! anywhere. here BF, ANYWHERE! :mad: LOL!!!! :D

Keep trying. :cool:

I rarely sleep, so I'm on these forums far more often than I should be. It's one of the bad parts of working a job that has me working nights. Everyone I know has opposing schedules, so by the time I get off work, everyone else is going to sleep.

It could be worse though, at least I don't get stuck working 18 hours shifts in Hell like some of the guys here(you know who you are, and stay safe brothers)

[dsvirsky]

The HAK was never intended to replace your EDC -- it's primarily a last-ditch defensive weapon that can be used for basic utility purposes. It's about as low profile a knife you're going to find for concealment -- I wear one under my dress shirt at work (no undershirt) and outside my shirt just about all the rest of the time.