CRKT Hissatsu Cutting & Review
Dec 27, 2020 13:00:03 GMT
Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Dec 27, 2020 13:00:03 GMT
Introduction
I found myself randomly browsing fixed blades on Amazon recently and ordered this largely on a whim. I've been carrying it occasionally and have been very pleased with its performance.
Historical overview
The Hissatsu is inspired by the Japanese tanto and designed by James Williams. It is a modern tactical knife with a rubber handle, a 440A blade, and a thermoplastic sheath rather than being a historical replica. It is all business. It is specifically marketed as a tactical backup weapon. Your gun goes down? Draw this and stab him. It's not a duelist's blade, a bushcrafting tool, or an EDC.
Full Disclosure
I purchased this for something like $70 on Amazon. I don't work for CRKT (but I wouldn't say no if they asked).
Initial Impressions
The blade is heftier than you think just looking at the pictures. The point is wicked keen and is an excellent piercer. Not so great a cutter. The edge was passable for a cheap knife but will need touchups to really cut well.
The Blade/Nagasa
440A stainless. Nothing to write home about, but it's thick enough and pointy enough to really, really excel at stabbing. It's long enough to reach what you gotta reach. Nice clean lines.
The Handle/Tsuka
Excellent, grippy rubber with a node pattern that gives you good grip even when it's wet. There's a raised design on one side so you can feel which way the edge is facing without looking.
The Guard/Tsuba
There is none, but I had zero issues with hand slippage. Thumb-over-pommel works for secure icepick grip stabbing.
The Scabbard/Saya
Pseudo-kydex. Holds the blade just tight enough with no rattle. Comes with a lame belt loop but it's easy to install a teklok clip. Can also be used for an inside-the-pocket static line draw, where you tie paracord off the sheath to your belt so when you draw the knife from your pocket, the cord yanks the sheath off the blade for you.
The sheath was why I bought this instead of a Cold Steel tanto. I wanted one that didn't have a belt loop and nylon retention strap interfering with my draw.
Handling Characteristics
Handles much like you'd expect a 6-7" spike to handle. Easy to transition between grips. Easy to throw. Just plain WORKS.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Cutting results seen in video. Slashes were not impressive due to obtuse geometry and somewhat mediocre factory edge. You COULD make it cut bottles better with a careful resharpening, but I'm not very worried about it. This is a shank.
Conclusions
Are you a tactical operator who wants a trustworthy, durable, gets-it-done backup dagger to strap on your kit? Get this, it's way more stabbier than the Benchmade SOCP, and cheaper too. It'll hold up. There's not much else to say about this blade or, well, do with it.