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An improved Nighthawk?? What do 'hawk fans think??
- Thread starter Tightwad
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,317
I do love my Hawk. Here's my thoughts on cost-efficient improvments to the knife. ATS-34 or 154CM with the Bos heat treat, flat ground, plain edge, improved sheath (whether kydex or ballistic nylon, don't care, just really don't like the one that came with it) and here's my big one: get rid of the handle. Give me removable G10 or CF scales (with a skeletonized full tang), exposed skull crusher with lanyard hole.
Is that asking too much?
-Paul
Is that asking too much?
-Paul
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2000
- Messages
- 21,269
Hey now...I like the Nighthawk handle JUST the way it is, but make it a little larger (to go with the 9 inch blade), and put a lanyard hole in it.
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2000
- Messages
- 21,269
Ok then...The NEW Nighthawk (Magnum Nighthawk) is either BG-42 or 154CM steel, with a 9 inch blade. Keep the same handle, but make it larger to match the larger blade, and put a lanyard hole in the handle.
When can we expect production to begin?..
When can we expect production to begin?.
.
FWIW.....I'm sure that all the "hawk fans out there
would love to see a "custom" "hawk that matches
their dream knife. However, I'm not sure Buck could
make the knife , in quanity, at a price we could/
would pay.
So,in line with my original post,what blade steel
would you really like to see? If there is a common
consensus maybe Buck would make a short run of
'hawks in ,say, Bg-42 etc. just as they did for
the 112 awhile back.
Blade steel change, yes....design change,not likley
My vote is.......Bg-42.
What's yours?
would love to see a "custom" "hawk that matches
their dream knife. However, I'm not sure Buck could
make the knife , in quanity, at a price we could/
would pay.
So,in line with my original post,what blade steel
would you really like to see? If there is a common
consensus maybe Buck would make a short run of
'hawks in ,say, Bg-42 etc. just as they did for
the 112 awhile back.
Blade steel change, yes....design change,not likley
My vote is.......Bg-42.
What's yours?
- Joined
- May 24, 2003
- Messages
- 181
ok I'll play. I've been watching this thread and figure I'll vote. Yes. Mo bigga, Mo betta. Mo containable (put that lanyard hole in there dadnabbitt) and a new sheath. I actually like the current size but if we are thinking supersize, I like it. the one issue that I have with D2 and BG42 is sharpenability. They are really great if you have a stable work environment to sharpen in but in the field I have "issues". Might just need to practice more though.
What a good idea, I'm going to the mountains and sharpen up some knives.
Thanks for the suggestion
M
What a good idea, I'm going to the mountains and sharpen up some knives.
Thanks for the suggestion
M
- Joined
- Jan 19, 1999
- Messages
- 842
The 5" Nighthawk, (655BX) was a regular catalog item a few years back. It was made for a couple of years and was dropped in the 2001 catalog. There was also a 5" tanto version, (Model 653BX), it had a partially serrated blade and the black oxide coating. It was dropped in the 2002 catalog. Both were good knives but sales were sluggish and they couldn't make it past the bean counters.
Interesting thing is I had a few of the tantos in stock at the beginning of the year but, with all of the activity in the sandpile starting up, there was a run on them and I sold all I had in about a three week period. The 5" models never did sell well.
I'd like to see a bigger blade too but 9" might be a bit much. 7.5" would be more realistic and the handle could remain pretty much the same. BG42 or CPMS30V would be a good choice for the steel but ATS34/154CM would be ok too. If they have the BOSMARK on them you will know the heat treat is right. No one does it better than Paul Bos.
Forget the flat grind. Sabre grind or, (preferably), hollow grind is the way to go on this one. It looks better and that translates to better saleablilty. Flat grind just doesn't sell to the average buyer and it's harder to get done right. (Ask CRK).
Having said all that, I doubt that it will ever fly. Why? Because a knife like that with the good steel would have to retail somewhere in the $200.00 to $250.00 range so that Buck could wholesale it at a profitable level. The problem with that is the "street price" would be established by some moron online who advertizes it at $125.00 or so to get the "preorders". This will cause legitimate dealers who need to make a reasonable profit on the sale to pass on stocking the knife. There is no sustainability or long term profitability. Buck won't be able to recover their costs and it will fade.
The same thing is happening with the TNT. Before that one ever hit the street it was being offered for under $180.00 online, even though the "dealer" didn't have any in stock. For a product with a $300.00 retail that is too low. There isn't enough sales volume to make up the difference and, even though initial orders were brisk, there won't be many, if any, reorders. I know I won't be restocking them. As it is, I probably have a lifetime supply. As long as Buck does nothing to support their regular dealers, that will happen with all their premium models.
If a company, known for low pricing, produces a premium item that should sell for 2 or 3 times it's usually priced products when it's known that the particular market for that company's products might not support that kind of pricing won't take steps to protect the vendor network it depends on then it isn't worthy of the support it needs from those vendors.
The same thing applies to the other side of the equation. No one begrudges buyers getting bargains or good deals but fair pricing works both ways. Asking for upgraded products or premium materials only works if those asking for these things are willing to pay accordingly. Don't expect to get Cadillacs if you are only willing to pay Yugo prices.
Sorry for the rant. I didn't intend for it to go here but the reality is that business is business. A company has to make a profit to continue operating and if the market doesn't support the vendors that won't happen. If a particular product isn't profitable then it will be discarded for one that is. Awhile back, Chuck Buck was heard to complain about not getting enough support from their dealer network. Well, as their biggest independent dealer in the San Diego area, I can testify that it works two ways. As long as they continue their current policies, they might as well stay with the cheap stuff and let their business find it's own level.
Interesting thing is I had a few of the tantos in stock at the beginning of the year but, with all of the activity in the sandpile starting up, there was a run on them and I sold all I had in about a three week period. The 5" models never did sell well.
I'd like to see a bigger blade too but 9" might be a bit much. 7.5" would be more realistic and the handle could remain pretty much the same. BG42 or CPMS30V would be a good choice for the steel but ATS34/154CM would be ok too. If they have the BOSMARK on them you will know the heat treat is right. No one does it better than Paul Bos.
Forget the flat grind. Sabre grind or, (preferably), hollow grind is the way to go on this one. It looks better and that translates to better saleablilty. Flat grind just doesn't sell to the average buyer and it's harder to get done right. (Ask CRK).
Having said all that, I doubt that it will ever fly. Why? Because a knife like that with the good steel would have to retail somewhere in the $200.00 to $250.00 range so that Buck could wholesale it at a profitable level. The problem with that is the "street price" would be established by some moron online who advertizes it at $125.00 or so to get the "preorders". This will cause legitimate dealers who need to make a reasonable profit on the sale to pass on stocking the knife. There is no sustainability or long term profitability. Buck won't be able to recover their costs and it will fade.
The same thing is happening with the TNT. Before that one ever hit the street it was being offered for under $180.00 online, even though the "dealer" didn't have any in stock. For a product with a $300.00 retail that is too low. There isn't enough sales volume to make up the difference and, even though initial orders were brisk, there won't be many, if any, reorders. I know I won't be restocking them. As it is, I probably have a lifetime supply. As long as Buck does nothing to support their regular dealers, that will happen with all their premium models.
If a company, known for low pricing, produces a premium item that should sell for 2 or 3 times it's usually priced products when it's known that the particular market for that company's products might not support that kind of pricing won't take steps to protect the vendor network it depends on then it isn't worthy of the support it needs from those vendors.
The same thing applies to the other side of the equation. No one begrudges buyers getting bargains or good deals but fair pricing works both ways. Asking for upgraded products or premium materials only works if those asking for these things are willing to pay accordingly. Don't expect to get Cadillacs if you are only willing to pay Yugo prices.
Sorry for the rant. I didn't intend for it to go here but the reality is that business is business. A company has to make a profit to continue operating and if the market doesn't support the vendors that won't happen. If a particular product isn't profitable then it will be discarded for one that is. Awhile back, Chuck Buck was heard to complain about not getting enough support from their dealer network. Well, as their biggest independent dealer in the San Diego area, I can testify that it works two ways. As long as they continue their current policies, they might as well stay with the cheap stuff and let their business find it's own level.