Here is an Ancient Edge Hissatsu, purchased when released, never used, sharpened or carried.
Ancient Edge was an offshoot of Bugei Trading Co. founded by James Williams in the late 1990s
or early 2000s. Williams described this knife as an Ozaraku-zukuri tanto, which is defined by the
very long kissaki and upswept point. In feudal Japan, knives of this type were used to penetrate
weak spots in the armor of the time. The knife was marketed as a tool for special operators. To
the best of my knowledge, only 300 were made, with the first 100 being hand ground by Bob Egnath.
This limited run had the false edge of the kissaki sharpened. The remaining 200 are identified by
the bolts holding the handle to the tang, and the Kanji characters on the reverse side of the blade.
The blade is 7.0" long by 0.257" thick, made of ATS-34. The handle and sheath are ABS polymer.
The sheath in unusual in that it incorporates a belt clip which may be attached either side and is
adjustable for drop. The top of the sheath also features a set screw which is used to control the
degree of retention of the knife. The handle is oval in cross-section with a simulated ray skin pattern
and a wasp waist profile. This handle shape, combined with the guardless design, yields a knife
which may be used in either forward or reverse grip.
Some time after the Ancient Edge release, CRKT introduced a similar model with a polished
blade of AUS 6A steel and a much simpler sheath. The CRKT Hissatsu was offered in both polished
and black finishes and was priced at a fraction of the original. A folding model was introduced later.
Asking $350 shipped and insured to your door CONUS, PayPal F&F or Zelle.
PM "I'll take it." or comment below.
Knife shipped when funds are received.
Although the Hissatsu may not be the "ultimate CQ fighting tool" it is an interesting and functional
design with a clear intended purpose.
Thanks for looking.
Ancient Edge was an offshoot of Bugei Trading Co. founded by James Williams in the late 1990s
or early 2000s. Williams described this knife as an Ozaraku-zukuri tanto, which is defined by the
very long kissaki and upswept point. In feudal Japan, knives of this type were used to penetrate
weak spots in the armor of the time. The knife was marketed as a tool for special operators. To
the best of my knowledge, only 300 were made, with the first 100 being hand ground by Bob Egnath.
This limited run had the false edge of the kissaki sharpened. The remaining 200 are identified by
the bolts holding the handle to the tang, and the Kanji characters on the reverse side of the blade.
The blade is 7.0" long by 0.257" thick, made of ATS-34. The handle and sheath are ABS polymer.
The sheath in unusual in that it incorporates a belt clip which may be attached either side and is
adjustable for drop. The top of the sheath also features a set screw which is used to control the
degree of retention of the knife. The handle is oval in cross-section with a simulated ray skin pattern
and a wasp waist profile. This handle shape, combined with the guardless design, yields a knife
which may be used in either forward or reverse grip.
Some time after the Ancient Edge release, CRKT introduced a similar model with a polished
blade of AUS 6A steel and a much simpler sheath. The CRKT Hissatsu was offered in both polished
and black finishes and was priced at a fraction of the original. A folding model was introduced later.
Asking $350 shipped and insured to your door CONUS, PayPal F&F or Zelle.
PM "I'll take it." or comment below.
Knife shipped when funds are received.
Although the Hissatsu may not be the "ultimate CQ fighting tool" it is an interesting and functional
design with a clear intended purpose.
Thanks for looking.
