Chris Hatin / Hatin T.E.C. Neck Knife

Blues

hovering overhead
Staff member
Super Mod
Joined
Oct 2, 1998
Messages
43,494
As many of you may know, around Christmas I purchased a Spear Point Neck Knife from Chris Hatin (Hatin T.E.C.) in D2 steel. A review of that knife can be found by going to: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001178.html

The original knife was chisel ground and matte finished.

Since that time, I have asked Chris to make for me a Spear or Drop Point Neck Knife in D2, "V" ground and satin finished. Chris offered me a choice of using CPM-440V for this knife, but I wanted to go with the proven edge holding and toughness of D2. Either steel would have been fine.

I just received that knife today and I've got to tell you that I am thrilled with it.

The only picture I have of the knife does it little justice, but here it is just the same:

View


Chris labels the knife a spear point, but I would say that it is more a drop point. The original neck knife I purchased from him is definitely a classic spear point shape.
Truth be told, I think this drop point is even more useful and has very nice grind lines.

The knife comes in at six inches overall length. The D2 blade was quite sharp as delivered, (Chris told me it even drew blood while working on it) but was "vorpal" after giving it a couple of quick turns on a leather strop made for me by my friend Brian Caffrey. I then gave it two strokes on the Razor Edge Steel as a finishing touch and a nice coating of Marine Tuf-Cloth.

This blade has "bolt-on" G-10 scales to facilitate removal and cleaning. Chris did this for me on request as I live in a sub-tropical climate down here in South Florida and I want to make sure that I can properly maintain the blade for long term use. This knife is a user and will handle any task that you can imagine using a small rugged fixed blade for.

The carbon fiber concealex sheath that accompanied the knife is very well made and secure. It is not only a handsome sheath, but it is lined with a velour-like synthetic which keeps the draw both silent and prevents it from marring the blade.

Chris ships the knife with a wide nylon shoelace appropriate for carrying the knife bandolier style. Personally, I replace this with ball chain as I prefer to carry my knives center chest nestled between the pecs.

On Chris' website, www.hatintec.com you can find the knife listed on the neck knife page. Maker's price: $110.00.

When you consider the materials, fit and finish of Hatin T.E.C. knives I think you will agree that they represent excellent value for the money spent. I wouldn't hesitate to use mine under any circumstances.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Some Knife Pix

[This message has been edited by Blues (edited 02-18-2000).]
 
Good review & very nice little knife, Blues. I'm waiting to see what Chris' new push knife looks like before deciding on a model but I know it's only a matter of time before I have one of his pieces.

BTW, I'm happy to hear you're making good use of that strop.
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TTYL.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
Blues, Nice write up - you should do it for a living.
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I am not into neck knives, BUT if I were to buy some, Hatin T.E.C would be the place I would contact 1st!

Chris Hatin makes a very nice knife for reasonable money. He is always willing to make changes that you need to ANY knife he sells. He isn't hung up on why he thinks YOU need. It is tough to find makers that are wiling to make changes and NOT charge you for it! This proves that he doesn't just mass produce the knives. Little details to attention is a good thing.
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I have a Hatin Persian w/ 4" chisel grind knife that I picked up from Chris when he first advertised on BF, and I have a 5" 2020 Persian V-grind on order as well.

When the other 2020 Persian arrives, I will get off my butt and do a review. The 4" Persian in D2 is a slicing machine!
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Thin profile and little foot print. Very chic!




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Ray 'md2020'
 
Thanks for the compliments folks. This is what makes knifemaking fun, happy customers. I feel like I'm in good company here at BF's.

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Chris Hatin

http://www.hatintec.com

"Are you ready for the defendant, Judge?"
"Yup. Bring the guilty bastard in."
 
Blues, good review and nice photo.
Does this knife sheath have something like belt adapter or pocket clip? Sometimes is worth to change a carry mode, for ex. in winter when man is heavily clothed. Could you show the sheath also?

Chris, cool knife!
I would say it's something between drop point and non-geometric tanto. Blade has full thickness just near the point. How thick is this blade?
Good steel, I have Ka-Bar D2 Extreme folder in this one. Great edge retention but I guess it's a bit challenging to work with.


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Sergiusz Mitin
gunwriter
Lodz, Poland
 
Blues/Chris,

Very nice knife! I admit I am not a big fan of chisel grind. Personal perference thing. I will keep in mind that Chris is willing to do a "v" grind. I've seen MD'2020's Hatin. Nice workmanship.

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
Thanks everyone for the nice feedback.

Sergiusz, I don't have a picture of the sheath. The picture I used above is one that Chris had sent me and I enhanced slightly. If you go to the pix I have listed under my signature below, you will see a carbon fiber concealex sheath made for me by Rob Simonich some time back. The look is similar, though they are for different shaped knives.

The sheath comes with four rivet holes, two of which are positioned for vertical neck carry. There is no clip or adaptor for belt carry.

I have found that just looping paracord around a belt and placing the sheath in the front pocket (or waistband if you prefer) allows a quick draw. The knife pulls free of the sheath and the sheath remains connected to the belt via paracord or ball chain. I rarely if ever wear a knife on my belt per se.

The blade is made from 1/8 inch flat D2 stock. Mine has an "almost" sharpened false edge.

The black/green g-10 scales are very comfortable to grip and the design is quite ergonomic for such a small knife. It has a very secure feel in the hand.

I did find yesterday while walking around the Coconut Grove Art Festival that the small button head torx screws will sometimes lightly grab my abdominal hair, but not to the point of discomfort. The knife is virtually undetectable under a light t-shirt and is light enough not to be a burden.

I checked the D2 blade last night after being out in hot, humid temperatures for several hours. No sign of darkening/patination. The satin finish and Marine Tuf-Cloth seem to be doing their job.

Hope this helps answer any questions I failed to answer above.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Some Knife Pix
 
Blues, It looks like a very good using knife. It has a very good shape for cutting or penetrating and the blade is still thick enough to do some prying if needed. A very nice acquisition and suitable for your needs.

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Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
I have spoken to Chris about the abdominal "hair pulling" and am sending the knife back to have the two torx screws countersunk into the g-10.

This should alleviate the one and only minor gripe I have regarding this knife. Otherwise, as Ray (Raker) mentioned above, it suits me very well. (As do Ray's knives. Two more of which are in the pipeline.
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)

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Some Knife Pix
 
Here is a picture of my Hatin neck knife I picked up from Chris at a local NCCA show last weekend:

View


I was tired of black scales so I ordered mine in blue G-10. D2 blade is very sharp. I compared stabbing and slicing ability of this neck knife verses a few other I had laying around. This was the BEST penetrating and slicing one out of the whole group!
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The Concealex sheath has a quiet lining (retension was perfect), and it came with a synthetic cord ( ball chain on at the moment).

FYI - it out cut a Ray Kirk (Raker Knives) Lil' Blue2 (52100 steel): which NOT an easy task to do.
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Give Hatin a try next time you want a sweet little neck knife: I plan to carry mine around for fishing, and general utility.

Thanks Chris: I hope you get some more sleep, and that your day job doesn't burn you out.



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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
C'mon, Ray, that's a POS! What do you want to trade for it.
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sing

AKTI #A000356
 
sing, you drooled too much on this knife yesterday
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Its wicked, and chances are I will pass it down to my daughter when she is old enough.
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I knew you were gonna post on this thread after I put my picture up.....LOL.

No trades: this is a keeper!
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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
Okay, Ray, be like that! I'll trade with Maddie when she's old enough.
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sing

AKTI #A000356
 
I have a number of Chris's knives. He makes
some real tuff and sharp blades! He's a cool
guy to deal with too!


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"ALWAYS WATCH YOUR SIX"
 
Looks like I may have to try the Japanese water stones to get back the "sharp". I also may have to wait till the full moon to do all my forging and the dark of the moon to put on the handles. I've done all I can so far.
Chris, that is a very good job on the blade design and I wouldn't worry about one of those getting hung up in bone. Keep up the good work.
I have been carrying a longer blade (7"OAL) the last 10 days and it is just too long for me. The 6" to me is the best choice of length.
Ray, it gives me great honor for you to use my knives as a benchmark for your "sharp". I have strived to achieve and maintain the reputation for sharp knives since I was in Jr. High School, shaving the fuzz from my face with my pocket knife or from my toes before a football game as I was about to be tapped up.
Chris, you really do have a great design for the neck knife. It looks to be designed for what I would use it for, so I may be prejudices just a little.
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Ray Kirk http://www.tah-usa.net/raker

[This message has been edited by raker (edited 06-27-2000).]
 
LOL, thats pretty funny, Ray ( don't tell me you howl at the full moon as well).
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The Raker's that I have seen and handled have all been hair popping sharp!
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I know several folks who have purchased them and they all comment on sharp they are out of the package. Thank you for taking the extra time to get that mirror edge on your knives.
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I wouldn't change a thing. Your knives are still a great bang for the $ IMHO.

Congrats on becoming an American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Bladesmith!
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Ray 'md2020'


 
Thanks, I'm still trying and learning.

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Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
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