CRKT Hissatsu Folder Review

youstfu said:
Thanks for the comments guys.

Update: The outburst has loosened up finally! That or my thumb got stronger.



Since I love this knife so much, I'm going to try to get a custom carbon fiber handle for it, and switch out most if not all screws to hex screws. Torx screws are very ineffective in small sizes :mad:. I almost stripped a few. Now to find someone who can make me a custom carbon fiber handle at a reasonable price :D
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Try Shadetree Phenolics, he hooked me up with some custom CF.
 
The remedy is to man up! After a week of opening the knife over and over my thumb has become conditioned enough. I can open it quickly with ease. Don't bother modifying the knife, use the time to "train" with the knife instead.
 
Thanks for the review. I've got one of these on the way right now and I'm looking forward to finding out for myself how it performs. The only thing about the knife that looks like a concern to me is the pocket clip... it looks kinda cheaply designed; should be attached with screws IMO instead of that rivet.

I chose to get the folder version after purchasing the fixed-bladed model and finding it to be an exceptional value. Both are truly specialized knives meant for defensive use and not much else. I hope it lives up to my expectations.
 
LoneWolf X said:
Thanks for the review. I've got one of these on the way right now and I'm looking forward to finding out for myself how it performs. The only thing about the knife that looks like a concern to me is the pocket clip... it looks kinda cheaply designed; should be attached with screws IMO instead of that rivet.

I chose to get the folder version after purchasing the fixed-bladed model and finding it to be an exceptional value. Both are truly specialized knives meant for defensive use and not much else. I hope it lives up to my expectations.
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I think the clip is very durable. I've had no problems with the clip. And by the way, the clip is attached with a screw. The screw is on the other side and it's a torx screw.
 
Lone Wolf...you will have *no* trouble with the actual pocket clip, or the method of attachment...heavy, heavy duty.
 
I own one of these little delights myself. It's strange; almost none of my favorite knives (excluding this one) come from CRKT, but I've owned more CRKTs than any other brand, simply because they're so innovative and functional.
I find this knife is amazingly fast to close; even faster than my M16EDC or my M21SF. The trick is keeping it tightened and lubed in such a way that when you disengage the Autolawks and the liner simultaneously, the blade swings loosely. When this happens, most knives tend to just fall into the closed position, which is dangerous when your fingers are in the way. With the Hissatsu, however, the blade only swings 90 degrees before hitting the torsion bar and stopping, which makes it much quicker to close because it can swing a part of the way. With practice you can close this knife almost faster than you can open it, and that's saying something.
There's a few structural liabilities that make me kind of nervous, but having seen pictures of what the knife can do (and having done a few myself) maybe I'm just being paranoid. I don't like how the backspacer is held together by screws instead of rivets; it leaves the blade pivot as the only direct connection between the two sides of the frame. Also, the blade stop pin isn't a rivet either; it's just a little piece of metal (at least I hope it's metal) held in place by the steel liners. Judging by the knife's certifiable performance, maybe these are just quibbles, but they still strike me as significant oversights. In any case, this is still a great knife to play with.
Lastly, IMHO this makes a poor work knife; the blade geometry is ill-suited to general purpose cutting tasks. The blade was made for piercing and slashing; for me, it's strictly a fighting knife. Still, it's gosh-darn cool.
 
If LAWKS is an irritation, it is possible to still close the knife w/one hand. Use your middle finger to move the LAWKS lever, your thumb to push over the lock, and your index to puch the blade back in. I doubt you could do this wans AO knife, but on M-16s and the like it works great with some practice.
 
Don't forget that the LAWKS mechanism is removable during cleaning, just like the torsion bar. If you don't like it, just ditch it.
 
Not meaning to hijack this thread but I just got one for Christmas and this review is pretty right on. Iv'e found this is a VERY heavy knife...Alright for Levi's, Cargo Pants and Dockers but a tad heavy for dress pants(sheath ?).

It IS very hard to open at first but I also am getting used to it, and it does JUMP out and close with authority. If you weren't paying attention it would probably leap out of your hand. Being a member of a LEO K-9 team I can tell you there is NO WAY you'd talk a cop out of why your carrying this knife. It looks exactly like what it was intended for, serious slashing and stabbing. It is a great SD knife in that If i saw one coming at me I'd run....screw this macho BS when that blade looks so...Uhhh.....Purposeful. It has that same Bad Ass look as a Vaquero Grande or Scimitar and you can get one for under $70.00.
 

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After two years of asking for the AO folding Hissatsu for birthdays and Christmases my wife got me one for Valentine's Day (I know, she's awesome!). I was hesitant to buy it because of some negative reviews and I'd never handled one in person. I also thought the advertising leaned a bit too much to the mall ninjas. But it was darn cool!

When I opened it I was impressed. It's a heavy duty, well made knife. I don't have any concerns with its construction. It opens quickly and locks up solid. I never had any problems with the AO being difficult to open or hard on my thumb. I like the AutoLawks, too. Have had no problems closing it.

It's been clipped to my left front pocket for about four months now. It rides surprisingly well for a large knife. Though I carry a Victorinox Compact and often one other utility knife, the folding hissatsu is the one I often use for everyday chores. Its been used to cut down numerous boxes, trim thread, score pieces of wood, cut through weed barrier, etc. It won't win any edge-holding prizes but it has performed well.
 
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I own one. It should also be noted (IMHO anyway) that the knife is very comfortable to carry because it has soft rounded features. When reaching into your pocket with this knife there you don't encounter any sharp or coarse edges at all, unlike the Triumph Folder which can draw blood. I like how it carries even though I've only carried mine a few times.
 
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The thing does stick quite aways out of your pocket; I guess it's meant to be grabbed quick and easy. I've had fewer fumbles while drawing, opening, closing, and replacing this knife than I have with others, but for the same reason this knife is also the most visible during carry. In blue jeans it sticks out like a sore thumb.
I like the thing, but the only way I can be discreet with it is to wear it with black pants, which I usually only wear in occasions that call for a much smaller knife.
 
I bought a Hissatsu folder directly from CRKT on the last day of the Shot Show, this past January. The knife was razor sharp. I started using it as an EDC and using the pocket clip. Twice, when reaching into my pocket for some change, I was sliced very good by the blade tip. Upon close exam you can see that the tip is just a hair away from being exposed, A little flesh pressed against the end and the blood flows. I have never encountered this on any of the numerous folders I have owned/own. Except for this problem I do like the knife. I am going to have one of the fine Kydex benders that post here make a belt sheath for me.
 
I had that same problem with My Hissatsu Folder, and cut myself twice also. I was going to return it, but never got around to it.
 
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