CRKT Inazuma No Ken?

I have no experience with the Inazuma No Ken but I own a Hissatsu and a Otanashi Noh Ken.

The Hissatsu is similiar but the Inazuma uses G10/D2 instead of FRN/AUS8 for the scales/steel. The Inazuma also incorporates the Ikoma designed ball bearing and Deadlock systems, which should make the blade action very smooth and the lockup very strong.

If I didn't already own the Hissatsu, I'd buy the Inazuma. Doesn't bother me that both are "assisted" but that does bother others.

IMO, the Japanese "style" knives designed by James Williams for CRKT are the "bomb" and, if I were going to start another "sub collection" it would be made up of these, especially the fixed blades, but I already own too many knives and I'm satisfied w/the two of his that I already own. :)

See: James Williams - CRKT.
 
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the original hissatsu folder is still one of my all time favorite knives, id like to try this one new version once the price comes down a little
 
Ok, I got one and posted my thoughts as a review on Amazon . . . I'm returning it. Here's what I said about it: "Couldn't find any reviews yet for the CRKT Inazuma no ken, so stopped by SMKW to check one out. I thought I liked it and bought it, because it's impossible to walk out of that store without a knife. After two days of closer inspection, here's what I like and don't like . . . The size is good for larger hands. Very comfortable. G-10 scales on both sides is very grippy. D2 steel blade was a big selling point. Assisted opening is super fast and has a satisfying sound, good as long as you're not trying to sneak up on anyone. The button lock is cool and works well. Easy to open and close. Very fun to fidget with. But . . . see photos . . . it goes into the pocket well and deep, but because of those three cut-outs on the scales, one of them is very close to the clip bottom and it gets hung up on the edge of a jeans pocket more often than not. I have to reach a finger down to the bottom of the clip and pry it open to get it out of the pocket. Bad if you're in a hurry to take it out. Also, the button lock is big and in just the wrong place. When I hold the knife in a normal front grip, the side of my thumb is on the button. There's no secondary lock on this one, and I could easily see the possibility of unlocking the blade unintentionally. Bad for the fingers. Then, it's too expensive. I know it just came out. For what it is, it's just too much money. For these reasons, I'm returning it. I also looked at the Otanashi noh ken and have already ordered one. It's bigger, not AO, liner lock and opening disk with secondary lock seems safer and less expensive."
 
The location of the lock release and it’s protrusion seems like an incredible design flaw.

Are you using it for defense or just regular carry? I trust James Williams’ hand to hand combat about as much as I trust my dog to go through an entire day without barking.
 
had intended to carry it as a defense weapon. Driving a truck, going to shady places. But not being able to get it out of my pocket easily is kinda like, "Sorry bad guy, hold on a second while I get my knife out." And the button release, "Ouch, ok, you win. I just cut my own fingers off!"
So it turned out to be an expensive fidget toy. Wouldn't rely on it for its intended purpose.
 
I have had one for a couple of weeks now. It's a good solid knife, with no play at all. I don't find that the button position is risky for accidental disengagement of the lock in any hand position that I can take on the knife. The button is surrounded by a raised lip that seems to effectively prevent casual depression of the button. The previous comment about difficulty removing from the pocket is plausible, but only proved true with one particular pair of pants that had a large seam at the pocket. That seam sat perfectly into one of the handle cut outs under the clip and made for a difficult draw. That could be rectified by filling that cutout with something, but it doesn't really affect the draw in any other pants, so I see it as a 'training' issue for myself. I find that the size of the knife seems to make my hand want to draw it as if it's a tip down carry for some reason, so I've been working on not pinching the top of the knife to draw it, and instead getting my index finger on the base of the clip to pull it up out of my pocket, thus getting my finger closer to the flipper as it comes out of the pocket. Incidentally, this adjustment to my hand position allows me to draw even if the knife sticks on the seam of my pants pocket, because I can spread the clip slightly with my index finger as I draw it out. It was expensive, but is a quality build, so overall I'm happy with it.
 
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