- Joined
- Feb 14, 2016
- Messages
- 1,692
I’ll preface this by saying that I don’t “review” knives. I don’t have a spectacular eye for minute details and no one should care about my opinions anyway. That being said, I happen to have 2 very similar knives at the moment, and thought they they warranted some comments and comparisons. As of today’s date, you can still pickup the Hawk’s version from TAD and I see the MK4s pop up with some regularity on the exchange.
Overall, I love both knives. I find the Dauntless platform visually appealing in its symmetry and, from a size prospective, these are right up my alley (3.5 in blade with under 3 in. cutting length). I am also a fan of finger choils. If the design, size, or choil doesn’t appeal to you, then these knives won’t be for you.
From a blade perspective, the Hawk version has the edge. It is in CTS-XHP vs. S35VN in the MK4. I like both steels very much. The Hawk version is ever so slightly longer, although it is almost impossible to tell in pics and matters little. The Hawk version also has a slightly smaller fuller. I am generally not a fan of fullers, but in almost any version of the Dauntless I like them for the symmetry they bring between the blade and the grooves in the handles. The jimping on top of the blade is noticeably softer on the Hawk version, although I din’t find either uncomfortable.
In terms of opening the knives and their locking mechanisms, the knives are very different. The MK4 is a thumb stud framelock on bearings and the Hawk version is a flipper with both the Hawk lock and their new toggle detent system.
The MK4 is the best thumb stud knife I have run across. The thumb stud is large, comfortable and not in the cutting path. Having the blade on bearings means that the blade flies open and when the lock is disengaged it falls shut with just the most gentle of shakes. Also, the framelock locks up completely solid and disengages without even a hint of lockstick. The jimping on the lockbar is soft and does not dig into your fingers either when disengaging the lock or in use.
The Hawk Dauntless is a tour de force of knife mechanics. The new toggle detent system keeps the blade shut hard with no danger of it accidentally being opened. Once the toggle is overcome by the flipper, the blade flies out. The thumb studs here are blade stops and cannot be used to open the knife due to the strength of the toggle detent. Because there is no detent resistance on the blade between open and closed, when you disengage the lock the blade falls with zero resistance until it trips over the toggle detent again just before closing. I apologize if I am not describing this well, but this setup is unique to the Hawks. It is unlike anything else out there (other than the Hawk/Panchenko Orbit). As I commented to
SpySmasher
once, the new toggle detent system feels like a significant innovation to me. You really need to feel it in use to appreciate it.
Ergonomically, I have to give the nod to the MK4. At least for my hands, the slightly larger handle fills the hand better. It is also more comfortable to use with the forward finger choil, although that is mostly due to the lack of a flipper tab. Speaking of the flipper tab, the MK4 is also slightly better in pocket, as it doesn’t have one. That said, the tab on the Hawk version is by no means a “pocket pecker”. From a pocket clip perspective, the MK4 is clearly ahead. It is a nice, long, deep carry clip with good retention. It also doesn’t create any hotspots in hand. The Hawk clip doesn’t create any hotspots for me either, although I don’t love the clip. I have 4 other knives with the Hawk clip, and I will say this is a very good version, particularly compared to the one they used on the CRK Ti lock. I just wish they would use something else.
In summary, these are 2 fantastic knives and despite their similarities, they have both earned a spot in my permanent collection. If you find knife mechanics interesting, then do yourself a favor and pickup the Hawk version. If you are looking for a fantastic frame lock with a wonderful action, then grab an MK4. I don’t think you would be disappointed with either knife as they are both great EDC options. If I could only keep one, the Hawk version would get the nod. I'm a knife mechanics/locks geek and this one has it in spades.
Overall, I love both knives. I find the Dauntless platform visually appealing in its symmetry and, from a size prospective, these are right up my alley (3.5 in blade with under 3 in. cutting length). I am also a fan of finger choils. If the design, size, or choil doesn’t appeal to you, then these knives won’t be for you.
From a blade perspective, the Hawk version has the edge. It is in CTS-XHP vs. S35VN in the MK4. I like both steels very much. The Hawk version is ever so slightly longer, although it is almost impossible to tell in pics and matters little. The Hawk version also has a slightly smaller fuller. I am generally not a fan of fullers, but in almost any version of the Dauntless I like them for the symmetry they bring between the blade and the grooves in the handles. The jimping on top of the blade is noticeably softer on the Hawk version, although I din’t find either uncomfortable.
In terms of opening the knives and their locking mechanisms, the knives are very different. The MK4 is a thumb stud framelock on bearings and the Hawk version is a flipper with both the Hawk lock and their new toggle detent system.
The MK4 is the best thumb stud knife I have run across. The thumb stud is large, comfortable and not in the cutting path. Having the blade on bearings means that the blade flies open and when the lock is disengaged it falls shut with just the most gentle of shakes. Also, the framelock locks up completely solid and disengages without even a hint of lockstick. The jimping on the lockbar is soft and does not dig into your fingers either when disengaging the lock or in use.
The Hawk Dauntless is a tour de force of knife mechanics. The new toggle detent system keeps the blade shut hard with no danger of it accidentally being opened. Once the toggle is overcome by the flipper, the blade flies out. The thumb studs here are blade stops and cannot be used to open the knife due to the strength of the toggle detent. Because there is no detent resistance on the blade between open and closed, when you disengage the lock the blade falls with zero resistance until it trips over the toggle detent again just before closing. I apologize if I am not describing this well, but this setup is unique to the Hawks. It is unlike anything else out there (other than the Hawk/Panchenko Orbit). As I commented to
SpySmasher
once, the new toggle detent system feels like a significant innovation to me. You really need to feel it in use to appreciate it.
Ergonomically, I have to give the nod to the MK4. At least for my hands, the slightly larger handle fills the hand better. It is also more comfortable to use with the forward finger choil, although that is mostly due to the lack of a flipper tab. Speaking of the flipper tab, the MK4 is also slightly better in pocket, as it doesn’t have one. That said, the tab on the Hawk version is by no means a “pocket pecker”. From a pocket clip perspective, the MK4 is clearly ahead. It is a nice, long, deep carry clip with good retention. It also doesn’t create any hotspots in hand. The Hawk clip doesn’t create any hotspots for me either, although I don’t love the clip. I have 4 other knives with the Hawk clip, and I will say this is a very good version, particularly compared to the one they used on the CRK Ti lock. I just wish they would use something else.
In summary, these are 2 fantastic knives and despite their similarities, they have both earned a spot in my permanent collection. If you find knife mechanics interesting, then do yourself a favor and pickup the Hawk version. If you are looking for a fantastic frame lock with a wonderful action, then grab an MK4. I don’t think you would be disappointed with either knife as they are both great EDC options. If I could only keep one, the Hawk version would get the nod. I'm a knife mechanics/locks geek and this one has it in spades.
