Emerson LaGriffe VS HideAwayKnives

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projectcantspray

Joined
May 17, 2005
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ok ...

so i decided to make a new thread with a proper title...

well, so far, it has just been a design issue for me : i like the look of the LaGriffe much better than the HAK.

but since its not really for me ... what are the main advantages of the HAK over the laGriffe ?

i don't know...just from the pictures, it seems like the LaGriffe would feel more securely in hand...but i guess the HAK must be very solid in hand when you make it into a fist since its like custom made...

its really hard to make a choice based on pictures ...

and if going with the HAK turns out to be a good idea...which one would you recommend for last resort self defense, the straight, claw, curved?



there's a price issue at hand as well...i can get two LaGriffe for one HAK, and as a student, it kinds of pull me to one side.

well, what are your thoughts on this ? pros and cons of both ?
i wish i could hold both and then decide ... oh well.
 
You have to first "try on" a HAK to truly appreciate the design.
Find one in your size, put it in/on your hand & you'll see.
 
haha...i'm getting slowly convinced of the HAK...

i really wish i could hold one, but i live (for school) something like 7 hours drive from the nearest town that sell knives (montreal), and i could bet they wouldn't even have an HAK.

that pass around thing could have been a good way, but i guess the fact i don't own a knife yet to trade would not help me.

thanks for your time, folks.

Anyone else with something more specific ?
 
HAK. The two finger capsule makes it easier to grab and easier to hold onto. You're also getting superior steel (S30V) and a dual bevel, which makes the knife better for utility work as well as SD. And you want to use it for utility work, so that a) you can practice drawing it from its sheath/holding it and b) you can honestly say, this isn't a weapon, I carry it for everyday utility use.

All three options will do just fine for SD. Depending on your sharpening skills/tools, the straight is probably best, since it's easiest to sharpen and you'll be more likely to use it on an everyday basis. Personally, I carry a Ken Brock curvy.
 
I own a LaGriffe and I like it a lot. I played with some HAK's at a knife show and honestly wasn't terribly impressed, although it may depend on the maker, etc. The sheaths were so tight the knife was nearly impossible to draw, although that can be fixed pretty easily. The blades were also microscopic on the ones that I handled, yet the sheath and handle combo made them as big as a LaGriffe, with about 1/2 of the blade size. But, there are a lot of different styles, so don't let my opinion sway you too much!
I don't think you can really go wrong either way, but that type of knife's usefulness depends highly on the sheath. I was one of the lucky ones who got a LaGriffe with a perfect sheath, so I've always been happy with mine, although I understand this isn't the normal experience people have with the Emerson sheaths!
If I were you, I'd find the blade style of HAK you like and order one in your size, make sure the sheath is perfect when you get it, skip the Emerson and contact Fred Perrin for an original LaGriffe and you'll be pleased as punch! :D
 
Chiro,

you own an Emerson LaGriffe, right ?

fred perrin's La Griffe seems a bit big and heavy for concealment, but they sure look awefully nice.

i guess once my lady is served with something more discrete, i could think about an original Perrin...

You know the price range for those anyway ?

thanks again for every post in here ... helps me ... in a way :P

project
 
Many types of La Griffe exist, Fred makes a semi-industrial version of it (of what I heard, he did it on a request from some military personel), made of 440C which is a decent steel and which costs about 80 euros (around $100). It's a slim version like the Emerson one, but with a bit more blade. Here you can find a list that will give you an idea of what you could ask from him:

http://www.couteaux-courty.com/cgi-...tion=view_category&database=courty&category=9
 
There are tons of different La Griffe configurations. I'm sure he could/would do a skeleton version much like the Emersin one without scales.

I can't find pics just yet, but one of Fred's business partners, Marco, who makes Fred's production knives (Jacob's Ladder, for one), makes the military version of the LaGriffe, which is totally different and not a La Griffe at all, actually. It's a cool knife with a great sheath, too. I've never seen them available except for the one I have, but maybe that's changed. I'll get a picture if you want...
 
yes, chiro, i'd really like a picture, if its not too much trouble.

well, i guess i really need to dig up on this Perrin personnal productions :)

whats a price range if I order from him, just out of curiosity ?


as for the lady ... i think i got convinced by the HAK ... I'll wait another day or two, just to make sure *grins*
 
The HAK is much smaller and lighter than anything else I've ever seen. It is pricey, but think about all the hand work there are in them?

Admittedly, the quality of the grinds are based on the skill of the maker/artist, but that is because they are handground.
 
i do totaly agree the artist work is worth its price.

i hope i never sounded like i was saying the HAK wasn't worth its price. I'm just not at the best of my financial times for now.

but as I said just above your post, i think i will still go with the HAK and just wait to find myself the proper LaGriffe instead of getting two Emerson LaGriffe for the price of the HAK.

thanks to you all on this topic, great assistance.

project

ps : one of the main features that make me go with HAK (right after the nice different sheath selection) is the trainer. 25$ is a bit expensive, i find, i could have used some sort of plastic thing, but oh well, its a price i'm ready to pay so she gets proper training. For ppl who never wielded a blade, i think its an important step.


ps : could someone explain to me what are the grinds ?
 
My finger will not fit into a LaGriffe. My HideAway fits perfectly.

Save your money and buy a HAK.
 
OK OK!! :p


contacted them today to get more information...


thanks to all...i'll let you know how I/she likes it in a couple of weeks i guess ! :)

anyone knows how long it takes from order to delivery ? just an indication ?
 
I have 3 HAKs and a LaGriffe. I like both designs a lot. Personally, I feel the LaGriffe is "easier" to actually get a hold of. Mainly because of a large single finger hole. I have found with the HAKs, that I have to make sure my fingers hit the hole at the right angle for quick easy access.

That being said, I wear a Ti HAK most of the time. The La Griffe is set up in a pocket sheath for when I am wearing nicer clothes.

Two great designs that you can't go wrong with.

I would go for the straight HAK if you get a HAK. A little more versatile and easier to sharpen.
 
I don't have a HAK and prolly never will for the money they go for!
I do have an Emerson La Griffe and I love it!
Thing is I carry the Spyderco SPOT a lot more as I find it a more useful utility knife shape and the slightly longer handle makes it easier for me to use!
I love the Cricket as well and this is a Fixed Blade Cricket with all the character the small blade brings,being a pressie doesn't hurt it either!
I'd check out a Spydie before laying out big bucks on a more custom jobbie!
If you like the style then invest, if this is a whim or impulse buy you'll be well served by the Spyderco and may never look further?
Suck it and see man!
 
Another me too for the HAk. Don't worry about the tight sheath - they wear in nicely pretty quickly and you'll be drawing the HAk in around 0.2 milliseconds in no time.

For EDC I'd go for the straight. You mentioned that $$ are tight, so just go for the S30V model. Although I have the Ti and it is awesome. For SD I'd go talon. FS has some nice sting type talons available on her site at the moment. Check it out.....

Greg
 
i'm sorry, but i am not familiar with talon... ?

are they made by HAK ? I cannot seem to find information about that on their site, anyway...

could you give me more info, please ?

Thank you,

project

edit : who's FS ? :(


edit : ok, i found the talon somewhere deep inside their website.
 
projectcantspray said:
ps : could someone explain to me what are the grinds ?
Click to expand...

The grinds depend on the artist who finishes the knife. Most of the HAKs are hollow ground, although there have been a few that were flat ground.

The majority are dual-hollow ground with a very few being chisel ground.
 
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