Hardcore Hardware Australia? Anyone owned one?

W

WereWolf185

Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Messages
51
Saw a few reviews and came across a buddy who had one. Was blown away by it with some stuff it handled. Was a little thrown off by choice of steal. Owned D2 steel knives and LOVED them when heat treated correctly. I may purchase a few of those. My friend was a scout sniper who served in the Middle East and he swears by it. Man knows his blades as well and said that HHA spent a small fortune on R/D for heat treat and to figure out right was to use the D2 for hawks.

While I may take the plunge for one of their blades regardless of what is said I want to see if anyone here has had actual experience with one of their hawks. No groupy stuff or hate, just facts and experience. This will be a gift we are going halves on for a good friend about to deploy. Thanks in advance for any help.

-WereWolf
 
HHA%20LFT01-02.jpg


This is the one I was leaning towards. Good lookin hawk. Fairly well reviewed but I feel like random site reviews by everyday people isn't what I am looking for. I am more looking if any of you fine gents has had one in the field or brush or hard camping.

-WereWolf 185
 
527297_214891205293169_1542730971_n.jpg


Here is the BFK, a little wary about dropping 300 on it though. The Tomahawk LFT is the main concern for now though. Like I said I trust my buddy Joe and his judgement but if I am gonna send one with our friend on deployment would like to get some constructive input.

-WereWolf185
 
HHA seems to have very little online presence, including here. There are a couple of short threads but not much. I have handled their tomahawks at a knife show and cut myself on one but that's as far as my experience goes. I like the look and feel of their stuff too...although the BFK isn't quite my taste (not to mention it's huge).

I'm hoping one day someone posts a comprehensive review! :) Actually, since they're an Aussie brand I'd love to see a glowing comprehensive review proclaiming how awesome they are - I guess we will have to wait and see :D
 
Hey there Werewolf, new member but I actually handled one at the Atlanta blade show. Very nice and good looking stuff. As for the steel for tomahawks you are right, I think 5160 or another steel may have been a better choice. Try 2hawks or RMJ. Only complaint I hear from 2hawks is the handles are wooden which looks great and are good for throwing but if your friend is going on deployment an all steel construction may be a better bet. I did email the HHA reps down under and the aussie forums have some info on the heat treat. The debates on forums about heat treat seem endless, but it does seem like HHA put quite a bit of thought into it.

I actually bought their BFK knife with G10 scales for use in my Zombie pack :D . I really like it so far as a knife so when it comes to knives I highly recommend them. With work and school I just have not had time to properly put it through the paces. Maybe if you get a knife you could do one? ;) Or use your friends hawk for one?
 
Thanks Bladegurll. I like the look and feel of the hawk. You have a BFK? Nice, I am leaning towards the smaller MFK03 if I can find it stateside. How does it handle for a big knife? Hows the edge? Weight? Is the saw any good?

Biggest thing is that to get anything out of Australia there are A LOT of fees and the only distributor I can find has them marked up a bit. Emailed them about any other retailers that may carry their stuff. If I get my hands on the MFK03 a review would be cool! I just might do that. I might just borrow my buddies hawk for a camping trip or something and beat it up a little to see if I like it. Will keep you guys updated.
 
Chris how did you cut yourself? A bone head moment? Or is it that sharp? LOL. I would poke fun but I did the same thing with a guy from Blind Horse knifemakers at the Indy Gun and Knife show last weekend. Just wasn't thinking while I was marveling at the shiny knife haha. Bladegurrl I actually own a 2hawks, great throwers and all around camping. Have it in my B.O.B.. Awesome fighter hawk as well. Saw a vid where a guy cut though an old refrigerator. I have broken the handle a few times though so I carry a spare handle as well. Easy fix and a paracord/rawhide wrap has helped but you are right, NOT something I was my buddy to worry about if he should need it military wise.

If I can find a retailer or anything that looks promising I will post it to here. Thanks again.

-WereWolf185
 
Awesome!!! Yeah I love it, great to show off too. I have heard of blind horse, anywhere I can look at them? The BFK is BIG. Always do my best crocodile dundee impersonation. "That's not a knife... THIS is a knife." 12" long. not too heavy surprisingly but the blade is quite think. Like that smaller blade! MFK04? Couldn't find it. Where did you see it? Not on the site. Would be interested. The BFK is great but not practical to carry ever. WOuld be nice if you found something. Keep us posted!~
 
Sorry bladegurrl it is actually the MFK03. The 04 is different with tooth like serrations on the edge instead of the flat saw tooth serrations on the spine. Just ordered the 03 for myself. For $250 in D2 I would say it is not a bad purchase. I will post a comprehensive review as soon as I can! Gonna put it through the ringer for sure. Will give the tomahawk a shot over the weekend before I commit to it. Let you guys know how it goes.
 
Facts: D2 is not a good choice for hawks, and wouldn't be high on my list for knives.
Their products appear to be asian imports, like Downunder knives, maybe in this case the company is headquartered in Australia, if they were actually made in Australia they would be sure to mention it, and they do not.

The knives also look very strideresque
 
A Bonehead Moment is a great way to describe how it happened :) It was pretty sharp and I knicked myself while reaching for something else on the table.
I have heard (but could be mistaken) that HHA have their stuff made overseas but is finished and quality controlled in Australia. Given the cost of manufacturing here Im not surprised and as long as it is a good product I dont really mind. It would be great if we could have a larger knife manufacturing industry but I just dont know if it is economically viable. Some great brands outsource manufacturing overseas so I don't think that alone is an issue.

There are plenty of people who have questioned HHA's use of D2 but I haven't yet seen a negative review; that is one of the reasons why I would love to see a user review.

From memory the BFK was heavy and thick behind the edge. Still quite sharp (although I didnt leave any blood on that one).
 
Rat Finkenstein you raise some interesting points. I have emailed with a few people on their end and they have been very forthcoming. I will be sure to ask about those things and see if I can get a straight answer. Strideresque? I can sort of see it. I have not had the best of luck with Strider but always loved the look of their blades so I guess that is not a terrible thing?

Chris Larrikin you are right, outsourcing is done a lot and as long as it is a good product no worries. I am iffy on the hawk using D2, luckily my friend is letting me borrow it so I can beat it up without risking my own money and find out for myself (don't call me names! He said I could and that the hawk comes with a lifetime warranty. Kinda cool I suppose?) Any requests on testing I should do? Within reason of course, just because it is not mine does not mean I want to purposely try to make it break but I for sure want to push it. I saw one where it breaks a cinder block and scoffed. Anything can do that!? Gonna go hard at it with wood, maybe some old metal sheets I have and some deer bone from a hunt.

I have had a few good knives and made a few good ones out of D2 so I am VERY excited about the knife despite my misgivings about the hawk. All of this is mere conjecture. I will be sure to let you guys know what they respond with and post a review as soon as I can! As I tell my M/P personnel who I teach to, "You can argue methods all you like, you CANNOT argue with results." If it fails it fails, I will let you all know.
 
Be sure to let us know what you hear Wolf! That is a little strange but as Chris said there are plenty of fine products that are outsourced. Their site sayd that they apply the finish and heat treat in house. If the blade is well made and the heat treat/finish done right that is all I care about. Looking at my BFK I see nothing wrong with the cutting and detailing. I wanna see the hawk review! :) Like Finkenstein said D2 may not have been my first choice. So unless they did something truly special I don't see it workin? I cannot speak for that though. I have only used their knives and am very happy with my purchase. I am thinking of doing a review myself on it since I havent had a chance to really work it. This thread got me interested in seeing what it can do.
 
Yeah bladegurl that would be awesome!

Ok so here is what I have learned:
HHA is owned in actuality by Aussie Knifemakers Guild Member Bob Wilhelm. He is a well respected Aussie custom knifemaker and this is him jumping into production knives. Their response was polite and detailed and made no excuses for outsourcing laser cutting and all materials are outsources to European countries and the US. The heat treat and finish are indeed all done down under and they are in the process of moving ALL operations to Australia for simplicity and to create jobs. I felt like they did not answer the China question so I asked on facebook and received the response that they DO NOT operate in China. Many Aussies jumped to their defense (mostly military that uses their products and have experience with them) saying that if a guy like Wilhelm says it to trust that given his reputation. That being said another reply email assured me that everything is highly quality controlled and that they stand by all products with a lifetime warranty.

Found some reviews made stateside by respected blogs and sites. I found them to be inadequate and they left a lot out so I will take what they started and go next level with it. I will be sure to post a review by next week and a link to it in this discussion.
 
Hey everyone, to clarify I am in no way affiliated with HHA. I know when people say that it usually means that they are lying but I really am not. I do teach defensive tactics and run a martial arts/ MMA school in Indianapolis and sell gear and custom/production stuff in my area. For now I am just attempting to find out info on a product for a gift. Don't know about you guys, but I do not lightly drop hundreds of dollars. ;)

If at any point I like their stuff and positively review it to the point I acquire some items for sale I will be sure to say so and post in the appropriate section of bladeforums with the correct membership. At this time, please no more private messages requesting "the truth" or trying to get me to sell gear and hardware I do not yet own and am not affiliated with.

Keep you guys posted on any progress.
Werewolf
 
Well at this point I hate to beat a dead horse, but I do like to see sources etc whenever possible. Here is a comment officially stated from HHA and their people on another forum. They come off a little harsh at times if unapologetic. I kind of like the honesty and how forthcoming they are and do not see any issue with what they said? Too much b.s. in the knife making game, good to see someone tell it straight for once and looking forward to making a review for you guys. Response follows:

In response to antonio_luiz

Thank you for your email and advice. We have heard that there are some issues on the forum, unfortunately the team here has little to no time to spend following the commentary. When we can, we will get in contact with the Forum owners and hopefully join up in a corporate capacity (should such an avenue exist). We're juggling a number of roles between a small group of dedicated Directors and staff, there just aren't enough hours in the day.

We are constantly asked by competing brands and or start up's directly and indirectly on how we do what we do, but like any savvy group of business people we reserve the right to protect our intellectual property. Please understand the intent in which this is meant.

To be honest we have worked long and hard to find a solution that produces high end products at an affordable price point for our target markets, this is evidenced both in the quality of our actual products and market response to date. Those that own and use our tools understand this and we are rewarded by them for their faith in our products/brand and feedback they
offer.

I can tell you that all HHA tools are designed and developed 100% in Australia. We use only the very finest of materials in the production of our designs. As part of a number of production processes, premium quality D2 tool steel (BOHLER K110/AISI D2), is sourced from the very best merchants in Europe and/or the US. We have our steel CNC cut and surface ground off-shore with finishing in Australia using Australian content/labour.

Off-shore content/components are sourced from first world industrial Nations. HHA only uses milspec fittings & materials in the fabrication of its carry systems and tool handles, for example our kydex, G10 and tactical nylon including para-cord and Cordura are made in the USA.

The manufacture of our product is complicated as it comprises both local and imported materials, those that state or imply that our products are made in say Country 'A' or Country 'B' make a false statement and should consider this. In our opinion the manufacture of any product is only one piece of the puzzle in creating and developing a successful brand and superior product line backed up by impeccable service.

For those in the market primarily concerned about country of origin, we would suggest that they try and evaluate the product on its merits before making a judgment based on preconceived opinions about offshore content.

We are at this time unable to 100% manufacture and bring to market a price competitive product capable of superior performance - as I'm sure you can appreciate the costs are exorbitant. As our company grows and with sustained investment, our intent is to bring more manufacturing back to Australia until it's a fully Australian made product.

We are very serious at Hardcore Hardware Australia about the quality of our tools and brand - we stand behind what we do 100% with a solid warranty policy.

Attached is our general information sheet. If after a thorough review of our website and attached you still have questions, please advise and we will endeavour to be of further assistance.

Best regards

Sales Team

Hardcore Hardware Australia
 
Since they don't say who makes the blades, or rather what country, you have to assume China. (not that china can't do good work, it's just cheaper)

Nothing affordable about a paracord handled knife for $300.
 
A major distributor of mine recently added their line, so I imagine they'll be much easier to get pretty shortly.
 
WereWolf185 said:
Hey everyone, to clarify I am in no way affiliated with HHA. I know when people say that it usually means that they are lying but I really am not. I do teach defensive tactics and run a martial arts/ MMA school in Indianapolis and sell gear and custom/production stuff in my area. For now I am just attempting to find out info on a product for a gift. Don't know about you guys, but I do not lightly drop hundreds of dollars. ;)

If at any point I like their stuff and positively review it to the point I acquire some items for sale I will be sure to say so and post in the appropriate section of bladeforums with the correct membership. At this time, please no more private messages requesting "the truth" or trying to get me to sell gear and hardware I do not yet own and am not affiliated with.
Click to expand...

Welcome. But it certainly sounds like you may, at some point in the future, be selling their products...affiliated or not. One might get the impression given your eBay presence and that you have taken this topic to other knife discussion sites that you might be attempting to drum up some interest in the product.

Of course that could be way off base.

That said, that BFK screams Strider (or Cold Steel Strider copy). And also, if they are so forthcoming and "no b.s."...then why are they unwilling to state where their knife is manufactured?

I do look forward to your review, maybe it will change my opinion of sawbacks (silly) and 'hawks (designed as weapons, not camping tools). :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top