La Griffe vs HideAwayKnife

S

slight

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May 22, 2011
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When I look at these knives they just seem too practical. Being able to do things with your hand while still maintaining a grip on you knife? A knife that is basically impossible to drop? What is not to love?

So I have been trying to decide between the two models. I have heard great things about the HAK and really like the ring handle, but at the same time I have also heard amazing things about custom la griffes.

What do you think? Should I go for a custom griffe with micarta handle? ( I like the traditional shape better than emersons) Or get a hide away knife? Or the third option; the mid tech la griffe.

If anyone has had any of these blades please let me know how you liked them. I really cant decide which model i like better.
 
I have them both. And both are very cool, and yeah, practical. Though, I had custom kydex belt sheaths made for both because neck carry wasn't always practical for me. I find myself carrying the HAK more, but like the LaGriffe better. It's easier to grab for me and I like the design better. The only problem with the HAK is sizing. I had ordered one and to make a long story short, had to wait almost a year to get it (back in 2009). The guy in charge had sent me a different one to keep me sated while I waited - it was a bit tight and a little difficult to get properly in my hand efficiently. He said it was the same size as what I ordered. However, when I finally got it, it was oversized and moved around too much in my hand to properly control. I gave it to my father and kept the other, taking off paracord wrap to get a better fit.

I also have a LaShark, which I also like better than the HAK. But it is neck carry only, so not with me that often (sometimes tie it to my belt).

The custom LaGriffes have bulkier handles, which is something to consider. The HAKs are really small and easy to conceal, which is why I carry it more. I have one of the production LaGriffes and it is really thin, which works better for me.

It's preference really. If I could only keep one, it would be the LaGriffe. But I have no intention on selling any of the three. All three are unique in their own way. And as you mentioned, very practical. I think if you like one, you'll want the other.

Lev
 
The Emerson seems like it might be the better choice, but only by a slim margin.

For most people, the La Griffe design seems to offer more concealment options. The HAK is basically square, and I would be afraid it would "print", especially when wearing light fabrics.

Practically, for other than SD situations, the La Griffe seems like it would be easier to re-grip for general cutting.
 
The handles on the La Griffe work much better (equal security, better leverage) than the HAK.
 
Having bought something from the HAK website before, and not gotten what I ordered, and never gotten a response from emails (they had no phone number at the time) I wouldn't recommend doing business with them, ever.
 
I live in Canada and have ordered from HAK three times and have gotten what Ive ordered every time.
Every time Ive ordered I have sent William an email to kinda check in or whatever.

You can't go wrong with either knives. I personally like the HAK design better. The straight edge for both utility and SD. Sheath options there's tons. It's size, it's small and you can carry it just about anywhere. Plus it's looks. But it looks to me like you could get a better grip on the la griffe. I don't own both so I can't say for sure.
 
Slight, I don't know what you're going to use this knife for, but I'm going to take a moment to beat a dead horse.

Using knives for self-defense is likely to get you cut up almost as badly as your attacker.
An experienced attacker is going to make it as difficult as possible for you to get your knife/gun/martial art into the fight.
Even training in unarmed combat is no guarantee against injury.

If you do intend to use a knife (or anything else) for self-defense, train like your life depends on it.
Because it might!
 
I have the Emerson Lagriffe and it is a nasty little piece of steel. I would say given the blade shape etc it is definitely more "tactical" than "practical" but I see what you mean about the
HAK letting you use your hand while holding it. They have some more practical blade shapes and interesting carry/concealment options too. I like the HAK concept but have heard too
much negative stuff about the company to want to take the plunge. If you get one definitely post about your experience with them.
 
[Youtube]kv3lqo3IT5I[/youtube]
 
I would strongly consider Brous Blades Silent Soldier as well if you're considering these types of knives.
EDIT: Gotta excuse those prices in the pics. The first two pics were straight from his homepage.
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ssv2.jpg


l1000710.jpg


l1000711.jpg


l1000712.jpg
 
yea i like the first one harkamus. so that other hole is just for looks im guessing? they should of left a tab out so you could use it as a bottle opener.

so it looks like the le griffe is the way to go. i dont really carry neck knives, i put them in or clip them in my pocket. they carry well because they are so thin. im just going to use it as a edc blade. it just looks like a good edc blade. I am curious as to how they perform in the woods. hunting or camping. I have seen longish blade ones. i wonder how those work out. I think i am going to get a 2-3 im blade le griffe.
 
I was into small fixed blades and neck knives for a while and tried most of the popular models. Once I got my HAK, I sold the rest. There is simply no other knife that has as much retention on such a small and thin size. It's literally hands free, where one finger hole designs will start spinning around as soon as you open your hand. They also still rely on being gripped in your hand, while the HAK keeps your hand open for use and the blade remains in control the whole time.

The sheath is also excellent. For any fixed blade the sheath can be a deal breaker, as sending your newly arrived knife out for a custom kydex is annoying. I've had the knife dislodged from the sheath just once during neck carry - I was running to catch a bus at the time and I somehow pinched the HAK handle/loop between my chest and arm causing it to pull out from the sheath. I managed to stop it from falling on the ground, but it was held between my arm and stomach, under my shirt, with the blade exposed. And I was still running unsure of what just occurred. Once I realized what happened I was able to put the knife back in the sheath and hop on. I think the paracord wrap on the handle aided the bizarre event by gripping the shirt, so I've taken it off since. It does really disappear and become not moticeable when the wrap is off.

I had read some negative stories about the company before the management change, but havent heard anything bad after. My order arrived without any problems - was probably sometime last year. I'd order from them again; got the 440C last time, S30V is pricey from them, but there's no better design IMO.
 
I'd go with the Emerson. The custom LaGriffes are a bit rough. If the HAK doesn't fit you perfectly, it will be unconfortable (too tight), or unsecure (too loose). I got one after market, and ended up having to put two wraps of ungutted cord around it to get a secure fit, which made it quite thick. Maybe they're great if they size it for you specifically, but I know the EKI LaGriffe offers a secure/solid grip, and what I'd consider a better grip overall. -It's like a one-size fits all. Personally, I'm not big on the HAK, -though, admitingly not owning one made for me. Still, I doubt I'd choose a LaGriffe either way. If feel the HAK is gimmicky, while the LaGriffe is the real deal. -Put your finger in the hold, and hold on to the handle, simple.
 
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Siggyhk said:
I'd go with the Emerson. The custom LaGriffes are a bit rough. If the HAK doesn't fit you perfectly, it will be unconfortable (too tight), or unsecure (too loose). I got one after market, and ended up having to put two wraps of ungutted cord around it to get a secure fit, which made it quite thick. Maybe they're great if they size it for you specifically, but I know the EKI LaGriffe offers a secure/solid grip, and what I'd consider a better grip overall. -It's like a one-size fits all. Personally, I'm not big on the HAK, -though, admitingly not owning one made for me. Still, I doubt I'd choose a LaGriffe either way. If feel the HAK is gimmicky, while the LaGriffe is the real deal. -Put your finger in the hold, and hold on to the handle, simple.
Click to expand...

lol...you call that simple? how about not holding anything?

The biggest difference the HAK and La Griffe or similar designs is that the hand holding the knife is free to use. You can get a full palm grip on your light, gun, knife, w/e. You can grab material, catch yourself from falling, etc. without losing control of the blade. You can even swing your ASP baton with it in your hand, now you've got protection for your hands preventing the bad guy from possibly wrenching the baton out of your hand.

My first HAK was also an aftermarket too big for my fingers. It was okay, but definitely not great. Just as you wouldn't want to wear rings too small or big, the HAK needs to be sized for you. When sized right, it's as unobtrusive as wearing a couple rings. You literally just have a small blade growing out of your knuckles.

Sorry if I sound like a salesman for HAK, I just think it's really the best neck knife design out there. It's not the best for utility chores, but I think there's no better "tactical" knife at its size. It's definitely lighter than the La Griffe, making it less intrusive and noticeable wearing it on your neck all day. And I do wear it all day everyday...I wonder how many La Griffe owners do that.
 
Like I said before there's nothing wrong with both knives.

Just wanted to add that the HAK is far from "gimmicky" and in my opinion is also "the real deal". If you get one that is properly fit to your hand it feels like and extension of your body. And in all honesty if you had to wear one all day long for whatever reason you'd forget it was there after an hour.

Now if the HAK was made my Emerson I'm sure opinions would be different.

The HAK is good. The company who makes it...not so much.

Just wanted to add: There are multiple online store's that carry HAK's. So you can buy HAK.'s in your size risk free.
Shoot me an email if you wanna know where.

Here's a few pic's of my tiger stripe HAK.
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HAK3.jpg

HAK1.jpg
EDC1-2.jpg
 
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First of all, I'm far from an friend of Emerson knives, so you can think as you like, but you're dead wrong with your Emerson statement in my case. The LaGriffe is simply the better design. Secondly, the HAK is a gimmick. It won't be as secure as a LaGriffe, even if it fits your exact measurements, and the idea that you may need to hold something else in the same hand as you knife is BS in my opinion, and the gimmick the design is often sold on. I imagine it's also a good way to damage you fingers if the confrontation doen't work out like it might in your head. No, I'll take a handle (even if it adds slight weight) for my small defensive emergency knives, thanks. You buy and promote what you like too. -Maybe if HAKs weren't avalible with those neato Strider tiger stripes, opinions would be different...

frontline29, if I took your "made by Emerson" comment the wrong way, I apologize for bustin your balls about the tiger stripes.
 
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I've had both - and kept the Emerson La Griffe. The HAK is actually much harder under duress to get your fingers into the grip and draw with a full proper grip, whereas the La Griffe you can yank the handle and your index finder naturally goes into the hole.

The Emerson La Griffe is about as perfect for small defensive blade as you can get. I must pick up a Boker Mid-Tech La Griffe too and compare one day.
 
I like hawkbills in folders but i just dont really like the emersons le griffe. the blade shape just doesnt do it foe me. I want a larger one (not that big though) to use as edc and not a defensive blade. though i guess most people would press their edc knife into that role as needed. but that is besides the point.
 
One of the design applications for the Emerson La Griffe was for a minimally trained female to just "go nuts" on an aggressors face / neck / arms. Gross motor movement, secure grip from the design, and basically a clawing motion which rips. It's not a utility design and you don't need a long blade to do some fairly massive trauma to exposed surfaces.
 
Siggyhk said:
First of all, I'm far from an friend of Emerson knives, so you can think as you like, but you're dead wrong with your Emerson statement in my case. The LaGriffe is simply the better design. Secondly, the HAK is a gimmick. It won't be as secure as a LaGriffe, even if it fits your exact measurements, and the idea that you may need to hold something else in the same hand as you knife is BS in my opinion, and the gimmick the design is often sold on. I imagine it's also a good way to damage you fingers if the confrontation doen't work out like it might in your head. No, I'll take a handle (even if it adds slight weight) for my small defensive emergency knives, thanks. You buy and promote what you like too. -Maybe if HAKs weren't avalible with those neato Strider tiger stripes, opinions would be different...

frontline29, if I took your "made by Emerson" comment the wrong way, I apologize for bustin your balls about the tiger stripes.
Click to expand...

Doesn't sound like you've had much experience with the HAK - you already did say you've never had a properly fitting one. Your wording suggests you've never had a La Griffe either...

I'm not sure how you determine something affixed to your hand is a more secure grip than something you hold in your hand, but let's just say that part is upto the user's hand strength.

You talked about "damaging your fingers". What you don't realize is that fingers get damaged inside the finger loops due to the handle acting as a lever. Since the HAK doesn't have a handle at all, the only possible lever is the blade itself. For example, if you were to do some push ups with a HAK then a La Griffe in your hand, the HAK would be perfectly fine where the La Griffe would try to snap your index finger off.

I've also had the Spyderco Swick which is similar to the La Griffe and I personally preferred it a whole lot more - wharncliffe blade is easier to sharpen than hawkbill, full flat grind with v edge over chisel grind with chisel edge, S30V over 154CM, etc. It's just too bad Spyderco only chose to do them in sprints. Still, the same "finger problems" and it was already too heavy and big to be a practical neck knife. I obviously don't have the La Griffe and Swick anymore to weigh, but with their kydex sheaths(had a custom one made for Swick) they seemed to weigh at least 3 oz, where the HAK with the sheath weighs 1.8 oz including the chain. Again when it's dangling from your neck and bouncing around all day, it makes a big difference.

It's fine that you prefer the La Griffe over the HAK, but I wouldn't call it 'gimmicky' or a 'gimmick' based on limited experience. At the very least it's one of the top contenders in the category.
 
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