Nighthawk Tanto. . . . . .

M

MCK

Joined
Feb 9, 1999
Messages
49
Hello, I posted a request in the review section of the forum for a review of this knife, but received no response. If any of the Buck fans here have experience with it--please share.
Thanks!
MCK

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It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
 
MCK,
I can give you my opinions of the normal Nighthawk. I don't prefer Tanto style blades, but the handle is the same as the others in the series. I've found the handle to be ergonomic and comfortable during camping trips with heavy use. I've abused mine to say the least (it's what I do) and it's held up well.

Jeff

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Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com

 
The guys at Buck did a good job designing the Nighthawk. I haven't had a chance to try the Tanto version yet. But I've used the heck out of my older one and it still performs well.
 
I like my Nighthawk too, but I also have the regular style. I find tanto shapes interesting, but not very utility friendly.
But I agree that the Nighthawk handle is very ergonomic. This is a very under-rated knife IMHO.Maybe if Buck charged the same prices as a few un-named "custom" tool steel knife makers the Nighthawk would be held in higher esteem ?
wink.gif

Just kidding, no flaming intended.

[This message has been edited by Brian Lavin (edited 25 April 1999).]
 
I've been using the heck out of a "Nighthawk" with the standard blade lately. I too consider this knife to be underappreciated by the knife community for some reason. I agree that if the price were doubled, the blade would get more respect.
The knife I've been using has held up very well under hard use and has also held an edge well. I came by this knife after the original owner had thinned out the edge somewhat, this may contribute to my good luck with the knife.
I was given this knife for free,(thanks again Clay) but wouldn't sell it for full retail after using it. That should make my opinion pretty clear.

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-Tim-

 
Thank you ALL for the input. I intend to use it for work and camping "abuse." So all the feedback was very useful. After hearing some mixed reviews about the steel used, I was glad to hear all these positive comments.
Thanks again!
MCK

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It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
 
One NTHWK Tanto en-route. I'll give this blade a spin and see how it holds up. Maybe I'll do a mini-review.
Say, would tapping the rear of the handle for a lanyard hole totally jeopardize the integrity of the handle--moisture problems, etc.???
MCK

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It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
 
The tang on the Nighthawk is not a normal rat-tail tang. It is almost as wide as the handle itself so you should be very careful drilling too close to the edge and having the drill breaking out of the plasitic.

The handle is Zytel, a real tough material with an Alcryn rubber overmold. The rubber attaches to itself through many tubes in the Zytel during the molding process so turns out to be a fully connected rubber sheath around the handle. No peel ups etc...

You could also damage one of these connections in drilling.

I will ask our engineering if they have a lanyard hole recommendation.
 
CJ Buck, Thanks for the help! I received the blade yesterday. I like the stout little bugger already.
wink.gif


Thanks again,
MCK
 
The Tanto is my best seller in the Nighthawk line. (3 to 1 over the others.) The feedback That I have gotten from my customers is all positive. The tanto point appears stronger than the point on the regular Nighthawk and that makes users lean toward this model. Also, while I am not particularly fond of that style of blade, there are a lot of knife users who are.

The Nighthawk, in general, is a great knife. I have seen them in the factory before the handles were shot on and the tang structure and size makes it a VERY strong knife. The tanto point, with its particular geometry, makes it even tougher. This model is a very good choice for a field/survival knife. Great for digging and scratching through the dirt for whatever reason, and that tanto point isn't likely to break. This thing is really like a prybar with a good sharp edge.

The grind appears to be more on a chopping angle than a "shaving" angle, which goes along with the theme of the blade. The wider angle will hold longer than a fine angle and won't require touch up as often. The down side is for those who like a really sharp edge. This knife just doesn't have that. Of course, that could be remedied by a good sharpener. The serrations on this knife are really good too. Enough of the blade is serrated to make it work on line and webbing, etc. Good job there.

Lanyard hole. By all means, PLEASE!!! I have talked to Navy Seals who say that they would buy this knife if it had a lanyard hole, and the type of knife it is, it seems that the hole should be there.

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Isn't it amazing how 2 cents worth of opinion takes up a quarter's worth of paper???

Please excuse the crayon. They won't let us have anything sharp in here.
wrightknife@ixpres.com

 
Dennis, that blade is stout. I burried the tip in some pine--VERY DEEP, with nary a smudge. I too, have every confidence in that tip.
I also went ahead and tapped it for a lanyard hole. NO problem at all! If you drill dead-center in the largest plastic area at the top-rear of the handle, it passes through pure, hard plastic. Perfect position for a lanyard hole, too.
This is a great knife for the budget minded knife lover!
MCK

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The only difference between bravery and stupidity is timing
 
The Nighthawks are all shipping now with our EDGE 2000, you should start to see them sharper than before. It still ends up being a strong edge because of the larger HG cross section, but it is sharper.
Seals have bought 200 of the small Tanto style Intrepid and seem to really like that model also. It has a lanyard hole and is field strippable for cleaning.
Jeff

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Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com


 
Will-do.
You're right, that plastic is very dense--I'm quite sure the hole will stand up to normal use, and then some. I WILL keep you posted.
Thanks for your help!
MCK

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The only difference between bravery and stupidity is timing
 
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