What do you guys think of HideAway knives?

[alphamaniv]

That is AWESOME! I can't beleive Ive missed it up until now I am having a hard time judging how many fingers go in the ring. I know some depeends on hand size but is it meant to be a 2 or 3 finger hold? I just might have to get one. The price listed on your site for a S30V seems more than resonable. thanks for any info and if the info is available and I just missed it, then I apologize. It's been a long night that is turning to morning :yawn:

 

[STUMP]

That is AWESOME! I can't beleive Ive missed it up until now I am having a hard time judging how many fingers go in the ring. I know some depeends on hand size but is it meant to be a 2 or 3 finger hold?

Your index and birdie finger go through the capsule. Make sure you follow the directions on www.hideawayknife.com for measuring your fingers. You won't regret getting one.

 

[frontsight]

alphamaniv, Your HideAway size is the circumference of your 2 trigger and middle fingers, held together and straight out.

The fancy measurer is on my website. Or, you can do the same thing by cutting out a narrow 1/2" strip of paper. Just measure the distance around your first 2 fingers (trigger and middle finger) where you would wear rings. Or around your knuckles if they are bigger. Mark it on the paper, and then measure the paper with a ruler.

You are using the narrow strip of paper like a measuring tape. Only it is actually better, because the made-in-China measuring tapes (which they all are) stretch and give incredibly inaccurate results. The Paper and ruler method is much better. Some people put a smidge of Scotch tape on one end of the paper and on their fingers to hold it there as they wrap and measure.

Neither add slack nor tighten it. It should be comfortably snug. It is what it is ;-). Please double check or you will be in trouble with me if you get it wrong and I cut steel.

Thank you for your interest in my knife.

FrontSight

 

[DumboRAT]

Please measure *_exactly_* as FrontSight cites on her website.

Following her directions to-the-letter will result in a superior fit ! I must admit that I had my doubts at first, but after the final product(s) arrived, lemmie tell ya, that measuring protocol is *_PRECISE_*, and your resulting HideAway will fit like a glove.



Allen
aka DumboRAT

 

[frontsight]

Just got some blanks from from the machine shop that is doing a great job at double-disk grinding and deburring and radiusing the edges of my blanks after waterjet. Some people say that surface grinding via double-disk grinding isn't really needed or is overkill for a fixed blade. That is probably true. But even flatness is good. The other thing they do that is really really important is not just debur the edges, but radius the edge to a certain spec. The capsule needs to be rounded but not too rounded.

The thing that is so cool about this step is seeing the finish that 8 hours in that massive vibrating machine puts on the blanks - they call it a 32ra finish. I think it looks totally bada*s. I spent $600 on a BurrKing thinking I could do it myself, and it didn't even come close after 12 hours in the machine. I'm rarely home for more than 12 hours at a time, and don't like to leave something like that running, so this machine shop is a godsend.

I think it looks like the finish on my stone-washed Microtech Vector. (probably achieved the same way)

Can anyone (a non-knifemaker!) guess what that thing is near those hideaway blanks above with the ON-OFF switch? (Hint: Jerry Hossom made me buy it.)

You don't get repeat customers and generate this kind of 'buzz' if your product doesn't work well. Period.

Getting feedback when someone initially gets theirs is one of the 2 the funnest parts. Everybody has a slightly different interp of and use for it than someone else. Working with the makers (aka the finishing artists, aka my concubines is the other funnest part.

Lastly, to make a living doing something you love....well that's just icing on the cake, isn't it?

Holy smokes, I wish! I have a full-time job, which I do really enjoy, even though I have a raised-by-wolves boss, because I am learning lots from him.

HideAway profits would make me starve. This is the classic example of variable cost vs fixed cost. On a per-knife basis, all my costs are reasonable, and I should have made lots of money by now. Or not lots but enough. However, taking into account batch fees at each step (ex: this surface grinding and vibrating step's $400 minimum batch fee whether 1 or 800 knives (which obviously I don't come close to), heat treat's batch fee), a couple times when process has gone astray, some HideAways have actually ended out costing me more than what I've sold them for. Thankfully that's only been a couple times. But the harsh truth from the spreadsheet is that I would be financially better off working an equal amount of time at McDonalds given the hours I've put into this. And I'm not just doing this for profit, but I do need that to keep doing new projects or more things that perfect this one. I only recently broke even on my startup costs after selling them more than a year, but 1 year to recoup startup costs is typical, so that's fine.

I do realize that the production route solves lots of these problems. It would be less work and more profit. A couple of companies have expressed an interest, and I need to respond to them.

Volume also solves lots of problems too. Kevin S. pointed me in the direction of an OEM-in solution too. (Thanks Kevin!) I should probably advertise. I haven't done any conventional advertising yet. All in all I have no regrets with any decision or how I've done things so far.

So isn't that the coolest finish!?! It's got tons of little micro-scratches in it and is very very smooth.

FrontSight

 

[Nosmo]

Can anyone (a non-knifemaker!) guess what that thing is near those hideaway blanks above with the ON-OFF switch? (Hint: Jerry Hossom made me buy it.)

Its a magnetic base, used by machinists anytime they want to connect test( dial indicator) equipment, to a solid metal surface.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

Well, I think these little things suck baby goats! They were designed for NO OTHER PURPOSE than to injure, harm, mutilate, and maul a knifemaker's fingers (particularly the thumb) while they are being ground. They are nothing more than a girl's way of taking out her frustrations and periodic hormone surges on the stronger sex. Notice, if you will, that there are no FEMALE collaborators. WHY? Because it's a damned female conspiracy, THAT'S WHY!!!

OK, now I'm better...

A few years ago I asked Rob Simonich about a design element in his Pikuni model. Why did he leave the handle a little heavier than I thought it needed to be? I knew Rob was a stickler for details in all his knife designs and I didn't understand why he did that. His answer, "because when you're using a small knife you are often doing several things at once with your hands and if the knife is perfectly balanced or blade heavy it will fall out of your hand unless you hold onto it. If the knife is a bit handle heavy, you can use the fingers of that hand with the knife resting in your palm."

At that time I had been making knives for a great many years and thought (that's a word something like assumed) I knew everything I needed to know about knife design. I didn't, and the lesson I learned that day is that I never will. I learned to open my mind a little and learn from those who may come to this area of interest with a fresh uncluttered mind, focussed on addressing a task or tasks in a way I hadn't contemplated. In my experience, though I have many times forgotten to walk the walk, an open mind is one of life's greatest assets.

Isn't it interesting that virtually everyone in this thread who has a Hideaway likes it? When was the last time you read a knife review in a general forum (excluding the groupie forums) where that was true? It damn sure never happened with one of my knives. Even if she is just a girl Fronsight did a pretty clever little design job with these blades. She's also taken remarkable care to never compromise the design. Consider how much easier her life would be if she offered maybe three or four sizes to fit all. She doesn't, every one is made exactly to the size required of each individual hand for every one made. EVERY single batch of blades requires a new cad/cam nesting protocol for the waterjet to accommodate the size variances in that lot. Every blade falling out of that sheet of S30V has someone's name on it. Pretty impressive, for a girl...

Even so, these damn things are a b*tch to grind. It took most of a week for my left thumb to heal after I did a few. Anytime you grind an edge that's less than the full with of the grinding belt, one thumb is going to be on or near the abrasive. The choices are simple, you can either grind off skin or burn it off from the hot steel - take your pick. Only a girl would design something this damned difficult to make, and only a girl could sweet talk us dumbasses into grinding them for her...

 

[Steven Roos]

Well, I think these little things suck baby goats! They were designed for NO OTHER PURPOSE than to injure, harm, mutilate, and maul a knifemaker's fingers (particularly the thumb) while they are being ground. They are nothing more than a girl's way of taking out her frustrations and periodic hormone surges on the stronger sex. Notice, if you will, that there are no FEMALE collaborators. WHY? Because it's a damned female conspiracy, THAT'S WHY!!!

I'd buy an Audra Draper HideAway...

 

[Art M]

FrontSight - you spent $600 at Burger King . My fault, I misread your last post.

Seriously though - I've been looking at these for some time now and I do believe it's time to place an order! Now for the hard part - deciding which artist and style to buy!

Art

 

[rawhide_clyde]

Jerry ya done it now! You'll get her all in a lather and she'll be girl spittin'. Better watch your six for FS and her pals Mo, Zam and Bique!!
Stay Safe,
Clyde

 

[STUMP]

Well, I think these little things suck baby goats! They were designed for NO OTHER PURPOSE than to injure, harm, mutilate, and maul a knifemaker's fingers (particularly the thumb) while they are being ground. They are nothing more than a girl's way of taking out her frustrations and periodic hormone surges on the stronger sex.

Even so, these damn things are a b*tch to grind. It took most of a week for my left thumb to heal after I did a few. Anytime you grind an edge that's less than the full with of the grinding belt, one thumb is going to be on or near the abrasive. The choices are simple, you can either grind off skin or burn it off from the hot steel - take your pick. Only a girl would design something this damned difficult to make, and only a girl could sweet talk us dumbasses into grinding them for her...

Preach on Brother Jerry! And she whines when I tell her that some of my fingers have went NUMB from grinding!!

 

[Sproles]

How many times/how often do you suckers check FS's website to see the "Status of My Order" section? I check my a few times a day. FS: when do you think the sheathing process will be done on my Midnight Gingrich Curvy? (I told you that I was impatient! )

Anyway - I am just wanting to "justify" my looney-toon-iss!

 

[homeslice]

Sproles, I'm in the same boat with you buddy! I check my status what seems like constantly, waiting for my midnight straight to be ready. I can't hardly wait to get it in my hands. Glad to hear I'm not the only one checking up.

 

[frontsight]

Its a magnetic base, used by machinists anytime they want to connect test( dial indicator) equipment, to a solid metal surface.

Nosmo wins! But Nosmo that's no fair; you are way advanced in this stuff!!

They were designed for NO OTHER PURPOSE than to injure, harm, mutilate, and maul a knifemaker's fingers (particularly the thumb) while they are being ground. They are nothing more than a girl's way of taking out her frustrations and periodic hormone surges on the stronger sex. Notice, if you will, that there are no FEMALE collaborators. WHY? Because it's a damned female conspiracy, THAT'S WHY!!!

wicked grin ::guilty head nod yes::

My favorite Jerry Hossom quote:
I was upset about how I had had this idea for a process improvement and it ended out being a $500 mistake. Jerry says is his low,even-toned,I'm-giving-a-lecture voice, "FrontSight, it's great that you think outside of the box about these things. But the next time you get an epiphany, please call me first."

I learned to open my mind a little and learn from those who may come to this area of interest with a fresh uncluttered mind, focussed on addressing a task or tasks in a way I hadn't contemplated. In my experience, though I have many times forgotten to walk the walk, an open mind is one of life's greatest assets.

I just thought I would quote this from my adorable concubine Mr. Hossom who **tried** to hide that compliment in the midst of severe sniping and whining! Can't take it back can't take it back!!!

She's also taken remarkable care to never compromise the design. Consider how much easier her life would be if she offered maybe three or four sizes to fit all. She doesn't, every one is made exactly to the size required of each individual hand for every one made.

True to this point, but never say never...

EVERY single batch of blades requires a new cad/cam nesting protocol for the waterjet to accommodate the size variances in that lot. Every blade falling out of that sheet of S30V has someone's name on it. Pretty impressive, for a girl...

re: every blade falling out has someone's name on that. **Literally** that is so painfully true! The worst thing I can hear from my waterjet man is "One fell through the grate." I dropped off my CD-ROM of MasterCAM layout for a cut before going on holiday. On the way back from the airport I called him. He said, "Oh - one fell through the grate." My response, "Well dive after it buddy!!" (after a blank falls through the grate, it falls into this wasteland of ick water that no one would want to wade through.) When one falls through, it takes me 1/2 an hour to find out who just got screwed! (because now they have to wait till the next waterjet cut.)

Only a girl would design something this damned difficult to make, and only a girl could sweet talk us dumbasses into grinding them for her...

Awwwww, that's just Jerry's way of saying that he loves me. ::hearts::

Jerry ya done it now! You'll get her all in a lather and she'll be girl spittin'. Better watch your six for FS and her pals Mo, Zam and Bique!! Stay Safe,Clyde

You tell him, Rawhide!!


And Sproles and Homeslice, just be thankful you aren't the BMstrong guy. He asked me one too many questions, and I decided to tell him to check his dots. Unfortunately, his dots resembled something like this...

I save the whip mostly for my concubines though. It makes them quiver.

FrontSight

 

[patrickb]

Frontsight, judging by the above post of yours, I can conclude that you are having *way* too much fun with all this :~) As a fellow New Englander (can people that live way up there in Bah Hahbah be called New Englanders?), I know from experience that we aren't fun people. We are rude, demeaning and arrogant...at least that's what my friends from the south call us.

Keep it up, I get a kick out of these posts and this thread has got some legs! If I hadn't just purchased my dream knife, I'd be buying one of your hideaways. Not it'll have to wait a month or so.

Green with envy,

-patrick

 

[Jerry Hossom]

I save the whip mostly for my concubines though. It makes them quiver.

Actually, it makes us horny...

We are rude, demeaning and arrogant...

I'd say that sums her up pretty well.

 

[frontsight]

Actually, it makes us horny...

Perv !!!

I'd say that sums her up pretty well.

Only when we are having a spat and you know that I'm right and you're...... less than right.

Hmm, to be more precise... if there are 8 shades of gray to every situation...2x2x2=8...which means it's a 3-bit world. Right = 1, wrong = 0. i.e. Jerry feels that way when FrontSight=111 and JH=000. :: geek humor ::

FrontSight

 

[frontsight]

(can people that live way up there in Bah Hahbah be called New Englanders?)

Hi patrick, People who live there year 'round are hearty-folk. New Englanders in general (not the city folk, the ones more in the country) are **really** hearty folks. Good to have around in a storm. I have never seen people have to work more year-round on fixing and maintaining their houses as they do in New England.

...at least that's what my friends from the south call us

hmmm Well I might be more southern than anything else actually.

FrontSight

 

[patrickb]

... I have never seen people have to work more year-round on fixing and maintaining their houses as they do in New England.
FrontSight

Boy do I know that one from experience. Just last year, my wife and I purchased a 250+ yr old saltbox style home here in Newburyport, MA, a little coastal town north of Boston and just south of the NH line (note, our first home). We aren't on the water, but we can see the 'Mighty' Merrimack river from the upstairs, master bedroom. Needless to say, there's always *something* to be done around here. But every time I go down into the basement and see those HUGE old beams that look like tree trunks and the old stone foundation, it makes it all worthwhile. I'm currently trying to research the history of the home. Pretty interesting stuff :~)
-pb

 

[Jerry Hossom]

OK, "rude, demeaning and arrogant" was/is a joke, people. Stop the hate mail. Frontsight and I like to kid around, and I was kidding around. Guess it was a little dry for some or used the wrong emoticon or...