As you probably know there are a number of videos out there of James Williams driving this knife through tough targets with his palm reinforcing the thrust on the pommel. That is how he designed it to be used with no guard. However it's grippy enough to use in more traditional holds as well. Great and thorough review. I've got one and enjoy having it in the collection! 👍🗡️👌
@@tacticaltavern Blade design is very personal to me. I teach and work directly with many of those who use blades in their "day" job. Form, function and materials are always considered because I know that with most of my designs lives are depending upon them.
Big fan of this blade shape. I also dig the “neutral” handle. Gives all kinds of grip options. Thanks for the great review. Gonna have to pick one up now.
I'm a big fan of trailing point style blades.I recently acquired one of these and it is truly nasty pokey slicey thing. Very well designed fighting knife. The balance is about perfect and it is very nimble and quick. The SK5 and the great heat treatment make it tough enough for many other uses, but yeah this is a weapon, and it is a very good one.
I'm a huge fan of James Williams blades! I want to pick this up. I have a WBD HZO 003 and a HZK 004. This is a cheaper version of them but nonetheless a nicely made and effective version.
I would love to have the coating and the handle on my Hisshou! Some of the CRKT models really deserve more premium versions with more expensive "super steels" and handle materials.
Hands don't typically run up on the blade. They've used traditional puukkos with wooden handles and no guards for centuries, and similar knives like the Germanic seax throughout history, and killed probably more people with them than with any knife that isn't from the kitchen... lol. Tactical knives are rarely used for fighting even if they might in theory be the best for it.
I have an Otanashi No Ken. It's from tbe Ken Williams line. I love it. This is a NASTY blade and grear for winter self protection. It'll pierce about anything someone can wear. Soft armor included.
Please purchase and review: Fox 826 Pikal Reverse Folding Karambit. I purchased one few weeks ago and I love it to death! I EDC it everyday and everywhere. Best Pikal ever made. I think you will love it. Hopefully it will be re stock soon.
I hope they make a bigger one, like the hisshou only with this handle.. altho if they brought back that line with the sakimori and shinbu I’d prolly invest in each of them
I've been wanting this knife since it came out. In tantojutsu, there is a lot more holding the knife in reverse grip with the blade out. The tanto, not being as long as a wak or kat, isn't quite as good for slashing (although Williams' blades seem to lend themselves more to slashing than most). The tanto is largely designed for penetration first, and slashing second. With the HZ6, you can slash in reverse grip or conventional grip, but stabbing is probably better done by reverse grip. Anyone carrying this knife should take it up on themselves to learn a bit of tantojutsu, to better employ this elegant knife. I particularly like the many ways it can be concealed.
I've noticed in looking at some of Williams' earlier designs along similar themes (even earlier versions made by CRKT) that the 'ito' x-design molded into the scales aligned to the overlarge 'gimping' on the edge of the handle. I was thinking that it might be worthwhile to file the X's down and lash some paracord into them to tone things down a bit. But with this particular version of the hira zukuri, the X's don't appear to line up to the gimping consistently. I guess CRKT has decided that little details like that don't matter anymore?
Are you interested in doing any Laci Szabo stuff like his Spyderco collabs or the Szabo Express from TOPS? Really love the look of the latter and would enjoy your input on it.
@tacticaltavern Can't imagine anyone else hyping them up and giving people a more informative opinion. I ended up buying a TKell Nightstalker CQC thanks to your review.
Now I got a new fillet knife to get. I love these tactical filet styled knives, since I do butchery. Do you have a code for us to use so we may tell them you referred us?
Me too and I appreciate you asking! No discount code at this time but if you use our Blade HQ link it certainly helps support the channel 🙏🏼 Here: shrsl.com/4492c Cheers 🎊
Makes a great filet knife and fish camp knife. Keep a light coat of oil on it. Especially in coastal areas. This helps preserves the coating. It needs it. Youll need to carry a true camp knife as well for harder tasks but thats true with any camp trip. The self defense aspect of this style is really good and applicable but id rather clean fish with it. Easier to wash fish blood off than....just kidding. Good review and really good knife. Thanks.
James Williams is the king of mall ninja but thats why we love him. There just arent enough knife designers, strangely enough, who just do these kinds of knives so boldly and openly (especially at this price point). There is no shame or obfuscation. He doesn't try to market them as featherstick knives. His designs are extremely honest. A little cringe, but honest. These are all the blades we would be designing if we were in his position.
Had this and a Yukanto. I dont think these things are durable enough for self defense extremely thin tips. Williams has better knives made for actual combat or blade fighting.
I think guards are helpful but not always necessary Do I prefer them? Yes but I understand the philosophy behind this ancient design What steel would you have liked to see on here?
I will say that he mentioned several reasons why he likes it without the guard, and I see a lot of positives (and a few cons) in having it either way. Great points from both of you, and like most things in the knife world, it just comes down to personal preference! I’d personally prefer a small guard too but I still want one of these like crazy.
@@tacticaltavern I think that if you're using a 5" knife for stabbing then you've got 5"inches of anything going wrong. If you hit a bone or you flinch then you are getting stitches if you're lucky, major hand surgery if you aren't. Even if you don't do a guard then a simple finger choil can do the job too. The design dictates use, rather than use dictating design. As for steel they could've done CPM 3v for this price. Cold steel gives you a bigger blade for near the same price with CPM 3v.
No guard for a reason. First you don't need one if you know how to handle and use the knife properly, second guards get caught on gear or clothes, it seems especially likely when under duress. I blame Murphy's Law. Keep it simple, survive.
@tacticaltavern I bought a cold steel SRK in SK5 for about 40 bucks. It also has a lot of steel, granted it is a different style knife. I own an otanashi noh ken and a heiho by Williams and I really like the style and blade profile. I just feel it's a little steep for that knife as awesome as it looks. I really missed out by not buying a yukanto before they were discontinued.
Hey bro.... Did you want fries with that Whaaaa-mburger? I don't disagree with most of this but a couple things are a bit exaggerated because of obvious butthurtness from an entitled mind. The board isn't perfect but it's so close to riding fresh powder on a snowboard, it's life changing for me. It's expensive but worth every penny. I pre-ordered my GT as well. I had footpad issues and have modded the footpad sensors out of the picture. Never ghosted. It's true that future motion is a shit company that builds some well built and durable and unique boards. Again... I fukcing HATE future motion. Fukc Future Motion. 2500 miles on my GT... never had this charge port plug that you somehow believe is a necessity... Anyway, 2500 miles still on stock tire. Only issues were footpad . Despite zero help from the company, I absolutely can't not have a one wheeled board. When this one takes a shit, I'll build my own. All the other forms of PEV are practical and even fast but they all carry a hefty dorky feel factor. I hate feeling dorky.
Get your CRKT HZ6 and other Williams Blade designs here at Blade HQ: shrsl.com/4492c
As you probably know there are a number of videos out there of James Williams driving this knife through tough targets with his palm reinforcing the thrust on the pommel. That is how he designed it to be used with no guard. However it's grippy enough to use in more traditional holds as well. Great and thorough review. I've got one and enjoy having it in the collection! 👍🗡️👌
I love those videos!
You rock brother- thanks for sharing your insights 👊🏽🔪🔥
Thank you for the excellent review. If anyone has questions that I can answer please ask.
Thank you very much! 🙏🏼
Appreciate you watching and offering your insights 👊🏽🔪
Love your blades
@@tacticaltavern Blade design is very personal to me. I teach and work directly with many of those who use blades in their "day" job. Form, function and materials are always considered because I know that with most of my designs lives are depending upon them.
Big fan of this blade shape. I also dig the “neutral” handle. Gives all kinds of grip options. Thanks for the great review. Gonna have to pick one up now.
Thanks for watching! Hope it serves you well 👊🏽🔪
I think the shape is unnecessary. Unless you want to stab through body armor maybe you dont need such a pointed tip.
Great review as usual. Discreet Carry Clips are fantastic.
Yes they are!
Very good and articulate review. Well done hermano.
Thank you very much! Truly appreciate you watching and commenting 🙏🏼
Good knife
Purchased when first came out.
I'm a big fan of trailing point style blades.I recently acquired one of these and it is truly nasty pokey slicey thing. Very well designed fighting knife. The balance is about perfect and it is very nimble and quick. The SK5 and the great heat treatment make it tough enough for many other uses, but yeah this is a weapon, and it is a very good one.
I'm a huge fan of James Williams blades! I want to pick this up. I have a WBD HZO 003 and a HZK 004. This is a cheaper version of them but nonetheless a nicely made and effective version.
I would love to have the coating and the handle on my Hisshou! Some of the CRKT models really deserve more premium versions with more expensive "super steels" and handle materials.
I totally agree!
Hands don't typically run up on the blade. They've used traditional puukkos with wooden handles and no guards for centuries, and similar knives like the Germanic seax throughout history, and killed probably more people with them than with any knife that isn't from the kitchen... lol. Tactical knives are rarely used for fighting even if they might in theory be the best for it.
Facts!👏🏽👏🏽
I'm not watching your videos anymore. You get me into trouble everytime. I have to constantly lie. "What? Ive had this knife. It's not new " 😂 6:24
Hahahha that is a really good one or “I traded it for another knife” has saved the day a few times 😂🙌🏽🍻
Appreciate you watching 👊🏽🔪
Same 😂
I have an Otanashi No Ken. It's from tbe Ken Williams line. I love it. This is a NASTY blade and grear for winter self protection. It'll pierce about anything someone can wear. Soft armor included.
Absolutely effective design!
I know I love mine. It's honestly a great knife! I've had a lot of luck with their SK5 steel. 👍
Love to hear it!👊🏽🔪
Please purchase and review: Fox 826 Pikal Reverse Folding Karambit. I purchased one few weeks ago and I love it to death! I EDC it everyday and everywhere. Best Pikal ever made. I think you will love it. Hopefully it will be re stock soon.
Yes that is top of the list now to get one 🔥
@@tacticaltavern You will love the Fox Pikal :)
I hope they make a bigger one, like the hisshou only with this handle.. altho if they brought back that line with the sakimori and shinbu I’d prolly invest in each of them
Right!? I only have the Shinbu and I wish I got more!!
Right now you can get something similar from Williams Blade Design
I've been wanting this knife since it came out. In tantojutsu, there is a lot more holding the knife in reverse grip with the blade out. The tanto, not being as long as a wak or kat, isn't quite as good for slashing (although Williams' blades seem to lend themselves more to slashing than most). The tanto is largely designed for penetration first, and slashing second. With the HZ6, you can slash in reverse grip or conventional grip, but stabbing is probably better done by reverse grip. Anyone carrying this knife should take it up on themselves to learn a bit of tantojutsu, to better employ this elegant knife. I particularly like the many ways it can be concealed.
I've noticed in looking at some of Williams' earlier designs along similar themes (even earlier versions made by CRKT) that the 'ito' x-design molded into the scales aligned to the overlarge 'gimping' on the edge of the handle. I was thinking that it might be worthwhile to file the X's down and lash some paracord into them to tone things down a bit. But with this particular version of the hira zukuri, the X's don't appear to line up to the gimping consistently. I guess CRKT has decided that little details like that don't matter anymore?
Great review,thanks!
Thanks for watching!🙌🏽⚔️
It looks like a nice boot knife 😊
Wish they made a smaller one you could edc like the 3.5 or 4inchwilliams zururis
Agreed 100%😤
I was thinking the same.That would be good if they kept the same handle and blade thickness.
One is in the works.
@@SystemOfStrategy thanks!
I don't need this knife but I might buy it anyway
Thats wild looking, like a reinforced fillet knife. Perfect for indoor amateur fruit ninja
Fruit ninja!!😂😂😂
I just had James on my pod again
Nice!
What’s your pod?
@@mluga701 my youtube
Are you interested in doing any Laci Szabo stuff like his Spyderco collabs or the Szabo Express from TOPS? Really love the look of the latter and would enjoy your input on it.
Absolutely! I just have to get my hands on them 😂
@tacticaltavern Can't imagine anyone else hyping them up and giving people a more informative opinion. I ended up buying a TKell Nightstalker CQC thanks to your review.
Now I got a new fillet knife to get. I love these tactical filet styled knives, since I do butchery. Do you have a code for us to use so we may tell them you referred us?
Me too and I appreciate you asking! No discount code at this time but if you use our Blade HQ link it certainly helps support the channel 🙏🏼 Here: shrsl.com/4492c
Cheers 🎊
Makes a great filet knife and fish camp knife. Keep a light coat of oil on it. Especially in coastal areas. This helps preserves the coating. It needs it. Youll need to carry a true camp knife as well for harder tasks but thats true with any camp trip. The self defense aspect of this style is really good and applicable but id rather clean fish with it. Easier to wash fish blood off than....just kidding. Good review and really good knife. Thanks.
Awesome! Its great for processing all sorts of meats 😏🤣🙌🏽⚔️
James Williams is the king of mall ninja but thats why we love him. There just arent enough knife designers, strangely enough, who just do these kinds of knives so boldly and openly (especially at this price point). There is no shame or obfuscation. He doesn't try to market them as featherstick knives. His designs are extremely honest. A little cringe, but honest. These are all the blades we would be designing if we were in his position.
Why cringe?
@@bernardbarr2354 The ninja theme his knives tend to have. It's just a joke.
@@KatoCoyoteCombatWorkshop more of a Samurai theme
@@bernardbarr2354 Let's meet in the middle and call it a pre-Meiji Era Japanese warrior theme.
@@KatoCoyoteCombatWorkshop good stuff
Great review
Thank you sir!
I'm just would like to know what this cost?
Did I mention pricing in the video?
Is it hair shaving sharp?
Yes!
Why do you like this better than the hissatsu?
Blade steel holds an edge longer, handle is more textured, it is slightly compact with a more versatile geometry
Why this over the hissatsu???
Great question
Steel, size, and feel in hand- much more balanced
Thanks for the reply and your videos.
Can send Indonesia?
Do you know the ANV M06?
Yes!
@@tacticaltavern did you already hold it in Hand ?
Yes at Shot Show -Very cool design
25% heavier than my Austrian made genuine military issue Glock FM78, and with a very vulnerable tip. And made in China...No thanks.
Had this and a Yukanto. I dont think these things are durable enough for self defense extremely thin tips. Williams has better knives made for actual combat or blade fighting.
If it's a purely combat knife it needs a guard. I think that's a major fail. For the price I'd have liked a better steel too.
I think guards are helpful but not always necessary
Do I prefer them? Yes but I understand the philosophy behind this ancient design
What steel would you have liked to see on here?
I will say that he mentioned several reasons why he likes it without the guard, and I see a lot of positives (and a few cons) in having it either way. Great points from both of you, and like most things in the knife world, it just comes down to personal preference! I’d personally prefer a small guard too but I still want one of these like crazy.
@@tacticaltavern I think that if you're using a 5" knife for stabbing then you've got 5"inches of anything going wrong. If you hit a bone or you flinch then you are getting stitches if you're lucky, major hand surgery if you aren't.
Even if you don't do a guard then a simple finger choil can do the job too.
The design dictates use, rather than use dictating design.
As for steel they could've done CPM 3v for this price. Cold steel gives you a bigger blade for near the same price with CPM 3v.
No guard for a reason. First you don't need one if you know how to handle and use the knife properly, second guards get caught on gear or clothes, it seems especially likely when under duress. I blame Murphy's Law. Keep it simple, survive.
No need for a guard if the knife has a nonslip grip.
I like the blade for sure, but not for $125.00.
It’s honestly a lot of steel for $125 in todays market
What options do you think could compete or beat it with value?
@tacticaltavern I bought a cold steel SRK in SK5 for about 40 bucks. It also has a lot of steel, granted it is a different style knife. I own an otanashi noh ken and a heiho by Williams and I really like the style and blade profile. I just feel it's a little steep for that knife as awesome as it looks. I really missed out by not buying a yukanto before they were discontinued.
Hey bro.... Did you want fries with that Whaaaa-mburger? I don't disagree with most of this but a couple things are a bit exaggerated because of obvious butthurtness from an entitled mind. The board isn't perfect but it's so close to riding fresh powder on a snowboard, it's life changing for me. It's expensive but worth every penny. I pre-ordered my GT as well. I had footpad issues and have modded the footpad sensors out of the picture. Never ghosted.
It's true that future motion is a shit company that builds some well built and durable and unique boards. Again... I fukcing HATE future motion. Fukc Future Motion. 2500 miles on my GT... never had this charge port plug that you somehow believe is a necessity... Anyway, 2500 miles still on stock tire. Only issues were footpad . Despite zero help from the company, I absolutely can't not have a one wheeled board. When this one takes a shit, I'll build my own. All the other forms of PEV are practical and even fast but they all carry a hefty dorky feel factor. I hate feeling dorky.