The Hideaway

[PhilElmore]

Link to the Review

 

[K-T]

The Hideaway is a cool little blade, if I remember correct Frontsight is registered here, too. I remember how that project started from scratch end evolved in what it is now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

 

[PocketBeam]

This is a nice knife. I wish there was a generic version of it though.

I noticed in another thread on here that several people picked this knife as thier favorite. Cost is the only thing that holds me back from getting one.

Phil, Just a suggestion, but you might want to make the link to the manuafactureres website more prominant. I looked at the top and the bottom before seeing the link. Adn the link was not clear, I at first thought it would be a test pop-up to tell about the company rather then actually take me to the company. Any way, I did find it...

 

[cognitivefun]

Phil, you wrote a superb review. What is your advice on ordering one?

1. what is the advantage of the claw?

2. sheath options are numerous -- is there any advice or suggestions you can offer?


Thanks!

 

[PhilElmore]

There's a sentence in the review that says, "The Hideaway knife website is not just a sales information page..." and the text includes a hot link to the website -- not to mention the Hideaway banner ad that appears on the page. I figured that was prominent enough; I try to keep these things subtle so as not to disturb the flow of the narrative, figuring interested parties will click the links to see what's there. (Sometimes I link to photos, too, so as not to make the pages load too slowly.)

By a generic version I assume you mean a mass-produced version of the knife that would be cheaper to buy. I can't speak for the manufacturer, but I think that would be antithetical to the concept of the knife because there would be no way to fit the knife to your fingers (and thus it could not be retained as securely when you open your hand, which was the inspiration for the custom sizing and the design itself). Still, I know just what you mean -- I tend to be reluctant to part with that much for a single knife, but I would make an exception for some like this one.

As far as sheath options go, I'd ask yourself how you intend to carry such a knife and then tailor the sheath option. If you carry an ID badge every day, the ID Badge sheath would be the way to go; if you think you'd need to tuck it into a pocket, then the pocket sheath is appropriate, and so on. I chose the standard neck sheath but in retrospect would probably go with the ID holder (because I wear an ID badge now, but didn't at the time I ordered the knife).

A claw-shaped blade makes a very effective slashing, hooking, and ripping tool. I chose the straight blade for ease of resharpening.

 

[cognitivefun]

Thanks, Phil. I found the hideaway website awesome actually, but it is helpful to have more information in any event and your review and comments are helpful. I have ordered one now. I got the straight version as it is less expensive and I have enjoyed having knives with straight edges up until now so why change...

 

[cognitivefun]

there are some immediately available in my size but they are claws or curveys and I can't decide if I should get one of those or order a straight. I am tempted to order the straight. I want to have something that is very good at stabbing then slicing, and secondarily for utility purposes as I always carry a folder anyway.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[bigcozy]

I built several knives back in 89 that were fairly similar to this design. Spyderco even looked at my knife before producing the SPOT. It ended up being my project for my engineering degree, I built it to use while working as mechanic and finishing college. A lot of the guys I worked with liked it and I made a bunch from a jig I rigged up. Think I was using 5160 back then. The upside was there was nothing to break, and dings could be smoothed out with a file. When kydex became common, I made a few sheaths out of it and it really worked well with the few prototypes I had left over.

 

[cognitivefun]

bigcozy, do you have some insight in bladeshapes that you prefer and why?

 

[bigcozy]

cognitivefun, I built my first knife when I was about 11. My grandfather was an metal worker and inventor, and I built things all the time in his shop. In the 27 years since then I have owned about everything made and hung out with some great knife makers. I don't have any real insight, my preference is a simple clip point locking folder. Since I now wear a suit most of the time, a "real" knife is just too big for me. Sitting here typing, I have a Microtech UMS clipped in my waistband, nothing fancy there. I also have been fortunate enough to have a tremendous amount of Oriental Martial Arts exposure. I grew up a few blocks from the founder of the American Tae Kwon Do Association (ATA) which was (is?) the largest martial arts association in the world. I was also very, very lucky to spend time with several greats in the Aiki group of arts. I spent a lot of time with swords and tanto type knives. Again, my preferences are simple, and I prefer a tanto/chisel type blade not for protection but for camp chores as the tips are much harder to break.

When I designed two knives, I wanted something different than what was out there. I know or have met guys like Jerry Fisk, John Fitch, Bob Dozier, Ted Frizzell (MMWH) and you aren't going to even match those guys in a lifetime of knifemaking. I came to it from an engineering point of view, and at the time my designs were very different. Now, the Hideaway, the SPOT, and the Perrin are very close to what I made a long time ago. I was trying to do two things: 1) Make a knife that was very small and maximum blade that was light, cheap, and tough and 2) Make a knife that you would not drop or couldn't be knocked out of my hand. If you don't have it, it can't help you.

Since I didn't have any real commercial interest in making knives, I didn't go much further. I thought it would be cool to have a manf. make one of my designs, but I am not famous and wouldn't have the time or expertise to create a name for myself knife-wise.

All that said, I will say this. There have been several revivals of hook shaped blades like karambits and other "grabbing" blades. This is the opposite of the way I think and was trained in terms of anti-human knives. Animals that have hooked shaped claws or teeth have them to pull something to them. I want to cut and retrieve and my blade, as in a slightly curved upward blade like a traditional katana/wakizashi/tanto. I was trained as a cutter, not as stabber so you might just write that off as a training mindset and not what works best.

Most I have written on here in years!

 

[PhilElmore]

Recurves make good utility cutters but are harder to resharpen. I suppose I would opt for that over the claw if I had to choose. The Hideaway is really too short to be a thrusting weapon, though -- its primary benefit is as a cutting and slashing tool.

 

[cognitivefun]

I ordered a Hideaway. I received it. I love it. It is elegant, fits perfectly. Strong. Feels natural. Wonderful. Simply wonderful.

I ordered the S30V straight after your advice. Thanks.

 

[cognitivefun]

A few weeks later...this knife is superb. It is part of my EDC. I watched the video and I honestly (perhaps stupidly) think that if I had to defend myself I could do it with this knife, even though I am untrained. It is very intuitive. Retention is super. The carry options really help. I cannot say enough good things about this knife.

 

[PhilElmore]

I'm extremely glad you found it through The Martialist. I will let FrontSight know how happy you are with it.