James Williams and the CRKT Hisshou in Africa

A brief video on carrying the Hisshou in Africa. The sound is a bit difficult, my apologies. The Hisshou was designed to be easy to carry yet big enough to meet a number of needs including personal defense against Panga's etc..

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

What a fantastic blade! It's just too bad CRKT no longer makes them. 😞

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The nylon on the handle is resin impregnated and will stand immersion in water so it can be cleaned. This knife is designed to be used however extensive using will show to some degree. Remember this is tool steel so it needs to be cleaned and protected from rust etc. It will stain a bit with blood however that can also be mitigated with proper care.

[@JStation3]

James you deploy that gigantic blade with the ease that normal people tie their shoes. Your skill is dazzling. Thank you for the video!

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Good teachers, training and practice make up proficiency. Having the need to be good and the opportunity to learn and practice is the key. Thank you for the nice comments.

[@64novasuper]

Yea James, thanks for the reply. I usaully carry a pocket knife when Im in Kenya, and I have been in some towns, where the potential for confrontation is great. The Hisshou is much more formidable for defense, than a pocket knife, especially against multiple attackers. Just branishing the Hisshou exudes an act of defiance.

[@featheredserpentofthewest2049]

I absolutley appreciate your designs.I own The Hisshou, multiple hissatsu as well as the folders. The Hisshou is undoubtedly to be reckoned with. Appropriately named. I carried these knives on combat deployment with full faith in their performance.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you/

[@stomackin]

this blade is gonna be the gateway drug that starts me training in kenjutsu.

[@professorbland]

I wish I bought one before they were discontinued.

[@WraithChornobyl]

Love all your knives. Coming from Bujinkan Ninjutsu your knives fit the training style very well. Proud owner of a Hissatsu folder since release, and have since purchased the Otanashi Noh Ken and Heiho in the Veff Serrations. My Hissatsu has lasted 10 years almost, opened many many cans and still holds and edge with basic care. Keep them coming and I will keep buying!

[@ronin6016]

Great video, excellent instruction and information, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@ugh1963]

Just bought one... very nice, well balanced knife. The edge was reasonably sharp, but in a matter of minutes I made it insanely sharp by gentle work. It is worth the price! And if I dare a small game of words: There is no issue with this Hisshou! Sorry couldn't resist ;-)

[@warriorofsteel01]

i love your knife designs. i have the hissastu folder best folder ive ever owned and i have my eye on the hisshou

[@jeffcon123]

God I wish crkt would make more lol.. I want one so so bad

[@pauldewar9112]

Mr Williams i hope you post those all over the world with a presentation box included.

[@FreestyleSwordsman]

I hope they make these again one day I was forced to sell mine and want another one

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Sorry, this was out in the bush and the camera mic is what we had.

[@ghstsamurai-4172]

really want to get my hands on a hisshou but no one seems to have them anymore. damn shame too, i played around with one once and loved it. guess i'll stick with the hissatsu for now, i want a wakizashi style blade with an injection molded sheath and either a textured g10 or traditionally wrapped tsuka handle. plan on putting it on my plate carrier similar to the way Tu Lam of ronin tactics inc does with his blades. i would just buy a set of his wakizashi, but they absolutely break the bank. and cold steel is kind of a joke as far as samurai blades

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Everything in context. You need to know your ROE. Some states allow concealed knife carry with a CCW, some do not. Many countries do not allow knife carry or very limited knife carry, you need to know.

[@jhanks2012]

Shall Not Be Infringed. And yes, the Constitution trumps all local unconstitutional "laws" that contradict it (supremacy clause)

[@crazylegs5063]

I plan to open carry the 18.3 inch one in NC, haha. You could open carry a sword in this state.

[@EuronGramz]

i just got this blade and i must say its just beautiful, but i have a question about it, how do you clean the ito wrap? im considering using this as a hunting knife, but if i can't get the handle cleaned up when cutting game, then thats pretty much out of the question. i don't want it just to be a fancy showpiece.

[@darrellbowen1582]

Awesome

[@xPureRage]

I just purchased a Sakimori, I absolutley love it! To bad its illegal to carry a fixed blade concealed here in California. But atleast there is no blade length limit on folding knives...

[@SystemOfStrategy]

On the baboons, local knowledge and personal experience. Sometimes we have the .458 sometimes not. It depends upon where and when.

[@mojothemigo]

That was a very cool video, I love your rig. Where did you hear that about babboons recognizing weapons? Kinda makes sense, large primates grab sticks and use them as clubs from time to time. There is a promo video by Cold Steel of a tracker/pro hunter being charged by a cape buffalo and putting the coup de grace with one of their knives. I hope you are hanging around somebody with a .458 Lott, but it still wise to have something on you.

[@shintawolfie]

Greetings Sensei Williams! I have personally been eyeing the hisshou for a while especially as a Kenjutsu practitioner myself. My company and I are interested in doing a review on your blade but I wanted to ask if I could get a bit more insight on the hisshou pertaining to it being used to counter elements such as machetes, bolos, parangs, ect. was this a part of its intended design? I know many of these tend to be a bit longer and I know you've mentioned it in previous videos but for our viewers, students (and myself of course!), I'd love to know more about its counter-knife design. thank you again

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Kai, I have not yet done a video specifically on how to use the Hisshou against larger blades for public consumption. Email me and we can communicate about this subject.

[@ActionHero29]

I like that, also very true

[@SystemOfStrategy]

This was shot in Kenya in the Great Rift Valley.

[@64novasuper]

I would definitely consider carrying and concealing the Hisshou while strolling about in Nakuru and Nairobi. I want to know, did you pack your Hisshou in your cargo luggage? And when you arrived at Jomo Kenyata Airport, was your cargo luggage searched when exiting the airport?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

It was in my checked luggage and no one said anything going in or out. Sorry about the late reply I have not been home.

[@pauldewar9112]

yeah i've noticed that with an aggressive dog i flashed a bit of shiny steel at that trick also seem to have a calming affect on aggressive people to it's funny that.

[@KrissStiletto13]

Very cool. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

[@Jakelol1980]

Is it possible to baton wood with the Hisshou? The blade stock is pretty thick right?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Jakelol1980 Yes, it batons quite well.

[@Jakelol1980]

SystemOfStrategy Thanks James i just bought one. Now i think i need a Shinbu and a Hissatsu also ;)

[@mathewrculbertson]

When did you go to Africa?

[@justinprather8846]

Do you ever daisho it up with a CC hissatsu or sakimori? Maybe an expandable baton as your jutte?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Justin Prather In the video I am carrying the Sakimori in my belt in the small of my back. The Hissatsu folder is in my right front pocket.

[@RussischesKorps]

It cannot be seen in the video how one should thread the belt/the rope through the reverse side of the sheath. Then, it is unclear how I should use the kit belt with the plastic buckle. Could you please tell me the best way of using it? Another question: how tight should the knife sit in the sheath? If I turn the sheath upright down, then it remains in place. But if the sheath is shaken, the knife falls. Is it ok?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

+Russisches Korps I am in Europe so I do not have access to the Hisshou to do a quick video. My videos with Panteao Productions do show how I wear this knife. You should be able to find a video on KZbin for the belt clip, I have not used it for this knife. I am using a sageao from a Japanese sword for the strap. It is flat and I run it through the first couple of slots on both sides of the sheath so that it sits flat under my arm. Tie the knot a bit off center so that it does not rub on your neck. You want to be able to slide the knife from under your arm to behind your back or even more in front when you are sitting in a vehicle. This is a simple and effective carry that I use all of the time in certain countries.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

+Russisches Korps For your question on retention. I do not carry any of my knives handle down. There are a number of reasons for this and all of them relate directly to the most effective use of the knife. Carry the knife down means more retention is necessary. More retention means slower access of the knife. Drawing the knife down and then stabbing up is allows the opponent to block the knife much easier. A stab to the abdomen is not nearly as effective to stopping an opponent in a compressed time frame as the cuts and insertions that I show in my videos. The Hisshou has serious cutting power. Practice drawing and cutting in one motion like i show with the sword, it is the most effective way of solving the tactical problem in the moment,

[@Corw1n1]

Yes indeed. I'm in California at the moment, and I think you can get a felony charge for a concealed nail file these days. ;) (obviously joking...but it's pretty close to that) THanks for the reply, Sir.

[@mathewrculbertson]

Sweet.

[@DemiDeity777]

If you find yourself faced of with like some bigass coyotes, would you be able kill them with the Hisshou or the Shinbu?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Yes.

[@zeros_knives_and_bushcraft.]

Found it!

[@vitocarbonara7770]

In 2022 do airlines allow this in your luggage? Not carry on of course?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Yes, I have been back and forth to Africa more than once with this knife.

[@tbones41]

what type of cord is that holding the knife sheaths

[@SystemOfStrategy]

tbones41 I am using Sageo from one of my Japanese swords. Its flat and comfortable to wear and keeps the sheath from twisting.

[@tbones41]

SystemOfStrategy thanks, you just tie it in a basic knot

[@crazylegs5063]

I have mine now and I love it, but I put some scratches on it while sharpening... it makes me kinda sad, now I'm wondering if I should return it or keep it. Thoughts? Will it scratch up anyway with use? Could I polish them out with sandpaper?

[@crazylegs5063]

Just to clarify, if I returned it, I'd buy another.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

I still have the one in this video. It is scratched, blood stained, etc. It has been to Africa more than once. It is just what happens when you use the knife.

[@RussischesKorps]

Please answer, as you hang this knife?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

+Russisches Korps I am not sure of the question. I show how to hang/wear it in this video.

[@RussischesKorps]

+SystemOfStrategy It cannot be seen in the video how one should thread the belt/the rope through the reverse side of the sheath. Then, it is unclear how I should use the kit belt with the plastic buckle. Could you please tell me the best way of using it? Another question: how tight should the knife sit in the sheath? If I turn the sheath upright down, then it remains in place. But if the sheath is shaken, the knife falls. Is it ok?

[@Corw1n1]

If this has already been addressed and I'm not seeing it, I apologize. But, you make a statement about carrying this way when you're not in the bush, right? I'm pretty sure that would amount to felony concealed weapon charge, if you got stopped by the police. (or if you are LEO or thie like, of course.) JUst thought you might want to make that statement to cover yourself? Just my 2¢

[@peedinkus389]

Can't hear you.

[@i_love_crpg]

Why do you always talk so low? I want to hear what you say but i can barely hear

[@SystemOfStrategy]

This one is particularly low, my apologies. I am out in the bush and tend to be more noise aware.

[@i_love_crpg]

SystemOfStrategy ah, i see. I will keep note of that :)

[@gwacha13]

buy some mics please mays it hard to enjoy the vids