Knife Designer James Williams Demos the HZ6

www.crkt.com/hz6.html
Made for the modern warrior.
Paying tribute to the hira-zukuri-a classical Japanese straight sword-knifemaker James Williams brings us the HZ6. Hailing from the 8th century, the original hira-zukuri style blade was first popularized in daggers and utilized as a powerful “short” sword for survival and everyday use. And just like its origin, the HZ6 is purpose-built for real life warriors, only now designed to meet the demands of the modern world.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Blade Length: 6.50" (165.10 mm)
Blade Edge: Plain
Blade Steel: SK-5
Blade Finish: Powder Coat
Blade Thickness: 0.21" (5.41 mm)
Overall Length: 11.31" (287.35 mm)
Weight: 8.40 oz. (238.14 g)
Handle: G10
Style: Fixed Blade Knife w/Sheath
Sheath Material: Boltaron®
Sheath Weight: 2.50 oz. (70.87g)

[@BBE22OOOWH]

Please turn the guitars up louder i can still hear him slightly

[@BennyBladez-]

Right 😂

[@claytonbigsby6975]

lol😂

[@mdennisrva4301]

Please come out with a sized up version of this knife!! I picked this one up a few weeks ago and it’s quickly become of my favorite in my collection. I’d still love to see a longer/larger version of this knife. Such a sweet and elegant blade design.

[@ANukeWithLegs]

you dont need a longer version. wake up to reality, people are tough in life or death situations but not made of stone. that knife is everything you need for a combat knife. If you think you need something bigger, you need to reconsider your strategy. Look at the 1918 US trench Knife. About the same size with a knuckle duster handle and its considered the greatest combat knife ever made cause thats all you need.

[@NikosKatsikanis]

I just had James on my pod again

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

I bought this, stripped off the black coating, and then sent it to "The Way Of The Knife" to put a stonewash finish on the blade. It is now the coolest looking knife I own. Wish they came from the factory looking like that.

[@crkt]

Sounds rad. Post a in social so all can see.

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

@@crkt It definitely is. Hopefully CRKT will produce more factory knives in stonewash finish in the future because in my opinion it's the nicest looking finish, followed by satin finish.

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

@@crkt The photo of it is posted in the community section on my channel. 👍

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

@user-my2lu9vk2g Uh, most knives aren't covered in that truck bed liner garbage. It ruins the aesthetic of the blade and does little to protect it. Knife oil and/or cleaning the blade after use does more to protect it than that cheap black coating. It isn't Cerakote.

[@mlentsch]

@@BigDaddySwingingMeat no, no, no - it's satin followed by stonewash.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

If anyone has questions as to the why and how of the design of the HZ6 I will endeavor to answer them.

[@dragonclaw88]

Too long...need one just like this at 4 to 5 inches and id buy a few..but this is just too long to conceal and edc

[@9SS94Cr]

Sir, I would like to hear from you telling the story of how the design of the origianl Hissatsu evolved to this aside from the meterial upgrade, especially the shorter blade length. I remember you have specifically addressed that the blade length on the Hissatsu was the shortest you would like on a combat knife. What have caused you to change that?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

@@9SS94Cr I am not sure that evolved is the proper term here, different circumstances, gear, mission, etc. all have an effect on design. I am still actively involved teaching/working with SOF and others. Having knife options depending upon some of the above is beneficial. Over the past 20+ years the amount of engagements for close combat, especially among certain elite groups, is unprecedented. As you can see from our Williams Blade Design knives sizes and shapes vary depending upon who is going to use them and how. Some guys deploy in full combat gear, others go into a non-permissive environment in civilian clothes by themselves. So choosing the blade that will best suit your skills, tasking etc. is the critical factor.

[@9SS94Cr]

@@SystemOfStrategy I guess I have misinterpreted that the HZ6 as an upgrade to the Hissatsu, then. Thank you for the clarification! Am I right that the hira-zukuri over shobu-zukuri or osoraku-zukuri was to fit different tasks as well? Would you mind offering some insights on the difference in performance between these blade shapes as well?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

@@9SS94Cr With the different blades shapes you have to also take into consideration the width of the blade and the thickness. The varying angles of the point etc. also must be taken into consideration. Some of these factors are task specific and some are personal preference.

[@PJLynch1960]

I remember reading that in WW II, many soldiers that survived actual hand-to-hand combat, had split their thumb nails completely off due to the intense forward force they were applying to their knife during a thrusting lunge. Though the hilt broke their thumb nails completely off, it prevented their hand from slipping / riding up the handle onto the blade and slicing their hand while they were literally in a fight to the death. Something to consider, when you say a hilt is unnecessary.

[@harvestblades]

If you are using a basic hammer grip on something like a kabar that is very very true, however as he demonstrates, describes its all in how you grip the knife, as well as handle length, shape, & texture. I've heard people complain the HZ6 has a very aggressive texture. If you combine that with your thumb or index over the butt, or have the butt aligned with your forearm in your palm it isn't going anywhere evennif your hands are wet or bloody. He demonstrates this in other videos where he does penetration tests. As with any tool or weapon you need to train, & understand intimately how to use the tool, it's strengths & weaknesses. Remember especially back with WWII you were taking men with no combat experience, giving them very minimal training & especially when it comes to hand to hand or knife use & throwing them into combat. Instinctual we go for a hammer or ice pick grip & in that case a guard is good. It's all about the tool & the training.

[@mlentsch]

@@harvestblades nobody has combat experience until you're in combat... I'll take a guard on my fighting knife, thanks. Have you ever tried stabbing something with bloody hands and under adrenaline? Yeah... keep it simple. I've heard these excuses from other knifemakers - the fraudulent Winkler comes to mind... he says that the butt should be in your palm - that's why he doesn't have guards on his knives... he also uses 80CrV2 steel - which is terrible - he has an excuse for this, too - it's easier to resharpen in the field. What a crock of shit - both of these things make grinding knives much easier - that's why the don't use guards - they're greedy... so greedy that they believe their own bullshit - this is how they can live with themselves.

[@Victorsbzh]

With this handle finding the edge may be a puzzle

[@patrickmccrea3455]

I have the Otanashi Noh Ken i love that knife this is next thank you😊

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The Otanashi Noh Ken, silent sword, was another specific request to me through SOCOM from a "elite" Special Operations Unit.

[@patrickmccrea3455]

@SystemOfStrategy yes sir to me there is no better defensive blade thank you😊

[@FacultyFan]

I haven't found any better knives out there. This guy is an amazing designer. I love CRKT knives, but I'm an absolute fan of Williams designs. I had the Shizuka Noh Ken, Otanashi noh ken and the original Hissatsu. All of these knives are wonderful. I love the modified Tanto design

[@kevinong1735]

I believe this is CRKT’s production version of Winkler Knives’ rendition. 🤔

[@Ve-suvius]

👌

[@SAU408]

How to buy. Iam from Indonesia

[@jeffcon123]

I’ve gotta get one, I regret almost more than anything, not buying a hisshou, they are far too expensive now… I want one so god damn bad

[@Akwizard47]

they are great for self defense

[@jeffcon123]

@@Akwizard47is they just make a 12 inch version of this one lol very very similar

[@Akwizard47]

@@jeffcon123 yeah pretty hard to come around. there are similar shaped knifes around the same length but dont come as nice as his.

[@jeffcon123]

@@Akwizard47 ya man those 3, the shinbu and sakimori. That shape is so attractive.. that handle wrap.. lol I feel the same about microtech sbd”s they are the best looking dagger I’ve ever seen

[@avatarion]

Same. I bought a San Mai Magnum Tanto XII from Cold Steel, but it's not really the same.

[@realUlfricStormcloak]

This dude like the thin Lynn Thompson. Thynn Thompson. ☝️🤓

[@granitemonkey]

💀

[@poland_stronk3044]

Can't decide HZ6 or Hissatsu? ;]

[@Akwizard47]

Both;) but i would say this one because better grip and edge is sharper but they are both great

[@Ve-suvius]

I prefer the Hissatsu. Because of the grip. And also the little bit longer blade.

[@wellregulated8725]

Can we get a HZ4? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@crkt]

Stay tuned...

[@wellregulated8725]

@@crkt cool!!

[@illmade2]

Those silly people putting guards on fighting knives for hundreds of years when they didn't need to.

[@viniv20]

True though, traditional japanese tanto's didnt have guards either, its only the longer swords/katana who have it, that's because they are used for slashing and hacking. While knives are used for cutting and thrusting, not dueling

[@elvispussley8887]

This is a combat knife, not a fighting knife. Also many historical knives don't have guards. You don't need them if you design the handle the right way

[@johnormike811]

Guards catch for blade on blade…not necessary

[@avatarion]

Rondel and bollock daggers hardly had any guards. Guards came into the picture when knife dueling was a thing. If you are not going up against another knife fighter you don't need much of a guard.

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

They didn't have to conceal their blades back in the day. In the age of concealed carry, you want a weapon that won't snag on clothing, seat belts, etc. Guards add a potential for failure that is unnecessary.

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

I dunno, I see that tip snapping off at some point.

[@Akwizard47]

thats why its one purpose knife fighting and not for plying wood or utility

[@r1pbuck]

While I still esteem the Hissatsu as the best Williams-designed fighting knife, this one interests me...

[@Creshex8]

It has much better steel.

[@poland_stronk3044]

@@brianc2399 People get offended if you stab them with poor quality steel ;D

[@Ve-suvius]

Same here. The Hissatsu is about as perfect as it gets. The steel is fine. It's tough enough. And that's what counts for this type of knife. I also like the comparison of the Buck 120 420HC steel vs the Buck 120 S35VN steel in this regard. The 420HC is the better steel for the Buck 120. The S35VN is more brittle (See the Joe X video's of both). This you don't want in a impact tool. Same with the Hissatsu. Brittleness you want to avoid in its steel. Long lasting edge retention is not of importance for this knife.

[@tim777us]

​@@poland_stronk3044 Well, it is easier to keep the HZ6 sharp. Besides, how many of us have really stabbed someone?

[@MrAlexH1991]

“It’s gonna facilitate the most tissue deformity, gonna facilitate hemorrhaging, which is *gonna help you solve the problem.”* You mean killin mofos. It’ll help you kill the mofo. 🤣

[@Revelation1316]

Great guy, but lose the annoying music CRKT!

[@crkt]

Duly noted.

[@bosnianaxe862]

Buy it, redesign the scales by putting a guard on and you're good to go. When you stab and get blood on your hand you will slip without a guard.

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

Guards are for beta males.

[@pauljohnson4948]

Look to the Japanese traditional knife use . You don't need guard just make sure you follow the advice given on the demo.

[@dragonclaw88]

Too long...need one just like this at 4 to 5 inches and id buy a few..but this is just too long

[@Akwizard47]

they have folding ones there is a 3.5 inch fixed blade version but its way too expensive

[@BigDaddySwingingMeat]

Ironically . . . that's what she said. 🥒

[@Ve-suvius]

Ok, about blade length. I'll copy and paste here a comment. So things clear up. "When Col. Applegate and Mr. Fairbairn got together to design the replacement for the Sykes-Fairbairn commando, they decided to talk to a real expert. They found a resistance member in Norway who's speciality was taking out sentries. He had killed something like 100 Germans with a knife. He said the blade needed to be 6" long to insure penetration to the organs, from any angle. Shorter wouldn't do, and longer was wasted blade. The Applegate-Fairbairn has a 6 1/4" blade, and the excellent "coke bottle" handle. Had the war lasted into 1946, this would have replaced the Sykes-Fairbairn."

[@Ve-suvius]

I prefer the 7- 7.5 inch blade length. 8 inch is also fine.

[@bruceleroy8063]

Why coat a self defense knife? Don't you want an attacker to see it so maybe they change their minds before you have to use it?

[@bernardbarr2354]

Combat knife he said. Not self defense.

[@bruceleroy8063]

@@bernardbarr2354 thank you

[@Tryambakam108]

Stealth is a huge advantage. Also, SK-5 isn't a stainless steel, so the coating helps.

[@poland_stronk3044]

@@bruceleroy8063 No Retardo! You pull out knife to use.

[@traeucity6087]

@@Tryambakam108 , My Japanese swords are carbon steel, not stainless. Blade care is a thing.

[@clapforboobies5892]

I know you all like black because blactical but when you have a black background against a black knife its hard to see the details of the knife. Please delete this vid, refilm using white shirts and re upload. Thanks.

[@pere-sabre4007]

😂😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@Creshex8]

It’s not a bad suggestion.

[@gseymour4659]

Agreed!!!!!

[@kelroylovel7110]

Blactical 😂

[@mlentsch]

Why don't you use a better steel if it's supposed to be "the best that it can be"??