After several years of drooling first over the Winkler Hira Zukuri (the OG) & watching over & over the Hira Zukuri, Yukanto, & HZ6 videos I just ordered mine from Amazon for 3 easy payments of $44 ($126 +tax). This will end up on my vest for work & may carry it in my waistline & of course do some food prep so I can actually cut something. It is a great design, & solid materials. SK5 is no super steel as you said, but I prefer a good durable carbon steel over CRKT using Aus8. Speakingnof which I also just receives an CRKT Obake again after years of wanting it, & it is a great little backup knife!. I carry my pistol appendix & it fits great between my pistol & spare mag without adding any bulk to my waistband. I am also able to draw in reverse grip with either hand & evennwhike seated. Definitely a sweet little blade.
I also hold a Karambit in the same way you do, for the same reasons. And that HZ-6 is probably my favorite CRKT knife. The handle is not hand friendly due to how rough it is BUT, perfect for my leather palms. The needle point and razor sharp blade makes it extremely dangerous and cool at the same time! In my humble opinion, for me, it's a great knife!
i've had 1 for awhile now w/ the pocket clip it rides nicely in the pocket of my jeans. yeah this blade you have to respect and be mindful of esp when putting it back in the sheath.
"Get off my lawn...!?" 🙂 Who'd of thought a guardless knife could have THAT much grip!? Its incredible. Could function as a skinner and a fighter. Do they do an EDC mini? Like Williams' 3.5" Shobu Zukuri Mini Kaiken?
Thanks for the honest review. I had already bought this and just wanted to get a better look, but I'm glad I saw it. I have to add that I would NEVER hate on anyone for using a karambit in a forward grip. First it is a perfectly valid way to hold it. It just means that you can't use it in some popular fighting styles. *More importantly though* is that it is almost impossible to deploy most folding karambits in a reverse grip. Some like the CRKT Provoke are made that way (cool knife!). Most though are flippers and are made to come out in a forward grip.
May I suggest a camo wrap to this sheath? Mine works well. Also, If I may, suggest a camo paint scheme to the handle? Mine works well, of course, after a light sanding of the sharp edges on this same handle. Works very well I might add. Keep the blade well oiled. I hope this helps someone out there
This HZ6 actualize the general blade geometry of a well known and feared japanese blacksmisth around 15 th century , with apretty awful record regarding the way he used to test his blades , i mean trrifying , this thing has a ZERO resistance stabbing trust , and is scaring just by looking at it , it is clearly made to pincture internals organs and get through any layers of materials that stand in between you and your aggresor's heart , you just get it by simply looking at it , most of attackers would be dettered , if handled correctly , by the threat this blade carries around, the fact that it has no hand guard tells you what this thing is designed for , it is to engulf your hand in the wound you create with it , decreasing trusting and penetration resistance in the body , finding major vital areas and punctunring/slicing through it , it is really really a watever it takes blade to stop a fully pumped attacker , which most of the time just puncturing at the surface is not enough to stop him in its trac , you have to continue your trusting effort , enter the wound and continue slashing and puncturing inside of him , full hand or at least part of the fingers in , find a major vital pathwys a slash it.
Is there a higher quality knife that looks nearly identical to this? I want it with good steel and more finger protection, or a guard, for the user. I love the design of this knife.
Yes. Williams Blade Design makes more expensive versions from better materials. Winkler Knives up until recently was making the Hira Zukuri blades for WBD. They will no longer be producing them. TRC is making the Shobu Zakuri blades for WBD and they are even pricier than the Winkler made ones.
Crkt has so really nice stuff for the prices they charge my Lanny ham crkt has been my pocket knife for about 3 years and haven't broke the tip off yet using it dumbly as a flat head screw driver.
If you've watched any of James Williams demonstrations, he uses the hira-zukuri shape to reduce effort from the user. While you can hold the knife any way you want, you really shouldn't be using it like an icepick or shank. From what I've seen, a saber-hold, edge facing up, makes this hard to block. There's an old Fairbairn-Sykes demonstration where the target is pulled towards the knife.
Curious to see a drop test on this sk5. This knife is handle bias. The steel feels dense ( i predict the hrc is too high) but have no factual evidence. It is quite the shank. The extra material in the sheath did make me a bit flacid. Would like to see what your rendition of a sheath for this knife would be.
Cool blade. To me this is obviously a fillet / large curved stiff boning knife for butchery work. It would be great as part of a field dressing set or in the tackle box. One could certainly carve up a threat with it but theres no way this is ideal for general combat or self defense without specialized training of some sort. Sure the tip is mean af but it is also delicate and will snap or wear down with any heavy use or force.
I… want one lol. I see the need for SEVERE warning. A ton of people are not going to be safe enough with that point I agree. That point is going to have ridiculous penetration potential. How sharp is the edge out of the box?
Forward thrusting grips have a ton more reach and wrist movement. Watch the videos/gore videos of people trying to stab people with knives in a hammer fist grip, it’s so unnatural and ridiculous to watch. Also when you’re using a thrust grip you’re not cutting thing so then the knife horizontal this will also make it so you can slash someone’s by just flicking the wrist and having the blade horizontal will let the blade slip in between the ribs to hit internal organs much better. Most knife fighting “experts” have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s just common sense. Think about anatomy, think about the knife, think about the speed of knife fights. I love how James Williams has penetrative blades and super grippy handles on his knives. If your hand is bloody or sweaty it won’t go anywhere or slide over the blade if you hit bone in someone’s so there’s no need for a hilt. When I was young I stabbed a tree once to simulate hitting bone and even though I had a very tight grip my hand went over the blade and cut it. He makes some great fighting knives. Now if someone could make a stiletto with super grippy scales.
One time I fell asleep with it next to me out of the sheath.. or twice.. was looking at it appreciating it’s beauty , but feeling too tired… never again
With such an acute point, if this knife is used for what it's for... It's going to penetrate very easily and the grip slipping isn't going to be concern. If you are going to play around and stab things you shouldn't - well, then you are going to have problems. It's not dangerous to the User. It's dangerous to the adversary.
Many people collect knives but a low percentage know how to proficiently use them for defense "or offense". Guard no guard or style of knife is all relevant if you have been trained and remain practiced. Any knife has the potential for self harm if you have no training. It comes down to being honest about your own skillset. Keep in mind all one has to do is go to a reputable trainer and it will make all the difference in the world. Me personally i really like this style without the guard i can manipulate it better in my hand. Also very important it has to feel good in your hand and to me this one does. Just my opinion.
I’m one of those folks (started martial arts when I was 5, I’m 44 now). My issue with the design works mainly come from things like indexing/resheathing in the dark (which is mainly when you’d need this) isn’t intuitive and the balance led to it being a bit to light in the hand- which is actually a bad thing when those gross motor skills go as soon as you go to use it. Without going too far into my experience, I have my reasons for not connecting with this one. I have a PHD in ER visits. 😂
Any fixed blade with no protection against your hand sliding up the blade, in my opinion, should never be considered as a self defense knife. You want something you can really lock your hand in to, you NEED a hilt or hand guard of some kind. The risk of destroying your own hand with your own knife is simply far too great. Lately i've been looking at the TDI investigator from KA-Bar, now THAT's a fantastic example of a blade you can really lock in your hand and not worry about slipping. User safety comes first.
I like the knife, but I don't like the knife. Realistically speaking the consumer market is not going to be wearing this thing with gloves. James Williams designed this with a too aggressive handle. It should have had some type of guard. Without it you removed half of this functionality as a knife. My opinion of course.
This blade is purpose built for quick deployment and extreme penetration. It was intended to be worn on kit (body armor or chest rig) This design was never intended to be multipurpose or a tool. There is only a singular purpose, penetration and swift damage. I’m a huge fan of his blades. 🤙
@@TexasThunder.338 me too but a guard would really help with everything you mentioned... This mainly a potato slasher for me. Plus the balance is super weird in my opinion...
The knife was designed to be used in reverse grip. You should research this stuff . Williams said most people he trained/trains like this style of blade longer than this one.
Sir , you remark would be valid for a tactical or multi tool knife...This is the scary part about this one , it is clear it has been conceived with REALLY REALLY bad intents in mind...foremost knowing what the particular credentials of this 15 th century era of blacksmiths was (testing "in conditions") , this is a heart's stabbing blade , for extremes self defense situations , it is to stop in its tracks a 100+kg man charging to kill you at peak adrenaline with lethals means , you being cornered to a wall , lets say it like it is.
After several years of drooling first over the Winkler Hira Zukuri (the OG) & watching over & over the Hira Zukuri, Yukanto, & HZ6 videos I just ordered mine from Amazon for 3 easy payments of $44 ($126 +tax). This will end up on my vest for work & may carry it in my waistline & of course do some food prep so I can actually cut something. It is a great design, & solid materials. SK5 is no super steel as you said, but I prefer a good durable carbon steel over CRKT using Aus8. Speakingnof which I also just receives an CRKT Obake again after years of wanting it, & it is a great little backup knife!. I carry my pistol appendix & it fits great between my pistol & spare mag without adding any bulk to my waistband. I am also able to draw in reverse grip with either hand & evennwhike seated. Definitely a sweet little blade.
I also hold a Karambit in the same way you do, for the same reasons. And that HZ-6 is probably my favorite CRKT knife. The handle is not hand friendly due to how rough it is BUT, perfect for my leather palms. The needle point and razor sharp blade makes it extremely dangerous and cool at the same time! In my humble opinion, for me, it's a great knife!
💯💯💯💯💯
FYI, James Williams sells knives of this design under his own brand for upwards of $400. As with all CRKT products, you get an amazing value here.
i've had 1 for awhile now w/ the pocket clip it rides nicely in the pocket of my jeans. yeah this blade you have to respect and be mindful of esp when putting it back in the sheath.
James Williams designs are fantastic. This CRKT is a great value too.
"Get off my lawn...!?" 🙂
Who'd of thought a guardless knife could have THAT much grip!? Its incredible. Could function as a skinner and a fighter. Do they do an EDC mini? Like Williams' 3.5" Shobu Zukuri Mini Kaiken?
Thanks for the honest review. I had already bought this and just wanted to get a better look, but I'm glad I saw it.
I have to add that I would NEVER hate on anyone for using a karambit in a forward grip. First it is a perfectly valid way to hold it. It just means that you can't use it in some popular fighting styles.
*More importantly though* is that it is almost impossible to deploy most folding karambits in a reverse grip. Some like the CRKT Provoke are made that way (cool knife!). Most though are flippers and are made to come out in a forward grip.
💯💯💯💯💯💯 Thanks for tuning in bud!
That blade is awesome, I love Williams blades
Awesome sharpy pokie.
I think someone sh!tted at the end there, better check the shorts.
I think you're right. It was a terrible idea. 🤣🤣
You seem to be a fan of blades with an Asian persuasion. This is a nice looking knerfle. I can see why you’re a fan!
I is! It's a scary beast though... Thanks for tuning in bud!
you can use standard grip and but the but into your palm bone
This was a great review i have the Otanashi noh ken i love that knife this one is next thank you😊
Appreciate ya!
May I suggest a camo wrap to this sheath? Mine works well. Also, If I may, suggest a camo paint scheme to the handle? Mine works well, of course, after a light sanding of the sharp edges on this same handle. Works very well I might add. Keep the blade well oiled. I hope this helps someone out there
This HZ6 actualize the general blade geometry of a well known and feared japanese blacksmisth around 15 th century , with apretty awful record regarding the way he used to test his blades , i mean trrifying , this thing has a ZERO resistance stabbing trust , and is scaring just by looking at it , it is clearly made to pincture internals organs and get through any layers of materials that stand in between you and your aggresor's heart , you just get it by simply looking at it , most of attackers would be dettered , if handled correctly , by the threat this blade carries around, the fact that it has no hand guard tells you what this thing is designed for , it is to engulf your hand in the wound you create with it , decreasing trusting and penetration resistance in the body , finding major vital areas and punctunring/slicing through it , it is really really a watever it takes blade to stop a fully pumped attacker , which most of the time just puncturing at the surface is not enough to stop him in its trac , you have to continue your trusting effort , enter the wound and continue slashing and puncturing inside of him , full hand or at least part of the fingers in , find a major vital pathwys a slash it.
Is there a higher quality knife that looks nearly identical to this? I want it with good steel and more finger protection, or a guard, for the user. I love the design of this knife.
Yipper. There’s a pricey John Williams knife that looks a lot like this… pretty sure anyway
@@5MinuteKnives the K Bar modified tanto looks similar too. I think that might be the one for me. I’ll look into the Williams knife too, thanks.
@@Creshex8 🍻
Williams Blade SZT 5,7 " made from TRC- steels are Elmax, M390 and soon a V4E Version with carbon handle will appear.
Yes. Williams Blade Design makes more expensive versions from better materials. Winkler Knives up until recently was making the Hira Zukuri blades for WBD. They will no longer be producing them. TRC is making the Shobu Zakuri blades for WBD and they are even pricier than the Winkler made ones.
Crkt has so really nice stuff for the prices they charge my Lanny ham crkt has been my pocket knife for about 3 years and haven't broke the tip off yet using it dumbly as a flat head screw driver.
What are those gloves? I havent seen those before. I saw that crkt in a store near me, it's nice looking.
Review on those next Sunday!
If you've watched any of James Williams demonstrations, he uses the hira-zukuri shape to reduce effort from the user. While you can hold the knife any way you want, you really shouldn't be using it like an icepick or shank.
From what I've seen, a saber-hold, edge facing up, makes this hard to block.
There's an old Fairbairn-Sykes demonstration where the target is pulled towards the knife.
Curious to see a drop test on this sk5. This knife is handle bias. The steel feels dense ( i predict the hrc is too high) but have no factual evidence. It is quite the shank. The extra material in the sheath did make me a bit flacid. Would like to see what your rendition of a sheath for this knife would be.
Lets not cut ourselves this time ok? /tease
No promises. 🤣
Here's a short video of the designer touching on his handle design philosophy if you're interested.
ua-cam.com/video/EDAFeUVXv-Q/v-deo.html
Thanks!
Very cool industrial strength scalpel for in-the-field open heart surgery.
I would love to buy one but sadly not available in england
Cool blade. To me this is obviously a fillet / large curved stiff boning knife for butchery work. It would be great as part of a field dressing set or in the tackle box.
One could certainly carve up a threat with it but theres no way this is ideal for general combat or self defense without specialized training of some sort. Sure the tip is mean af but it is also delicate and will snap or wear down with any heavy use or force.
💯💯💯💯💯💯
Great video!
Thanks bud!
I… want one lol. I see the need for SEVERE warning. A ton of people are not going to be safe enough with that point I agree. That point is going to have ridiculous penetration potential. How sharp is the edge out of the box?
Exactly. The edge was fairly sharp but it was the tip that freaked me out...
Forward thrusting grips have a ton more reach and wrist movement. Watch the videos/gore videos of people trying to stab people with knives in a hammer fist grip, it’s so unnatural and ridiculous to watch. Also when you’re using a thrust grip you’re not cutting thing so then the knife horizontal this will also make it so you can slash someone’s by just flicking the wrist and having the blade horizontal will let the blade slip in between the ribs to hit internal organs much better. Most knife fighting “experts” have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s just common sense. Think about anatomy, think about the knife, think about the speed of knife fights.
I love how James Williams has penetrative blades and super grippy handles on his knives. If your hand is bloody or sweaty it won’t go anywhere or slide over the blade if you hit bone in someone’s so there’s no need for a hilt. When I was young I stabbed a tree once to simulate hitting bone and even though I had a very tight grip my hand went over the blade and cut it. He makes some great fighting knives. Now if someone could make a stiletto with super grippy scales.
One time I fell asleep with it next to me out of the sheath.. or twice.. was looking at it appreciating it’s beauty , but feeling too tired… never again
Yikes! Glad you're okay. . .
Cousin Larry approves this message
👍
I wanted one til I saw the price and country of origin . I’ll just get another Esee at that price point .
A bro of mine gifted me one of these.
I love it.
Just be careful!
Great review, my girl used it for a bikini wax and shave.😮 I told her next time to put a wine cork on the tip😂.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Brooo wtf was that end???
🤣🤣🤣 I regret nothing
Lanyard is a must.
It's beautiful, It's nice, it's cool but when comes to using it's dangerous not only to your opponent but to your self too and that's the scary part.
💯💯💯💯
Nice review...
I want one.
With such an acute point, if this knife is used for what it's for... It's going to penetrate very easily and the grip slipping isn't going to be concern. If you are going to play around and stab things you shouldn't - well, then you are going to have problems.
It's not dangerous to the User. It's dangerous to the adversary.
I was more worried about resheathing in the dark since there aren't really any index points.
Rough Ryder has the same knife design for $15.00 .
Eeesh. Scary
Many people collect knives but a low percentage know how to proficiently use them for defense "or offense". Guard no guard or style of knife is all relevant if you have been trained and remain practiced. Any knife has the potential for self harm if you have no training. It comes down to being honest about your own skillset. Keep in mind all one has to do is go to a reputable trainer and it will make all the difference in the world. Me personally i really like this style without the guard i can manipulate it better in my hand. Also very important it has to feel good in your hand and to me this one does. Just my opinion.
I’m one of those folks (started martial arts when I was 5, I’m 44 now). My issue with the design works mainly come from things like indexing/resheathing in the dark (which is mainly when you’d need this) isn’t intuitive and the balance led to it being a bit to light in the hand- which is actually a bad thing when those gross motor skills go as soon as you go to use it.
Without going too far into my experience, I have my reasons for not connecting with this one. I have a PHD in ER visits. 😂
I would *never* trust a knife without a handguard, if my life depends on that knife. Never ever.
I'm the same way. . .
That's not a knife that's a fang
Don't even acknowledge haters that's all they can do .
💯💯💯💯💯💯
Perfectly safe as long as you utilize the blade correctly.
that can be said about anything though
@@5MinuteKnives
Sure.
@@ericsierra-franco7802 Nuclear energy is perfectly safe as long as it's utilized correctly... see? Works with anything
@@5MinuteKnives
Of course. I agreed with you the first time. It's not a hard concept to grasp.
@@5MinuteKnives
James Williams blades are safe for me. Are they safe for you?
Great vid. Youve got to be one of the best knife channels
Appreciate ya saying so... even if you're lying. 😂
Sheath is plastic, not kydex.
And kydex is…
According to your preference you should absolutely carry the Smith & Wesson revolver folding knife or check out some of Mikkel Willumsen's designs.
That's a blind spot in my folder knowledge so I'll check it out. Appreciate ya!
Any fixed blade with no protection against your hand sliding up the blade, in my opinion, should never be considered as a self defense knife.
You want something you can really lock your hand in to, you NEED a hilt or hand guard of some kind. The risk of destroying your own hand with your own knife is simply far too great.
Lately i've been looking at the TDI investigator from KA-Bar, now THAT's a fantastic example of a blade you can really lock in your hand and not worry about slipping.
User safety comes first.
I'd have to agree with you (mostly) and I wanna check that one out soon. Thanks!
I like the knife, but I don't like the knife. Realistically speaking the consumer market is not going to be wearing this thing with gloves. James Williams designed this with a too aggressive handle. It should have had some type of guard. Without it you removed half of this functionality as a knife. My opinion of course.
and a valid one with some good points! 🍻
This blade is purpose built for quick deployment and extreme penetration. It was intended to be worn on kit (body armor or chest rig) This design was never intended to be multipurpose or a tool. There is only a singular purpose, penetration and swift damage. I’m a huge fan of his blades. 🤙
@@TexasThunder.338 me too but a guard would really help with everything you mentioned... This mainly a potato slasher for me. Plus the balance is super weird in my opinion...
The knife was designed to be used in reverse grip. You should research this stuff . Williams said most people he trained/trains like this style of blade longer than this one.
Sir , you remark would be valid for a tactical or multi tool knife...This is the scary part about this one , it is clear it has been conceived with REALLY REALLY bad intents in mind...foremost knowing what the particular credentials of this 15 th century era of blacksmiths was (testing "in conditions") , this is a heart's stabbing blade , for extremes self defense situations , it is to stop in its tracks a 100+kg man charging to kill you at peak adrenaline with lethals means , you being cornered to a wall , lets say it like it is.
"Is this knife safe?" Uh........ 🤨🤨🤨
For user. Example- drawing and indexing in the dark. Get it now?
Is it safe🤣🤣🤣
Karambits are dumb.
Oh. I'll go throw mine out. Thanks.
@@5MinuteKnives 🤣😉
IT’S REALLY NOT SO - COMFORTABLE - FOR THE GUY I AM USING IT ON ~ ☠️😼☠️