HideAway Knife

[Trembula]

Joe... I meant to put this in the original HideAway thread, but had some timing out problems submitting the post and inadvertantly started a new thread... please move. Thanks! - Dan


My HideAway Knife finally made its way to me about a week and a half ago. It is one of the straight ones with the regular bikini sheath, black coated and made by Paul Bos. It came with a cool little sticker (went on my back window...), several colors of para-cord (in case I wanted to re-wrap it), a lifesaver (haven't needed one yet), and a band-aid (really glad I haven't needed that yet).

The "fingers free" design makes this an ideal utility knife for all manner of small tasks. While helping set up for the MD State IDPA Championships I put my new blade to use. The ability to use both hands while having a knife "right there" made working with lines ("rope"/"cord" for y'all landlubbers), opening boxes, cutting wrappers, etc. much easier. No chance of losing or forgetting a folder or regular fixed blade that you set down somewhere... The very acute grind makes cutting a breeze, whether it be cardboard, line, plastic, or even food.

The measurement of the fingers is critical on this knife. I was initially concerned that it was a little too loose and that I had mis-measured when I ordered it from FrontSight many years ago. Upon reflection, I realized that health concerns as of late have resulted in a slight decrease in my finger/wrist size, which accounts for the loose fit.

Before I got the knife, I aquired a copy of the training DVD on the HideAway and while eye-opening, I think that for the gentle readers of this post, the money is better spent on: 1. another sheathing option or two and/or 2. putting towards the purchase of a second H.A.K. FrontSight's excellent website and the photos on that when combined with a little experimentation and the Congress knife material will give folks more than enough ideas.

While having a knife visible was not an unusual sight at an event with most folks present packing a sidearm, I clipped my staff nametag to the neck chain, which almost completely covered up the  sheathed H.A.K.. Not concealed, but out of sight enough that a few folks had the "whoa, where'd that come from?" when it came out for a cutting task. With a larger badge holder, such as here: http://www.hideawayknife.com/badgecarrier.php, it would be completely concealed.

The ability to hold a flashlight (http://www.hideawayknife.com/concept/new/big/image003.gif) or other tool with the same hand is a nice feature. Even better though, and unfortunately there isn't a picture of this on the website (unless I missed it) is the ability to hold a sidearm with two hands and the H.A.K. in your weak/supporting hand. I wouldn't want to try disarming that gun now! The retention issues of an extended two hand grip on a sidearm can then be somewhat mitigated.

Personally I have issues with most small knives - because they tend to have small handles and my hands aren't the smallest paws out there. The HideAway is a welcome exception because you get two inches of blade in a four inch long overall length and holding onto it isn't a problem. I also have an Emerson LaGriffe which will probably never see carry again because the HideAway is: 1. smaller overall and 2. has a longer blade. It is akin to a bullpup stock on a carbine... same length barrell but shorter overall...

Having a blade <2.5" also makes this knife legal to carry into Federal Buildings. Alas it isn't airplane legal, but for the airport, my "Hillbilly Hobbler" cane, Defender tool, and Surefire E2 should suffice...

In the future I will be buying a trainer and at least one more HideAway Knife (probably a hybrid just to be different) along with some sheath sticks, belt wrap, and the Badge carrier. Maybe a "Bro-Clip" too...

In summary, the HideAway Knife is a great piece of kit and worth the price.

Dan

[NoOneOfConsequence]

Thanks for the thorough review, Mr. Trembula.  I'm considering a HAK for everyday carry so it's good to hear that experienced folks think so highly of them. 

In that vein, I was wondering if any of the LEO's on the forum would be willing to offer their general observations on what reactions civilians carrying a HideAway Knife might expect from officers on-duty?

I'd like to qualify my question as carefully as possible since (1) I'm new to this forum and unknown, (2) I know it's an open-ended question and at risk of wide interpretation. 

My concern stems from my understanding that the specific provisions of my applicable state and local laws appear to permit the HAK design, however each also contains catch-all language that could be used to prohibit a toothbrush if the right people had it in for good dental hygiene and decided to interpret possession as proof of malicious intent.  Understanding that I'd have to contact a specializing local lawyer to verify my strict compliance, I'm still curious for insight into general reactions I could expect that might lead to justified/unjustified confiscation or force me to defend the legality of my possession in court.


My primary carry considerations (in order):

(1) I will use whatever force is necessary to protect myself and my loved ones from violence.
(2) I consider it essential to have the best knowledge and tools available to meet that responsibility. 
(3) I want to comply with my state and local laws regarding my daily carry items. 
(4) I want to plan my daily carry items with consideration for the men and women in uniform that are sworn to protect my family and friends. 


Some situational assumptions intended to limit my question to possession rather than use issues:
 
(1) Straight-edged utility version of the HAK with no swedge and a blade less than 2 inches,
(2) I have no criminal record and would not be involved in criminal activity, 
(3) The worst case scenario (for this discussion) is a self-defense situation where the HAK was used judiciously in response to an equivalent force threat.

The short version of all of this is that I'm sold on the value of carrying a knife that can be used both daily and in self defense and this seems like a good tool to meet both needs, however I'm wary about the lateral risks and am looking for thoughts from those who know. 

I'd also appreciate any guidance the forum has to offer regarding other important questions I'm overlooking as I consider this option?

Thanks for your collective patience as I tried to lay this out and thanks in advance for any feedback!


Respectfully,

Paul R.   


p.s.  If there's a better place to post my convoluted question, will someone please let me know?

[Hock]

n that vein, I was wondering if any of the LEO's on the forum would be willing to offer their general observations on what reactions civilians carrying a HideAway Knife might expect from officers on-duty?

None too good. Generally speaking, If I caught you with a knife that looked like a spy movie knife or science fiction movie knife, I am not too happy with you. I am screwing with you for as long as I can.

Such is life...
Hock

[mercop]

I have been wearing my Strider HAK under my armor on a mercharness about a year. Forget it is there.  Great little fixed blade.  I prefer to present my in the reverse grip.

[Trembula]

For those who could not afford a custom Hideaway.... http://www.hideawayknife.com/utilityhak.php

If anyone is wondering about getting a HAK or not, the solution is to just go ahead and buy one. For a neck knife it all but disappears. You can hide one in plain sight just by throwing your ID badge in front of the sheath if you have to wear one at work. The short blade length makes it legal in federal buildings. With some sheath sticks, your HAK will fit inside some watch pockets on trousers or jeans. The possibilities are endless. A few weeks ago I ran into a friend of mine who informed me that his sister was in Iraq with not one, not two, but three HAK's.

Dan

[Hepcat]

Anyone Else?

[whitewolf]

Morning-good info - i would say though If i saw a person wearing a knife around his/her neck I probably would be more careful around them then some one wearing a weapon on their hip in  civilian cllothing-just seems like that they might be a little different.??
WW (ELB)  "speed of light"

[seldomseen]

n that vein, I was wondering if any of the LEO's on the forum would be willing to offer their general observations on what reactions civilians carrying a HideAway Knife might expect from officers on-duty?


It all depends what state/country you are in. Within the U.S. the laws regarding carrying weapons, concealed or open carry, vary greatly from one state to the next.

Where I work, as long as the blade is less than 3.5 inches you're good to go. You can carry it concealed anywhere on your body.

Yes, you will receive extra attention from us, but as long as you don't have any illegal contraband, and don't have a warrant, you'll be good to go.

However, it would be interesting to hear from officers in the northeastern states, where weapons are treated a bit differently.

Jason

[Canuk]

In Canada (as a general rule) you can carry a knife as long as it isn't concealed. If you get caught with something like this knife you could reasonably epect a charge of "weapons dangoures"