James Williams is actively involved in teaching Military special operations and government security professionals who must at times perform their daily high-risk duties in environments which do not allow them to carry firearms or a large fixed blade knife such as the Hissatsu™. At training sessions and demonstrations, they have asked James to design a folder with the defensive power of the Hissatsu that can be a concealed carry in a pocket or clipped comfortably under a jacket. The result is the CRKT Hissatsu Folder. Blade length is .87”, which is safely under the legal limit in most jurisdictions, while blade finish is non-reflective black Teflon® coating.

The blade shape is a classical Samurai design which gives outstanding penetrating power as well as exceptional slashing performance. We have used our premium AUS 8 stainless steel for the optimum in strength and edge-holding ability with very good stain resistance.

For rapid deployment, we have incorporated our patented OutBurst™ assisted opening mechanism which instantly springs the blade fully open after you have opened the blade approximately 0 degrees. To meet jurisdictional regulations, the OutBurst mechanism can be quickly disabled with a single setscrew.

As the blade is opened it locks automatically with our patented Auto-LAWKS™ safety. This makes the Hissatsu Folder a virtual fixed blade, which is important in high-stress rapid-deployment situations.

We have used a heavy-duty version of our stainless steel InterFrame build with beefy 0.09” 0J stainless steel liners, one locking, and black Zytel® scales, textured to provide a secure grip. A thumb disk allows rapid opening with either hand, and the custom Teflon®-plated stainless steel clip can be quickly and easily mounted right-or left-handed with a single screw, yielding a knife that is truly ambidextrous.

Here’s a tactical knife for the professional that is overbuilt to last. For those who have a need to use it, this is as much defensive security as you can find in a tactical folder.

Let us be clear: the Hisshou™, designed by James Williams, is a specialized tool that is intended for military personnel and special forces operators. James developed this design to meet the specific requests of coalition forces overseas for a more powerful tactical tool than his CRKT Hissatsu™, which is in wide use.

Historically, military swords have been sized to fit the fighting environment. Long swords, such as the English broad sword and Japanese katana, could only be used effectively on open fields of battle. Fighting in close or confined quarters required shorter swords, such as the sailor’s cutlass and the Japanese wakizashi, which is similar in size to the Hisshou.

The Hisshou comes into play when the operator’s firearms cannot be used, as often happens in entry and search operations. It is designed for multiple carry options depending on the choice of the operator.

The Hisshou’s 13” full-tang dual grind Tanto blade is YK-30 high-carbon steel, high satin finished. The long, tapered tip grind is designed for maximum slashing power combined with superior penetration. At 16.4 ounces, the Hisshou also offers superior slashing ability as compared to the Hissatsu.

James has followed centuries of Japanese tradition in designing the classic cord-wrapped handle with ray skin underlays, which compares very well to more modern handle materials, giving excellent grip under all conditions.

We have designed a custom Kydex® sheath with a patented* quick-release belt-mounting system for the Hisshou. The sheath has detents which grip the knife securely and wide entry lips which allow the knife to be returned to the sheath with one hand.

The belt clip can be attached with the Chicago screws provided for vertical or horizontal carry. Simply press in the injection-molded nylon retaining clip for instant attachment or release.

The Hisshou demands respect, and is certainly not a sport or work knife, but it can truly be a lifesaver for the military professional. This is a knife that would have been carried by the Samurai.

James Williams, the designer of the Hissatsu™, is a former Army officer and martial arts practitioner/instructor with over  years of experience. He knows cutlery as President of Bugei Trading Company, producer of fine Samurai swords. As one who has trained tactical law enforcement and military forces for the SureFire Institute, he has developed a unique and powerful approach to unarmed combatives. His system of defensive tactics, known as The System of Tactical Strategy, has its origins in the ancient Samurai military systems as well as the Russian military art of Systema.

A key part of this system is the Hissatsu based on an old Japanese design. The unique shape of the blade, made famous by the legendary Samurai warlord Takeda Shingen, provides enormous penetrating power and superior slashing capability in one blade, which works with the natural motion of the body. James arrived at this modern version as a backup weapon for close-quarters combat. This is a focused single-purpose knife for use in anti-terrorist/close-quarters battle (CQB) environments, either as a primary or a secondary weapon to augment the handgun in the hands of trained professionals.

The Hissatsu’s dual grind Tanto blade is 0A stainless steel, high satin finished. For those who prefer a non-reflective finish, the Hissatsu is available with a black EDP blade or in Desert Tan dress with titanium nitride blade coating.

To aid in law enforcement and military training, a Hissatsu Trainer is now available with a blue handle and aluminum blade with a rounded trainer edge.

The handle is in a traditional Japanese pattern, but is Twin-Fused™, double injection-molded with a high-impact polypropylene core, butt and hilt, and a nonslip Kraton® handle surface. Oyatsubo, the emperor node on the omote (outside/ public side) of the tuska (handle), allows you to know which direction the blade is facing, even in compromised lighting conditions, by touch.

The custom injection-molded Zytel® sheaths (in matching black, Desert Tan or blue) grip the knife firmly, and have removable belt clips which can be attached high or low, vertical or horizontal with the black two-piece screws provided. There are also holes and slots for carry on belts, webbing or equipment.

The Hissatsu is intended for use only by trained law enforcement and military tactical team professionals. Enormous power in a light, flat package makes for easy carry with many options for placement on tactical gear.