My New Deadlock ‘EDC’

[RoyS]

Greeting fellow auto enthusiasts,

For your enjoyment and interest, I wanted to share my new EDC (every day carry) knife, a Hawk Deadlock Model ‘C’ Ti ‘Magnacut’. I have heard a lot about these quality OTFs but most of the comments & videos I’ve seen relate to examples that are unused and in collections, so I thought it would be a fun project to start a thread on my ‘journey’ and experiences (good or bad) with actually carrying and using one of these.

But first, a little background, perspective and my reasoning behind choosing this particular knife as my new 'every day carry'.

For nearly two decades my EDC (knife) has been a fixed blade Dan Winkler belt knife. I love this knife, I keep it razor sharp and it has done everything I have asked of it, from splitting logs while camping, to cutting my steak at a restaurant. However and if I’m totally honest, there have been a few times that I wished I had something a little smaller for more ‘delicate’ tasks - try removing a splinter with a robust fixed blade - it’s possible but! - well you get the idea.

I still plan to carry my fixed blade as my primary EDC, it’s a trusted old friend now, so will remain on my belt. But for the last couple of years I’ve been toying with the idea of carrying a secondary knife and an auto at that, partly for the reasons stated above but also because I just love autos and carrying one (not just collecting) sounds like a fun idea. I’ve gone back and forth between the idea of a side-opener and an ‘out-the-front'. I’ve been very much drawn to the concept of an OTF but have never actually owned one, let alone considered carrying one. That is until I looked into the Hawk Deadlock model C, ‘now there’s an OTF I can get on board with’, I heard myself saying. The combination of quality, pleasing aesthetics and (importantly for me) that there is zero movement to the deployed blade, where all positive factors. The price (yikes..!), well some really hard soul searching, followed by trading a bunch of knives made it possible and got this beauty for me.

As time and experience dictate, I will update this thread with any pertinent details and views on how this knife works out for me (or not!). But in the meantime if You use any OTF for your daily carry and would like to share it here, along with any comments on your experiences, then please feel free.


Cheerio,

Roy

[Railsplitter]

That’s a mighty fine score there, Roy! Possibly the most coveted OTF auto on the market.

Congratulations!

[RoyS]

Thanks Rick,

It's already sitting in my pocket and I'm pretty chuffed..

Cheerio,
Roy

[Madmarco]

Hey Roy!
It's good to see you posting, buddy, especially with such nice items.
It's particularly nice to read your comments before and after your pictures, I for one appreciate you taking the time to supply detailed information and/or the knife's history, I see far too many posts that lack these things and they leave me wondering.

From everything I've read and heard about your Deadlock, I'd say you chose the right knife, and as Rick said it's likely the most sought after OTF on today's market, even with it's bank breaking price, but then price never has been an issue for you anyway. If anyone doubts that statement, here's a man who owns a stable full of Latama autos, whereas most of us would love to own just one, and to that I say, good for you for remaining focused on quality and what you like, regardless of price.

I've stated a few times that OFT's are not my particular cup of tea, so my personal knowledge is limited to what I read and hear about any given knife, but a recent discussion involving OTF's described the Deadlock's as the OTF to buy if you're in the market for one, and since that information came from a member here who knows their knives I am inclined to believe him.

One thing in particular that was stated was their rock solid lock-up with zero play when deployed, a feature that seems most important to OTF fans.
Another feature mentioned was their ability to stab objects without the blade collapsing, just like a fixed blade knife.
I know that if I WAS an OTF fan, those things would be of the utmost importance to me.

I really didn't mean to write a book here, I just get excited for folks when they receive a knife that they're excited about, so enjoy your new treasure and I'm looking very forward to your periodic reports regarding it's performance!

[RoyS]

Thanks for that Marco,

A very thoughtful post. This beauty has been sitting in my pocket all day and I confess my first impressions are very favorable. The fit and finish is totally flawless. I'm excited to spend some time 'getting to know it'.

Cheerio,
Roy

[Rosa]

Looking forward to see how this knife performs with actual use.

I have 3, but they are too expensive for me to EDC . Safe queens.

[RoyS]

Hi Rosa,

Gosh, three! Lucky chap, let’s see a pic of this trio? And are they all identical or variations?

I have carried mine for around ten days now and although it’s early days, I’m very pleased. It sits in my pocket well and is easy to access. I have found (to my surprise) that I have used it every single day, often three or four times. Usually just very minor tasks, like opening things and/or light duties in the kitchen. As someone who has never owned an OTF, I'm surprise at it’s convenience, being able to deploy the blade in an instant, take care of a small task and safely retract the blade, all with one hand and all in what seems like an instant. It truly is an amazing ‘tool’.

As mentioned, I’m only ten days into carrying and using this knife but thus fare it has performed flawlessly and shows zero signs of wear, use or loss of sharpness.

In fact, I think my only downside in this experience is my occasional fear of looking it..

I will plan on updating this (perhaps with pics) at the end of the month.

Cheerio,
Roy

[Madmarco]

Hey Roy!

It's good to hear you're enjoying your knife as much as you'd hoped for.
Those aren't inexpensive knives, so the more use and pleasure it brings you the better.
Looking forward to your month-end assessment!

[joeradza]

Roy,
Glad to hear how you've been carrying and using your new deadlock. I recently got the auto itch which I scratched with a nice Hubertus. And now I'm looking at an otf. For now I'm looking at something more in my range taking into account how that will impact its usage. But knowing how convenient you make it sound from general use to the kitchen has got me convinced.

[RoyS]

Hi Guys,

Well, I have now been carrying my Hawk Deadlock as an EDC for a full month and can report only positive experience. It's still very much early days but thus far I'm very pleased.

The knife has been riding in my pocket easily, hardly notice it is there, so no issue at all in carrying it. I have used this knife every single day for one reason or another. Only light duties, such as opening letter, packages etc. The convenience of an OTF that - open/cut/close - is fabulous.

So far I have not noticed any deterioration to the finish 'or' the sharpness or cutting edge, despite daily (light) use.

Attached is a pic (just taken) showing it easily cutting a very ripe tomato. The 'Magnacut' steel seems to be all it's cracked up to be.

a full thumbs up with my overall experience to date.

Cheerio,
Roy

[Madmarco]

So glad your knife is living up to your expectations, Roy.
As we all know you pay for quality, so to lay out extra bucks for a tool that will make your life easier only makes sense.
The Deadlock OTF I'm assuming is the most recent generation of OTF knives, and the makers had all the other inferior models to examine and scrutinize before they designed theirs, so the result is an exceptional OTF knife, and won't it be interesting to see what they come up with next.
Sitting there about the cut tomato it looks like any every day pocket knife that just did it's job and will now be naturally picked-up and pocketed. Vision a Mago model in that spot, it just doesn't fit.
I've never seen tomatoes with ridges on them, cool stuff!
I got your email, buddy, and will respond as soon as I clear up some back-log from being absent!

[RoyS]

Hi Guys,

I thought it would be time to give a 'six' month update on my Deadlock.

All good news I'm pleased to report. I have had this in my pocket as an EDC for over six months. It has been used on average daily but not hard use, just general 'light' tasks. However and after six months it still slices a ripe tomato with ease. The 'magnacut' blade has never been sharpened (by me) and the knife shows zero signs of wear or use. I confess - I'm impressed...

I think it's a keeper.

Cheerio,
Roy

[lespaulpal]

I like this one, have to ask though, is it all metals ? no plastics ...

[RoyS]

Correct,

As I recall Magnacut (blade) titanium with carbon fiber inserts.

Cheerio,
Roy

[lespaulpal]

nice! thats what i suppose my otf's are... i program & operate cnc machines but blades and frames id imagine would be a bit tougher, quiet a bit smaller could be a challenge! all in all, I may have to get this one.

[Madmarco]

That's great news, Roy, I'm glad you're getting your money's worth since those aren't inexpensive knives.
I apologize for not responding to your email yet like you'd asked me too, believe it or not I'm still playing catch-up and it's going really slowly, but I will eventually.

[RoyS]

Hi Marco,

Thanks for that mate and totally no problem at all. Life often gets in the way, it's just the way it goes..

Cheerio,
Roy

[Madmarco]

Hi Marco,

Thanks for that mate and totally no problem at all. Life often gets in the way, it's just the way it goes..

Cheerio,
Roy