The Hash-knife Outfit

by Zane Grey

The Hash-knife Outfit by Zane Grey. Originally published in 1933

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics, Adventure, Novels, Historical

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

Pearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.

Reviews

[J.R. Underdown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zane Grey really struggles with plotting and pacing. His characters usually don't stand out too much, but they're not as jarring as the pace of this book. There is basically an A plot and B plot and rather than weave those two plots in and out from chapter to chapter, Grey focuses on one for a few chapters, stops it completely and moves on to the next plot. What is thought to be the initial tension of the book resolves itself much quicker than I expected. His strength is in his descriptions of the West and he flexes that muscle here from time-to-time. Not a bad Western overall, just not the most satisfying.

[Milt Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Pard. I reckon this hyar book is about as good a book as I've ever read.

[Jonathan Oosterhouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a slog. The to titular Hash Knife Outfit and their actions occupy little of the book, while most of their exploits are only talked about in repetitive Gray dialogue. When you accept the fact that the story is actually about Jim Traft, it gets better and tension begins to build. But there is no relief of tension, as the climactic “showdown” is completely washed over by a pointless segment where a side character throws an elaborate prank which basically tortures another. This was a slog to read for about half of the book and never went anywhere. This is a far cry from the last Zane Gray novel I read, “Knights of the Range,” which is a fantastic western.

[Puffer T · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far the least exciting and rivoting Zane Grey book. Too many characters and too much dialogue. I already miss the discriptive Grey. But some of the ideas in this book do give you the idea that some contemporary authors have stole his ideas. Cheaters!

[Fran Burdsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zane Grey has the ability to spin a tale of the old west with singular characters and plots that charm and fascinate. In spite of the hardships of living in the rugged western territories, there is a gentleness and honor that characterize his heros. No one gives you better villians and Zane Grey. The desperados and rustlers and card sharks always get their due. A very satisfying read...

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good to read a good ol' Western once in awhile, just to clear one's palate. I thought this title was intriguing so I got it out of the library. Has all the "stuff" a Western should have; nasty rich guys, solid rancher, plucky Western girl, Eastern girl who eventually learns the Western ways, buncha tough hombres who rustle (but not on THAT big a scale), couple love stories (one very unlikely, but more appealing therefor), guns, horses, desolation (Arizona), and an easy read. This, then, is kinda "standard" but enjoyable nonetheless. Gonna read some more Zane Grey sometime, but my next Western is one by Elmore Leonard(!) OK, off to the next Jack Reacher butt-kicker!

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have not read a western in a long while, and a visit to Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, IN brought them to mind. At Eiteljorg, there are some lovely pictures of western scenery, including the Grand Canyon and Long's Peak, as well as pieces that represent the old west from other viewpoints than just the romanticized cowboy. I'd recommend a visit to the museum for any western-lover.

It made me want to read a western.

My grandparents used to read Zane Grey to each other, and even named a son after him.

I have enjoyed Zane Grey's "Man of the Forest" and "Last of the Duanes", but "The Hash Knife Outfit" has not aged well. "Man of the Forest" is still my favorite.

This is a sequel to "The Drift Fence", but I understood it well enough without it. There were, however, so many characters introduced so quickly that I created a list of characters to keep them all straight. I'll put the Cast of Characters at the end of this review.

Zane Grey's beautiful western scenery colors this book, as well as the others. It's probably my favorite part of his stories, along with trying to figure out how the characters are going to get out of this scrape.

Grey's plots are not usually just shoot-em-ups, and usually involve some woodcraft, some ingenuity, and some planning. In general, they are worth reading.

Surprisingly enough, he also had a deft hand for writing romance, at least in many of his plots, but that is not the case for this story. This one is more romance than western, and awful romance at that. Some of his romances feel like wishful thinking on Zane Grey's part, wish fulfillment literature.

This story diminished domestic violence, making it appear less serious. Maybe not out-and-out brutality, but domestic violence all the same.

Also, the women's "no" is not respected. I agree that Molly's reasons were askew, and that she is more worthy than she gives herself credit, but she has a right to her reasons, whatever they are, whether or not they are reasonable, and a right to her "no." She does not have to try to fit into another culture, even if she does love somebody in it.

Finally, there are three instances of kidnappings, once of one person, and twice of two people. The first and last kidnappings are done for the victims "own good." Yes, they supposedly are done by people with good motives, but they are still kidnappings, still a serious offense.

Yes, sometimes people do have good character changes through adversity. That doesn't mean we should cause them adversity. Life itself will bring them adversity sooner or later in whatever fashion, perhaps sooner in that lawless, harsh place.

Favorite quotes:
"But you're young an' you want results too quick."

"It [the wilderness] brought into expression some deep, long-latent force of joy. Hours he had spent alone like this, not worrying over some problem ... not thinking of anything at all. ... He realized it was pure happiness."

"I wish somebody loved me that way."
"That's funny. As if you hadn't had and didn't have more love than any girl ever had."
"... only to be loved because you're pretty!"

There are other, more important things.

"Sister, you've messed things up considerable. But somehow ~ still loves you, an' I reckon I do, too."

Cast of Characters
Jed Stone - leader of Hash Knife, used to ride for Jim Traft
Tracks Anderson - older, white bearded in Hash Knife
Stoneface Carr - gambler in Hash Knife
Pecos - Texan in Hash Knife, shunned money, drink, and women. He was a dreamer.
Croak Malloy - deadliest of Hash Knife, small, misshapen
Sonora - Mexican in Hash Knife, sheep-herder, scout
Madden - in Hash Knife, hard-riding, hard drinking, shooting
Jim Traft, Sr - old cattle king, owner of Diamond Ranch and Yellow Jacket
Jim Traft, Jr - nephew of Jim Traft, Sr. Receives Yellow Jacket as a gift from his uncle, along with Slinger Dunn
Slinger Dunn - Jpache, killed Hack Jocelyn for wanting to drag off his sister Molly. He was gifted Yellow Jacket, along with Jim Traft, Jr.
Molly Dunn - Slinger Dunn's sister
George Bambridge - unsuccessfully sued Jim Traft for Yellow Jacket
Lonestar Holliday - Texan in the Diamond Ranch, to clean up area
Frank Lang - ex-sheriff in the Hash Knife
Ring Locke - works for Traft on Diamond Ranch, "no slicker cowman than Ring." An aggressive superintendent, older
Reed - young cowboy with Hash Knife
Curly Prentiss - Diamond Ranch, "would be a good cowboy if he weren't drunk"
Bud Chalfack - cowboy on Diamond Ranch
Gloriana May - Jim Traft Jr's sister, a genius for designing dresses
Jackson Way - cowboy on Diamond Ranch
Hump Stevens -cowboy on Diamond Ranch
Uphill Frost - cowboy on Diamond Ranch, has a crutch
Cherry Winters - cowboy on Diamond Ranch
Wess Stebbins - married Curly's girl, Caroline Bambridge
Jeff Davis - cook for Diamond Ranch
Ed Darnell - stock-buyer, stockman in Kansas City, MO. Borrowed money from Gloriana and embezzled money from her dad, broke her heart
Blodgett - operated a ranch south of the brakes
Blake - a hotel man from Winslow
Sue Henderson - socialite and gossip
Sheriff Bray - sheriff
Blacky Eeeves - "town-dive riff raff"
Sam Tanner - a cousin of Joe Tanner's from up Little Colorado Way
Joe Tanner - ?

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romantic Western in which a lady from the East visits her brother in Arizona where she falls for a rustler. She is kidnapped and winds up in the middle of a range war.

[Paula Galvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an adventure into the world of Westerners, cowpunchers, and desperados. Jim Traft, referred to as ‘the old rancher’, runs a large cattle ranch in Flagstaff, Arizona. When his nephew, Jim, comes to The West, he falls in love with the beauty and ruggedness of the wild country. He becomes the leader of the Diamond, an outfit of cowboys containing a wild assortment of men, including Curly Prentiss, the handsome, honest cowpuncher, Bud, Curly’s best friend, and Slinger Dunn, the backwoodsman. When Jim’s sister, Gloriana, a beautiful but delicate Easterner, decides to visit, the Diamond sets out on a task to toughen her up while fighting the dreaded Hash Knife Outfit, which has been stealing Traft’s cattle and causing general mayhem in the Arizona communities.

The book offers the reader an authentic glimpse into the rugged countryside of untamed Arizona, a time when cowboys could hang cattle rustlers and shootouts were a common occurrence. Zane Grey also writes with humor as he pits the Diamond cowboys against each other to win the affection of Gloriana, who even turns the head of Jed Stone, the hardened leader of the Hash Knife Outfit. I found this book entertaining.

[Steve Prentice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a Zane Grey book before and was surprised at the style. There is very little descriptive text and almost the whole story revolves around the dialogue of the principle characters.

In terms of plot, it was a fairly standard goody versus baddy Western but, to be fair, the plot didn't work out as I expected so it kept my interest. There was even some romance which was fun and one of the goody's was called Curly Prentiss. That is my surname, although spelled differently. With such a (minor) hero in the book, I couldn't help but enjoy it.

More seriously, for those who enjoy tales of the old American West, then this seems like a book you might enjoy. I will certainly read more Zane Greyas it entertains without taxing the intellect!

[Joyce Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to "The Drift Fence" and a good read in its own right

Further development of Jim Traft and Molly Dunn characters. Jeb Stone and Gloriana Traft introduced; the interactions between the two are absolutely hilarious, worth the price of the book in and of themselves. I do believe that you will not find Zane Grey funnier in any of his writings. Makes the characters real and inspires me to want to read more about Jeb Stone and see if he does manage to go straight in the future.

[Kristof Coyyao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zane Grey is the author of this book. It is a fictional book and has 323 pages. My first impression of this book is slightly good because of the story about Western theme with a mix of romance between the two main characters.


At the end of the book, the hash knife gang was disbanded because the leader of the gang is dead. In the summary of my book review, this book is a 4/5 star for me because I like when it comes to Western Novel and a little bit of love story. Thank you.

[Heather Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another huge favorite. God, I loved this book. Read it at least 4-5 times.

[Audry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good western story set in the 1800s. About Arizona cattleman and rustlers and a little about Arizona justice.

[Gary Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to The Drift Fence. Both are very fine reads.

[Pc MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can actually smell the pines when a rider is on a crest.

This guy can write.

[John R. Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entertaining story, I enjoyed it as I do all of his books. Zane Grey is a favorite author of mine.

[Morgan Butters · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Marry Curly or Bud, and have some real western kids…but don’t never forget your Desperado.”
-Jed Stone 😩😭😩😭😭😭

[Boyd Fannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wal, I was holed up in my apartment fer a spell and I reckoned I would read this hyar book. I shore enuf enjoyed it!

Zane Grey wrote this novel somewhere around 1929, and it is a great story of the wild west and of romance on the range. The language was a little hard to follow at first but I got used to it. The story grew on me as the words got easier to follow and I hated to leave when I turned the last page.

The story takes place in mountains of Arizona and pits a band of cowboys led by a young, tenderfoot boss against the Hash Knife Outfit who make their living stealing cattle. It takes place in a time when the range was not fenced in and you lived by your wits and your draw. Zane Grey paints a pretty picture of the land, the men and women who settled it, and they danger (and excitement) of cowboy life.

If you can find a copy I has a hunch you jest shore wal enjoy it!

[Mark Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sequel to The Drift Fence. Tenderfoot Jim’s sister comes to visit. The rustlers are still after the cattle. Jim’s sister is interested in meeting desperados and one of them falls for her. This is a great western and the second best Zane Grey novel I have read. I recommend reading the Drift Fence first. Sadly there are bad copies out there for both books with misspellings and bad font choice so be careful which copy you buy. Buy the older hardbacks if you can or 80s paperbacks, maybe 90s paperbacks might be okay.

[Doug Dams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a feud between two cattle outfits, The Diamond and The Hash Knife. THe Hash Knife Outfit are outlaws and during the feud kidnap two women. Their rescue and the face off between the two outfits provide the excitement. There's plenty of gun fights, ambushes, and old west adventure. The characters are interesting and different.

[Kurt Heater · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shore 'nuff good tale

Jed Stone's true character never left, it just got buried in the reality of decisions made and a life unfolding.....until a push came from a fearless Easterner and the outfit was faced with going over the edge without a chance of redemption or making a clean break of their lawless nature.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a continuation of "The Drift Fence" so if you loved the characters, you'll find out what happens to them. This is the first Zane Grey book I ever read, and it's still my favorite!

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

An East coast gal inherits her father's cattle empire as well as the rustlers that go with it.

[Harlan E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable, but the next step up from pulp westerns.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than I expected a "vintage" book to be. I can see why Zane Grey was so popular back in the 30's.

[Brenda]

I can't remember..... I guess I'll have to read it again some day.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting as always with his books

[Kurt Vosper · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hash Knife gang are a pretty standard Western group of outlaws that slowly get whittled away until there is only one left. Pretty good Zane Grey book.