Benchmade 300SN vs. Hogue EX-03 vs ???

[Inazone]

I've had my eye on both the Benchmade 300SN and Hogue EX-03 (or maybe EX-01) for a while now, mainly as an EDC upgrade over my usual $20-30 Kershaws. Not that the Kershaws have given me any reason to complain, but I have an addiction to feed, after all. I've read reviews of both knives, and both seem to be pretty highly regarded in terms of quality. I had an opportunity to check out the 300SN at a dealer's store, but not the EX03 or any other Hogue for that matter. Having no brand preference, is one the clearly superior (or inferior) knife between these two? Other than ZT, is there someone else building USA-made folders in the $120-150 price range on par with the two I've mentioned? That's as high as I can go on this purchase.

(If the Kershaw Camber was likely to see the light of day soon, that would also be in the running, but I don't expect those to show up for at least a few months.)

 

[Scurvy092]

Hogue all day over the 300sn. Also, spyderco pm2 is in that price range and made in the USA.

 

[bpeezer]

Of those two, I'd take the Benchmade over the Hogue. If I could throw a similar knife in the mix, I'd say look at a Spyderco Manix 2.

 

[K.O.D.]

I'd take the Hogue over the BM, but at the price point you are talking, a Spyderco Gayle Bradley, Nilakka, PM2, ZT 0801 would work as well.

 

[mlanghornes]

Given the steels are the same, and locks are probably similarly durable in normal use, I'd go Hogue. I handled an EX01 recently and I was blown away by the quality, smoothness, and strength of that knife. The 300SN is a good knife, but I found it to be a little fat and wide in the pocket, though the clip and ergos were very good. I think the Hogue may actually have the fit and finish and overall quality edge over the Benchmade, those knives are very impressive.

 

[-NB-]

I own the ex-04 and the fit and finish are top notch. No disrespect to bench made as they make good quality knives, but I'd go with Hogue

 

[Inazone]

Sounds like it's a pretty balanced mix of opinions between the two. It did occur to me that the Benchmade was a little thick for pocket carry, but not having a Hogue to compare it to, I couldn't judge it on that alone. Clearly, I need to get my hands on one.

As for the other suggestions, I appreciate them, but I just can't get past the look of Spyderco's designs, and have a ZT 0801 that I really like but didn't really buy for EDC. I wouldn't hesitate to open this up to include non-Chinese imports, as long as the price, materials and workmanship are on par, but am more likely to consider imports like Fallkniven and Boker for fixed blades.

 

[RamZar]

Since you considered the Benchmade S300SN (3.18" blade) and it's a flipper why not consider the the Hogue EX-02 with the flipper option and a 3.375" blade (choice of tanto or spear point). Great flipper action that puts the BM to shame!

By the way, you can also get the EX-02 with a 3.75" blade and manual thumb stud opening instead of flipper.

 

[Inazone]

If they offered the EX-02 with an aluminum handle or something other than the micarta (or G-Mascus?) I would probably go that route, but as it stands now, it's looking like the EX-01 or EX-03 if I go with Hogue.

 

[Yo Mama]

I only have the 300sn. I like the Hogue knives, and see nothing wrong with them, but they are just a different blade than the 300sn. If you want a smaller fat knife get the 300sn. If you want a bigger fat knife go with the Hogue.

Either way you'll get one, and then start saving up for the other. You know you will, don't deny it, just start saving.

 

[1robinhood]

The black finish on the EX02 and EX04 is a dealbreaker for me (it's fine and all but it's black and it shows wear...)

The EX03 on the other hand has that awesome tumbled finish... the best finish on any of my knives. Here are the brown handled in 3.5"

 

[1robinhood]

Here's my Hogue EX04 's for reference (Handle material feels slipperier and dare I say... plasticky/cheaper on the EX04 compared to the nice grippy EX03)