Can anyone speak to the quality of Jake Hoback knives?

[el gigantor]

I just found this absolute stunner from a company I know nothing about. I posted a few days back about looking for my “forever knife” and thought I settled on a Spartan Harsey, but this Hoback looks like the knife of my dreams.

I’d love to hear from those who have opinions on this company, and bonus points if you’ve sampled their merchandise in the past. Much obliged!

 

[Oklahoma Outlaw]

They don’t get a lot of love around here…mainly due to resale values.

I have one, though not the Sumo or A15. I can’t find anything not to like about it. I’ve heard their customer service is top notch.

Good luck.

 

[Dadpool]

You don't hear a lot about Hoback knives, and anecdotally folks tend to say that they don't hold their value for resale.

When I boiled my collection down to a few knives earlier this year, one of them was a Hoback Husky -- my pick for "absolute unit," a category I enjoy.

It's flawless. Everything I expect to be done well at this price point is done perfectly. The Hoback Rolling Detent is neat. It started out smooth, as expected, and on its journey to being fully broken-in it's now approaching drop-shut. Detent, lockup, centering, action -- everything is impeccable.

It's obviously not a "value play," as you can get this level of fit, finish, and execution from, say, Reate for half as much or Hinderer for 2/3 as much -- but it's also a pretty unique knife, even among high-end production knives. Comparing it to a knife in its price bracket, my Shirogorov NeOn NL, the NeOn is more refined in every way, with many more finishing steps to achieve those refinements. But it's not that the Husky is lacking, it's just a different design philosophy achieving different goals.

It brings me joy every time I handle, carry, and use it.

 

[el gigantor]

You don't hear a lot about Hoback knives, and anecdotally folks tend to say that they don't hold their value for resale.

When I boiled my collection down to a few knives earlier this year, one of them was a Hoback Husky -- my pick for "absolute unit," a category I enjoy.

It's flawless. Everything I expect to be done well at this price point is done perfectly. The Hoback Rolling Detent is neat. It started out smooth, as expected, and on its journey to being fully broken-in it's now approaching drop-shut. Detent, lockup, centering, action -- everything is impeccable.

It's obviously not a "value play," as you can get this level of fit, finish, and execution from, say, Reate for half as much or Hinderer for 2/3 as much -- but it's also a pretty unique knife, even among high-end production knives. Comparing it to a knife in its price bracket, my Shirogorov NeOn NL, the NeOn is more refined in every way, with many more finishing steps to achieve those refinements. But it's not that the Husky is lacking, it's just a different design philosophy achieving different goals.

It brings me joy every time I handle, carry, and use it.

Dadpool I feel like I should just tell you the three knives I’m considering, list their prices, and you tell me which way to go!

 

[Dadpool]

Dadpool I feel like I should just tell you the three knives I’m considering, list their prices, and you tell me which way to go!

LOL please don't do that. Statistically 95% of the knives I buy do not stick around in my collection; I'm clearly not qualified to make this decision.

But seriously though, I'll check your "forever knife" thread and see what's been going on since I last stuck my head in. Whatever you decide, you're on a fun journey!

 

[P.C.E.]

I have a Kwaiback MK5.1 with the blade re-gournd as seen below, slicing capability much better than compared to the full tanto profile it was before.

It's one of my largest folders and very robust. I was originally looking at a Radford, no complaints on the larger Kwaiback.
Service and communication are great, a much better experience than I had dealing directly with Hinderer.
They're not nearly as pretty and light like a Koenig or prolific like any XM series Hinderer.
To me they have a similar feel like a Demko AD20, big and ready with less drama.
Resale value aside, I don't think they're for everyone and they are kind of pricey so you gotta really want one.

 

[Dadpool]

big and ready with less drama

Dang, that is a great summary!

 

[el gigantor]

Dadpool So I’m down to the Spartan Harsey, the Hoback A15 Slimline, and the Reate K2 Bronze. The first two are similarly priced, and the Reate (at least in Canada) is about $200 less expensive. Whatever I decide on, it’s going to be a user. HALP!

 

[el gigantor]

I have a Kwaiback MK5.1 with the blade re-gournd as seen below, slicing capability much better than compared to the full tanto profile it was before.

View attachment 1662481

It's one of my largest folders and very robust. I was originally looking at a Radford, no complaints on the larger Kwaiback.
Service and communication are great, a much better experience than I had dealing directly with Hinderer.
They're not nearly as pretty and light like a Koenig or prolific like any XM series Hinderer.
To me they have a similar feel like a Demko AD20, big and ready with less drama.
Resale value aside, I don't think they're for everyone and they are kind of pricey so you gotta really want one.

Awesome feedback. Thank you!!

 

[Dadpool]

Dadpool So I’m down to the Spartan Harsey, the Hoback A15 Slimline, and the Reate K2 Bronze. The first two are similarly priced, and the Reate (at least in Canada) is about $200 less expensive. Whatever I decide on, it’s going to be a user. HALP!

For what it's worth, I don't think there's a bad choice in that bunch. All three brands are known for high quality and excellent fit and finish. We seem to have pretty similar tastes.

I don't prefer a Ti-on-steel lock-up, which is the only reason I haven't given the SHF a much harder look. I love everything else about it, and by all accounts it's a well-regarded and -made knife that deserves its current hotness.

I nearly bought an A15 Slimline when I was considering the Husky, even though they're pretty different knives. And while the bronze version of the K2 isn't the one that appeals to me (I like Knife Joker's "worker" version), I nearly bought a K2 instead of the Husky as well.

A few things that jump out at me:

- The A15 Slimline is a heavy knife. If you don't already know you like heavy knives, one that weighs nearly half a pound is a bit of a gamble. The K2 is light to average for its size, and the SHF is a hair heavy but nowhere near the A15; I suspect it carries "lighter" than its specs, but that's just a guess.
- The SHF has no flipper, so if you love flippers that may be a point against it. It's also the only one running on washers rather than bearings, which speaks to its hard-use/get me dirty approach; again, could be a plus or minus depending on your needs/preferences.
- The SHF is probably the safest choice in terms of resale value if you buy it and find that it's just not for you.

My cloudy, incredibly unreliable crystal ball says that you will be happiest with the SHF.

 

[el gigantor]

My cloudy, incredibly unreliable crystal ball says that you will be happiest with the SHF.

You are wise in the ways of the blade. I really appreciate your input. And now we wait until retailers are restocked!

Titanium-on-steel lockup is something I’ve never thought about. I’d be interested in hearing more about this..

 

[Dadpool]

Titanium-on-steel lockup is something I’ve never thought about. I’d be interested in hearing more about this

Ehh, I think I'm an outlier on this one. Thousands of satisfied Sebenza 21 owners have been using the crap out of Ti-on-steel lock-ups for years.

If I can have steel-on-steel, I want it. If I didn't already own a Socom Elite (same size range as the SHF), I'd considering bending this preference for the SHF, just like I do for a couple favorites in my collection.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I’m gonna also say the SHF…Hoback’s for me are just too heavy.

 

[el gigantor]

Ehh, I think I'm an outlier on this one. Thousands of satisfied Sebenza 21 owners have been using the crap out of Ti-on-steel lock-ups for years.

If I can have steel-on-steel, I want it. If I didn't already own a Socom Elite (same size range as the SHF), I'd considering bending this preference for the SHF, just like I do for a couple favorites in my collection.

I’m still having a hell of a time finding a Socom Elite Manual in stock. I guess I forgot how to internet..

 

[el gigantor]

I’m gonna also say the SHF…Hoback’s for me are just too heavy.

Duly noted! I’m leaning heavily in that direction currently…

 

[wroughndt]

I had one of his fixed blades and it is the one I regret the most of knives I have gotten rid of. Last time I saw it for sale it was 4x as much as I bought it from him. Excellent knife. He was great to deal with too. One of the nicest, most personable knife makers I have dealt with.

 

[Grayman1984]

I’m still having a hell of a time finding a Socom Elite Manual in stock. I guess I forgot how to internet..

You’re best bet is probably going to be The Exchange if you want to snag a SOCOM, but “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick” (unlike me, apparently)

They sell stupid fast.

Edit: Spotted one on the exchange, but it’s a mini. Go to the search function in the forum and type in Microtech, you should be able to find it. If I didn’t already just buy a tanto pm2 I’d snag it myself.