Has anyone tried the Fantoni HB-02 folder?

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flash900

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How does it compare in workmanship, tolerances and ease of use to the Sebenza?

(I list the Seb for comparison only because it is so well-known and most agree it is the gold standard.)

Thanks.
 
I do not have a HB-02 but I have a Hide. I would have to hold it next to a Sebenza to say if it's on par but I can say that it is hands down the highest quality lock back I've come across in a production knife. You may say "well that's not the knife I'm asking about, how is that relevant?" My answer is that you likely won't find many people that have handled an HB, they're about as common as frog's fur. It took me a couple years to track down a Hide and then I got it used. But if the quality I see in the Hide goes across the board then you don't have much to worry about. The very few people I've heard that have them have liked them.
 
I've seen a fair number of the Lone Wolf knives made by Fantoni. They were a well made product worth the price.
 
I have both the big Fantoni HB 01 (4" blade) and the small HB 02 (3" blade). I got the HB 01 first and it was really tight but eventually it loosened up. Check out my old thread: Bill Harsey "tactical" folders.

Eventually, I decided to get the small HB 02. Surprisingly, it was smooth as butter from day one. Both have sharp blades that slice well but can attack beastly jobs. Titanium liners, lock and clip. G10 overlays the titanium. S30V with great heat treat. HB 02 weighs only 3 ounces. Tolerances are like CRK Sebenza.

A note on the thumb studs: No issues. Just place your thumb at the 6 o'clock of the thumb stud and push up.

Comparison pictures next to CRK Small Sebenza and RH XM-18 3":

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I have an HB-02, and a Hide.

As far as the HB-02 vs Sebenza:

Workmanship: on par with a Seb.
Tolerances: on par with a Seb. Not quite as smooth as a Seb, but a Seb isn't as smooth as my XM-18, or most of my Al Mars. Heck, my Acies is smoother than my Sebs ever were.
Ease of use: better than a Seb. It is very hard to flip open a Seb without really flicking your wrist. Its just the way they're designed. The Fantoni is easy to snap open. Also, there are many more hand positions available on the Fantoni, which are all designed into it from the start.

The ergos are, IMO, much better than a Seb. Harsey designs are some of the best around and the Fantoni is no exception. The Fantoni is much more than a simple two slab Ti handled folder.
I really like my HB-02 and would rate it as one of my top 5 production folders, regardless of price.

Speaking of price, the Fantoni is just over half the price of a Seb. The Seb isn't twice the knife of the Fantoni though.

Buy one, you'll love it.
 
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I looked at these too but only found 1 dealer.
The price was a little high so I'm thinking about the Combative Edge M1.
Not much info on either one thou.
 
Glad to find this thread since I've come close to buying a HB-02 for the last two years but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. Reason being, as another poster mentioned, there's not much around re: opinions since it's a rare folder but I saw somewhere awhile back that someone was complaining of lateral, and up and down play developing, and (can't remember the details) but for whatever reason, resolution could not be reached.

I never knew if it was a legitimate complaint, or someone w/an axe to grind, but it was detailed enough to scare me off. Has anyone here owning and using an HB-02 (or -01) experienced anything like this?

Also...it looks like a flipper? Is it? If so...bearings or washers?
 
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I was considering one of these.

But the flipper looks to be on the smaller side, which I don't care for.
 
The Fantoni HB 02 is NOT a true flipper but you can open it that way with a vigorous wrist flick.

For the quality of the folder plus its slim and narrow profile it's a relative bargain.
 
I have HB 01 I have had it for about a year now. I would not consider it a flipper either. It is a VERY well made knife. The S30V is razor sharp and a cinch to keep it that way. My knife has no issue's . I have another Fantoni knife it is a Loveless folder traditional drop point and that knife is also what I would call semi custom. Give it a try. I would say go with the 02 I think it would be more user friendly.
 
Thx to the OP for asking about, and to those giving input about the HB 02/01. I think an 02 is in my future.
 
knolan said:
Glad to find this thread since I've come close to buying a HB-02 for the last two years but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. Reason being, as another poster mentioned, there's not much around re: opinions since it's a rare folder but I saw somewhere awhile back that someone was complaining of lateral, and up and down play developing, and (can't remember the details) but for whatever reason, resolution could not be reached.

I never knew if it was a legitimate complaint, or someone w/an axe to grind, but it was detailed enough to scare me off. Has anyone here owning and using an HB-02 (or -01) experienced anything like this?

Also...it looks like a flipper? Is it? If so...bearings or washers?
Click to expand...

It's not a Flipper just the way it's made,I own one the HB-02 very good quality.
 
I have the hide and hb-01 I love both the hide is one of my favorite knives and so i the hb-01. I would imagine the hb-02 is just a smaller version. I have the combative edge M1 and it is great but I definitely like my Hb-01 better
 
I have the earlier version of the hb-01 when it was made for Beretta and it is a great knife - fit/finish, ergonomics, ease of cutting - but I think it is not quite as refined as the Sebenzas I have owned. However I trust its functionality / would rely on it just as much as a Sebenza.
 
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