Hogue EX01 4"

[Moosez45]

Howdy, ya'll. This will be my first review here, so, bear with me. I picked up a Hogue EX01 "Drop Point" in green Gmascus this weekend, and I wanted to share. I'm pretty interested in these, since they are MADE IN USA, 154cm steel, and G10/Gmascus handle mater. The Elishewitz lock is what has me the most fascinated.

I plan on doing 3 parts to this review, F&F, cutting, and what I like to call, "The Mud Bucket". So, on to the first part.

Fit and Finish
I saw this blade run for a little less than $200 on most knife sites. YMMV

Right off the bat, I liked this knife, its big, beefy, and brawny, but not nearly as heavy as my ZT0303.

All parts and metal, fit together well, with no gaps, and everything had that bright and shiny new knife look. And feel.

In the hand, I noticed how sharp the edges were. With scalloping towards teh blade, and around the handle perimeter, there was a small but acutely sharp edge. Not noticeable at first, but after whittling with it for a while, it can be a little abrasive on the hand. Not cutting or cause hot spots, but I can see someone wanting to take some 600gt sand paper, to knock those corners down some.

The Gmascus, is a brilliant pattern, and one that I really like. The stippled portion of the handle, feels quite good, though it suffers from the same "fresh off the machine" feel as well, very aggressive, but not too much.

One thing I hate, is when companies ruin that beautiful blade shape, by laser etching/roll stamping a lot of lettering on, no so here. I only found 3 marked spots on the blade, the letters were about 2-3mm high, USA, Hogue, Elishewitz. I like that.

USA is stamped up near the handle, I didn't like the pic I took, so, it didn't make it.

The tale tell "spooner" pocket clip, is a dead giveaway for the Hogue knives, and one that I like.

The operation of the blade, is a simple thumb stud opening, with the Elishewitz pushbutton lock, and safety backup. The lock up is tank tread tight, smooth, and repeatable. In other words, a mechanism for a folding knife.

Overall, the fit and finish on this blade is good. The blade is centered, it opens easy, closes easy, and has some pretty aggressive texturing, making it feel like you have a solid grip on it.

My youngest daughter, used it to whittle some maple this weekend, right after I got it (She used the sad Daddy please face) and didn't complain about the sharp corners, maybe it was just me.

I can't wait to see how it cuts cardboard, and other material. I usually hand craft the edges on my knives, and this is, without a doubt, the first knife I have received from the factory, that is as good or better than I can do. Most times, the edge is the first thing that gets changed. Not on this one, scary sharp, and polished well.

F&F on my knife, gets a 5 of 5, with me finding nothing at all wrong.

Thanks for looking. More to come.

Moose

 

[Moosez45]

Cut Test

Part of my job, is breaking down cardboard to go in the bin. Not a fun job, unless you are a knife nut, and like testing out your blades on cardboard.

All my folders go through pretty much the same test, and if they pass, the get to stay in the pocket. If not, the go on the shelf as a weekend knife or special dinner knife. Not as glamorous as getting to ride as my pocket tool all day, but hey, at least they get kept.

SO, enough of that. My test is simple, turn this,

into as many small pieces as I can. Those that get dull before the job is done, go to the shelf, those that will finish the job, stay.

The factory edge was very sharp, and very symmetrical all the way up the blade. I like that. Going in, she'll shave,

Coming out, like I said, if it cuts solid all the way through, and don't dull up so bad I can't finish, its good in my book.

This is pretty typical of the kind of cardboard I deal with, triple wall and double wall mostly. We work with electronics and technology, they secure that stuff when they ship it.

And, this is the end results.

Not everything in the box was cardboard, I had plastic and other packing material, so, there really wasn't a whole lot of cardboard, but I did keep count of the cuts that were made. 34 cuts, average length of cut was 2'.

And the blade when I was done.

Thoughts on the Edge

My edge would have been better. I usually keep a "toothier" edge on my work knives, and this one, was factory polished, and looked great. Cut great. Now, after all the cuts, it wouldn't shave hair, my S30V would, but this 154cm didn't hold up as well. I think it was the smooth edge. I was doing more push cuts, than draw cuts, which worked fine, and the last cut was just as easy as the first cut, I felt I could have done about 3 times as much as I did, and still not had issues.

Ergos

Thing hurt my hand. Those sharp corners I talked about in the first post, yeah, they were rough on the hand. I kept finding myself "re positioning" my hand, to get away from the pain. I don't have soft hands, but they ain't saddle leather either. This handle will get some 600gt Wet/Dry sandpaper as soon as I can get home. After that, I don't think I'll have a problem.

For cutting, I give it a 3.5 of 5. Primarily, due to the factory edge not being toothy enough, and the pain from pushing against those sharp edges. I still love the knife and will update again on the cutting after I have Moosed the edge up and sanded down the corners some.

Thanks again, and probably this eveing, Mud Bucket.

Moose

ETA I didn't wipe the edge off after I was done. I had cut some tape and what not while I was out, and the edge was gummed up. Still won't shave hair, but it cuts standard printer paper. The cuts have some slight fraying, which tells me its was struggling to get through, but after all that cardboard, it still done this.

 

[Moosez45]

Mud Bucket. Pretty simple test, but very effective for judging a folders ability to work in the wilds. I just recently got into kayaking, and I always keep a blade on my vest, and in my pocket. So, the way I see it, if I'm climbing out of the boat or getting in the boat, and my vest/pocket folder falls, what will it take to keep it running?

So, one standard issue shovel, a bucket (girly, but I have girls, so.....), and a silty, sandy, mucky creek that runs through my land. One scoop of mud, and fill with creek water to a good depth.

I have a stir stick, as I want all the dirt and silt to be "free" in the water when I add the knife.

And in it goes. I stir the muck until its all unsettled, then place the knife, folded, in the mix.

I let it sit until the mix settled, then I waited, another 5min or so. This was as I pulled it free.

The first time, I gave it a "swoosh" in the muddy water, after I pulled it free from the settle.

Opened fine. You could feel the sand and dirt in the action, but it moved through, not much more difficult than sans muck.

The lock fully engaged, and the "safety" switch worked.

Closed just as well. The lock button was easy to push, no binding, and I was gently pushing the blade closed.

Second test, I swirled the knife, closed, into the mucky abyss, flipping and turning it over as it disappeared from sight.

Coming out the second time, no rinse, just a shake. Opened same as before, but you could feel the grit and grime more this time.

I hope you can see how much dirt and sand there is in the action.

The lock this time seemed to bind some, once the blade came into battery.

And to test and see if the partial lock would fail, I spine whacked it a few times on the side of the table.

The whacks actually seated the lock into full position.

Mud Bucket Test

So far, this EX01 has passed Mud Bucket with flying colors, granted there was only two submersions, but it handled them fine. A quick rinse in the sink, and we are all good to go. The only failure I found, was when I did not rinse it upon taking it out, the safely latch would not engage, which, to me, is of little concern. A quick rinse in the sink, under a cold tap, and we are back in 100% business. No media grinding, and it works just as it should, safety and all.

I will take it apart and clean it thoroughly, and apply some oil where its needed, but I am impressed. I give the lock and knife 5 of 5 for passing the Mud Bucket Test.

Moose

 

[The Warrior]

Nice review Moose. Looking forward to more impressions. That's a sweet looking blade, really like it.

 

[-Ranger-]

Thanks for the review! I've been eyeballing one of these for a while now.
Any size comparison pics between the Hogue and the ZT303?

 

[Bladite]

love'em. have them in two sizes, and carry the large green one pretty much EVERY day. awesome sheath of knife

 

[edctac]

The F&F on those is that of a way more expensive knife. I love mine.

 

[rookie4real]

Not a fan of Hogue or button locks but very nice review.

 

[Murphnuge]

Hey, look da Moose is making me buy something else! Looks like an interesting piece man.

 

[Bladite]

what's interesting, is that this is their first knife, slam dunk , home run, blast off.

pretty amazing considering. high end features of $400+ knives, half the prize, SOLID build, pretty damn incredible...

 

[unclerod]

Just picked up a 3.5" tanto (bnib) on a whim when I saw a guy selling it super cheap on another forum. Haven't used it yet, I find the 3.5" barely fits my slightly larger hand. The handles on it aren't generous in the least (when compared to other large folders). That bneing said you can really lock into a solid grip but because of the size you're just limited. I think Hogue was aiming to get its foot in the tactical folder market which leads to me suggest that the aggressive "grippyness" is intended and desirable. Those not using it for tactual purposes i.e. opening boxes and edc tasks would find it unnecessary and uncomfortable. Not sure if you have seen the designers (Elishewitz) EX01 stress tests on Youtube but they are an interesting addition the discussion. Looking forward to the next phase of the review.

 

[presz]

They are a well made knife. Here is a picture of my aluminum EX-01 with a few others for size.

 

[Bladite]

the 3.5 satisfies some legal restrictions for some areas, but if you can get the 4, everything is gravy

 

[Moosez45]

Next part of the test is done and up. Gonna go ice my hoof.

Moose

 

[Deviltooth]

I love my Hogue. I eagerly await their next folder foray into the market. There's a very real appeal to getting something this well made.

 

[DrivebyTrucker]

I like them. I've had my eye on one for a while now. I've seen them on the exchange here, but every time they pop up it's for tanto. I like the drop point with gmascus. Great knife! :thumbup:

 

[Moosez45]

Mud Bucket Test up.

Moose

 

[Bladite]

cewl

i think we need to see more of this knife type and company

 

[alexanderkbaker]

I bought a 3.5 Drop Point GMascus off a member here. It was the early style with no USA stamp and hex head pivot screw. Right off the hop the main pivot would back off on tension to the point where it was really noticeable. Sent it back to Hogue and they changed all the screws out to one hex size and it has been a rock ever since. At first i was not overly thrilled with the nife but now its the best ive got. The blade never moves and the shape of the handle has grown on me.

 

[alexanderkbaker]

Oh, mine also spent the night in about 20ft of water at the bottom of a river with no problems.