Hogue EX01 question

Dao.Hung_105 · Jul 13, 2012

Hi guys,
I'm thinking about getting my next folder for my Collection as well as my EDC rotation. For about $150, I'm considering the three: Benchmade Bone collector g10 w/ D2, Spyderco Gayle Bradley w/ CPM M4, and the Hogue EX01 w/ 154cm. I'm not a steel snop by any mean, and in my daily use, I may not notice the difference btween those steels. But I'm really considering the Hogue EX01 3.5inches. Can someone tell me something about the handle feel, the button lock longevity (no, not strenght), and Hogue 154cm please. they run it at about 57-59HRC so I think it's rather soft, atleast softer than Spyderco and Benchmade, so I don't know how it perform.
And, I was wondering about the button lock longevity bcus I can't find much info about this lock, I don't beat my folders up, or use it as a defensive tool, just an EDC knife, but I open my knife and close it for about 30-40 times per day, so Lock durability does matter to me.
Thanks for any input guys!

gooeytek · Jul 13, 2012

I have the Gayle Bradley and Hogue EX01. From my personal experience, I've never bothered to carry the Hogue EX01. It's a nice knife, it's really smooth and I really dig the button lock release, but the GB is in a whole 'nother league as far as feel and confidence in-hand. The CPM-M4 is not as big of a deal as a lot of people make it out to be maintenance-wise, for not being a stainless steel. If you don't have a Paramilitary 2 yet, consider that too. I know, I know, everyone raves about it, but it IS that good.

Kru03 · Jul 13, 2012

I've had the Houge and the BM. I got rid of both. Really did not like the bone collector. Scales too thick for me. Wanted to like the Houge, but did not like the button lock. I actually owned 2 of them, but sold both. Very good handles, but did not like the addition of that button lock and the knife was probably too thick as well. I'd go with the GB. But I've never had one

Dao.Hung_105 · Jul 13, 2012

Thanks for the input guys. I did notice the thickness of the Hogue and the BM. What I really concern is that the Button lock. Have you guys ever experienced with blade play on the Hogue? BTW I don't mind using carbon steel or taking care of CMP M4. Yeah I got the PM2, Loved it, but I got rid of it and buy a Milie (bcus of the PM2 side to side blade play)

People rave about the Gayle Bradley and the Hogue fit & finish, as well as BM Axis lock and D2...and that confuses me Lol

Jesse B. · Jul 13, 2012

Dao.Hung_105 said:
What I really concern is that the Button lock. Have you guys ever experienced with blade play on the Hogue?

I have the Hogue and there is absolutely no blade play whatsoever. It's actually strange: Even if I loosen the pivot, there is no blade play... something about the design seems to prevent it (maybe because it has no washers? not sure)

jstn · Jul 13, 2012

I had the Hogue and sent it back. I had blade play in both directions. It may have just been one that slipped through the cracks as I've heard a lot of good things about this knife. Additionally, the button lock is supposed to be pretty good. A guy on bladeforums has done a review of it where he dips it in a bucket of muddy water and such so you may want to check that out. I believe he goes by Moose.

Dorito Monk · Jul 13, 2012

I was very happy with the quality of my 3.5" Aluminium Ex-01. I can't say I've ever had a knife that had such a high level of fit and finish (this may not be saying much to folks who are used to 500$+ knives, but it impressed the heck out of me). It had no blade play of any kind (I'm pretty nitpicky about blade play, and I couldn't find any no matter how much I torqued on it), extremely smooth action, and the lock was very easy to actuate. I could press the button and the blade would swing freely in and out of position, even though the pivot was tight as anything I've ever seen. I haven't seen a knife yet that's able to match that - most similar designs can only accomplish that when you loosen the pivot out a ways and lube them up. I did give it a pretty rigorous beating, but the lockup held fine. I didn't notice the lock loosening up or developing any kind of flaws over time, although I only actually used it for somewhere around ~6 months.

I did end up selling mine because it didn't see enough use. I guess the main reason was because the handle felt a little odd in my hands. It was comfortable enough, but it seemed as though the 'sweet spot' left me holding it very far away from the edge, with my little finger almost slipping off the handle.

So basically it was a top-notch knife as far as I'm concerned, but the handle shape didn't suit my hands.

Dao.Hung_105 · Jul 14, 2012

Jesse B. said:
I have the Hogue and there is absolutely no blade play whatsoever. It's actually strange: Even if I loosen the pivot, there is no blade play... something about the design seems to prevent it (maybe because it has no washers? not sure)

I thought only the G-mascus version has no washer in it. But that maybe good thing too.

I had the Hogue and sent it back. I had blade play in both directions. It may have just been one that slipped through the cracks as I've heard a lot of good things about this knife. Additionally, the button lock is supposed to be pretty good. A guy on bladeforums has done a review of it where he dips it in a bucket of muddy water and such so you may want to check that out. I believe he goes by Moose.

Yes sir I checked that post out, from Mr Moose himself, fine picture, great review, and perfect mud-bucket

I was very happy with the quality of my 3.5" Aluminium Ex-01. I can't say I've ever had a knife that had such a high level of fit and finish (this may not be saying much to folks who are used to 500$+ knives, but it impressed the heck out of me). It had no blade play of any kind (I'm pretty nitpicky about blade play, and I couldn't find any no matter how much I torqued on it), extremely smooth action, and the lock was very easy to actuate. I could press the button and the blade would swing freely in and out of position, even though the pivot was tight as anything I've ever seen. I haven't seen a knife yet that's able to match that - most similar designs can only accomplish that when you loosen the pivot out a ways and lube them up. I did give it a pretty rigorous beating, but the lockup held fine. I didn't notice the lock loosening up or developing any kind of flaws over time, although I only actually used it for somewhere around ~6 months.

I did end up selling mine because it didn't see enough use. I guess the main reason was because the handle felt a little odd in my hands. It was comfortable enough, but it seemed as though the 'sweet spot' left me holding it very far away from the edge, with my little finger almost slipping off the handle.

So basically it was a top-notch knife as far as I'm concerned, but the handle shape didn't suit my hands.

Wow thank you for the mini review, I guess the Hogue EX01 will do just fine for me