Hogue ex1 or something similar

[kniggt]

I'm ready to buy another knife, i have roughly $200 to spend, got it from a work bonus so the wife doesn't need to know about it!! I was watching a bunch of YouTube videos on some of the top folders under $200 and i watched one about the Hogue ex1. I really like the looks of it. Do any of you have it? How do you like it? I would also be interested in something similar but don't know alot of different brands. I already have a zt, benchmade and 2 pm2. I'd like nice 3.5" blade. I'd also consider an automatic.

 

[SadSappySucker]

My ex01 should be shipping back from Hogue any day now. I have the g10 one. If you like to tinker with your knives you might want the aluminum one, because there are no steel liners for the screws that hold the handles together in the g10. I went to tighten these screws and immediately they started to strip. One of them actualy snapped in half when I went to back it out because they put so much Loctite in there. It also came with some blade play, and when I last talked to them they said that the play in my knife met their tolerances. I'm kind of bummed on this knife. I heard so many good reviews on how solid they were, so maybe I just got a dud.

 

[Inazone]

I have an EX03 tanto with the poly (G10 or "G-Mascus" or whatever they're calling it now) handle, and I like it a lot, but if I'd needed it for anything approaching "hard use" I would have gone with the aluminum version instead. On the flip side, the poly is plenty grippy and a bit lighter, so maybe a better EDC choice. The design is great either way, so it really comes down to what you want to use it for.

 

[Jesse B.]

If you can stretch your budget a little, consider the LionSteel TM1 micarta. I don't have one, but between the design and LionSteel's reputation for manufacturing quality, it's something to look at.

 

[Comeuppance]

I used an EX-01 for a while, and ultimately gave it to a friend for his birthday. He still carries it a year later, and, with no maintenance, was still solid, smooth, and centered when I inspected it.

They're great knives. I'll probably spring for a 4" tanto version one of these days, now that I've been reminded how much I miss the 3.5" clip EX-01.