Hogue EXO2?

AJR576

AJR576

Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Messages
773
Hey Everyone,

I just ordered a Zero Tolerance ZT0550 (which I'm expecting to arrive on Tuesday) and now I'm looking to add a quality (and durable) flipper to my new / growing collection.

I'm considering a ZT0560 but wouldn't mind something different.

Any opinions/feedback on the Hogue Ex02 or suggestions on other options that I should take a look at?

Thanks in advance.
 
I've had an 0560, 0561 and EX02.

I only have the 0561 now.

I liked the EX02 but it's a bit of a chunk. The flipper action was amazing considering it didn't have bearings.
 
I had both flipper and the thumbstud version's. I ended up giving both away doing a pay it forward, but not because I disliked them. I will pick up another one down the road. I like the flatter, rectangular shape it has, and for me it rode very good in my right front pocket. It has a heavy build with thick liner's (.080") and a blade thickness of (.150"), I'm really into specs.:D Lockup on both were the same with the liner face being totally covered and lock and blade tang flush with each other. The geometry of lock and blade tang was excellent on both model's.
 
The EX-02 is a great flipper with a thick handle and a skull crusher/glass breaker base. It has the advantage of various colors for the handle, choice of tanto or spear point blade and blade lengths of 3.375" or 3.75".

You could also consider the Zero Tolerance 0801 which is a great flipper with full titanium handles and a 3.5" Elmax blade.

Yet another option is the Spyderco Southard flipper with a 3.5" CTS-204P blade.
 
20130703_173642_zps7eb5a704.jpg


Pros- flips good at first, gmascus handle feels great, skull crusher (glass breaker)
Cons- flipping action got bad, developed blade play/wiggle, pocket clip creates hot spots, black coated blade looks cheap (looked better online), paint/marking on blade isn't even aligned.
 
HwangJino said:
20130703_173642_zps7eb5a704.jpg


Pros- flips good at first, gmascus handle feels great, skull crusher (glass breaker)
Cons- flipping action got bad, developed blade play/wiggle, pocket clip creates hot spots, black coated blade looks cheap (looked better online), paint/marking on blade isn't even aligned.
Click to expand...

I was happy to hear all of the positive feedback up until this response. I thought the EX02 was designed as a hard use folder...have others had similar issues with developing blade play/wiggle?
 
I never had any loosening of the blade to happen. Of course I keep a tight pivot..... I kept my pocket clip as tip down, because at tip up it let too much of the handle show. Basically I had no problems with either one, both were the large one's, and both were spearpoint blade's. It is a good knife imo, but things that bother me may not mean beans to another, and things that bother another............well, you get it!:)

Also wait around to see if you get anymore response's and which way they fall, then make the decision.
 
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HwangJino said:
Cons- flipping action got bad, developed blade play/wiggle, pocket clip creates hot spots, black coated blade looks cheap (looked better online), paint/marking on blade isn't even aligned.
Click to expand...

Did you send it to Hogue to fix the blade play?
 
No its not worth sending in. I have a friend who wants it as is.

The blade started wiggling after LIGHT whittling. My sebenzas whittle much more. But I understand the different tolerances. I'm just not impressed with this knife like I was when I first got it.
 
AJR576 said:
I was happy to hear all of the positive feedback up until this response. I thought the EX02 was designed as a hard use folder...have others had similar issues with developing blade play/wiggle?
Click to expand...

Mine was rock solid as long as I owned it. I know how to adjust my pivots and keep my knives properly lubricated unlike mr. 'coated knives aren't quality knives'.
 
Thanks again for everyone's responses. I'm really looking for knives that can stand up to extensive use but I guess there's always the potential (just like anything) for bad one here and there. Overall it sounds like most have had good experiences with the EX02 but I'm a bit surprised that I haven't found more hard use / long term reviews.

Any suggestions regarding potential alternatives that I should take a look at before buying the EX02?
 
The BM275 Adamas is considered a hard use folder. It has D2 blade steel, and is an Axis Lock, but you can only get it with a black blade. It's cousin, the Contego is worth a look. Comes in M4 blade steel, also an Axis Lock, but can be found as an online dealer exclusive in M390 steel, and blue/black G-10 scales. The ZT0200 is also a hard use knife, as is the ZT0801 Todd Rexford designed ti framelock if a smaller knife (3.5" blade) will fill the bill. Heck, I think the Boker Arctos XL I just bought is a perfect hard use knife in the 3.5" blade length. It has ti liner's (.10" thick) that rival some framelocks.

In all honesty the Hogue EX-02 will make a fine hard use tool. This thread has had more positives than negatives dealing with this knife. Flipper or thumbstud, this will make you a knife to last a lifetime!
 
One last question: Hogue EX02 vs. Zero Tolerance ZT0560/1...which would you go with?
 
I would go with the Hogue everytime, but that is because I do not like the G-10 for one scale, and titanium for the other scale. I have tried the 0561, and the 0550 2nd gen, and sold both because of the construction method. I'm just an old dog that can't be taught new tricks.
 
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