Hogue Knives EX03 Thoughts?

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1robinhood

Joined
Apr 26, 2013
Messages
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I am looking really hard at Hogue Knives this week - have my eye on the EX03 3.5" in black or brown.

Does anybody here have hand time on these knives - thoughts? Warnings? Worth it for a price of around $100? Easy to Sharpen?

Designed by Elishewitz
Blade Length: 3.5" and 4" Handle Material (Frame): Glass-filled Polymer
Blade Thickness: 0.15" Overall Length: 8.125" and 8.875"
Blade Material: 154CM Stainless Steel Closed Length: 4.75" and 4.875"
Blade Hardness: RC 57-59 Weight Polymer: 4.128oz (3.5") and 4.88oz (4")
Blade Treatment: Cryogenically Treated
Blade finish: Stone-Tumbled
Blade Style: Drop-Point and Tanto with Ambi Thumb-Studs
Pocket Clip: Stainless Steel Spoon, Reversible
Locking Mechanism: Push-Button with Manual Safety

hoex03.jpg


ex-03_specs_new.jpg


HOG34363.jpg


opplanet-hogue-ex-01-4in-tac-fold-tanto-bld-tmbl-fin-alum-frm-mtt-od-green-34141-side-v1.jpg


Thanks in advance!

Video review here: [video=youtube;ypIGImZgqaI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypIGImZgqaI[/video]
 
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Its basically a lightened up version of the ex-01 i have the black aluminum and they are a beast. Its just as smooth as any benchmade axis and the button is just as fun. Build quality is way up there if you look at a BM in that same price range you are getting a much smaller knife in the same 154cm which is a great steel holds a edge very well and isnt hard to resharpen. I wouldnt trade my ex-01.
 
+1 on the EX-01. I have one also and it's built like a tank. Very smooth and came exceptionally sharp out of the box. No reason the 03 should be any different.
 
the g10 ex-o1 cost $50 more than a benchmade 810 contego and they weigh the same 5.8 ounces but the contego has in my experience far better steel. the plastic FRN ex03 costs $10 more than the contego and weighs 4.8 ounces do you think the houge is worth the extra price its a pretty big difference is the fit and finish that much better than benchmade? by the way all my benchmades have been perfect out of the box. I really want to know real comparisons people that have both knives because I like the looks of houge knives the prices I got are from a couple of popular online stores.
 
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One small thing to consider, Emperor Hood - the EX-01 Gmascus 4" is a little "blade heavy", i.e., the center of gravity is not so much in the hand but a little forward toward the blade. I'm guessing that the EX-03 would be even more pronounced in this regard, as you are loosing an ounce of scale material. This is not necessarily a prob - just something to consider.

I do like my EX-01, as it feels solid in the hand and is somewhat "different" from the average folder in its look, feel and lockup without being different just for the sake of being different. If that makes sense. The stonewashed finish is awesome, but I'm not a real fan of the spoon-shaped clip. But overall its a winner. With the EX-03, you are losing the cool and interesting (IMO) scale design, but you are saving an ounce too, so you gotta go with whatever floats your boat.


EX-01 Gmascus 4".
 
From what i have seen the 810 and the 4" ex-03 are priced the same the 3.5" is around 100-130. As much as i love all my benchmades this hogue is definately one to have specially if you love the look cuz it feels just as good
 
Thats because online stores can't advertise a lower price for benchmade when you check out the most online stores give you a huge price break like if you pay more than $140 for a contego or more than $110 for a large bone collector then you paid to much. I just found this out a couple of weeks ago because I used to by my benchmades from local stores and the savings are so big I just bought 2 810 contegos for almost the same price as 1 contego from the local store. this is a well known fact that for some reason I was unaware of until a few weeks ago.
 
Ive heard nothing but good things about the 810 but when I look at knives the blade shape is important to me i cant speak for anyone else and the blade on the 810 just doesnt look good to my eye for that alone i still pick a hogue im a big fan of drop points
 
fair enough I love the 810 bladeshape but the hough looks pretty nice also I am trying to find a store that carries the ex-o1 so I can check it out but won't be buying a new knife for at least a year due to a pretty bad hand injury at work I'll probably have to sell some knives since I'am the only one who brings home a paycheck.
 
powernoodle said:
One small thing to consider, Emperor Hood - the EX-01 Gmascus 4" is a little "blade heavy", i.e., the center of gravity is not so much in the hand but a little forward toward the blade. I'm guessing that the EX-03 would be even more pronounced in this regard, as you are loosing an ounce of scale material. This is not necessarily a prob - just something to consider.

I do like my EX-01, as it feels solid in the hand and is somewhat "different" from the average folder in its look, feel and lockup without being different just for the sake of being different. If that makes sense. The stonewashed finish is awesome, but I'm not a real fan of the spoon-shaped clip. But overall its a winner. With the EX-03, you are losing the cool and interesting (IMO) scale design, but you are saving an ounce too, so you gotta go with whatever floats your boat.

EX-01 Gmascus 4".
Click to expand...

Thank you for the thoughts - I was looking at that EX04 but the Gmascus is definitely a instant like or dislike (not sure that I can pull the lever without seeing it in person)

The EX03 just looks neat and at a $100 price point... tempting. I have and very much enjoy the Kershaw Echelon - which is blade heavy (as the g10 is unlined) so I think that part would be okay. It's the price point vs. other comparable options that I am mulling over.

Apparently there is a third color option...
hogue-ex03-tumble-drop-brown-34373-large.jpg
 
The EX01 can be had for so cheap on the 'Bay that I wouldn't even bother with the EX03. That being said, I absolutely love my EX01. It's an exemplary EDC in that it's both light, comfortable, tough, solid, and cuts well. It's an awesome all rounder that I would compare favorably with the PM2.
 
I've owned a couple Hogues and I hated the button lock. But everything else about the knives was top notch. Very nice in the hand.
 
I picked up an EX03 3.5-inch dropped point with the brown 'gun grip' handle a while ago.

It is a great knife for the price (can be found for around $120). I didn't really want to spend the money on the more expensive version without being able to see it in person first.

This is the only production knife company with a hand-finished mirror-polished edge.

The handle fits my hand well. The pocket clip can be switched for tip-down to tip-up. I like the button lock too.
 
Here some pics of my Hogue EX-03 with 3.5 inch blade:







The handle is not made from fiberglass reinforced nylon but from fiberglass reinforced PPS, a material that is both stronger & stiffer than FRN.
It's also injection molded in one piece, so no scales that are held together with screws.

This is what Allen Elishewitz says about it:

"The EX-03 is super cool, it is similar to the EX-01 but very different.
It's an injection molded version of the 01, with a one piece handle with bolster plates that are actually molded into the handle.
The balance is more like a G-mascus EX, and the handle material is pretty cool: it feels like aluminum and when you tap it on a table it sounds like glass.
It comes only in black and brown, it has a skull crusher on the back, and all the hardware is identical to the 01.

BTW we broke one at 175 pounds which translates to 612 pounds of linear inch, which means you have to apply 612 pounds of cutting force when holding onto the handle for it to break.
What was interesting was that the lock, bolster plate and blade were all intact."
 
I have a Hogue EX-01 Tanto 3.5" With the OD Green Gimascus handles.

All I can say is.......

One of THE best production knives on the market IMO.

The knife is smooth as butter and the ergo's are perfect.

The button lock is fantastic and I wish more makers would utilize it.

If your having any second thoughts, DON'T, go purchase one as soon as possible.

Just my .02
 
kwackster said:
The 4.0 inch version fits my hand slightly better, but both offer me a good grip.
Click to expand...

I am putting the EX03 on the "to get when I encounter an unbeatable sale list" (picked up a RAM and an Echelon so I am set for the year on sharp edges purchases) - thank you for the info and really helpful photos.
 
I carried my Hogue ex03 since it came out , never had a problem ,
in my opinion one of best folders in that price category .
I like 4in version more because it feels better in my hand , 3.5 kinda short for me .
also carrying ex04 now , good knife as well . love button lock .
 
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