Hogue = underrated

[miltmaldo]

I had a Hogue EX-3 and I liked it but not impress by it to me it remind me of the Kershaw Piston which is a better value .

 

[The Lone Gunmen]

I have the same one Powernoodle has, and I love it, although I didn't have much luck sharpening it with the sharpmaker for some reason and its not an easy blade to work over on my edge pro apex. Due to the fact that I can't seem to keep it razor sharp...its just sits and collects dust, I need to figure this one out lol.

 

[DenverEdge]

Depends who you ask.

Hogue isn't ugly, just isn't a sebenza.

That particular pattern on the scales on the Hogue call to me more than those inlays on that Sebenza. Some Sebenzas kick the hell out of that Hogue. I really like the factory edge Hogue does I have not seen a Sebenza in person I will admit.

 

[1robinhood]

I had a Hogue EX-3 and I liked it but not impress by it to me it remind me of the Kershaw Piston which is a better value .

There is no accounting for personal taste =)

The Piston is not even in the same ballpark as the Hogue Ex03 .... steel-wise, lock.opening smoothness and quality. The gorgeous tumbled steel blade finish, button lock... I'll take my $70 Hogue EX03 over Kershaw's thunky speedsafe G10 piston any day.

 

[HappyDaddy]

Have an EX-03 coming today. Looking forward to checking it out.

 

[A Justice]

as for 154 steel ,nobody complains about Emerson .

Exactly, since when did 154 cm become junk steel?

People often make statements like that, but there is always a ton of other knives from other manufacturers using the same exact steels they complain about. Someone was talking about the N690 in another thread used in the Bodega, but there are lots of expensive knives using that steel - it's popular with many custom makers as well. The price of the Bodega is justified by its fine design and the maker's stamp. It wouldn't matter if he used D2 or Rex 121, Bodegas would still be a desirable model.

Steel choice doesn't play as big a part in the cost of a knife as many people like to think. The main consideration - what can I get for it? Spyderco PM2s came in M390 from BBS for 179$, but since people can get $300 for them, that's what they sell for now. All of the better steels are more durable and wear resistant than most people will ever need. The actual manufacturing process will always make up the biggest portion of the investment on a knife whether it's the time put in making a custom knife with simple bench tools or the investment that someone like CRK puts into specialized machinery. The higher end knives surpassed their inherent value long ago. The business adds on several hundred dollars (multiple layers of manufacturer, licensing party, distributor, and retailer take their cut).

Getting back on track, 154cm gets razor sharp, and helped make a lot of members here fans of Benchmade. The draw for Hogue is in the ergonomics, innovative design, and robust build that can trace itself back to the primary business of Hogue, making improved grips for guns. It's clear that Hogue put a lot of thought into their business model for the knife side of their company; I would feel safe betting that their steel choice involved well developed reasoning and clear advantages.

Even though models like the Ex-04 may be a little under known on BF, it is popular with many knife enthusiasts, and like CNC Pro said "Hogue might be overlooked on the forum but certainly not by their peers". It took many many years for Chris Reeve to reach the level of notoriety he enjoys, and I think it will probably take another 5-10 years and an expanded portfolio of knives for Hogue to become a serious contender - this business seems to evolve slower; after all, the product is as old as civilization itself, and you can re invent the knife about as easy as you can re invent the wheel.

So, even though I'm confident in the choices made by Hogue (and I think the answer to OP's question is Yes, they are overlooked and yes, Hogue knives are awesome - even though I didn't have high expectations for Hogue as a manufacturer), what do you guys think would be a more appropriate steel for the Hogue offerings based on everything you know about their company, their knives and the knife business in general?? If not 154cm, then what?

 

[Whetstone39]

I'm a big fan of the EX01. I especially like the button lock and 154cm is easy to maintain. Had an EX03 for a while, too, but preferred the 01.

 

[skullsoldier]

After Texas modified its knife laws to permit auto carry, I searched high and low for something unique, but hard use. I initially looked to acquire some OTF models from Dalton and Microtech, but ultimately chose the Hogue EX04 auto conversion with the 4" modified wharncliffe blade and the blue "g-mascus" handle. I'm a pretty big guy with very long hands and the 4" model fits perfectly with the banana-shaped handle. Also, the double-grind on the blade and the overall shape are not only meticulously machined, but functional. The double grind is pure art - you can run your finger into the "trench" and you won't feel a single rough spot or topographic change. The curve of the top "reverse belly" (my term) really allows you to choke up on the knife for fine work. Also, there's is significant belly to the blade to render it truly useful. Overall fit and finish is very nice - almost custom - and the auto action is almost too snappy. Lockup is 100% - no vertical or lateral play after at least 250 deployments.

Overall I'm really impressed with this particular Hogue and cannot recommend it highly enough. When funds free up, I'm definitely getting the red one - possibly the drop point.

 

[scotteboy]

Ive wanted one for a while now so thanks for the input. The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger is the 154cm. Don't get me wrong. Its a great steel. My BM rift is one of my favorites and Ive used it at work for years and its survived lots of abuse. I just have a number of 154cm blades and have been trying other steels. Eventually though it will be mine!

 

[1robinhood]

Have an EX-03 coming today. Looking forward to checking it out.

3.5" or the 4" (the 4" is a monster)? How do you like it?

 

[miltmaldo]

There is no accounting for personal taste =)

The Piston is not even in the same ballpark as the Hogue Ex03 .... steel-wise, lock.opening smoothness and quality. The gorgeous tumbled steel blade finish, button lock... I'll take my $70 Hogue EX03 over Kershaw's thunky speedsafe G10 piston any day.

If you can find a Hogue EX-03 brand new for $70 you have a great deal . But in the real world they go for $110.0 average . So for 55 to me the Piston is a better value . People talk about 154 steel like its a big upgrade . To me it's not a steel that belong in a knife that's $100 . The button lock was cool . The handle on the EX-03 feels cheap . And the gap on the blade near the handle looks sloppy and ugly .

Not my picture

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

If you can find a Hogue EX-03 brand new for $70 you have a great deal . But in the real world they go for $110.0 average . So for 55 to me the Piston is a better value . People talk about 154 steel like its a big upgrade . To me it's not a steel that belong in a knife that's $100 . The button lock was cool . The handle on the EX-03 feels cheap . And the gap on the blade near the handle looks sloppy and ugly .

Not my picture

I see EX01's go for around $115 or so. I bought a 4" aluminum spear point for $100 LNIB. So if 154cm doesn't belong on a $100, what does? If steel is the only thing you are worried about in a knife then maybe that's fine but the total package is more important

 

[miltmaldo]

The total package is what I pay for not just the steel . What I'm trying to say is the people talk about 154 cm like its a big upgrade .

 

[Comeuppance]

The total package is what I pay for not just the steel . What I'm trying to say is the people talk about 154 cm like its a big upgrade .

The way Hogue does 154CM, it really is. I reprofiled my 3.35" EX-02 to 30 degrees inclusive about a month and a half ago. It has since gone through about 600 feet of cardboard and has been used for countless other tasks. Still pops hairs. I'm extremely impressed with it, TBH.

$70-150 is a perfectly reasonable price range for 154CM, if you ask me. When you get outside that, however, my position shifts dramatically. Not all 154CMs are created equally, either. I'd put Hogue's 154CM ahead of ZTs and Benchmades based on usage experience. Hogue's 154CM performs closer to something like ZT's Elmax in edge retention. (This is, of course, personal experience and not hard scientific data.)

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

The total package is what I pay for not just the steel . What I'm trying to say is the people talk about 154 cm like its a big upgrade .

I've used many steels and I like 154cm just fine. I actually prefer the way it behaves to S30V. I find S30V to chip a little too easy.

I get what your saying though. I think they chose 154cm purposefully. These are marketed as "hard use" folders, you know "extreme!" so the properties of 154cm play well. The only upgrade I could see that would vibe would be 3V. Then your looking at a higher price tag. Would you pay $50 more just to have it?

But I will take 154cm over AUS 8

 

[Comeuppance]

But I will take 154cm over AUS 8

This made me realize that Hogue is what I always wanted Cold Steel to be. Extremely functionally designed knives that are built to last forever and have fantastic tolerances and ergonomics... but with good steel and without backlocks. Not to say that I've found anything to replace my Tuff Lite, but, I have noticed I've been favoring my Brous Bionic and my 3.35" EX-02 tanto for boxcutting duties.

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

This made me realize that Hogue is what I always wanted Cold Steel to be. Extremely functionally designed knives that are built to last forever and have fantastic tolerances and ergonomics... but with good steel and without backlocks. Not to say that I've found anything to replace my Tuff Lite, but, I have noticed I've been favoring my Brous Bionic and my 3.35" EX-02 tanto for boxcutting duties.

I keep holding out that Cold Steel will use some of that 3V they have around and put it in the American lawman.... I'll keep holding

 

[Comeuppance]

I keep holding out that Cold Steel will use some of that 3V they have around and put it in the American lawman.... I'll keep holding

That would basically be a production AD-10.

AND I WOULD BUY IT SO FAST.

 

[miltmaldo]

My original post was more as a feel like . The Kershaw Piston blade shape is almost the same as the Hogue . And the grip on the handle shape feel the same . I just did not like the way the plastic on the handle feels on the EX-03 . The steel is much better on the Hogue but the G10 handle makes the Piston a nice knife .

 

[1robinhood]

If you can find a Hogue EX-03 brand new for $70 you have a great deal . But in the real world they go for $110.0 average . So for 55 to me the Piston is a better value . People talk about 154 steel like its a big upgrade . To me it's not a steel that belong in a knife that's $100 . The button lock was cool . The handle on the EX-03 feels cheap . And the gap on the blade near the handle looks sloppy and ugly .

No worries Milt - it really is a matter of personal taste and perceived value. I would not pay $100+ for an EX03 because it is only a knife and I have other expenses in my life that take priority - I completely understand.

The smooth and silky deployment of the EX03 and the beautiful plunge/button lock are also what sets it apart - that 'gap' on the knife blade is the area of the blade that molds around the plunge lock - it is clearly intentional and looks just fine to my eyes.

I picked up 6 Ex03 3.5" for $70.40 to be exact - patience and hunting for clearance prices paid off. But currently I can find 3.5" for around $100. I like the handle, it is light, grippy and feels/sounds like aluminum when you tap it against a hard surface. I sold all but one - and I wish I had kept one more.