Thinking about getting a Hogue EX-01 but..

B

Banger102

Joined
Jan 23, 2014
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I was just online reading ALOT of reviews and there seems to be a fair amount of complaints about this knife being really front heavy and also coming very dull out of the box. Anyone have any input regarding your experience with the knife?
 
I like mine and it was very sharp new in the box. It is a solid knife.

It is a little blade heavy, but I don't have a problem with it.
 
I have heard this does happen from time to time, but I've had Swiss army knives come dull from time to time. It's not that unusual. I know Hogue does offer free sharpening for the lifetime of the knife.
 
I have a G10 and an Aluminum EX-01 and I love them. If I had any complaints it's that tuning the blade action is difficult because it uses ridges built in to the frame for the pivot instead of added washers. Both of mine are razor sharp (my aluminum model had a hand-done convex edge from the factory). As for balance, I would say the aluminum model is better balanced but they are a little blade heavy but it's not awful or really noticeable.
 
Its a great knife, I had the 4" stone washed G10 model. Only reason I sold it was I just don't care for knives that big. I know they make a 3.5" model, but I'd prefer something even smaller than that.
 
Blade heavy yes, does not affect usage of knife for me, mine came sharp as a razor, used for half a year only need to touch up with utlra fine stone. Customer service excellent, help me out with warranty even though me and my knife is in Thailand.

Knife balance is a bit to the front of the finger groove


Sorry picture not in focus, took the picture one handed
 
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I have had both the 3.5" and the 4" versions with the G10. Fit and finish were excellent on both and they were both very sharp. IMO they are not well balanced at all but that probably won't be an issue for most people. For me it was the ergonomics, neither of them felt good in my hand. Your mileage may vary...
 
I have several in both the 3.5 and 4 inch versions, g-mascus and aluminum. ALL came very sharp out of the box, with nice polished edges. They are a little blade heavy, especially the 4 inch g-mascus (maybe the aluminum handle is slightly heavier?). In the 3.5 inch version it is barely noticeable, overall they are a very high quality build IMO.

The 4 inch version:


The 3.5 with a Sage:
 
I just bought an EX-03 tanto (poly handle) and as far as the ol' paper cutting test is concerned, it's as sharp as I would expect of a brand new, quality knife. I originally planned to get the aluminum-handled version, but I found a price that was too good to ignore on this one. The poly version is blade-heavy, no doubt about it, but the grip and overall ergonomics being what they are, I don't think it's going to be a problem.
 
I have had the 3.5" in G-mascus and in Aluminum, and the 4" in aluminum as well. The G-10 feels a little better in the hand, but the balance of the Aluminum is better, as others have said.
I will also say that all of mine came very sharp, with very nice polished edges that were all a very consistent geometry from one knife to the other.
 
goson said:
Blade heavy yes, does not affect usage of knife for me, mine came sharp as a razor, used for half a year only need to touch up with utlra fine stone. Customer service excellent, help me out with warranty even though me and my knife is in Thailand.

Knife balance is a bit to the front of the finger groove


Sorry picture not in focus, took the picture one handed
Click to expand...

Thank you for the balance pic :thumbup: I wonder how much the balance point would change if clipped for tip-up carry...
 
Mine was tip-up carry, and the balance was better.
 
I love mine! Came with a mirror edge out of the box. Still sharp to this day. Picture of mirror edge below.
 
goson said:
As requested not much difference
Click to expand...

Thanks for the follow-up! Yeah, not much difference at all, then again the balance doesn't seem all that blade-heavy to me on the AL version from your pictures, right at the guard :thumbup: Again, thanks for the great pics to aid those interested.
 
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