Underrated knife brand - Hogue

knives_in_nature · Oct 12, 2016

I don't hear much about Hogue knives and over the years I saw very few people mention them, but what I heard was they are excellent. Well, last week I bought one of the EX01 models designed by Elishewitz and it came in the other day and I must say its nice, not perfect, but nice. The overall look is sexy as hell and I love button locks so for me I had to try one out. It's got a great edge out of box besides the tip being a bit odd. The g10 gmascus or whatever you call it is cool but is quite light and with the thick blade the knife is very front heavy. Button lock works great having a nice solid click and the blade has a fantastic stonewash. Knife isn't centered and doing so makes it unusable but it's not to bad and opening and closing is smooth. All and all I'd say if you like the look of these they are a definite go.:thumbup:

ATJ999 · Oct 12, 2016

What do you mean the tip is a bit odd?

knives_in_nature · Oct 12, 2016

ATJ999 said:
What do you mean the tip is a bit odd?

It's kind of like a bug took a bite out of it lol

Mingecutter · Oct 12, 2016

Well, that's a chip, obviously. But, I agree with the heart of your post. I have two that I love, but they're both aluminum versions. I feel those are a bit more well balanced, in hand, than the gmascus ones. The button lock is awesome!

knives_in_nature · Oct 12, 2016

Mingecutter said:
Well, that's a chip, obviously. But, I agree with the heart of your post. I have two that I love, but they're both aluminum versions. I feel those are a bit more we'll balanced, in hand, than the gmascus ones. The button lock is awesome!

I haven't stabbed it in anything or dropped it this is out of box. The seller said new but it must have been stabbed into something..

mycough · Oct 12, 2016

I had a gmascus a few years back, I didn't love the grind and it didn't hold an edge that well.
I gave it to a kid I worked with and he still has it, I think all he has is a coarse crystolon, the blade is definitely different looking.

Russ

Mingecutter · Oct 12, 2016

knives_in_nature said:
I haven't stabbed it in anything or dropped it this is out of box

If bought from an authorized dealer, and hopefully a site-supporting dealer also, then send it back for the centering and chip in the tip. Make sure to ask for one that's well centered this time around.

knives_in_nature · Oct 12, 2016

Mingecutter said:
If bought from an authorized dealer, and hopefully a site-supporting dealer also, then send it back for the centering and chip in the tip. Make sure to ask for one that's well centered this time around.

I don't care about the centering at all. The chip is sucky but I think it can be fixed with sharpening.

CARRERA50 · Oct 12, 2016

Have one of the Wilson Combat models and I can't find anything to fault. Perfect centering, out-of the-box shaver, a regular EDC. Some folks don't like the button lock but I don't find it annoying.
Will buy an EX-5....

jstrange · Oct 12, 2016

I have had three and all were very nice. In the end, I sold or traded them off, but not due to any flaw in the knife itself. The quality and workmanship on the three I had was all top notch.

Inazone · Oct 12, 2016

CARRERA50 said:
Have one of the Wilson Combat models and I can't find anything to fault. Perfect centering, out-of the-box shaver, a regular EDC. Some folks don't like the button lock but I don't find it annoying.

I have one of those as well, the tanto version, and it's perfect.

I have one of the poly-gripped EX models that, like the G-Mascus, is a bit blade-heavy, but still looks and feels fine to me. The only thing I don't care for is the clip - it's just sort of blah looking compared to the rest of the knife.

Dave from State Farm · Oct 12, 2016

Inazone said:
I have one of those as well, the tanto version, and it's perfect.

I have one of the poly-gripped EX models that, like the G-Mascus, is a bit blade-heavy, but still looks and feels fine to me. The only thing I don't care for is the clip - it's just sort of blah looking compared to the rest of the knife.

I didn't like the stock clip so I got an STR deep carry for mine:

wilsonj1018 · Oct 13, 2016

If it's a button lock it needs a spring to propel the blade IMO

knives_in_nature · Oct 13, 2016

wilsonj1018 said:
If it's a button lock it needs a spring to propel the blade IMO

Do you carry manual knives much?

wilsonj1018 · Oct 13, 2016

all the time, but despise button locks in general.

craytab · Oct 13, 2016

wilsonj1018 said:
If it's a button lock it needs a spring to propel the blade IMO

Why is that?

wilsonj1018 · Oct 14, 2016

Generally button locks are not only weak, but problematic. So in my opinion as stated it should at least be opened by force of a spring. It's the only reason I personally will own a button lock knife. Now, we are done dragging ops thread off topic go question someone else's personal opinions in another thread of your choosing.

knives_in_nature · Oct 14, 2016

wilsonj1018 said:
Generally button locks are not only weak, but problematic. So in my opinion as stated it should at least be opened by force of a spring. It's the only reason I personally will own a button lock knife. Now, we are done dragging ops thread off topic go question someone else's personal opinions in another thread of your choosing.

From what I've seen the Hogue button lock is very strong

AmosPaul · Oct 14, 2016

The Hogue button lock is not weak or problematic and it has passed weight tests. I own and use two Hogues and the button lock is excellent. I also like the fact the that it has no washers, but is still silky smooth.

EricV · Oct 14, 2016

I had one of the GMascus 3.5" models and couldn't find a flaw on it.I ended up trading it on after a bit, but they're right up there with Lionsteel for under rated quality brands.