Utility HAK or Boker SUBCOM?

[Ilyusha]

Just learned about the HAK about an hour ago. Neat concept, but I'm not set on the $80 shipped price vs. $35 shipped for the SUBCOM.

Thoughts?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I've got one of each. The HAK is a great but specialized concept. I've carried the Boker every day since I got it. It's a real working knife, very unobtrusive, very handy. I plan on picking up a tan combo edge Subcom soon. Be sure to get the Boker Plus with AUS-8, not the Boker Magnum with 420J2.

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

Handled Subcom and found it too small for my hands (it was hard to open one handed). Now I see why there are small autos and semi-autos on market.
Back to the Subcom - it was magnum one - but still very good quality. Drooling over HAK, myself ))

 

[talonturbo]

a hak is one of the most versatile, useful, and portable knives around. can't say enough about them. I stick to the straight models though, but that's just me.

 

[Matador]

If you can afford both, that would be the way to go. I like the Subcom because it fits nicely in my change pocket of my Wranglers. Took a day to get used to the small size and the flick opening took a little practice as muscle memory is geared for opening larger folders and I couldn't get my arthritic thumb and fingers out of the way quick enough so I got nicked a good couple of times opening and closing it. The HAK, if it doesn't work out for you can be traded or sold off easily enough and that's always a plus. If you're looking at the $80.00 range, the BM Pardue 530 and Benchmite are worthy small contenders.

Matador-

 

[tirod3]

I've carried a Utility HAK for three weeks now. You must two hand it to open - grab sheath and insert fingers, pull. This is not optimum for a fixed blade in use daily - I forgot from trying to use a PECK as a EDC. The sheath must be tied down or fastened to make it really work - it's how its designed. So, to compare against the Subcom is apples and oranges.
As a cutting tool the angle is fixed and is difficult to get the blade more parallel - I have small fingers and larger hands will tilt the angle even more. This usually leaves just the tip doing the cutting against objects held against a surface. Free hand is just fine, the angle draws material into it like a recurve. Which is what it is designed to do.
I have found small knives just don't easily open even in small hands - The smaller Schrade Cliphanger was just a pain to open, it's larger brother a whiz. That is why so many recommend handling knives at a trusted purchase point locally (who will sell at close to delivered price,) so you can know how it really works for you.

 

[Franciscomv]

I own both, and like the Subcom a lot more than the HAK. Like Esav said, make sure to get the Boker Plus AUS8 one.