Hogue

Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 Review

Everyone who has been around the knife industry for a while knows Doug Ritter. Doug is the founder and chairman of Knife Rights, an advocacy organization that promotes pro-knife legislation and opposes anti-knife legislation, and they also work to pursue knife owner civil rights. It’s a hugely important organization for knife owners and the industry. Doug is truly one of the pillars of the knife community.

And one of the ways Doug has been able to serve as that pillar is through the sale of his RSK MK1, which was commonly referred to as a Ritter Griptilian. The revenue from selling that knife gave Doug the financial freedom to pursue Knife Rights. Many folks preferred the high flat grind on the MK1 over the standard Griptilian. I had a MK1 with a set of Wilkins Grips. That was a super cool knife.

Somewhat shockingly, in 2016 Benchmade told Doug they would no longer make the MK1. So he had to turn to other manufacturers. He ended up partnering with Hogue, and the result is the RSK MK1-G2. You can read more about this on the KnifeWorks listing. I wasn’t aware of this background info and thought it was interesting.

When Doug approached me about reviewing the knife I jumped at it. I have been getting picky about what knives I review, as I haven’t had as much time to write recenetly, but as a fan of Hogue, Doug, and the original Ritter Grip, this is one I had to check out.

This review sample was provided free of charge. I’ll do my best to keep this review as objective as I can. After the review, I will keep this knife for long term testing and evaluation.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MK1-G2 has an overall length of 8.15″, a 3.44″ blade, weighs 4.5 ounces, and is made in the USA. This is about the same dimensions of the original MK1. The MK1-G2 is approximately .7 ounces heavier, thanks in part to full G10 handle scales. The knife feels substantial. Not a boat anchor, but not an ultra-lightweight knife like the recently reviewed Para 3 LW. Doug has designed this with outdoor use / survival in mind, but I have carried the knife as an EDC piece. That’s the lens I’ll be examining it from.

The blade features the same wide drop point profile of the original MK1. The 2.92mm thick blade comes with a high flat grind, and a sweeping belly. The finish is a heavy stonewash. The edge bevel is wide and perfectly even.

Doug and Hogue selected Crucible CPM-20CV, a high end powered steel which is chemically similar to Boeller M390. Here is a link to the datasheet on CPM-20CV if you want to do some further reading. I’ve owned a number of knives in CPM-20CV at this point, and have been pleased with the blend of stain resistance, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and toughness. CPM-20CV is simply one of the best blade steels on the market currently, so it’s great to see it on this knife.

Here is a size comparison with a Delica and Endura:

Hogue is known for sending blades out of their factory with mirror polished edges. Mine came with a highly polished edge, and the blade was surprisingly sharp, even for someone like me who regularly handles sharp knives. That edge combined with the thin flat grind makes the MK1-G2 a beast to cut with. It slipped through cardboard, and cleanly sliced apples. I’ve used it on a few projects inside and outside of the house. I did a little carving with the knife for grins, and the blade zipped long peels of wood off a 2×4.

If you are looking for a solid performing folding knife, it’s going to be tough to beat the geometry of the MK1-G2. Combine that with CPM-20CV and you have a potent package.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the MK1-G2 is made of 3-D machined G-10. Gone is the old “cheap plastic” handle of the Griptilian. In it’s place is black G-10, fully machined. They really went all out, with a sunburst pattern around the pivot, blending into a patch of checkering, and then the sunburst picks back up again and radiates down the handle.

The handle itself is contoured. Inside, partial steel liners have been flush mounted into the G-10 handles. Everything is held together with torx bolts and 3 metal standoffs. All the machining is top notch and the fit and finish is excellent.

The MK1-G2 benefits from a practical handle design, and the knife has good ergonomics. The edges of the handle are square, so the knife doesn’t quite melt into the hand like a Griptilian, but it’s still comfortable thanks in part to the simple design and contoured handles.

There is also plenty of traction. The handle is obviously heavily textured, and there is jimping on the spine and pommel. There is a large thumb ramp, and the jimping isn’t overly aggressive. All in all, this is a handle designed for extended use. It’s practical and comfortable.

The MK1-G2 utilizes a deep carry spoon style clip. The clip has been given a tumbled finish. It’s not polished, but it’s not a matte finish either. The result is a fairly discreet pocket flip.

Spring strength and clip retention are pretty good. This is probably my biggest gripe with the knife. I’d prefer a little more spring retention on the clip. Living in Florida, I tend to wear lightweight shorts. This knife has slid around on me a little while in the pocket. The fact that this is a heavier knife doesn’t help. The knife hasn’t fallen out of my pocket, but I would be extra careful with this piece.

One interesting observation is that while the deep carry clip only uses 2 screws, the handle is drilled and tapped for 3 screws, so you may be able to pop a Benchmade clip on there, or an aftermarket clip.

Here is your shot of the knife in the pocket:

Deployment and Lockup

The MK1-G2 utilizes ambidextrous thumb studs. The thumb studs are large and easy to get to, and the blade pops out smoothly wish a brush of the thumb. Inside I can see thick phosphor bronze washers. Bearings are great for titanium framelock flippers, but I prefer the practicality of bronze washers for a true user piece like this MK1-G2. No complaints when it comes to getting this blade open, or the action.

For lockup we have have the ABLE Lock. This is described as an enhanced Axis Lock and the acronym stands for “Ambidextrous Bar Lock Enhanced”. That doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but “ABLE Lock” works. For those wondering, Benchmade’s patent on the Axis lock expired in 2016, so that’s why this lock is able to be used. The lock’s finish and geometry is a little different from the Axis lock, but it looks and feels like an Axis Lock.

In practice this has been a convenient and reliable lock. It’s fully ambidextrous, and locks up tight. There is zero blade play in any direction. Fans of the Axis lock will find a lot here. Practically speaking I haven’t noticed much of a difference between this and the Axis lock. If anything the lock bar on the ABLE Lock feels slightly smoother.

Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 Review – Final Thoughts

Dubbing this knife the “Generation 2” of the RSK MK1 is a fitting title. I think the G2 a worthy successor to the original, and is a true next generation piece. The knife has been re-considered from the ground up and it shows, but at the end of the day it still features the robust cutting geometry, good ergonomics, and easy operation that the original MK1 was known for.

Upgrading to G10 handle scales is bound to appeal to most folks. It makes the knife feel more solid and expensive, and the side to side blade play that is common in a lot of the FRN handled Griptilians is nowhere to be found. The flip side is that you have a heavier knife. The 20CV blade steel was another nice upgrade, especially for a piece like this that will get a lot of use. The rest of the knife has been thoughtfully reworked. From the deep carry pocket clip, to the 3-D sculpted handle scales, to the improved ABLE lock, no stone was left unturned with this build. I am sure Hogue and Doug spent countless hours engineering this knife.

My only criticism is that I’d like to see a stronger pocket clip. This new G-10 version is heavier than the old FRN Ritter Grip, and the clip could use some extra spring. Especially with the thin shorts I wear here in Florida.

Pocket clip quibble aside, the end result is a knife that just works. Regular readers know I have a soft spot for largish work knives like this. I view this as an enhanced version of something like a Para 2 or Griptilian, but it’s not such a nice knife that you will feel bad using it. This knife lacks the jewel like quality of the G-10 Griptilian, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. The MK1-G2 was not designed to sit on a shelf, and I appreciate the practicality of it.

I can easily recommend this knife to fans of the original, or those looking for a premium folding work knife. It’s an excellent knife.

Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2 Review – From $159.95
From: KnifeWorks

The RSK MK1-G2 is available exclusively at KnifeWorks. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website, including Amazon and BladeHQ helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. Thank you very much.

Hogue Knives OTF Automatic Review

by Travis Pike 5 Comments

There is an undeniable cool factor when it comes to automatic knives. As someone who owns several, I can’t seem to get enough of them. Generally, I’m a gun guy, but being a gun by default means being a knife guy. When a company that traditionally makes gun parts and guns accessories starts making knives my ears perk up. Needless to say now that Hogue has entered the knife market lots of us gun guys are paying attention.

Buy the Hogue OTF Automatic at BladeHQ

Hogue has jumped headfirst into the knife market with folders and autos, and now even producing knives for HK. Today I am looking at my favorite Hogue knife, their 3.5-inch OTF, or Out The Front, automatic knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Hogue OTF isn’t the most creative of names, but it’s descriptive enough. The Hogue OTF sports a 3.5-inch blade. The knife also has an overall length of 8.5 inches, a closed length of 5 inches, and weighs only 5.3 ounces. It’s a perfect size and weight for an EDC knife.

The Hogue OTF comes with either a clip point or tanto style blade. My model comes with a clip point blade which offers belly than a tanto blade, although the tanto would penetrate better. I find myself cutting more than stabbing, so a clip point made more sense. Plus I hate sharpening a tanto blade.

Hogue uses 154CM for the majority of their knives, and the OTF model is no different. 154CM is good steel, it’s pretty sturdy and offers above average corrosion resistance. I live in Florida, right on the Gulf, so it stays humid and salty but over the last year of use and carry it’s remained rust free. 154 CM is a decently strong steel, and it does seem to hold an edge very nicely and isn’t hard to sharpen. It’s not as easy as something like 1095, but it’s not frustrating.

The Hogue OTF has a thin blade without serration of any kind. It’s simple, smooth and functional. For extra protection, this particular model has a black finish, while other models come with a tumbled stainless finish.

The blade cuts well and chews through cardboard, rope, paracord, tape, and even more. I’ve used it as a lightweight EDC knife for over a year, and its never let me down. It’s cleaned fish, sharpened sticks to roast marshmallows and had a fair share of outdoors adventures on top of regular EDC work.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The OTF’s handle is quite large, as most OTF knives are. They have to house the mechanics of the knife as well as the blade. My gorilla sized hands love large handles like this. Hogue made their name initially making grips for guns, so they know a thing or two about ergonomics. They made the design with cuts and divots in all the right places.

The handle is designed to accommodate your grip with graceful rises and falls where your hands meet the handle. It allows for a firm and aggressive no-slip grip. The handle is machined aluminum and textured via machining as well. It gives the knife an overall effective grip and looks nice too.

The backside of the grip houses the push-pull release. Ergonomically its placed well and easy to reach. The button also acts as a thumb rest when using the knife and gives you a little extra leverage when needed.

The pocket clip is spoon-shaped and does its job. I do have one issue with it. The spoon sticks slightly up and has caught on chairs several times resulting in the pocket clip bending outward a bit. The design only accommodates a blade down carry.

The Hogue OTF is a big knife regarding pocket carry. This problem comes with all OTF knives, and they tend to have thick and somewhat bulbous handles. It’s something you can’t avoid with OTF knives. It jeans its fine, but in khakis or dress pants it leaves an imprint. My daily attire permits carrying it, so it’s not a personal issue.

Lock and Deployment

The Hogue OTF knife uses a push-pull device on the backside of the knife near the top of the blade. Push the device upwards, and the blade springs into action. Once the blade is deployed you pull it down, and the blade retracts. The button is positioned perfectly for the thumb to reach it in a standard hammer grip.

There is no extra lock or safety device on the knife, and the button is the only control. The switch offers enough resistance that it would near impossible for the blade to open or close without you wanting it to. If you keep your thumb on the button for extra leverage while using the knife the blade is not going to close accidentally.

The blade springs into action with some real force and makes a satisfying thunk as it opens. Every hundred or so opens I drip a little Zippo lighter fluid down the blade and allow it to dry. This fluid lubricates the knife and keeps it running for a good long time.

The Hogue OTF Automatic Review – Final Thoughts

The Hogue OTF is an excellent knife and a great OTF blade. It’s a good choice for EDC or self-defense. Its design is rock solid, and the ergonomics are on point. Admittedly its an expensive knife, but OTF’s are not simple knives, and the price reflects that. It serves two niches, guys like me who think their cool and people who need a one-handed solution with very little room to use a leverage-based knife. I’m betting most sell to guys like me, and that’s one of the joys of capitalism.

The Hogue OTF is a robust and well-made knife from a company that has quickly proved themselves as quality knifemakers.

Hogue OTF – From $229.00
From: BladeHQ

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Hogue OTF at BladeHQ or Amazon

Hogue X5 Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

Last Updated: August 5, 2019
The button lock flipper is an intriguing concept. The fun of a flipper paired with a sturdy button lock sounds great in theory. We have reviewed a couple, namely the Spartan Pallas and Freeman 451. Ben reviewed the Freeman, and he reported that the flipping action was good, but the flipper on my Pallas left a lot to be desired. That’s because no one has been able to recreate the ball detent action that you find on a liner lock or frame lock knife that puts the “flip” into a flipper. That is, until Hogue released their X5 flipper.

Buy the Hogue X5 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Designed by Allen Elishewitz, and modeled after his Black Dolphin custom offering, the X-5 is a button lock flipper that has flipping action that will rival any framelock flipper. In fact, the action is so good you may mistake the X5 for an assisted opening knife.

When I first saw the X5, it was the wharncliffe version. I don’t mind wharncliffe knives, but this one was a little too odd for me to want to buy. The spearpoint version reviewed here has beautiful symmetry. I picked one up as soon as I could find a nice deal on one.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The X-5 comes in 2 sizes: a larger knife with a 4″ blade, and a smaller version with a 3.5″ blade. I opted for the 3.5″ version, which has an overall length of 8.25″, and a weight of 4.62 ounces. The X-5 is made in the USA. I’d like to mention that this knife is beautifully made just like all the other Hogue knives I have reviewed. The fit and finish is immaculate, complete with a mirror polished edge. From a manufacturing standpoint this is a top shelf knife.

I like the look of this spear point blade. The harpoon knives the knife some attitude, and it compliments the shape of the handle. Allen Elishewitz is among the best knife designers I have met, and this X-5 puts his talents on full display. At any rate, the blade features a simple high flat grind, a neat swedge and a fine tip. There is a slight amount of belly. Nothing crazy, but the edge is one continuous curve. This blade has been given a matte black Cerakote finish. They offer this knife without the coating if you prefer uncoated blades.

Once again, Hogue selected CPM154 as blade steel for this knife. That’s the same steel they have in all their folders, so at this point I have plenty of experience with CPM154, and Hogue’s version / heat treat in particular. This is a great steel that provides easy sharpening and good edge retention. I’ve had some issues with 154CM staining in the past, but obviously this coated blade is not going to rust at all.

In practice the X-5 cuts nicely. I had no problems breaking down boxes, opening mail, and using the X-5 for other EDC related tasks. The tip is servicable, the belly is nice, and the grind is thin enough to cut things. The knife came with a beautiful edge which I have maintained through regular stropping. The Cerakote has also held up OK. It will burnish and wear with use (you can see some of that wear on my EX-04 below). As far as coatings go it’s pretty robust but not as good as DLC. Overall I have no complaints regarding the performance of this blade.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The X-5 handle is made of 2 pieces of hard anodized aluminum with textured G-10 inlays. Again, the handles here are beautifully machined. I would not be surprised if Hogue won Blade Show’s manufacturing quality award one year. Details include a vented spine, custom pivot and hardware, an integrated lanyard hole, and body screws on only one side of the knife. Everything oozes quality and attention to detail.

The handle on the 3.5″ version of the knife feels a little cramped. I can get a full 4 finger grip on the knife, but it feels like my pinky is going to slide off the back. Adding to things is the inclusion of an aggressive finger choil that limits your hand placement options. This is probably my biggest gripe with the knife. That said, the handle certainly works and I’m sure the 4″ version will be more accommodating to larger hands. Part of what I enjoy about this knife is the unique aesthetic, and I’m willing to sacrifice a little for the sake of this unique design. However, this is coming from a guy with a 100 pocket knives. If this was my only EDC knife I’d want something with milder ergonomics.

The pocket clip is a deep carry affair, blacked out and swappable for ambidextrous tip up carry. Retention is extremely tight. Pants shredding tight. There is no way this thing will fall out of your pocket, but that’s provided you can actually get this ting into your pocket in the first place. I find the spring action of the clip to be too tight. I’m also not a huge fan of the large tip of the pocket clip that is exposed when this knife is clipped into your pocket. It will scrape car doors if you aren’t careful. I know folks have been critical of the large spoon clip in the EX series, but I think I prefer it over the clip on this X-5.

The X-5 is light for its size and carries easily enough. The nice thing about a matte black deep carry clip is that it makes for a discrete knife. This 3.5″ version is an easy EDC for me, but I would like to see this pocket clip tweaked a little bit.

Deployment and Lockup

The X-5 is a flipper. That should be pretty obvious. There are no thumb studs, thumb holes, or secondary means of opening the blade. That’s alright because the flipping action is outstanding. Like I mentioned in the introduction, the button lock flippers I’ve handled in the past haven’t flipped well. That’s because they never were able to recreate the detent action of a linerlock or frame lock flipper. The X-5 does that by embedding a ball detent into the handle. This YouTube video does an excellent job showing you what is going on. A ball detent is set into a stainless steel spring inset in the handle, and there is a hole and track on the blade for the detent to run in.

The end result is fantastic flipping action – to the point where you may mistake this for an assisted opening knife. But it’s not an assisted opener, and one way you can tell is by depressing the button lock: the blade swings freely. It’s also worth noting that there are no stand alone washers on this knife. Instead, the washers are milled into the aluminum handles. The end result is buttery smooth.

The button lock has been beautifully executed. There is no stick at all in my lock, and lockup is tight as a drum. There is an external safety. Typically I’m not a fan of these, but Hogue has dialed this in so the action of the safety is crisp and purposeful. Unlike most knives with secondary safeties, it doesn’t flop around, and you aren’t going to accidentally activate it on the X-5. While I don’t use it, I like how they did it.

Centering is dead nuts perfect.

Hogue X5 Review – Final Thoughts

All said I’m a fan of the X-5. Hogue makes a beautiful knife, and the X-5 may be the nicest model I’ve handled yet. And they have cracked the code for a button lock flipper. The flipping action is flipping outstanding. That alone earns some points in my book, and I hope Hogue applies this technology to other knives, or licenses it to other companies. I also happen to be a fan of this design. I find it visually appealing and the execution is top notch. For these reasons I appreciate and enjoy the X-5 as a knife collector.

That said, there are a couple issues with the knife that prevent me from giving it a perfect score (not that I really score anything on here anyways). First, the handle is cramped. This knife is not going to replace my Griptilian or other work knives any time soon. I could have gotten the 4″ version, but I usually don’t like to carry folding knives that large. Second, the pocket clip is too tight, and the tip of the clip pokes out too much. It shreds your pockets, is a chore to use, and the tip sticks out to the point where it can inadvertently scrape up cars if you aren’t careful. As a fan of the design, the ergonomic issues are forgivable, but I still think the pocket clip needs work.

So this isn’t a perfect knife, but for me the pros outweigh the cons. I have plenty of plain Jane pocket knives, but nothing else like the X-5 in my collection.

If you are looking for one Hogue knife to use as your EDC, I’d recommend the EX-01 or EX-04. They are more practical and more comfortable work knives.

But if the X5 speaks to you as a collector and enthusiast, then I’m here to tell you to answer the call. It’s mostly an awesome knife. Not my desert island EDC, but there is a lot to enjoy with this one. And like the EX-04, I don’t see myself offloading my X-5 any time soon.

HOGUE X5 3.5" Spear Pants Black Frame Stock Accessories

Great Product

I recommend purchasing the Hogue X5 at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thanks for checking out my review.

Hogue EX-F03 Review

by Grayson Parker 9 Comments

Last Updated: August 26, 2019
Hogue is something of an odd brand in the knife industry. Despite their award winning designs, the Hogue line has never really caught on with the majority of the knife community. It could be that they produce button locks whereas consumers [think that they] want framelocks. Or perhaps the market is too caught up in the frenzy over flippers. Whatever the reason, Hogue is a company that rarely gets the praise or online attention it deserves.

Buy the Hogue EX-F03 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Like its brethren, the EX-F03 is not a trendy knife. Pictures of it won’t clog your Instagram feed. BladeHQ won’t generate a feeding frenzy by announcing a shipment of EX-F03’s has arrived. It certainly won’t scratch the itch behind the EDC top and the torq bar. At the end of the day, it’s a working knife in a market driven by collectors and aficionados. As a collector (and a nonstop fidgeter) I’m guilty of both sins. Whatever the case, the EX-F03 seems to have slipped under the radar. Hopefully this review remedies that.

Before the review really begins in earnest, there’s a bit of a cautionary tale/PSA I should share. Always check state and local laws before purchasing a knife. CA Penal Code 21310 forbids carrying a concealed “dirk or dagger,” which I belatedly discovered applies to all fixed blades. It cuts me deeply that I can’t carry a knife that I [spoiler alert] really like outside of my home. What really twists the blade is that this was a gift from my girlfriend. I’d like to say that it being a gift hasn’t affected this review, but she reads my work here, and I’d rather keep my blood inside of my body.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Out of the sheath, the Hogue EX-F03 has a cutting edge of 2.25”, an overall length of 5.5”, and a weight of 2.1 oz. In the sheath, the knife is 6.5” long, 2.5” wide, and weighs just under 4 oz. The blade stock is .16” thick. Judging by size alone, the design intent of the EX-F03 is a small utility blade. It’s also available as a dedicated belt knife, which includes a screw-on handle with a karambit style ring incorporated. Of note is that the aforementioned belt version includes the neck sheath as well. Both handle styles of the EX-F03 are available with a hawkbill blade, if you’re so inclined.

The EX-F03 has what Hogue calls a clip point. It doesn’t look like any clip point I’ve ever seen, but one thing’s for sure: the folks at Hogue know how to manage a grind. It’s even and crisp, and the blade stock is thin enough that it cuts well. The blade is a bit short for food preparation, and I’ve learned the hard way that stubby blades can be hazardous at times. Pro tip: don’t try and slice a palmed apple with something this size. It doesn’t end well.

At first I thought the tip was too thin, but some pretty extensive use has shown me the error of my ways. It’s not as durable as an ESEE or a Becker, but I found the thin tip perfect for working with tough materials that tend to bind, such as foam board. Conversely, I was a big fan of the continuous belly on the EX-F03 in theory, but in practice it tends to slip out of the aforementioned tough cutting mediums. Not that it’s a poor cutter – quite the opposite – but some finesse may be required.

Here is a picture of the tip of the EX-F03 compared to the Paramilitary 2:

Hogue uses 154CM for most of their blades. It’s a steel I prefer on any serious work knife, as its blend of toughness, edge retention, rust resistance, and ease of maintenance make it well suited for any given task on the job site. It doesn’t shrug off abuse like 1095, but it doesn’t chip near as often as S30V. Regular stropping keeps the edge keen, and I’ve never had a problem with tarnishing or rust spots. This particular knife has been used on drywall, cardboard, and more than a few clamshell packages without any problems. The true sharpening choil makes for headache-free maintenance. And yes, it did all of this:

Handle and Ergonomics

The EX-F03’s skeletonized construction is as simple as you can get. As such, the EX-F03 really has only one problem: it’s too thin. Yeah, I know. Go figure. Remarks from Captain Obvious aside, without the presence of some contouring, harder cuts press the tang into the palm, which in turn generates some discomfort. That said, I’m looking for a knife that fits into my pocket comfortably, and the extended grip is too long for that. If you have access to some basic tools, you could theoretically purchase the full version and grind off the ring (Allen Elishewitz spoke about doing just that). Bear in mind, that sort of action will void your warranty.

All that said, I like the overall design. It’s a 3-finger grip, but the included lanyard gives your pinky something to hold onto. The curves of the handle, although thin, nestle organically into the palm. And I have to hand it to Hogue’s machinists: they made a bare piece of steel as comfortable as they could. Everything is chamfered and polished. The jimping is hands-down some of the nicest I’ve experienced, with thick, rounded ridges that lock your thumb in place without generating hotspots.

It all boils down to intended use: if you want to carry a fixed blade in your pocket (rather than on your belt), chances are you value discretion and ease of carry as much or more than the ergonomics. If you do need a blade that can handle prolonged use, it’s probable that you can carry said knife on your belt without rubbing anyone the wrong way.

Sheath

The sheath of the EX-F03 is truly sublime. Apart from a loose rivet – which Hogue fixed promptly – I have no complaints. If you keep up with Gear Geeks Live, you’ll have an idea how rare that is. There is a firm snap upon sheathing and unsheathing the blade, and no wiggle in any direction while stored. It’s made of Boltaron, which is similar to but slightly tougher than Kydex. I own a couple custom fixed blades and have handled my fair share of productions, and this sheath outclasses all of them. Through some witchcraft, it’s bidirectional and accommodates both blade shapes. One slight downside: you can (with some effort) pop the sheath off with your thumb, but for me it’s mostly a two-handed affair. I don’t know if that’s a deal breaker for some, but I don’t mind.

As shipped the EX-F03 is a neck knife. While I’m reasonably certain that it would serve well in such a role, I don’t work in an environment where that would be appropriate. For the sake of due diligence, I wore it around my neck once or twice, and it worked fine. Deployment was easy and the cord was comfortable. Even so, the cord was removed at the earliest opportunity. To my delight I found that the EX-F03 carries wonderfully in the pocket. The sheath is wide enough that the blade doesn’t roll or bind in the pocket, and rounded enough to fit into a variety of pants without issue. On a few weekend trips up into the woods, I wore it on my belt with a spare Tek-Lok I had lying around, and it worked fine. The dedicated belt sheath is clearly superior, but in a pinch this did the trick.

Hogue EX-F03 Review – Final Thoughts

All told, the EX-F03 is an impressive addition to the Hogue line. By now you should be able to tell I’m overly picky, so of course my jimmies will be rustled by the little things. (Hell, if you don’t see a complaint, call the authorities. It may be a cry for help.) The few flaws present are honestly quibbles, and can’t hold back what I think is a strong competitor in the world of fixed blades.

Speaking of competition: the price point of the EX-F03 is a major departure for Hogue. Typically their knives clock in at $150 and up, but this configuration of the EX-F03 costs just under $70.00. Some may still consider this expensive for a small fixed blade. Depending on what extras you want, the ESEE Izula falls at a similar price point, but I think the costlier steel and stellar sheath are well worth the price of admission for the Hogue.

If you’re looking for a pocket fixed blade, you should start here. Much like traditional knives, a good carry option determines if the knife in question actually gets pocket time. In this regard, the EX-F03 is unmatched. I couldn’t fault anyone for looking elsewhere, and the competition is very strong, but the sheath of the EX-F03 is so well-suited to pocket carry that it at least should be part of the conversation. Whether you’re a veteran to the world of fixed blades, or a green recruit, I can wholeheartedly recommend giving the EX-F03 a chance. If you live in California, well…shell out for the belt sheath. I’ve heard good things.

Hogue 35370 EXF03 Neck 2.25" Knife, Clip Pt., Tumble Finish, Black Sheath

Package length: 2.4 cm
Package width: 7.2 cm
Package height: 17.0 cm
Product Type: SPORTING GOODS

Editor: If you are thinking of buying a Hogue EX-F03, please consider purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Hogue EX04 Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

Last Updated: August 4, 2019
It’s fun covering the latest knife trends. Case in point, the whole titanium flipper framelock schtick has has been an absolute blast. That said, I love it when a knife company completely bucks the trend and comes out with something that is bold, inventive and well executed.

Buy the EX-04 at BladeHQ

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Without spoiling the review for you, the Hogue EX04 is just that knife, and is one of the more interesting blades I’ve had the pleasure of handling in 2013. I must not be the only one who feels that way, as the EX04 won American-made knife of the year at the 2013 Blade Show.

Designed by world renown custom knifemaker Allen Elischewitz the EX04 marries an intriguing design with the same precision manufacturing and technical excellence that I gushed over when I penned my first Hogue review on the EX01. From the custom hardware down to the mirror polished edge, there is a lot to discuss with this knife, so lets get right into it.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The EX04 comes in 2 sizes, the 3.5″ bladed version, shown here, and a version with a 4″ blade. My knife has an overall length of 8″ and weighs 4.48oz. I trend towards smaller knives for daily use, and found the 3.5″ version a good choice for urban EDC. That said, there is certainly enough knife here for use as a dedicated work or “tactical” knife.

The EX04 comes in 2 blade shapes, an upswept variant (shown here) and one with a modified wharncliffe blade. Both feature a unique double grind; a first for a production knife. I spoke with Allen Elischewitz about this personally, and he told me Hogue went to great lengths to consistently pull this unique blade geometry. I can’t say it does much functionally (although the knife is ground thin and cuts extremely well), but it is definitely a very cool detail that I really enjoy.

Hogue went with good ole 154CM which is an American stainless steel regular readers and knife aficionados should be well acquainted with. I have had a lot of good experience with 154CM, including Hogue’s 154CM when I reviewed the EX01 a while back. This time around I wanted to perform some more formal testing. The knife edge held up very well in performing a variety of EDC tasks including cutting rope, cardboard, and some basic carving. This is a useful blade shape made out of a nice balanced steel, and will provide years and years of service with very little maintenance.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The EX04 benefits from a full, sculpted G10 handle. There are no liners, although there are stainless steel bolsters that also function as washers. Like the rest of the knife the handle is superbly finished. The G10 is smooth and well contoured. The major hardware is silver and has been given a matte finish. Everything is just super refined on this knife – even the lanyard hole has been elegantly integrated.

From an ergonomic standpoint the EX04 continues to impress me. The simple sloping curves of the handle are also 3d contoured and lightly textured, which provides a good balance of comfort and grip. There is a distinct absence of jimping on the knife, which makes it very comfortable and practical for normal use. Mall ninjas will cringe at this obvious “oversight”, but as someone that actually likes to use his knife I assure you that the lack of jimping is actually a good thing.

The pocket clip is the same large spoon style offering found on the EX01. This time it has been given a durable black coating for a more discrete appearance. Some will probably find issue with the bulbous nature of the clip, but I think it’s practical and works well. The knife carries nicely in the pocket – it’s slim and lightweight and is the kind of I knife that I want to carry. If I were to give the clip a demerit, it would be for the right side tip up only carry. I understand that there may have been some design limitations requiring this clip placement, but for me tip up carry would have been preferable.

Lock and Deployment

The EX04 has ambidextrous thumb studs for deployment. They are easy to get at and the knife snaps open smoothly and crisply with little effort. An interesting feature of this knife is the absence of any kind of washer or bearing system. Instead, the blade mates up directly to stainless steel bolster plates that both reinforce the knife and serve as the “washers” for the blade to glide against. In practice this works very well, as evidenced by the very smooth and satisfying action.

As I mentioned in the intro, the EX04 makes use of a button lock to secure the blade. It’s a nice departure from the liner and frame locks that creep into many of my folding knife reviews, and Allen has gone to great lengths to ensure that the EX04 came with a robust and reliable lock. My lock occasionally sticks a little bit. I am not sure if I need to clean it, lubricate it, or break it in more, but I do experience a little stick in the button lock from time to time.

The knife also comes with an external safety switch that locks the knife open. On the EX01 I found that the safety was too easy to engage, and would inadvertently lock the knife open, but I was relieved to find that they have made the safety button much more purposeful. It doesn’t engage accidentally, and you really need to consciously push it to lock open the knife.

Hogue EX04 Review – Final Thoughts

The EX04 is a beautiful knife. I gave it a glowing review, and I think it’s well deserved. The knife has a unique design, has been flawlessly executed, and is very practical to carry and use. If I were to make suggestions, it would be to find a way to enable tip up carry.

Besides that, this is nothing short of an awesome knife, one that I find a true pleasure to have in both my collection and my pocket. It is a premium offering, and commands a premium price tag, but this is another one of those instances where you get what you pay for.

At the time of updating this review (end of 2015) the EX-04 remains one of my favorite 3.5″ folders. It’s a beautiful tool that speaks to me on a number of different levels. Highly recommended.

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I recommend purchasing the Hogue EX04 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review!

Hogue EX01 Review

by Dan Jackson 14 Comments

Last Updated: March 9, 2019
Hogue, a company best known for their gun grips and rifle stocks, has recently entered the realm of high end production knives. This is a pretty bold move for any company. After all, to quote Borormir in the the Lord of the Rings, “one does not simply start manufacturing knives” …or something like that.

Buy the Hogue EXO1 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

So Hogue teamed up with one of the best in the business – award winning knifemaker Allen Elishewitz. Quite frankly, the results of this collaboration are extremely impressive. This is a very nice knife by anyone’s standards, and it’s hard to believe Hogue has never made a blade before. I had to acquire one of their knives for review. So lets take a closer look at the EX01, the knife that put them on the map.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The EX01 comes in two different sizes (3.5″ and 4″ blades), with two different blade shapes (drop point and tanto), and two different handle materials (G10 or aluminum). Shown here is the 3.5″ model drop point with a G10 handle. This particular knife has an overall length of 8″, and 3.5″ blade and it weighs 4.3 ounces. Its aluminum counterpart weighs slightly more at 4.6 ounces, but tends to retail for slightly less. All of the EX01 folders are made in the USA.

The 4″ version of the knife has an overall length of 8.875″ and weighs 5.1 ounces (5.6 for the aluminum version). I selected the 3.5″ model because I wanted to use the knife for every day carry, and I am very happy with that decision. The knife carries well, feels light for its size, and the drop point version is reasonably unassuming. The 4″ version strikes me as a bit much for EDC, but that is a choice that ultimately you will have to make.

The drop point version of the knife is nicely executed. You have a high flat grind with a long lean swedge that falls into a sturdy tip with an edge that has a good amount of belly. Speaking of the edge, the EX01 comes with the nicest edge I have ever seen on a production blade. It is a full mirror polished edge – perfectly formed, nice and even. Apparently these are all done by hand. With most production level knives the edge grinds are usually a little off, and some can be downright sloppy. Needless to say that wasn’t the case with this knife. And yes, the knife came extremely sharp. I guess the only problem is while I can sharpen a knife ok, I will not be able to maintain that mirrored edge with my usual stones. My advice is to instead try and maintain the edge with a strop while you can.

The tanto version of the knife is quite striking, featuring a wicked raised spine, and downward sloping blade. I would not mind adding a tanto EX01 to the collection at some point either!

Hogue went with tried and true 154CM for the blade steel. This particular 154CM has been cryogenically heat treated to 57-59 HRc. It takes a nice edge, and has held onto it after a good amount of use. I’m not saying it’s a super steel, but I have always been a fan of 154CM. Here my thoughts are no different. Not only does it polish up beautifully, it also stonewashes very nicely – as evidenced by the handsome tumbled finish on the EX01.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The EX01 is offered with either an aluminum or G10 handle. Hogue calls their G10 (shown here) “G-mascus.” Really it’s just layered G10 with some waves in it, finished to bring out a faux damascus look. Personally, I prefer the less busy look of regular G10, and probably should have gone with the aluminum version of the knife. That said, the G-mascus is a little different, and I’m some sure will like the effect.

More importantly the handle is superbly constructed. It’s made from 2 pieces of G10, and has been bolted together along with partial stainless steel liners. I love the hardware Hogue selected for the button lock, pivot, and safety. The bright stainless steel contrasts nicely with the handles, and the whole production just oozes of quality. The design features a lanyard pin, which is an elegant alternative to your more common lanyard hole. All in all construction is very solid, and the knife is beautifully finished.

In hand the EX01 is a solid performer – comfortable and capable. Allen apparently has a strong martial arts background, and I can see this in his “ergonomic plan.” The position of the finger choil sets you back on the knife a bit to maximize reach. In this position the EX01 feels very comfortable, with your palm melting into the rounded pommel, and your finger sliding confidently around the choil. There is some jimping along the back of the knife. It’s not super aggressive, but provides some grip and feedback. You can choke up on the handle, and that works well too. The knife feels very good in a reverse grip as well.

The pocket clip is an interesting and almost feminine contrast to the rest of the knife (especially the sharp lines of the tanto version). Rounded and bulbous, this spoon-style clip is securely held in place with 3 screws, and is tapped for right side tip up / tip down carry. Despite the contrast this is a nice pocket clip – secure and easy to use. It rides reasonably low, and is easy to insert and remove from the pocket. I really like how the EX01 carries (at least the 3.5″ version). The knife is light and comfortable, and I quickly forget it is on me. I think it’s a great choice for EDC.

Deployment and Lockup

The EX01 makes use of ambidextrous thumbstuds to open the blade. The thumbstuds are nicely positioned, and it is very easy to pop the blade out with your thumb. Deployment is both fast and smooth thanks to a unique design where large stainless steel washers are molded into the partial liners of the G10 handle. According to Allen these integral washers will burnish over time, and the knife will get smoother and smoother. The aluminum version does not have any liners. Instead, a raised portion of the type 3 hard anodized finish mates directly with the tang of the blade. Type 3 hard anodizing is extremely tough, and like the stainless steel washers it will burnish over time. Either way, deployment will be smooth, fast, reliable, and durable straight out of the box.

The EX01 makes use of a button lock to secure the blade open. The button lock has been nicely implemented. Lockup is very sturdy, and firm (but reasonable) pressure is required to disengage it. In practice the lock feels strong, and it has worked well for EDC tasks. I would put it right up there with an axis lock or compression lock for regular use. There is an added external safety that can be used to lock the knife open. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of external safeties, and I find that this one has got in the way on more than one occasion. It can be removed, but the handle doesn’t look as good without it.

Blade retention (or the “detent”) is pretty good on this knife. I had no issues with the knife opening accidentally in pocket, but if I wanted I could snap the knife open with a firm flick of the wrist.

Hogue EX01 Review – Final Thoughts

The EX01 strikes me as a big win for Hogue. I find it especially incredible considering that this is their first attempt at making a production knife.

The EX01 is a solid design, with a lot of interesting details. Stuff like matching circular hardware and thumb studs, the lanyard pin, the way the 2 piece handle perfectly fits together, the integral washers, the perfect blade centering, and of course the mirror polished edge all add up to something special and unique. There is an enormous amount of attention to detail, and Allen Elishewitz has provided a thoughtful design to lay the foundation. The only minor issues I could come up with is that I think the “G-mascus” is kind of hokey, and I could live without the external safety. Some might find the pocket clip too large or funky, but it wasn’t an issue for me. If that is the worst I have to say about the EX01 it leads me to believe Hogue did a damn fine job.

And when you consider how this knife sells for as low as $150, well it really is mind blowing. The fit and finish is outstanding, blowing something like the Paramilitary 2 out of the water. The fact that this knife is manufactured in the USA, is so well made, and features such a thoughtful design make it an instant classic in my book. Highly recommended.

HOGUE 34171 Aluminum Frame 3.5, Drop Pt. Blade, Tumble Finish, Matte OD Green

Overall length: 8 inch
Blade length: 3.50 inch
The 6061 T6 aluminum handle is anodized OD green

I recommend purchasing the Hogue EX04 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated – thank you very much!