Hogue EX 01 : Design by Allen Elishewitz

I have had this Hogue EX01 for some time now. At first I had no intentions on putting a pictorial up on my Blog. Mainly since I purchased it for everyday usesage. To be honest, the button-lock and 'bling' details made me dought for some time about buying it. Now that it's been growing on me, I have to say I am impressed with the rigidity, lock-up system, smoothness without washers and the overall high quality. Knowing that this is a knife in the $150 > $200 range, it's a great deal.

Specifications:
• Designer: Allen Elishewitz
• Maker: Hogue Inc.
• Blade shape: Drop point or tanto
• Blade length: 4"
• Blade thickness: .15”
• Blade steel: 154CM double tempered
• Cryogenically treated to 58-60Rc
• Blade finish: Stone wash tumbled
• Cutting edge: High polished
• Fasteners: Stainless steel (Hardened pivot pin, stop pin)
• Locking mechanism: Hardened button lock with manual safety
• Handle length: 5"
• Handle material: G-Mascus
• Textures: Piranha style
• Weight: 4.4 oz. (124 gr.)

This paragraph comes from the Allen Elishewitz website:

"At first glance, the EX01 looks like a piece of jewelry, but do not let its attractive appearance fool you. Inside this knife beats the heart of a beast! The oversized heat treated pivot & stop pin and button lock as well as oversized washers and integrated spacers are designed to insure the knife’s long term durability. Add to this, a manual safety ensures that the lock cannot disengage, giving fixed blade like reliability, and you have an over-engineered tool whose sole purpose is performance."

Macro shots on the nice detailed finishing touch.

Macro shots on the button lock system when opened.

Macro shots on the button lock system when closed.

Strider SMF : Green Aluminum

Recently I was gifted this 'very special to me' Strider SMF Aluminum by a very special person. So far I was familiar with the Ti/G10 handle. This aluminum is not as smooth as it might look. The surface feels slightly rigid and with the handle grooves it still provides enough grip. Besides all this, the engraved Strider logo is a real pretty addition. Also new to the standard SMF is the blade steel grade. For years it has been CPM-S30V and is now replaced by CPM-S35VN (*). For now, enjoy my photos !!

Specifications:
• Blade Length: 4"
• Cuttting edge: 3 1/4"
• Overall Length: 9"
• Closed Length: 5 1/8"
• Blade Steel: CPM S35VN
• Handle: Titanium / Military Type III hard coated aircraft aluminum
• Sheath Description: Pocket Clip
• Weight: 6.5 oz. (184 gr.)

*) More info on S35VN: Facts & Figures Album

Crusader Forge : VF01 Flipper

This custom folder is designed and hand made by "Maciej Szczerbiak" operating by the name Crusader Forge or Trident Knives. Searching the internet I learned there are only two made. One with a crater sculptured handle and this one. The blade has the number 2 stamped near the pivot.





The index finger can be put over the flipper like using a finger choil.

Nice heat flamed titanium scales.

Specifications:

• Overall Length: 8.27" / 21,1 cm
• Closed lenght: 4.92" / 12,5 cm
• Blade lenght: 3.35" / 8,5 cm
• Blade thickness: 1.77" / 4,5 mm
• Handle thickness: 0.1" / 15 mm
• Handle wide: 1.34" / 3,4 cm (inc. blade: 1.73" / 4,4 cm)
• Blade Steel: Triple Tempered CPM-S30V
• Hollow Saber grind with 2 x 15 degrees bevel
• Hardness: 59-60 HRC
• Handle: 6AL4V Titanium
• Weight: 9.35 oz. / 265 gram

Handmade grooved scales, characteristic to Crusader Forge Knives.

Massive, but very usable titanium pocket clip and large lanyard hole.

Small, but effective thumb ramp.

Open back with only one massive stand-off.

The large cut out for the stop pin.

Some details in close up.

The 0.4" (9,5 mm) stand-off.

The 0.2" (4,5 mm) thick steel stop pin.

Bomb proof lock bar 0.2" (4,5 mm)

Etched CF logo and 0.3" (8 mm) thumb stud.

Böker Haddock; Design by Jens Ansø

Spyderco Military Titanium

The Spyderco Military allways appealed to me. It might not be the prettiest or thoughest production folding knife. On the other hand, the ergonomics and slicing ability on the Military are one of the best I've ever handled.

Neither is this Ti version a light weight. This frame lock variant, with metal lock bar insert, does provides the secureness I like in a folding knife. So, the weight is no issue for me at all. It's the same as a Strider SMF I'm used to. More specifications are down belowe.

The only disadvantage is the bead blasted heft. It sure looks prety when it comes straight out of the box, but most knife users know it will show wear signs rather easy. That being said, the knife was never developed to live it's life in a show case or display.

Specifications:
• Spyderco Prod Nr: C36TI
• Length Overall: 9 1/2" - 241 mm
• Blade Length: 4" - 102 mm
• Length Closed: 5 1/2" - 140 mm
• Cutting Edge: 3 11/16" - 94 mm
• Weight: 5.8 oz. - 164 gr.
• Hole Diameter: 9/16" - 14 mm
• Blade Thickness: 5/32" - 4 mm
• Blade Steel: CPM S30V
• Handle Material: Titanium
• Made in: Golden, Colorado, USA

The metal lock bar insert is a nice extra feature and easy to replace.