First, LOVE your stuff! Watch and respect it all. Only one comment … $130 + $60 OG aluminum scales = $190 solid light knife with Magnacut … $180 = S30V grivory scaled knife. I have both but will take better steel every time … even if it takes a modification. Only wish AWT made scales for these … Cheers!
I purchased one, found some micarta scales and now it feels perfect in your hand and all coming in cheaper than a bugout. The scales that came on my bugout were cutting into my hand.
I own a first gen deka and a cf elite bugout. The deka blows the bugout away, not even a close fight. I've had nothing but problems with the bugout, I have to loosen off the pivot to the point of blade play before I can close it one handed. The centering was off right from the factory. My deka has no problem with fit and finish at all. The only thing the bugout has going for it is the vast amount of customization available.
I love my deka and I would put it above the bugout for sure, it’s the 20cv red gmascus version, but the Benchmade needs an extended break in period for the pivot as compared to the deka that comes strait out of the box buttery smooth, they are both really great, I own both, just comes down to personal preference and pocket depth, you get a way better knife with the deka tho
Hogue made a great move when they signed on to produce the Ritter designs after Benchmade dropped them. Those are all amazing. Their other designs are not a refined as something with the lineage of the Benchmade knives. The Bugout gets away with the plastic because the company has so many more years of experience. Hogue is a great company getting in to knives, and with more experience and more design talent they have the production chops to do great things.
Most women do video's about make up, nails and hair, so it is a treat especial to see you do a video review of knife. This looks like a military knife, because its both light weight and made from high speed materials. You keep saying cheep plastic-y knives, when the reality is FRN is glass reinforced nylon that is both heat resistant and crazy tough (one of the strongest, lightest modern composite materials made). I don't own this knife, but from your video it looks like maybe Hogue has some work to do on the handle scales to make them stiffer. Thanks for the candid video about this knife.
I'll stick with my 20cv gmascus deka v2. I find the able lock way better than the BM axis lock. Pull the tabs and the blade sucks back into the scales. Not so with the axis lock.
I have had many hogues and all came from factory perfect all the way around. I also have the subzero deka and I absolutely love it. In my opinion it's so much better then the bugout.
I bought 6 of them for some of my friends who aren't knife people. I think for their uses they should work well, but I look forward to getting your review.
The deka was an excellent value back when the g10/20cv version was only slightly more than the bugout. I haven’t handled the polymer deka and I’ve never been a fan of the polymer bugout but I love spydercos plastic, so I’m kinda up in the air with this deka.
The scales are super flexible and skeletonized and lightweight. Very cheap feeling. It's very bizarre that they paired em with a magnacut blade imo. I swapped my magnacut blade into my gen1 deka handle. I've got some original goat scales in the mail too. If you get one you really gotta swap the scales
I had the chance to personally check out the Deka and the Sig Sauer at the same time. Didn’t like the Deka, bought the Sig. I think you’ll like the Sig. Thanks!!
I have to agree with you. The normal Hogue Deka feels much nicer, and the Ritter Hogues are even significantly better IMO. The polymer handles felt really really cheap, much more than others like Spyderco Delica or plastic BMs. I would never buy this knife in the polymer after handling it And I think the point of the compound grind on this is that it's one cleanly flowing edge, but it's thicker at the heel where you would bear down harder. So I'm pretty sure it's not designed to be separate edges, like on a tanto for example
I returned my poly deka, too slippery, the pocket clip seemed to stick into my fingers, the lock I just didn't like and, just wrong fell for my medium sized hand.....I think I'll get a spydie Para 2 or 3 for round the same price and no plastic handles or a Delica
I generally like plastic scales on knives. They’re strong enough contribute to keeping the price and weight down. My first was a Gerber LST in the ‘80s. I carried it all the time, because my Buck 110 was simply too large and heavy for casual EDC, especially in college classrooms. However, I have a problem with such scales when they make an expensive knife feel cheap. In my income bracket, a basic Bugout is an expensive knife, and I don’t appreciate its flexiscales. To be fair, I like the rest of the knife: the blade shape and size is usable, the steel is very good (was considered much better at the time I bought it), and the lock is strong and easy to use. Not only that, but it’s the first folder with thumb studs I like. But the scales…
Thanks for making a video of what we were commenting on yesterday on IG. Interesting points you're mentioning, definitely mine will be a Magnacut beater when I get mine next Tuesday.
Holy shit!!! you were absolutely right. Guys go and feel one before buying it... it's so light that feels cheap... not tu mention that the compound grind is a gimmick, ergos suits me perfectly due to the size of my medium size hands. Lets see how Magnacut behaves. Cheers!
You can get aftermarket aluminum scales in different looks which firm things up a lot. I'm thinking about it, I think they'd look good well used (like an old mag-light).
So…. Would it have been better to get a deka cards? Wouldn’t be called fidgeting either! Thank you SOOOOO much for the breakdown impression of this knife! I’m sure that all the other people like me who haven’t handled it yet are grateful for your time. At least, I certainly am! 👏🏻
Respectfully disagree, I picked one up and found it to be a capable, very lightweight EDC knife. 3 mos in using it for food prep, package opening and even making impromptu skewers out of chopsticks and I haven't needed to sharpen it
I’ve never handled an frn one. Thought they looked slippery when they announced them. I’ve got the G10 clip point one and it feels really high quality compared to a Bugout. Super grippy. Much better than the frn one imo.
Glad i watched i almost bought one but i allready have a bugout and love it . I was in St. Louis last friday and was going to go to GP but they close at 5 and i just couldn't get there in time . And when i got back home i looked at there site and they where already sold out . I did how ever make it to another shop in St.louis last friday and got a 940 for 159.99 and a mini grip for 59.99 . This shop had some crazy deals but they dont sell online . Bugouts where 104.99 i should have spent a 1000 bucks because i could have made alot of money reselling . Great vid thanks
I like your opinions. Have the same knife and I mostly agree. Love the blade may trade out the scales later. We’ll see how the knife holds up with some hard use. Thanks for your observations.
I get that you had to get the Deka in Magnacut. I’m interested to know what you think of it after some use, especially the blade geometry. I feel like the tip should slice more readily through things like cardboard and tubing maybe? Anyway, I will take your word on the cheap feeling and mildly irritating details because I have not handled the Deka. I was really looking forward to this video when you said you were going to check out a Hogue. I like that you did not just immediately jump on the bandwagon though. I love my Hogue RSK and the mini too! They are better in every way than what bugs you about the Deka. I carry the Mini RSK every day at work. It is tough and a joy to use. Of course, I prefer G10 over FRN. The Gmascus scales are cool looking and provide great grip. The clip is solid. The thumb studs are great and the blade is awesome in 20CV. One nitpick is that the scales were too abrasive and, combined with the tight clip threatened to do a cheese grater number on my jeans pockets. I removed the clip and all the screws and sanded down the scales a little. Now it’s perfect. The full size version has no issue though. I could swear the scales are the exact same pattern on both except the mini are scaled down on a CNC machine That would make them sharper right there. The mini RSK is the Hogue to edc at work in mho. Anyway. There’s my two cents.
I know the video is a year old so your opinions may have changed, but it seems like alot of knife enthusaists are choosing the polymer version with the sole intention of swapping the scales. It is still a pretty affordable option for just the magnacut blade alone. However, i do agree with most of your issues witb the knife which is why i chose the DLT exclusive version. I didn't want the compound blade and this version dons a clip point. I also didn't care for the flexing with the polymer scales, and these G10 stiffen it up quite a bit. I picked up an upgrade kit from OG which resolves the clip situation as the kit includes on from Lynch NW, but I do still have the extremely aggressive hardware which is my biggest qualm. I believe thumb studs fitted for the bugout can also work for the deka, so ill prob pick one up as well at some point. Overall, I can't disagree with most of your statements, however i think in general Hogue still provides very good value in the Deka, and hope to use it for many years to come. Cheers!!
The Deka Rev 2 20CV G-Mascus wipes the floor with the Bugout. Larger diameter Wolf springs, better steel. I have the blue lava g-mascus w/ black wharnie blade. The clip on mine is fine.
Solid review. Spot on. I have this exact knife in blue and had the same experience. The scales are so slippery. Zero traction. The clip barely touches the scale, so no hold, and the stupid clip doesn't have quite enough space above the screws to clear my pants. Plus the thumb studs & lock bar are sharp as hell. Ugh. I wish there were aftermarket micarta scales for this. Would vastly improve this knife. I want to love this knife. I do love the thin modified blade & the action. Scales & the clip are straight-up garbage.
I tried one at Blade show today. I didn’t care for it in hand. Scales are a bit small and just felt cheap. Blade was really nice. Granted I don’t like the Bugout for similar reasons. The Deka were very popular today’s. Lots of folks checking them out. I have a Hogue Sig A320 which I really like. The action was a bit sluggish at first buy is breaking in nicely.
Love Hogue's Rritter RSK and the mini RSK. The mini RSK's handle is just a little bit longer than a mini grip so I can get like a 3.75 finger grip vs a 3.5 finger grip on it with the mini grip. Their m390/20cv is pretty standard production stuff though, feels slightly better to me, but not incredibly so. Thankfully Hogue is uses a standard clip setup on them that'll accept a lot of other clips so you can replace that easily if you don't like it. I hated the feel of the standard bugout, however the CFE bugout scales are my favorite fancy plastic scales. I still wound up replacing it with deathgrips though. I really like the mini deep carry clip. Wound up putting it on several of my edc don't scare people kinda knives. Looking forward to you testing production magnacut at some point.
My two blue marbled carbon SMKW magnacut dekas (sold one the other day to a guy I know from live streams) was beautiful, had a nice premium feel to it and was built well. Problem is the magnacut on that run is very soft, edge retention sucks and the feel gummy on the stones both of them so I know they are soft. Hopefully it was just that first run and the new ones coming out are towards the upper end of the 61-63 they are claiming. I'm just gonna swap the Carbon scales over to my 20cv deka and sell the magnacut one with the black and blue gmascus scales on it. If anyone wants one get at me on IG.
That I know of Magna-Cut seems to perform especally bad with burnt edges. Either that or Hogue isn’s following the standard HT protocols for Magna cut (61-63 is the hardness you expect from vacuum ovens and cryo) . If they are really running it at 59-60 they aren’t following any of the manufacturer recommended protocols or their HT service/ovens are out of spec.
Wonder how this does. From what I've read Hogue's Magnacut has been at 59-60hrc instead of the 61-63 which is pretty low for the steel. Don't get the point of doing that or using the steel except for hype. Spyderco, CRK and BRK at least are doing 62-63 which is pretty good for production. Haven't used my BRK Scout yet but I have a custom Pry Guy in Magnacut at 65hrc and its been such a pleasure to use. 0.008 bte cuts great and having a built in prybar is so useful.
I'm trying to do this again. I got that same Deka Gen II. I like the knife, I have 3 Gen I versions, the only fail with this knife is the clip. That clip is a Big FAIL. My knife fell out of my pocket on the second day. A good custom clip is available from PopsCustomClips. Enjoy the knife, hopefully you can get a good clip.
I ordered the Blue satin Deka to use at work until my Native 5 Salt preorder ships. Hopefully someone on Etsy decides to make some g10 or CF scales if the polymer is really that bad.
I own a deka in 20cv and G 10 scales and I think it feels better than the bug out (I all ready chance the bugout scales cus’ that). But I don’t use it hard cus’ the thin edge, I like better the lock and the clip is not cheap feeling, I don’t know if it’s cus’ it is the older gen. I love my deka.
I’ve come to personally love the Deka’s compound grind wharncliffe on my first Gen G-10 version. It obviously has all the advantages of a standard wharncliffe but also allows a good portion of the blade to be able to make even cutting contact on flat surfaces that a standard wharncliffe can never do. *However, I’m not a fan of this Deka’s polymer scales. 🤷♂️
The Able Lock has a different type of spring from what the Axis Lock uses. It’s the same concept as far as how the lock works though. Other than the bevel being off on mine it’s performing very nicely. Broke down a shitload of boxes and cut a hose so I could splice it and the damn thing still shaves. I haven’t had issues with the pocket clip on mine and I’ve worn it on my motorcycle. I can’t wait to take it to the woods and beat the shit out of it
The gen 1 Dekka with the G10 is definitely more solid. This knife feels kind of cheesy but it is light, and the magnacut should resist corrosion really well. So if you backpack in the rain and want a light folder, here you go.
I think its better than my bug especially with better with magnacut. No pocket problems. Hogue hit out of the park.i have the clip point. The plastic has more grippy feeling than my scorpion from smk that is slippery. Use it for awhile then come back and review.
Felt the same way about the compound grind. Wasn’t as impressed when I got mine as I thought I would be. I will say that I do like their g10. Definitely feels like a sturdy knife overall, but mine also came in off center and that kind of bugged me cuz Hogue is usually good about QC (also you said knob 🤣) (sorry I’m a child 😜)
I picked one of these up also, I was only interested because of the Magnacut. I was super underwhelmed with the knife itself. The Ritter hogue from knifeworks is a different story that is a amazing knife…it’s my recommended choice to non knife friends that want a one and done “expensive” knife
Just return it if you still can. That compound edge looks like a hassle. I almost bought the normal edge version but I think I'll wait for the Doug Ritter RSK in magnacut.
I just got a Hogue/Doug Ritter in purple G- mascus ...Great knife. I want to get a Deka but no frn!....Are they going to upgrade the scales? I HATE FRN! Are they gonna do G- 10 or g macus? Aftermarket scales available?
I totally agree with the thumbstuds , they eat up my thumb. I don’t have the frn version though. I like the knife but it doesn’t get much pocket time .
After watching the video I'll give my input. First ill say I didn't know your hands were that small. The deka fits in my hand perfectly, but hand size is different for everyone.. second is that my pocket clip actually has a strong retention. What else, my blade was not centered and I hate the handle material. I personally like g10 a lot more.
I will be 100% skipping this version of the Deka. It literally represents everything I dislike about the Bugout and why I got a Deka instead to begin with. I’ll be sticking with my Gen 1 Deka. Perfectly happy with it.
My mentor, Mr. Bob Loveless and I designed the Compound blades separately, but at the same time. He called his the Pro-Hunter and mine was called the Compound edge. (Probably because I owned an Archery Store and range at the time, and had many wild Compound Bows in stock). We both had the same issue with hunters batoning their finely ground drop point hunters thru joints and pelvic bones on large game. Neither of us had any real success with the design and didn't make any. I guess the name stuck though and seems we were a little ahead of our time as I'm seeing more and more of them today. Ours were in the late 80's to very early 90's. My first one with beautiful Briar Burl scales went to Mr. Ted Nugent. I agree. those buttons would be painful quickly! ;
My claymore feels cheap. But I take it to work instead of my aluminum scale bailout because the bailout pocket clip. It's so tight it might rip my pants off before it comes out of my pocket. It's stupid tight.
I really like the hogue designs. Especially the X series. But I ordered two and both had to go back. Sticky as hell, would fail to flip out 50% of the time and had blade play. Shame because it seems like a good company run by nice people.
I wasn’t impressed with the slabby G10 deka scales and it failed to displace my bugouts in daily use. I have an order out for the magnacut deka just for the blade, but may cancel wait for later. I collect knives based on steel and use-ability. The maxamet sage would be interesting since I don’t have any maxamet and I like knives that feel nicer than they cost.
Yeah I wasn’t impressed with the scales at all. Felt cheap, but I knew they would going into it. The more I’ve messed with it the more I’ve come to be ok with it. It feels slightly stiffer when it cuts than the FRN bugout in my opinion. All in all, I’m praying they make after market g10 scales for it. I know everyone is excited about magnacut, but honestly I’m still excited about cruwear m4 and all the other stuff. I think I’ll stick with my shaman.
Those thumbstuds require way more machining than the benchmade studs, as in they are more labor intensive to make. If they feel cheap to you then your a little wierd.
The Deka is about the ugliest knife I’ve ever seen. Way too many weird lines and swedges. No on compound grinds as well. I would and did choose the much classier bugout.
Lol so much contradiction in your review 😅. Why didnt you pull up on the bugout clip . Then you proceed to knock the compound grind as being bad but yet you knowingly bought a compound version when you should had bought a clip point . Your video rather than being informative and unbiased only showed your benchmade fanboying . I own several models of both the bugout and the Decka . The decka is by far a better value than the bugout .
