Ive been surprised by everything Hogue has done the past couple of years. The Deka is a worthy competitor to the bugout (with a MUCH better factory edge). The K320s are well done hard use folders. All USA made. When I saw they were releasing a hunt line, I pre ordered the fixed blade Extrak (Hogue also released the expel - a replaceable blade knife that addresses blade removal - that Id like to try that at some point), hoping it would be what I liked about the Benchmade Altitude, but actually comfortable to use. With a slight weight penalty - that ended up not being a penalty at all.
First, the Altitude is S90V while the Extrak is M4. A complaint about the Altitude was how difficult it is to sharpen the S90V in the field. Hogue went with an easier to sharpen and tougher M4 - with similar edge retention - the penalty being that it isnt as corrosion resistant as the S90V. Again, the factory edge of the Hogue beats the BM by a pretty hefty margin. The pic below with the flash on tells the story....now I did break down a hog at the end of last season with the altitude, but I have not touched up the edge since. I have done some around the house cutting, steak and vegetables, but I havent used the Hogue to break an animal down yet.
For me, the clear downside of the Altitude was in actual practice. The handle was just too thin and slick when breaking down an animal. The thin handle led to hand fatigue. The extrak has a wider and thicker handle that fits well in the hand, and the G10 scales provide all the traction youd need. The altitude fit in a kill kit and didnt take up much space, same thing goes for the Extrak. The sheath on the Extak actually makes it a bit of a lower profile overall package.
The next part, shocked me. The hogue, with the wider and thicker handle and G10 scales, is a lighter overall package when compared to the Altitude. The altitude with sheath weight 2.4 oz, while the Hogue with sheath weighs 2.2 oz. With the weight difference being negligible, you are basically left with a knife with a far better purchase and easier to sharpen steel with equal edge retention against a harder to sharpen knife with better corrosion resistance. Theres some give and take, but I like the profile of the M4 a bit better.
The blade cutting edge between the 2 is simiar, slight edge to the Hogue in length. The Hogue also has a thumb ramp on the top of the blade that helps you dig in with the thumb when doing push cuts or index finger when doing finer work.
As of now, you can find the Altitude for around $225, you may be able to find a better deal on it since it has been discontinued. The only way to buy the Extrak at this time is direct through hogue at 189.99 - my guess is whenever they decide to move this to retailers it will sell around 160ish.
The Tyto Air seems to be similar to the Hogue Extrak, but comes in at 250.00. I havent put my hands on it yet, but after the season I may give that one a go.
For this season, Ill have a Tyto 1.1 and the Hogue Extrak in my kill kit.
First, the Altitude is S90V while the Extrak is M4. A complaint about the Altitude was how difficult it is to sharpen the S90V in the field. Hogue went with an easier to sharpen and tougher M4 - with similar edge retention - the penalty being that it isnt as corrosion resistant as the S90V. Again, the factory edge of the Hogue beats the BM by a pretty hefty margin. The pic below with the flash on tells the story....now I did break down a hog at the end of last season with the altitude, but I have not touched up the edge since. I have done some around the house cutting, steak and vegetables, but I havent used the Hogue to break an animal down yet.
For me, the clear downside of the Altitude was in actual practice. The handle was just too thin and slick when breaking down an animal. The thin handle led to hand fatigue. The extrak has a wider and thicker handle that fits well in the hand, and the G10 scales provide all the traction youd need. The altitude fit in a kill kit and didnt take up much space, same thing goes for the Extrak. The sheath on the Extak actually makes it a bit of a lower profile overall package.
The next part, shocked me. The hogue, with the wider and thicker handle and G10 scales, is a lighter overall package when compared to the Altitude. The altitude with sheath weight 2.4 oz, while the Hogue with sheath weighs 2.2 oz. With the weight difference being negligible, you are basically left with a knife with a far better purchase and easier to sharpen steel with equal edge retention against a harder to sharpen knife with better corrosion resistance. Theres some give and take, but I like the profile of the M4 a bit better.
The blade cutting edge between the 2 is simiar, slight edge to the Hogue in length. The Hogue also has a thumb ramp on the top of the blade that helps you dig in with the thumb when doing push cuts or index finger when doing finer work.
As of now, you can find the Altitude for around $225, you may be able to find a better deal on it since it has been discontinued. The only way to buy the Extrak at this time is direct through hogue at 189.99 - my guess is whenever they decide to move this to retailers it will sell around 160ish.
The Tyto Air seems to be similar to the Hogue Extrak, but comes in at 250.00. I havent put my hands on it yet, but after the season I may give that one a go.
For this season, Ill have a Tyto 1.1 and the Hogue Extrak in my kill kit.
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