By Ron Dan
A good pocketknife should be like a great mistress. Therefore, it never gets in the way and you almost forget it exists, but it’s right there every time you need it. Take it a step further; it doesn’t hurt if it’s so good looking it turns heads in a room. In a world where good pocketknives are a dime a dozen, it’s hard to make a truly exceptional knife. For a knife to stand out, you have to get the details perfect in every aspect of the design, materials, assembly, and the overall functionality. The second you put the Hogue Deka Collector Series knife in your hand, you immediately know that it’s not just exceptional. It just might be perfect.
It’s no secret we’re a fan of Hogue Knives. Most knife companies are lucky to have one exceptional designer on their team, but Hogue seems to be growing them in their cafeteria. I recently evaluated the Hogue Mysto Fire knife, a Bruhns Design, and it was a lot of knife in a very thin and light package at an incredible price. Neil Hogue has had his hand in a handful of designs which have all been innovative and unique. Going back to the roots of the category, the Hogue Deka Collector series is an Allen Elishewitz design, and it’s some of his best work.
Hogue Deka Collector Series Features
The Hogue Deka is a great series of knives from Hogue that feature a 3.25-inch blade and the company’s famous ABLE lock system. Variants have a clip point or Wharncliffe blade, CPM Magnucut or CPM20V steel, and polymer or G10 frames. For the absolute top-of-the-line collector series, you can opt for a Deka that has a carbon-fiber frame, CPM20V steel, titanium hardware and an integrated Glow Rhino tritium lock bar. That’s right, tritium vials aren’t just for your night sights anymore.
The frame of the Deka has a unique design cut into it. This design won’t tear your hands up when you reach into your pocket, but it grips firmly in your hand and does not slip during the draw. With the carbon fiber, the frame is ultra light. The knife weighs in at a mere 2.3 ounces. The ABLE lock system is strong and fast while also being ambidextrous.
To take this lock system to the next level, Hogue incorporated tritium inserts in the lock bar. Other than being a cool talking point when you bust this out at a BBQ, it’s a great addition that allows you to find your knife in low-light situations and can help you ensure the right orientation of the knife in your hands. To round out the premium features on this model, the Deka Collector Series also has blue anodized titanium thumb studs, clip screws, and back spacers, making this knife even lighter and more aesthetically pleasing.
Elite EDC Knife Package
The Hogue Deka Collector Series is what you would expect if someone told you to put the budget aside and create the most perfect pocketknife with the best possible materials. I’m going to have a hard time replacing this knife with anything else in the rotation.
Price: $319.95.
Pros: Every individual aspect of this knife was executed at the highest levels. If you don’t like the Wharncliffe blade, it’s also available with a more traditional clip point.
Cons: You might feel bad when all of your other pocketknives collect dust in the corner.
