Gear Hogue EX-F02 Fixed Blade: Now in Tumbled Finish Incoming April 7, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More If you are a fan of fixed blades, you might want to check this out. Henderson, NV based Hogue, Inc. announced the release of their tumbled finish version of their EX-F02. Here’s what they tell us about it. Hogue EX-F02 in Tumbled Finish When the EX-F02 was first released in early 2015, it was offered in a black finish and the blade was made of A2 tool steel. Hogue Inc. now offers the same rugged knife with a tumble finished blade, adding to the overall utility of the knife and offering a cosmetic alternative. “One of the great things about the tumbled finish is that it conceals blemishes or scratches on the blade after use as well as being easier to clean,” said co-owner Neil Hogue. “Also, the black Cerakote look isn’t for everyone, so now there’s another option depending on personal preference.” But they didn’t stop there. Formerly, EX-F02 blades were made from A2 tool steel, but as of this year, all EX-F02 knives have been upgraded to 154 CM stainless steel. Another added benefit of the new tumbled version is that it allows for a more economical price, coming in at $129.99 MSRP. While equal in strength and brawn to its black Cerakoted brother, the tumbled finish version offers novelty and diversity to Hogue’s line of fixed blades. The EX-F02 tumbled knife goes through a methodical production process that uses all USA made materials and ensures that every customer gets the highest quality knife available when bearing the Hogue name. The process starts with the full tang blade’s outline being cut from the raw material on Hogue’s CNC abrasive water jet cutter. The cutout is then further CNC machined to exact sizes and specifications. Next, Hogue’s tightly controlled heat treating includes cryogenic processing for improved hardness to an HRC 57-59. The knife is then sent through a double disk grinder before being put in the tumbler. The tumbling effect seals the steel’s surface and assists in rust prevention and the smoothing of production blemishes. EX-F02 handles are made of durable GRP (glass reinforced polymer) and bear a swatch of the celebrated Hogue OverMolded rubber that is available in four colors: black, OD green, flat dark Earth, and hunter orange. The accompanying ambidextrous automatic retention sheath is a heavy-duty Hogue design of super-tough nylon, Pull-the-Dot fasteners, and MOLLE compatible belt loops. Here is a video showcasing the EX-F02's. Founded in 1968 by Guy Hogue, Hogue, Inc. is a family business. Allen Elishewitz designs their knives. Their products are produced in their facilities in the USA. They say they focus on fine craftsmanship and quality in every type of product they sell. If you would like to learn more about Hogue, Inc., you can click here. They are also on Facebook and Instagram. Explore RECOILweb:American Made: Blue Force GearWorshipping the Sign of the V8 - the Cars of Fury RoadSOLKOA Survival Tool: Grip-SStarting Tonight: SureFire's Black Friday through Cyber Monday Sale NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.