In this detailed review of the HOO KNIVES V4 Tanto, a UK EDC-Legal slip-joint, double-detent flipper folder; join me as we look at every aspect of this lovely EDC knife.
Hoo Knives are born from the founder’s true passion for quality knives, and Hoo Knives focus on non-locking, sub 3 inch, practical and safe use folding knives (UK EDC Legal requirements). A very approachable brand who are completely engaged in supporting and listening to their customers, along with the wider EDC community, and, case-in-point, they created the V4 Tanto due to high demand for a Tanto Style Blade in their line up.
What’s in the box?:
The V4 arrives in a proper, hinged, re-usable, plastic box, that you can either keep for storing the knife as part of a collection, or make use of it for other purposes. Contained in this box are the knife, a draw-string cloth case for the knife, a cleaning cloth, specification card, stickers, and warranty information.
A good look round the (folded) Hoo Knives V4 – Things to look out for here are:
This gallery shows the features you can see with the knife folded. Straight out of the box, the deep carry pocket clip has a protective wrap to prevent marks on the handle scale (both so it reaches you in perfect condition, and in case you decide to re-fit it to the other handle). The blade is almost fully contained within the handle, with only a thin part of the spine visible. Ambidextrous thumb studs and a flipper tab can be used to open the blade.
The titanium handles have a stonewashed finish, and while very flat, the edges are well eased for comfort.
A good look round the (opened) Hoo Knives V4’s blade – Things to look out for here are:
Once deployed, we can see details of the blade and the function of the knife’s mechanism. In the open position, the thumb studs come close to the front of the handle but do not touch the handle as they are not used as stop pins, instead this is done with an internal stop pin. A curved plunge line makes the transition from the hollow primary grind to the blade tang. The individual serial number is neatly engraved just in front of the handle. The blade swedge extends for the entire length of the spine, and combines with the outlines of the flat-ground tanto tip, and the blade’s main hollow grind, to give a pleasing mix of flowing curves and straight lines.
Finally looking within the handles you can see the double detent mechanism gripping the blade along with the internal stop pin.
The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.
The blade is made from M390 steel.
Being a slipjoint design the Tactical Reviews technical parameters also include peak torque measurements for opening and closing torque. This gives you an indication of the slipjoint mechanism’s blade stability. Comparative torques can be see on the Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done page.
Explained by the Maker:
In this section I’m including words directly from the maker themselves.
“HOO DESIGNS LIMITED trading as HOO KNIVES was founded in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2021 with the goal of offering premium, British-designed folding knives at fair and competitive prices.
Since then, we’ve expanded our range to include a variety of unique models, each utilising high-quality materials, ensuring durability and top-notch performance.
With a focus on non-locking sub 3 inch practical and safe use folding knives, we’re proud our products are used by professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. We continue to engage with our customers through social media and strive to deliver exceptional performance in every product, alongside a high degree of customer service.
In relation to our name, HOO KNIVES, many may be curious about the connection to the Sutton Hoo site. Sutton Hoo is a significant archaeological site located near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, known for its medieval cemeteries dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries. The site is famous for the discovery of an Anglo-Saxon royal burial ship, and it has played an important role in British history and heritage. Our name pays homage to this rich historical connection, reflecting the craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless quality that we strive to embody in every knife we create.
Our logo was inspired by the Sutton Hoo helmet, one of the most iconic artefacts from the site. The helmet is part of what is widely regarded as the greatest treasure ever discovered on British soil. We chose to incorporate elements of this historic symbol into our branding to reflect the heritage, strength, and craftsmanship that define HOO KNIVES.
As we build on four years of history, HOO KNIVES continues to evolve and refine our designs. What started in 2021 with a vision to offer premium, British-designed knives at accessible prices has grown into a trusted brand among knife enthusiasts. With each model we release, we aim to offer a product that blends quality, functionality, and class while maintaining a focus on the needs of EDC users in the UK and around the world.
We’ve built a reputation for our commitment to design, performance, and customer service, and as we move forward, we’re excited to continue expanding our range and sharing our passion for knives with an ever-growing community. Every year, we learn, adapt, and strive to improve.
For the longest time members of the EDC community have asked if Hoo would ever make a Tanto Style Blade, we are very proud to reveal our intention to do just that! Introducing the Hoo Knives V4 Tanto.”
The Factory edge up close:
Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:
Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.
As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.
What is it like to use?
Flat, stone-washed handles that look great in their natural Titanium grey, and the sleekness of an all metal knife, which is somehow softened slightly but the surface finish and easing of the handle edges. It wants to be held and turned over in your hand a bit like a worry stone.
Hoo Knives V4’s design, considering it is based around the sub 3″ UK EDC Legal requirement, is still a comfortable size knife to hold and has a useful amount of cutting edge. Shown in this gallery, with your first finger firmly placed in the handle finger groove, the flipper tab will prevent the blade closing accidentally. Keeping a tight grip ensures the blade can’t close on you. (Of course you would use correct cutting technique to prevent this as well, wouldn’t you?)
One minor detail that I appreciate, is that with the subtle shaping of the handle at the butt to create a low profile grip hook, this raised section helps to better enclose the tip of the folded blade. All too often the very tip of a folding knife blade is a bit too accessible and can actually catch on your finger. In the case of the V4, that handle shaping at the butt keeps the blade tip well covered.
Combining a flipper tab and thumb stud to open the V4 gives you good flexibility. My personal preference is always to open a blade under full control, so I lean towards using thumb studs. With the thumb studs being tight into the handle on the V4, for an easier start you can use the flipper tab to partially pop the blade open, and then take over with the thumb studs to fully open the blade under manual control. While you certainly can flip the V4’s blade fully open, and also fully thumb it open, I really like this combined method with the tab popping the blade out and finishing with the thumb stud.
The slipjoint action is crisp out of the box and so far the double detent remains nicely crispy. The slip-joint torque figures presented earlier in the review bear this out well, and the blade is held perfectly firmly enough for a slip joint.
With the spring pressure acting on the blade, a slipjoint mechanism tends to mask the true feeling of its pivot bearings. The V4 is fitted with the Hoo Knives’ standard ceramic ball bearings, as used across all models (except the original production run of the V1). Blade rotation on these ceramic ball bearings is slick and precise.
Thanks in part to those ceramic bearings, but also the double-detent blade retention, Hoo Knives have also achieved a truly flippable slipjoint. This is a rare feat in the slipjoint world, as in most cases the blade spring in a slipjoint completely prevents the ability to flip open the blade, instead you do need a detent type of blade retention.
Pocket carry is very unobtrusive, with the slim deep-carry clip being very subtle. All the more sleek in appearance due to the clip’s fixing screws being inside the handle. The only downside to this is if you do want to move the side the clip is fitted to, you do need to take the knife apart.
Tantos have that very useful secondary point and angled chisel-like tip, and initially I was less impressed with cutting performance than I expected. The factory edge average BESS of 272 is OK, if not great, though the 50 degree inclusive edge angle made this factory edge a disappointing under performer. Putting a new 17DPS edge (around 200 BESS) totally transformed the V4 – now that is more like it.
If a tanto is not you favourite blade shape, check out the other Hoo Knives models, all of which are created with the same care as the V4, and as I am writing this, the latest Phoenix and Dragon models have joined the line up.
Just today, I was actually chiseling (push cutting) with the V4’s tanto tip to free up the action of a folding wooden table. Now the V4 is positively asking to be EDCed, and is being put to work on all the every day jobs that present themselves. The V4 is firmly earning its essential EDC status along with those other EDC items I won’t be without.
Review Summary
The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.
Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.
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What doesn’t work so well for me
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Factory edge underwhelming (put your own on it).
Swapping the pocket clip side requires a full strip down.
Thumbs studs a bit scratchy/sharp.
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Things I like
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Super sleek deep-carry pocket clip.
A true flipper slipjoint.
M390 steel.
Full metal construction.
Natural stonewashed titanium handles.
Double-detent slip-joint.
Crisp action with good retention.
Ceramic ball bearings.
Flipper tab and Thumb studs.
Both easy to carry and a very useful size.
Great Hoo Knives customer service.
Review Videos
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