The UCO story began in 1971, when the company started manufacturing metal parts for outfits like Boeing, K2, and JanSportin Washington State . The Original Candle Lantern arrived in 1981 and became the brand’s signature product—simple, reliable, and still going strong decades later. In 2005 the company rebranded as Industrial Revolution while keeping the UCO name for its outdoor gear line. Today it is best known for lanterns, stormproof matches, mess kits, fire-starting tools, and other practical camp staples. More recently UCO expanded into folding knives, first with accessible models such as the Whidbey Pushfold, and now with the Hannegan as a clear step up in materials and lock design. The parent company also distributes Morakniv, so there is real cutlery experience in the broader organization even if the UCO knife line itself is relatively new.
They have several knife designs on the market at this point, including the diminutive Tinkham, and the subject of today’s review, the Hannegan. The Hannegan is a crossbar locking folder with a thumb disc to flip it open. It is hard not to be reminded of the ubiquitous Benchmade Bugout, which has set the standard against which many mid-sized folders are compared.
Specifications Overall Length: 7.5” | 190.5 mm
Closed Length: 4.5” | 114 mm
Blade Length: 3.0” | 76 mm
Blade Thickness: 0.10” | ~2.5–2.75 mm
Weight: 3.7 oz | 105 g
Blade Style: Drop point
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Steel: Nitro-V (TiNi coated, grey finish; ~58-60 HRC)
Handle Material: G10 scales (over stainless frame / with glass-reinforced nylon elements)
Lock Type: Crossbar
Opening Mechanism: Thumb disk (also gravity or flick capable)
Carry: Deep-carry pocket clip, tip-up, reversible
Ambidextrous Features: Crossbar lock and thumb disk work for either hand; reversible clip
MSRP: $74.99–$75
Available Colors / Colorways: Forest and Lava
The Hannegan is a straightforward, no-nonsense EDC folder sized for everyday pocket carry while remaining capable enough for camp chores and light outdoor work. At roughly the same footprint as the earlier UCO Whidbey, it is more robustly built, with steel liners, and the crossbar lock instead of UCO’s Pushfold pivot button. G10 scales continue the list of robust upgrades from the Whidbey’s FRN. The liners are partially skeletonized, but do add almost an ounce to the package.
The blade is a clean drop-point with a flat grind and a grey TiNi coating that matches the hardware and clip. Nitro-V (a refined, nitrogen-enhanced relative of AEB-L) is an excellent choice at this price: it takes a keen edge, holds it well for a stainless steel, resists corrosion better than many peer steels, and remains easy to sharpen in the field or at the kitchen sink. The coating further boosts corrosion resistance and gives the knife a consistent, subdued look. It came extremely sharp from the factory.
Deployment is via a thumb disk on the spine. It is deliberate rather than lightning-fast, which suits the intended outdoor/EDC audience. The crossbar lock is among the strongest and most popular mechanisms currently in production; it is fully ambidextrous, offers a secure lock-up, and allows finger-safe closing.
Since Benchmade’s Axis Lock patent expired several years ago, myriad companies have been producing their version of a crossbar-lock. The Hannegan’s lock lies somewhere in the middle of the pack. It is not buttery-smooth, but it isn’t overly sticky or problematic either.
The deep-carry reversible pocket clip keeps the knife low in the pocket and the overall package remains slim enough for all-day comfort. Handle texturing and contouring on the G10 scales provide good purchase wet or dry without being overly aggressive. Cutouts help keep weight in check while the rounded edges avoid hot spots.
The factory edge was functional, but uninspiring. I spent some time with a diamond stone to get it where I wanted it.
Colorways and Options:
UCO currently offers the Hannegan in two colorways: Forest (a practical green) and Lava (a bright, high-visibility red/orange). Both use the same G10 scales with the brand’s characteristic patterning carried over from earlier models. The Lava version is especially easy to spot in a pack or on a dark campsite, while Forest is more subdued for those who prefer a lower profile. Item numbers K-14500-FOREST and K-14500-LAVA.
Testing:
I put the Hannegan through a battery of tests that can be replicated by the reader, and represent a range of materials an EDC knife might be exposed to. Starting with
Newsprint…
Once adequately touched up, the edge sliced newsprint to ribbons. It is addictive, and I had to force myself to stop before I went through an entire section of the paper.
Cardboard:
I would place the Hannegan somewhere in the middle of the pack for cardboard cutting. It has a relatively thick spine for its size, which tends to bog down a bit on footlong slices. But it did just fine overall, and would be up to the task of breaking down boxes if your day job requires it.
Apple:
I almost managed to remove the peel in a single pass. It broke about 6 inches from the finish. But the results were excellent, with a transparent skin, and even slices.
Onion:
Pretty solid. The blade geometry is good, letting the knife slice rather than wedge its way through the cut. The onion I chose was a little on the larger side, and I found the thumb-disc to be in the way occasionally. Since this is not a culinary knife, I will instead highlight that the results I achieved were actually really good.
Feather Stick:
The Hannegan is not a woods-knife, which is why I will not be making a tent stake. But whittling a fuzz stick is a common enough activity. I’ve done it with many knives (hello SAK) that are much less robustly built.
It wasn’t the best looking fuzz-stick I have ever made, but absolutely functional enough.
One thing I noticed, was that thumb-pressing the spine while shaving the wood created a greater than average hot-spot. Either the wood was harder than I was expecting, or the thumb-effort required was greater than expected. A minor detail, but worth noting.
Conclusion:
The UCO Hannegan is a solid knife and a good value. Falls in the camp of “Jack of all Trades, Master of none”. There is nothing exceptionable about the knife or its performance, it just does a good job. But when looking at the entire package of G10, coated Nitro-V, a robust crossbar lock, and general performance, and then remember the street price is under $75, the value proposition puts this knife on very attractive ground.
For less than half the price of a Bugout, the UCO Hannegan is every bit as much of a knife, just a touch heavier. I have no trouble recommending the Hannegan for anyone looking for a lower-middle priced EDC, that can punch above its weight.
You can the UCO Hannegan direct from UCO at his link.
Or it is available from many online and physical retailers as well.
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