Hanko Custom Flashlights - The unoffical buying guide for HMW custom flashlights

[@rhinosaurus1496]

If I told a non-flashlight-lover that there's a big difference between a "Hank light" and a "Hanko light", they'd probably think I'm joking

[@cheule]

That mix up happens a lot in r/flashlight!

[@GilliGainz]

It seems odd for such a perfectionist light, to have such a horrible green tint like LH351D

[@nomercyinc6783]

tint snobs are smug losers. i bet the majority of people that claim tint matters are fuckin color blind

[@Proyectosandia]

But they are brighter than others high CRI leds Luminus SST20 4000K CRI 95 1000mA - 310 lm 2000mA - 520 lm Samsung LH351D 5000K CRI90 1000mA - 410 lm 2000mA - 730 lm Nichia 519A 4500K CRI95 1000mA - 338lm 2000mA - 605lm

[@GilliGainz]

@@Proyectosandia may as well use something low CRI if everything looks green anyway. I'd much rather a rosy R70 emitter than a R95 green emitter. Edit: Plus in lots of cases candela makes something look brighter than just lumens. So in that case the SST20 would look the brightest out of the 3, still green though.

[@cheule]

They’re so easy to swap, it doesn’t bother me a bit.

[@GilliGainz]

@@cheule yeah sure, but you'd think a custom that costs this much shouldn't need any more modding

[@Eleven10]

Such a great guide- thanks for putting this together! I haven’t been able to pull the trigger quite yet on a Hanko but the few that I’ve handled always just feel special. I don’t think I’ve come across smoother threads on practically anything- let alone other lights. The Tesseract milling just pulls me in too. Anyway, I always seem to miss out on the non-exotic versions and I’m tempted to go after one on the secondary market. What are your thoughts on secondary pricing for the non-exotic models? I know the obvious answer would be: “they’re worth what people are willing to pay” but do you feel that there may be even better options in that 1K+ territory or do you still feel that they hold their own?

[@cheule]

In the 18350 body size with McClicky, I think Hanko is the best still. My favorite edc light of all is the Cool Fall Spy, which is titanium only and starts at about $1600.

[@Eleven10]

@@cheule I’ll have to try a Hanko at some point but I just don’t think I can rationalize the secondary pricing. A Spy 007 or Tri-V (almost unobtainium at this point) are at the top of my list. Might make more sense to put the Hanko money towards a Cool Fall. It looks like Black Ti 007 is the base now at $2,000 😳

[@isubzerol]

Thanks for making this great video. I love all my Hankos and I think they are some of the nicest custom lights that are still in production today. I’d like to argue that converting the pill does something to the thermals. In fact, the pill Hanko himself makes to fit the 18650 with 3 LEDs has a THINNER shelf (less than a MM) and less thermal mass than my single conversion. That kind of throws the thermal argument out the window.

[@cheule]

It depends on the conversion. The Devin Bauer conversion have brass pills (brass has worse thermals) and some other conversion use McR20 and there is very little shelf left. Far less than on a stock triple. But with a copper pill and McR18 I’m sure you could do well.

[@jacobphilip3977]

Favourite lights, hands down. Incredible pieces of art

[@cheule]

Couldn't agree more!

[@nomercyinc6783]

tools arent art

[@Shane-oq7op]

Great video. I’ve got a few Hankos but never knew the full lineup and honestly couldn’t tell you the model names before watching this video. Thanks!

[@cheule]

Glad I could help!

[@chaseprimus]

Really cool lights man! Those are so pretty!

[@tusing7780]

What are the other two makers that represent the best of the best, in your opinion?

[@jacobphilip3977]

I’m going to guess Cool Fall and Reaver Arms with the citadel.

[@cheule]

Great guesses. I would agree, except Kemenes might be one too.

[@naota3k]

Damn dude, I need to get me some of these. That ZircuTi is phenomenal.

[@cheule]

Honestly it’s a jaw dropper IRL. It was almost impossible to capture the dynamic range of color under the studio lamps I have.

[@Teshlik]

Another awesome video! Great work! As you are the best damn flashlight reviewer on KZbin, I sincerely hope you keep videos like this one coming!

[@cheule]

I’ve got a few reviews of production lights planned, then another torch talk.

[@stevewimmer9758]

Great vid and incredible collection you have. I'll have to get me one of these beautiful Hankos ;)

[@snailsplace9145]

Thank you so very much!!!!!!!! AWESOME video, my friend. Ken and Jeff are amazing folks and, as you said, Jeff is a perfectionist and a master artisan. It was a thrill seeing our new XL too!!!!!!!! As for Steel Flame - D's clips RULE and what a fine compliment to Jeff's artistry and engineering prowess. Thanks again my friend for an excellent review and history lesson!

[@cheule]

Thank you for your kind comments, and thanks so much for taking the time to not only watch but comment as well.

[@Shane-oq7op]

I really wish there was some other options beyond steel flame. I've got a bunch myself because it's all there is, but the skulls are so overdone at this point. Mega cheese.

[@cheule]

Shrug, I like them now. “When in Rome” I figure.

[@MarkPacitto]

Fantastic video and great information. I have a number of them and need a couple models and flavours for my collection.

[@cheule]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sgmann]

question, will steel flame clip fit .Laulima lite.thanks

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

Wow. Very enjoyable and interesting & great presentation.

[@cheule]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@artiet5982]

Excellent video Sean. Great display of Hanko's work 🤙🏻 although, me sitting here with my only Hanko in Stonewash finish 😒😖😅

[@cheule]

Haha well, you already knew what I thought about stonewash!

[@sztaylor89]

Chuele must of hit the mega millions to afford all these 😂

[@cheule]

My secret? My wife and I are still driving 12 year old cars. It’s amazing how much money you can save if you drive cars until they die.

[@Gilster85]

I thought my MS32 was expensive. This is another world I wasn’t aware existed. Beautiful flashlights though.

[@cheule]

Oh yeah, these are jewelry for sure.

[@allenb4823]

Very nice!

[@nomercyinc6783]

whats with the 3 month gap in videos.

[@cheule]

You can’t draw any conclusions at all?

[@Thewatchinglad]

Nope... $800 table price (so they said in website) is crazy for a decorative flashlight, I will be ashamed to advertise or buy.

[@tusing7780]

It's jewelry... you don't buy a Patek for the function!

[@cheule]

Well said @tusing7780

[@Shane-oq7op]

You really aren't paying for the flashlight. You are paying for the custom metal work and exotic / high end materials. It doesn't matter if you are talking about knives, flashlights, pens, fidgets, or anything else made out of these types of materials with this level of craftsmanship. It is going to be expensive. The actual flashlight parts are cheap and similar to what you can get for $100 or less in a plastic or aluminum mass produced body.

[@booshwilson8814]

Unpopular opinion but those flashlights are ugly af

[@cheule]

Oh wow, cannot agree there!

[@JamalKhaffaf]

What a perfect timing for this video. Just joined Hanko fb group and this was The perfect crash course 🫶🙌