Sicone hoses are one of those things that are not "necessary" but are used quite a lot. Coolent hose failure will really ruin you day at the track or out on a long road run. I HATE fixing over heated, hot water all over the place, engines and cars. Just a huge bummer.
The reason I use them is that it's a pain in the ass to sort through a huge pile of radiator hoses at the parts store trying to find the perfect hose to fit the car. And they do last forever, they don't dry out, crack, split, and can withstand quite a lot of presure. I've never seen a failure in a quality Samco silicon hose.
Some OEM radiator hoses might be just as good I guess but I reguard coolent piping/hoses and such to be a one time install and last forever system. I surely don't want to fish a split hose out of the bottom of the side pod a couple of years from now.
If Silicon hoses are installed with a proper clamp suited for them, the stainless kind with a full circumference band, and used with stainlees or aluminum tubing with proper nipples, they should last the life of the car.
So.... even though some money can be saved with a cut up OEM hose, I don't think this is the place to do so. I made my Collent system out of 1.5 inch stainless tubing. I did all the turns in steel and onlt used the silicon hose for the straight couplings.
The cost of stainless bends isn't much different that the silicon ones and you have a near bullit proof system when you are done welding it all up.
Here's another good source.
Pegasus - Silicone Coolant Hoses by Shape