3" Tang question

[Gress]

Are new gen 4 3" xm an old or a new tang design?
FYR
Old

New

[RDA]

Are new gen 4 3" xm an old or a new tang design?

They are the "new" style per your pictures and they are Gen 2 by the way (no such thing as Gen 3 or Gen 4 on the 3" XM).

[Need2Know]

The answer is that they are the same as the top photo in your post.

[Need2Know]

And RDA is correct, the current 3" is still a Gen 2. "Runs" are when batches are produced. To qualify as a generation change, well, design changes must be made. Examples were the addition of a partial or full Ti liner, changing the location of Rick's name as well as its lettering, and (as seen only an Gen 4 3.5" so far) the relocation of the stop pin.

[Gress]

They are the "new" style per your pictures and they are Gen 2 by the way (no such thing as Gen 3 or Gen 4 on the 3" XM).

The answer is that they are the same as the top photo in your post.

OK, they are Gen 2 (not 4) it is understood. However, are they "new" or "old" tang? Confused now...

[Need2Know]

Let me be clear as mud.

The 3" I have seen are exactly like your top photo.

My Gen 4 3.5" resembles the bottom photo.

If you get one of the most recent 3" it should be like your top photo.

[Jaytaylor]

Actually the tang design change was rolled over all XMs and was not a generational change.

The top photo is the older style tang, the bottom photo is the current style.

My 3" XM and my Gen 4 3.5" XMs feature the tang in the lower photo.
My Gen 3 3.5" XM matches the top photo.

[Need2Know]

It sounds like both types are recently in the mix.

Anyone that has a new run 3" want to post a photo of the back of their blade to add some clarity?

As I said earlier, those I have seen are like photo one, flat across the backside.

[mikellen]

I just received my XM-18 3" a few days ago, new, directly from Hinderer knives. I don't know how to post pics
but mine is just like the bottom picture.

[Need2Know]

Alright it is becoming obvious that both variants exist on the new run.

I see no benefit in one over another. And don't see it as helping to identify the age of the XM either.

Left to right:

Recent / Current 3", Gen 3 3.5", Gen 4 3.5" (they are all flippers)...