After-Market DLC On Hinderer XM-18

JG_in_SB

JG_in_SB

Joined
Jan 12, 2014
Messages
158
Never posted in this area, but pretty sure this falls in the category of "tinkering and embellishment." I Just got a custom DLC coating on one of my Hinderer XM-18's. Came out awesome. Had this done by a company called Richter Precision Inc. and the work was phenomenal. Pics below show the finished work. If you want to see really detailed views of the disassembled parts and the knife this was done to, you can check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVKtxWu2Ekk

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That's a great looking finish. If you don't mind me asking, what was the price on the service?
 
Thanks! They turned it around in under a week. Originally said most orders turned around within 5 to 7 days. I believe they received it from me on a Friday and they called me the following Tuesday to say it was done and to get my billing info. They have a $150 minimum order charge, so that is what I paid plus about $13 for return UPS Ground shipping. Based on how they calculate orders (the space your parts take up in their machine) my guess is you could probably get a few knives worth of parts done for the same price. They offer several different coatings. This one was Titankote C12 which their specialist said would be the best for this application. I was really impressed. Richter Precison is a totally professional outfit, and their typical clients are major manufacturers, including medical device manufacturers.
 
That turned out awesome. I actually saw your video a few days ago and thought it looked amazing. Out of curiosity, why didn't you do the blade as well? Keep us posted on how it holds up.
 
@Rkdiddy: I left the blade off because I didn't want to DLC over the logos and also I like the way the contrasting metals look next to each other. Also, the standard Hinderer stonewash is already a really good finish for a knife I carry a lot. One of the main reasons I did the DLC on the scale was the bronze anodizing from Hinderer was an ultra-delicate finish.

I like the DLC so much I am hoping to find a full FDE DLC Slicer to acquire someday. Blades take way more abuse than scales so it will be interesting to see how it holds up on a blade.

So far, the Wharnie, which I have been carrying exclusively since I got it back, does not even have the tiniest scratch anywhere on it.
 
Does the handle feel any different? Texture/friction on the surface? Also, do you know if this improves the lock interface by giving it a harder surface?
 
Handle feels smoother than a normal sand blast anodized. Feels really similar to the standard stonewash. It's really nice and smooth, but not "slick." DLC goes on so thin that it will pick up the texture of whatever is underneath it. They bead blasted my parts before coating, and I have a feeling this smoothed them out slightly compared to the sand blast that was originally on them.

The lock interface is awesome. It seemed to start out totally smooth, then developed a really minor stick for a day or so, and is now perfectly smooth again, and feels exactly like my other XM-18 that I have had for a while and is perfectly broken in. The lockup % didn't really change. I think, just like with any Hinderer, the lock bar and blade polish into a perfect fit together and then will stay there.
 
It would look AWESOME on a Sebenza! Especially since all the logos etc. are engraved in the scale. You could get the blade done also. If you do it, please post pics.
 
That looks fantastic! Congrats! I've been toying with the idea of getting my XM-18 Spanto annodized, but this looks like it'll be more durable.
 
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