[B] Hinderer XM-18 VS Strider SNG/SMF [/B]

S

STEVENKIM

Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Messages
294
I told myself that I wouldn't anymore, but I can't help it, I want to buy another knife.

I really thought the manix would simply meet my needs and thats that. But I really want another knife to clip to my uniform when I am in garrison and the field.

Needless to say, I need a tough blade for work. I was initally considering a Strider, since Mick is former vet and a Ranger. However upon reading reviews on the XM-18, I have come to realize, for a similar price I get a similar knife.


But one has better finish, its a custom and it has a Spanto tip. Not to mention, its made to order along with the G-10 scale being backed with a titanium scale as well.


So my question to the blade forum's ultimate wisdom is, is there any advantage that the SNG/SMF has over the XM-18?

I can only think of maybe the Striders are less prone to snapping if I used it as a makeshift crowbar. A knife no no, but sometimes I need to do what I need to do with the tools on hand.
 
I own a GB, and have handled a few of the SNG/SMFs. I'd say that if this kind of knife is what appeals to you, then the only reason to get the SNG/SMF over the XM18 is because it appeals to you more. I like the XM18, and if I weren't so ardently committed to getting an RJ Martin Devastator, I might just go for the XM18. Its a very innovative way to do things. Personally I'd like to see the Ti side of the XM18 flamed- not necessarily in the Strider fashion, but I just happen to like flame-broiled Ti. OTOH, I think the XM18 is about as fine a custom knife bargain as you'll ever find. You can get a flipper, lots of different colors for the non-Ti section, the Hinderer Stabilizer, choice of Tip-up or Tip-down... the list goes on. About the only thing you can't get (I don't believe, though I would be happy to be wrong about this) is a left-handed XM18. If you snap your blade, I'm not sure what Rick would do, but I'm guessing you could- for a fee- get a new blade. The Strider guys, depending upon your story of how you broke your knife, would fix it for you at least once, though again you may need to pay a fee of some sort.

I mean, what environment would you carry this in? If around military or LEO/Fire people I'd think the Strider wouldn't be a problem, but people not in these professions might react better to the XM18. Good luck and let us know what you decide on!

ETA: As TKC says, Rick made the XM18 to be tough, and if we're talking about sheer toughness, I'm not sure there's a real big difference between the XM18 and the SNG/SMFs.
 
I have an SMF and I love it, but the XM-18 appears to offer a similar level of toughness (maybe more, maybe less, we can only guess), for less money.

Versus the SNG the price is about the same, but I think the XM-18 will offer a more consistant level of fit and finish.

I have to admit that I like how the SMF looks a lot more than the XM-18, but if the XM-18 was out when I got my SMF I might have got the XM-18 instead.

Also, some of the reason I got the SMF was to have a Strider in my collection. Strider is, love them or hate them, a sort of modern classic in the high-end tactical folder segment. I feel a Strider is important to my knife collection. If you do not feel you need one just because it is an archtypal knife, I would suggest the XM-18.

I have never held an XM-18, but the thing about the SMF that I really like is the feel. It is very comfortable and secure. It fits my hand perfectly. I do not think the XM-18 design is as functionally thought-out in terms of handle shape. But at the same time, some people hate how the SMF feels in their hand.
 
rick does a ano paint effect with the ti -you can see a pick at customguns & knife forums-rick has a forum-
i liked it enough to get it done on my 3'' xm18 -bolth sides -no g10-only ti

btw the xm-fits like a glove to me
 
STEVENKIM said:
I can only think of maybe the Striders are less prone to snapping if I used it as a makeshift crowbar. A knife no no, but sometimes I need to do what I need to do with the tools on hand.
Click to expand...
Actually I would say that a spearpoint SnG/SMF tip would snap off easier than a spanto XM-18, simply because the Strider blade is thinner there.

The Striders would probably slice better than the spanto XM-18 because of their full flat grind. You can easily buy them from the secondary market for a good discount, whereas XM-18s don't come up as often.

IMHO you get more for your money with the XM-18 - custom quality, a variety of finish options and G10 colors, flipper option, tip up/down, even steel choices if you talk with Rick about it. All this for less than the MSRP of a SnG. Nobody can decide your ergonomic & aesthetic preferences, but there's no denying the bang-for-your-buck from the XM-18.
 
I'm too cheap either for smf or xm18 (( but ...
...if I had money I'd asked Rick for 4-something XM18. I own a buck-strider folder which is ergonomically similar to sng and I definitely need more blade.
 
SpyderJon said:
I mean, what environment would you carry this in? If around military or LEO/Fire people I'd think the Strider wouldn't be a problem, but people not in these professions might react better to the XM18. Good luck and let us know what you decide on!
Click to expand...


I'm a soldier. Folders are pretty much on us in uniform all the time. You guys are pretty much saying what I was thinking in my head all along, you just gave me a push in the direction!
 
rosconey2 said:
rick does a ano paint effect with the ti -you can see a pick at customguns & knife forums-rick has a forum-
i liked it enough to get it done on my 3'' xm18 -bolth sides -no g10-only ti

btw the xm-fits like a glove to me
Click to expand...
What is the forum address? I'd really like to see the knife but have had a hard time finding the forum. Also, did you say you have a full Ti version? I didn't know you could get one like that. Thanks.
 
if i was smart enough i could copy the pic and paste it here-but im not-

take my word for it-it is a sweet way to do ti


he he he -look at my avatar

no thats no my knife-just the style of ano being done to mine
 
Even after registering, I still can't view the page for some reason. Rosconey, to put the image here, right click it and hit View Image. Copy the address from the address bar, and post here with the link like so:


Hope this helps :)
 
Thanks guys. I kept on looking for a forum that started with "guns" first.
 
Looks the the XM has lot going for it. The strider knife is thicker though at the spine, maybe not the tip. Also the pivot point on the Strider is a HUGE screw. This is that attachement point of the blade to the handle. Otherwise, the XM seems like a good bargain for the price.

As far as running over the knife, I'm sure a lot of knives may be run over and still come out well.

In fact, I'm going to try it with my Spyderco and post pix tonight to see if that really has an affect on performance.

cliff
 
OK, I ran over my Spyderco and posted before and after pix of it being in good working order before the run over during and post run over. Not starting anything, but I just thought that really any knife can handle this.

Here are the pix.....

http://erdept.smugmug.com/gallery/1755413

I didn't want to scuff my Strider SMF, but I'm sure it can more than handle running over as well.

Maybe Cliff Stamp can devise a good and fair folder test of the Strider and Hinderer.

cliff
 
ERdept said:
OK, I ran over my Spyderco and posted before and after pix of it being in good working order before the run over during and post run over. Not starting anything, but I just thought that really any knife can handle this.

Here are the pix.....

http://erdept.smugmug.com/gallery/1755413

I didn't want to scuff my Strider SMF, but I'm sure it can more than handle running over as well.

Maybe Cliff Stamp can devise a good and fair folder test of the Strider and Hinderer.

cliff
Click to expand...

Thanks alot i was thinking the same thing.
 
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