Beadblast or stonewash?

Birdhunter1220

Birdhunter1220

Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
1,369
Let me start by saying I know it is really a personal preference and yet I would like anyone/everyone's thoughts. I have two XM-3" and I am going to keep one and sell one just not sure which one to keep. They are both flippers, slicer grind and new in box. The only difference is the lock side. One is stonewash and the other beadblast. My only other XM a 3.5 is stonewash and I love that it does not show any wear and yet I think I like the charter that beadblast shows. Anyway look forward to everyone's comments. Thanks in advance for taking the time to write.
 
Are you going to carry/use the one you keep? Also. you mention "Only difference is lockside" if I read it correctly. Blade finishes?
 
Personally I buy keepers and do not sell, but I know you do. So, with that in mind.

We all are aware that blasted will show more wear from use than the stonewashed.

You may want to keep the stonewashed XM to better compliment your mentioned 3.5. But I believe there are fewer blasted models than stonewashed. I may have that wrong, but it seems the majority of XMs are stonewashed.

As you stated, it's a personal thing. We can say what we like, but ultimately you must decide what to do with your knives.
 
Thanks Rubi and Need2know. Yes it will be a carry knife. And the blades are both stonewash. I really do not have any safe queens. When I keep one I use it. Gosh N2K I thought you would make the decision for me and that the pressure off me. :-) I did not know the beadblast were fewer....ummmm. Thanks guys.
 
Here's my take on the whole character mark thing. If you carry and use your knife a LOT, in a few years it'll have some nice "character marks". If you carry but rarely use, what ends up happening is I get a scratch here and there. That to me is just an eyesore.

If you don't plan on getting a lot of wear, keep the stone wash. If you plan on carrying this knife everyday and using it to cut everything then keep the beadblast because it'll wear out nicely over time.
 
I run into very few "easy" decisions. This one would be and not because it's your knife. Use the rarity of the beadblast as a selling/pricing factor and keep the stonewash as the user.
Never been a better finish than Hinderer's stone wash finish for an EDC piece, defines stress-free knife carrying.
 
Thanks for the good advice Rubi. I buy a few and sell to support my habit (Hinderers and wicked edge stuff) :-). And it stress free carry with stonewash. Been carrying my 3.5 stonewash for almost 9 months now everyday and I am not easy on it and shows no wear. Thanks again my friend.
 
I've had beadblast and stonewashed Hinderers and really like the stonewashed blade for the fact it wipes smooth after use. The bead blast finish seems to drag when I cut, and minute particles, ie; moisture could stay on the blade. When I was involved in special ops we would prefer a dull finish to stop any reflection thus giving away our position. Stonewash finishes were not available then, but bead blast was used along with paint. Also bead blasted finishes will indeed show scratches with use. That being said I do like the looks of Rick's bead blast finish and like Rubi and Need2know stated it is all about personal preferences.
 
The finish has little to do with pricing unless talking one-offs and customs. If you sell one or the other they will likely fetch a similar amount.
 
Final Option said:
I've had beadblast and stonewashed Hinderers and really like the stonewashed blade for the fact it wipes smooth after use. The bead blast finish seems to drag when I cut, and minute particles, ie; moisture could stay on the blade. When I was involved in special ops we would prefer a dull finish to stop any reflection thus giving away our position. Stonewash finishes were not available then, but bead blast was used along with paint. Also bead blasted finishes will indeed show scratches with use. That being said I do like the looks of Rick's bead blast finish and like Rubi and Need2know stated it is all about personal preferences.
Click to expand...

Spec Ops is more than just a video game....a very humble thank you for your service.


DLC is also a great finish to reduce glare.
 
Well thank you everyone. I have decide to sell the beadblast and keep the stonewash. Thank you for you input Final Option and more than that thank you for your service. I am going to jazz up the 3" and will send pictures when it is done. Thanks again everyone.
Bill
 
I've actively avoided bead blast XM's simply due to the ease of putting scuffs into the aesthetic finish. The tumbled finish is robust and maintains an excellent finish despite the odd scuff here and there.

But, being the weak kneed sucker for a pretty XM I've ventured into my first bead blasted XM......guess who's?
 
Also gone a bits nuts, have two more XM's due to arrive Tuesday night / Wednesday morning, both tumbled except for the blade on one.......it's not tumbled or bead blasted.....it's xxxxxxxx!?!?
 
The previous post was for JayT, nice you both walk away happy! Nice group on the Hinderer sub forum, Rubi does one heck of a job. Maybe we will hear from Rob or Rick soon, hopefully they have regrouped since Blade!
 
You are so right Final Option, nice group of guys on the Hinderer sub forum. Of course they show all those beautiful Hinderer's and that just feeds my addiction but, I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
Wow! What great news on what was a dreary Sunday morning. Lots of good stuff!
ALL you guys are what makes this a great place :thumbup:
 
Jaytaylor said:
Also gone a bits nuts, have two more XM's due to arrive Tuesday night / Wednesday morning, both tumbled except for the blade on one.......it's not tumbled or bead blasted.....it's xxxxxxxx!?!?
Click to expand...

You keep buying like that and you will quickly know the bliss of multiple Hinderer ownership.
 
I agree, Rubi rocks!

Others here are very helpful and the questions posed do get attention.
 
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