Brand new XM-18 how do I flip it?

Jeez, I bought my first two hinderer XM's a few months ago, took them apart, lubed them and adjusted the pivot screw and felt like I was flipping like a pro in a few minutes. After reading this thread I realized I was doing it wrong, or at least not efficiently. Never occurred to me that the jimping on the flipper was functional. Tried pushing down against the jimping and I can open it with a lot less wrist movement than I was able to do when pulling it like a trigger.

Thanks! What was already great is now greater!

Tim
 
Geez guys...that was the abridged version at only 6min...extended was 18!!! ;). J/K :D

Yeah, I can go a bit long sometimes, but this topic is one that I felt needed the attention to detail...so many misconceptions about flippers, particularly the XMs. Anyway, thanks for putting up with my verbosity & watching!

And I agree with Rubi...the anti-fanboy backlash toward people who just like a product is a bit tiresome. I don't like fanboys who have to bash other products to try to make their favored product look better, but there's nothing wrong with being a FAN of a product or family of products you really genuinely like...we all have our preferences.

By the current trend of defining fanboyism, anyone who loves a particular car (eg, Corvette, Mustang, GTO, etc.) is a fanboy??? Sorry, I don't buy it! It's okay to like & have a favorite brand...but just don't go running down other brands just to make yourself feel better about your brand of choice.

That said, I am proud to proclaim that my favorite knife is the Hinderer XM-18. And I also dig Rick's pens! Does that make me a fanboy? No, but yeah, I do think they make great products, ones that I like a lot.

BTW, I also like many other brands too. :D
 
I think I'm getting it. It sort of like swinging a golf club. When you do it right you know it right away!!��
 
Great vids, thanks Jon & D!

Brand new to these knives, I was stuck in the "pull-flipper" paradigm - this was very helpful as I don't like to wrist-snap. The thumb-stud works great but not being able to fire it open with the flipper has been killing me! Bought me some cool points as well, I handed mine to a co-worker the other night (he likes knives but I wouldn't consider him a "knife guy") his EDC is an auto Pro-tech, so when he went to flip (pull) it only opened half-way or so and he commented that it didn't open very well. I got to do the "let me show you how this works" act and fired it open :D
 
M67 said:
Something you're going to have to play with and break in. I picked up my first keeper XM this past Blade show. From dropping a couple friends off at ATL international to the way back to Indiana, my 8 hour haul, I was breaking mine in and trying to wear it a bit and trying to figure it out. After that, it was still stiff but you get the motion down and it becomes easier.

One night a couple weeks ago I got bored and put Slip2000 knife lube in it, now it flies open :D
Click to expand...

The Tuf Glide works really well if you mumble the first few stanzas of "Dazed and Confused" while you're applying it. I think the Stones' "2000 Man" works better with Slip2000.

BTW, the jimping on the ZT056x is in the same place but I found that you have to sort of "catch" the point and press down to open it. It's like snapping your fingers. I guess I need to try an XM to see if it requires the same technique, but figured the jimping might just be for looks (mostly) on the ZT. Just pressing on the side with the jimping doesn't do it.
 
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DPRICHARD said:
I've gotten a few that were pretty tight. Back the pivot screw off ever so slightly and keep an eye on the centering. If you don't have a tool for your hinderer it's a nice investment. Especially if you are planning on getting more than one. Just the smallest turn like N2K and Jon suggested can make it a different knife. I disassemble, wipe them down and oil them up as soon as I get them. Congrats on your new tool. They are amazing knives.
Click to expand...

I don't even worry about the centering on my EDC. I have it so loose the blade goes to one side, but not far enough to rub. I like it that way, I can swing the blade freely when it's hanging down. It flips perfectly for me, no detent or any other issues. Play with your pivot until you find the spot you like best.
 
Lone_Wolfe said:
Play with your pivot until you find the spot you like best.
Click to expand...

Totally agree here... I have a sweet spot I like on all mine.. :) When I reassemble after a cleaning it takes a few back and forth turns, but once you hit it you know it :)
 
Need2Know said:
It's all good Jon.

And just for you....Sam Adams and 4 3.5 XMs.

Click to expand...

Seeing this ^^^ pic just now made me evaluate the mess on my desk - and the results of playing w/ my newly acquired 3 & 3.5s w/ a beer just before bedtime each night (like tonight for example).. Note, the three glasses with varying amounts of local Alaskan microbrews :D
u2sX2Qq.jpg


Oh yeah - my point.. Tracked down some Slip 2000 lube after some of you all mentioned it. Thanks! I just put some on the 3.5" while I was in the process of mounting the textured CF scale. I couldn't get my hands on any of the specific "Knife Lube", all I could find locally was some EWL (Extreme Weapons Lube) from some guy selling out of his garage (listed on the Slip 2000 website as a dealer no less). Tried to order direct from the company - they wanted $26 to ship a $3.45 4 oz bottle :eek: Oh well, the knife is flying open now and he seemed like a good guy - never hurts to know someone w/ an FFL and wholesale contacts...
 
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Wish that photo of mine were better image quality but glad it appealed to a few of you.

@AZ2AK your photo shows my kind of free-time knife-hobby work environment. Have a lot of tools nearby, but a few necessary tools and beverages immediately available.
 
--pre-load the flipper by pressing forward, then under that little bit of pressure built up under your finger tip on the flipper, press to open.

--break the pivot loose, then gently retighten.[/QUOTE]

These 2 worked like a charm for me, especially loosening the pivot and gently retightening.
Thanks
 
Lone_Wolfe said:
I don't even worry about the centering on my EDC. I have it so loose the blade goes to one side, but not far enough to rub. I like it that way, I can swing the blade freely when it's hanging down. It flips perfectly for me, no detent or any other issues. Play with your pivot until you find the spot you like best.
Click to expand...

Is it advisable to have the pivot that loose?
Seems like that could cause problems, like less reliable lock-up.
 
Nullity said:
Is it advisable to have the pivot that loose?
Seems like that could cause problems, like less reliable lock-up.
Click to expand...
While I like my pivot tighter than that, I don't think it would have a big effect on lockup. As it has been explained to me, lockup depends on the "triangle". That is, the relationship between the lockbar, bladestop and blade pivot hole/pivot shaft. You could introduce blade wobble if the pivot is excessively loose but moderate loosening shouldn't affect lockup too much. Then again, what do I know!
 
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Hammer said:
While I like my pivot tighter then that, I don't think it would have a big effect on lockup. As it has been explained to me, lockup depends on the "triangle". That is, the relationship between the lockbar, bladestop and blade pivot hole/pivot shaft. You could introduce blade wobble if the pivot is excessively loose but moderate loosening shouldn't affect lockup too much. Then again, what do I know!
Click to expand...

A lot of course and I agree with you. Keep in mind, a teflon washer is only 0.015" thick, so there isn't a lot of clearance on each side of the closed blade, if you only moved a 3.5" blade over splitting the difference between center and the side, it would only move about 0.13 of a degree.
 
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