Buying an XM-18?

Status
Not open for further replies.
ArabianKnight

ArabianKnight

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2014
Messages
574
After being impressed with ZT knives and experiencing several "Hinderer" designs, I decided to go straight to the source! I am military and know I can buy direct. I am interested in the 3.5" model. What suggestions, if any do you XM owners out there have for me as far as experiences with different size models, combinations, etc. Any military, LE that ordered direct, how long does it usually take to receive the knife? Thanks
 
A friend of mine ordered direct a few months ago and had it in hand in just over a week and we live in Canada. As for what you can order, you are limited to what is in stock I believe. I doubt they have any 3" models available so it is good you are looking at the 3.5". You can check out what scale colors are available on their website.
 
Any of blade types are good. I've got the spanto, slicer and wharncliff blades. You just have to figure out what will fit your needs. IMO, other than looks, any blade will be reliable and last a lifetime. Of the three blade styles I have, I don't have a favorite, but that's just me. Never ordered direct, but I'm sure RHK will deliver promptly, heard their CS is excellent
 
If you're military you can just email them with your .mil email address. They will work with you after that.

I've had my Spanto 3.5 for a few weeks and just got my 3.5 slicer yesterday (didn't order direct). The spanto is my favorite as far as looks but I think the slicer will be more useful to me. That's just my needs though. As far as everything else, I think they are great and if you can get at direct price I wouldn't hesitate. At secondary market it is a little more grey. For some, like myself, it's worth it at some point. I've set a dollar I won't exceed. Good luck with your decision. If you like ZT you will love Hinderer.
 
Like others have mentioned, once you go Hinderer, you won't want to go back. Awesome knives. I've had all three kinds in 3" and 3.5" models, in Spanto, Wharncliffe, and Slicer grinds... my fav and most used is the Spanto. Good luck getting yours in whatever grind you choose to get.
 
I got a 3.5" spanto flipper direct from Hinderer. VERY impressed with fit and finish, smoothness, overall quality.... Buuuuuuuut the weak detent was something I couldn't stand so I sold it... That being said, I think I'm going to try out a 3.5" non flipper here shortly :)
 
Send an email to Rob Orlando, he can answer your questions. It's hard for any of us to answer what they currently have in stock, I mean who knows but them, right?
 
I've ordered a 3.5" spanto direct from Hinderer, it took 4 days to arrive if I remember correctly. They make knives in batches, sometimes they will do a run of 3", then 3.5, then maybe a run of XM-24's. As Rev said, email rob Orlando to see when the next batch will be coming out. According to the sticky in the Hinderer sub forum, only slicer and spanto grinds are available to direct order across all sizes.
 
I contacted them through the website. I will have to wait till Monday to see. I'm looking at the 3.5" with Spanto blade, just need to decide on handle color. I'm thinking black or black/green, or black/blue. I guess whatever they have currently.
 
I have a 3 and 3.5 inch slicer and in my opinion they cut different things better than the spanto. Don't get me wrong, the spanto is awesome but for everyday civilian use the slicer is the way to go for me. A 3.5" is the perfect medium. My 3" is great for edc but I LOVE my 3.5" for edc. It's a great balance between toughness and practicality. My brother in law is military so every 6 month he gets the call to order me another hinderer. Thank you for your service btw and best of luck with your new xm, you can go wrong with either one
 
As for handle color i would consider if you want to get the ti hardware down the line. The blue looks great on lighter colors Like the grey, bronze looks better on darker colors like black and greens. Just my own personal thoughts.
 
olybears57 said:
I got a 3.5" spanto flipper direct from Hinderer. VERY impressed with fit and finish, smoothness, overall quality.... Buuuuuuuut the weak detent was something I couldn't stand so I sold it... That being said, I think I'm going to try out a 3.5" non flipper here shortly :)
Click to expand...


Exact same sentiments here. for the price and reputation you'd think they'd offer something like weak, medium, and strong detent options. The one I had would've been on the weakest side of weak. Literally almost no detent whatsoever. The blade would almost fall out on its own if turned upside down. Contacted the company and Rob Orlando refused to even exchange a brand new knife that I'd gotten straight from them. He said they wanted it that weak. Whatever. I sold it and won't look back. For what it's worth, I sold it cheap as far as secondary market prices are concerned. I guess the guy i sold it to didn't like it either, he turned around and sold it for a profit himself. Good for him.
 
i am not military, but my friend is a firefighter, how can he get xm-18 3.5 spanto. i asked througth rhk site and no answer. i live in russia.
 
rkgp2112 said:
i am not military, but my friend is a firefighter, how can he get xm-18 3.5 spanto. i asked througth rhk site and no answer. i live in russia.
Click to expand...

You can contact Hinderer directly or Rob Orlando here, but I remember reading that they had suspended ALL international sales because of too much fraud. Good luck getting one.
 
Any suggestion on blade steel? I see 3 types on the website, looks like S35VN is the most common. Just will be using mine for EDC tasks, is one steel more popular than the others?
 
BmoreJeff said:
My brother in law is military so every 6 month he gets the call to order me another hinderer...
Click to expand...
That right there doesn't speak very well about your brother in law or yourself (Which I guess you are not a first responder since your BIL has to order it for YOU)
The first responder prices is a benefit for FIRST RESPONDERS ONLY. I pay secondary prices, even though I have friends and BIL that could order one for me at direct price.
That pisses me off and you think its cool to even say it in an open forum.....typed for posterity by you. THANKS to BOTH
 
BBW said:
That right there doesn't speak very well about your brother in law or yourself (Which I guess you are not a first responder since your BIL has to order it for YOU)
The first responder prices is a benefit for FIRST RESPONDERS ONLY. I pay secondary prices, even though I have friends and BIL that could order one for me at direct price.
That pisses me off and you think its cool to even say it in an open forum.....typed for posterity by you. THANKS to BOTH
Click to expand...

I agree, that is pretty lame. :thumbdn:
 
ArabianKnight said:
Any suggestion on blade steel? I see 3 types on the website, looks like S35VN is the most common. Just will be using mine for EDC tasks, is one steel more popular than the others?
Click to expand...
For an EDC slicer, 20CV for maximum edge retention, and I believe CTS-XHP has the same level of edge holding as ZDP-189 and is better at holding that razor sharp edge longer. S35VN is better in a spanto ground blade to take advantage of that toughness. I believe S35VN is also better at corrosion resistance.

I have noted brown spotted discoloration on my CTS-XHP blades before(XM-18 and Spyderco Manix 2). They were wiped away easily with no obvious signs of pitting, so I'm not entirely sure if it's actual rust or if it simply didn't go deep enough to pit the steel. But my hunch is that S35VN would be better than all 3 for corrosion resistance.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top