Continued XM-18 & Sebenza Talk/Review

[RICKSTER]

I had the same problem when I had my 3.5" XM-18. Nothing opens like my 3" XM-18 though. That thing has the smoothest deployment of any knife I know of or have handled except for maybe a RJ.
I took these instruction straight from Hinderer sub-forum on USN.


1. Open blade to 90 degrees and tighten pivot so that it is really tight.

2. Close the blade and loosen frame screws so they aren’t tight, but still holding the frame together.

3. While the blade is still in the closed position, pull blade towards the side you want the blade to move. In my case, I pulled the blade toward the liner/scale.

4. While pulling blade, tighten the frame screws.

5. Loosen the pivot and adjust it to the desired tension.

I can confirm that this information is 100% accurate and works perfectly. I even tried it several times to confirm that it does indeed work.

I called Rob Orlando at the Hinderer shop and he explained exactly how to center the blade. What is not mentioned in the Hinderer sticky note that BBQ BOY posted is that when you go to tighten the screws on the scales that you START at the bottom screw & work your way toward the PIVOT. This is VERY IMPORTANT because it allows the blade to stay exactly where you have adjusted it to by the turning the pivot screw clockwise or counter clockwise. (To The Right Or Left). Thats my 2 cents worth.................

 

[RICKSTER]

What is the customer service like on the xm18? How long would a repair take?

The customer service I have had from Hinderer could not be any better. When I have called I talked directly to Rob Orlando or left him a message & he calls right back. He has even called me at night on his own time from his house to answer a message I left. When you need something for your knife like extra scales or say the Hinderer Armory's tool or a pocket clip insert just email the order & he sends an email with the total & they take Pay-Pal for payment and he ships the same day even if he has to drop it at the post office on this way home. They are right up there with CRK's quality service..................

 

[chadridv]

Listen... don't get me wrong. The XM-18 is my second favorite knife. The fit and finish are unbelievable. I have a relatively small complaint (that seems like a quick fix from all the info received), among an enormous list of A+'s. This whole thread wasn't started to bash the Hinderer, it was really meant to say... "wow, the sebenza truly is awesome and it rules the school!

 

[atony]

Rick and Rob are first class. There customer service is probably the best in the business.

 

[giant1]

I am very fortunate in that I have both the XM-18 and a sebenza. I must say that both knives have superb qualities and are top of their game without a doubt.

I would say that both knives have been designed with different philosophies in mind. To me the XM-18 is more a hard use knife than the sebenza when I look at the blade design. It just is more beefy right to the tip. The Sebenza has a finer blade which to actually makes a better every day user.

Agree with others that the XM-18 has a smoother action on opening / closing.

I would never part with either knife. Both are very good :thumbup:

Just my 2 cents

 

[marcengels]

Giant1, I agree with you. I also own a Sebenza and an XM-18. The XM feels and looks like it can take a little more (use and abuse) than the Sebenza but they are both excellent knives to have and use. Both outstanding.

 

[misterjuiceman]

i will give this a go. Thank you very much!

it works but it might take a little bit to get it centered. that's definitely a problem for most though.

 

[C Ben Susrool]

The customer service I have had from Hinderer could not be any better. When I have called I talked directly to Rob Orlando or left him a message & he calls right back. He has even called me at night on his own time from his house to answer a message I left. When you need something for your knife like extra scales or say the Hinderer Armory's tool or a pocket clip insert just email the order & he sends an email with the total & they take Pay-Pal for payment and he ships the same day even if he has to drop it at the post office on this way home. They are right up there with CRK's quality service..................

You answered half of the questions. What about repair service?

 

[RICKSTER]

The customer service I have had from Hinderer could not be any better. When I have called I talked directly to Rob Orlando or left him a message & he calls right back. He has even called me at night on his own time from his house to answer a message I left. When you need something for your knife like extra scales or say the Hinderer Armory's tool or a pocket clip insert just email the order & he sends an email with the total & they take Pay-Pal for payment and he ships the same day even if he has to drop it at the post office on this way home. They are right up there with CRK's quality service..................

You answered half of the questions. What about repair service?

I have not had to do any repairs yet, But they are a pretty close nit family,
I would think as well as they handle customer's that they handle there repairs in the same way. IMO

 

[ipm]

Regarding this comment...

giant1: "Agree with others that the XM-18 has a smoother action on opening / closing."

I think this could be related to the type of washer they use. In the XM-18 they are plastic/Teflon, no?

I happen to prefer metal washers.

I have a Fallkniven PXL IM and it is hands down smoother than a Sebneza or any other knife I have handled.

It, too, easily compares directly to Sebenza in fit and finish and build quality; however, I bet that if you put bronze-phosphor washers in the PXL, the Sebenza would be smoother.

I also noticed that the grease level in the Sebenza impacts its smoothness greatly.

I guess my point is the smoothness comparison is not apples to apples, IMHO.