Convince me to keep the Spanto

extrastout

extrastout

Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Messages
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I have a new 3.5" Spanto with s35vn steel on the way. I would have preferred a slicer, but I got Hinderer pricing and a flipper spanto was available, I'm not complaining:D. I am considering but want to avoid trading on the exchange for a Slicer grind once I get the knife (want to trade it not used). Are the the added benefits of the Spanto over the Slicer worth the sacrafice in cutting performance. The Slicer seems to have a strong enough tip to handle any prying a folder should be doing, it also seems like a thick enough blade to handle any hard cutting the spanto can handle. Does it come down to the thicker edge of the spanto lasting longer between sharpenings, also less chipping. I would appreciate to hear some user feedback with regular edc use and harder use. One more thing, does anyone know the difference in thickness of the 2 blades.
 
I own both and like them both. I EDC a 3.5" spanto flipper and never have had a situation where my Spanto failed in slicing something I needed sliced. I've never even said " Damn, I wish I had my slicer for this".
Conversely, IF I was EDCing a slicer, I doubt I'd have an issue arrise where I would back away from a task for lack of my spanto.

If you are only going to own ONE Hinderer - then you have the right "one" on it's way (IMO)

If you are going to own more than one - then you already know what your nexy one will be :thumbup:
 
I know xm-18's are not designed for slicing tomatoes. So the Spanto is sounding appropriate for this knife. Keep the input coming though!
 
I was looking for a slicer before I bought a spanto. It definitely doesn't slice like a kitchen knife or some other thinly ground pocket knives but it will cut anything you would ever need to cut. I hope that helps.
 
I have 3" slicer and 3.5" spanto. While not completely similar because of the thicker 3.5 stock, you get an idea. The XM isn't a kitchen knife or a Delica FFG. On sheer slicing performance I guess it will lose. It's not a delicate kitchen tool, though, so don't compare it to those.

That said, neither failed to cut anything with the quickness. I don't know, I think slicer v spanto is largely aesthetics. IMO, I love the spanto. If you had got the slicer, you would have wanted the spanto eventually. You won't be disappointed.

If you are, you can easily trade or sell and rebuy. But you won't be disappointed.
 
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That helps MRaymond, I just want to get an idea on what I'm in for. I am figuring this will be my one and only xm-18. I got lucky on the price and will not pay aftermarket prices. I just want to have the right blade profile. I won't have time to figure out if I really like it because if I trade, I want to trade it brand new in box. I am counting on your opinions to make me feel good about putting the spanto to use and stick with it.
 
Ditto.....I use my folders every day, and have the usual asst of slicer(sebenza) or big brute blade(used to be my SMF), but I found myself always with my Gerber Hinderer Rescue in my pocket, mostly because I never wanted to risk messing up the other two while on a call, or fixing something on the fly. The Rescue started wearing out, the handle started flexing, and I bought a ZT561 to fill the bill.....then I realized like you that I qualed for a XM18, as a responder, and once I read about Ricks approach to his knives I knew a Spanto Flipper was the only way to go...I'll probably never carry anything else.... It cuts very well ( way better than an SMF) and I almost forget that it's not a hollow grind. As far as fear of damaging the knife? If I manage to do it I'm sure it will be a memorable experience to say the least, and I get the feeling RHK will be happy to get it back to right.... IMO you've just bought the perfect EDC...
 
I agree, the Spanto is definitely "the" XM to have. It's a great grind and I feel a lot of people tend to ding it as not being a good cutter without really using it. My XM has been in my pocket almost everyday for a year and never once was I unable to cut something well with it. Personally, I also think the Spanto just looks much better. It really rounds out the bad ass/tank look and feel of the knife. Just wait til you start using it, it'll all make sense. ;)
 
It cuts so well, I started with slicers but when I got a spanto honestly I couldn't tell any decline in slicing whatsoever, both are similar performing and amazing grinds!
 
Heres my opinion:

I was in a similar situation as you a few months back when i ordered my first spanto flipper directly from Hinderer. For me though i was unsure whether i wanted to keep the flipper or trade it for a non-flip - which i originally had my eye on. As luck would have it I received my flipper (first flipper knife) and fell in love with it. Now I would never trade it for a non-flipper any day. Sometimes it takes just getting the knife in your hands to decide what you end up doing.
 
A few info. nuggets from N2K:

If there is only one Hinderer to be had / start with its the 3.5 Spanto Flipper.

All factory sharpened and properly resharpened / maintained XMs will cut what needs cut. Custom hollow-ground Spantos likely slightly outperform production Spantos and I'd love to hear how they compare with production Slicer grinds.

I own a "some" XMs in a variety of sizes and grinds (I don't photo brag with a shot of the entire gathering..not my style) and find that the 3.5" Spanto Flipper is my goto primary EDC, with my Spanto 24 coming into play when necessary. The 3.5 Spanto Flipper is just such a all-round excellent tool, that my 3.5 Slicers only get carried from time to time to justify owning them.
 
extrastout said:
I know xm-18's are not designed for slicing tomatoes. So the Spanto is sounding appropriate for this knife. Keep the input coming though!
Click to expand...

I will concur with the everyone else... the Spanto is no slicing slouch. Speaking of tomatoes and kitchen duty, I used mine last night to cut up some tomatoes and it did the job perfectly. I've only had mine since Monday and I got it lightly used on the secondary market. When it arrived though it did need sharpening. All I have for sharpening is a Spyderco Sharpmaker (when I say "all I have" I don't mean to discount the Sharpmaker, I have had great success with it, but I know many XM owners swear by the Wicked Edge, but I digress...) and after a bit of time on the Sharpmaker it was whittling hair (literally). So those dang tomatoes didn't stand a chance! :) (btw, mine is S35VN as well).

Enjoy your Spanto, I am sure you will love it... it is the classic Hinderer grind. And this just means you can now put the Slicer "on deck" for your next purchase! :)
 
The Spanto XM.....IS the Rick Hinderer XM18 or XM24. Its what the knife was designed to be, with the toughest point possible, yet being able to cut with the best of them. I have owned up to day 15 XM's in various sizes. Of the 15, 14 were spanto. Just got a Slicer and pretty much immediately don't like it, so will be parting with it soon. Nothing wrong with the knife at all, but it just looks so ordinary when compared to that spanto. I have edc'ed all 3 sizes of the XM's and the Spanto cut anything I ever wanted to cut with it. I have used them for food prep, whittling, cutting cardboard, etc. and never ever felt like, buy I wish I had a different knife for this task. To me, there is nothing that you need to cut that this will not excel at. I am sure if your cutting certain foods that you want to have 1/16" slices, it would not be the best tool, but for that, you would have a super thin kitchen knife for that. These are EDC knives and Rescue/Responce Team knives, not kitchen knives, so for their designed task, they are the best.
 
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A 3.5" Spanto is perfect for carry and great for heavier tasks. It's got some heft to it and feels comfortable when cutting heavier cardboard, maybe some carpeting and other thicker material. I don't think i would have been as comfortable with a slicer for these tasks. Now on the other hand, I love my 3" slicer for smaller office related tasks... opening UPS packages, letters and such. For me, i feel the 3.5" spanto and the 3" slicer are the perfect combo.

*The slicer could handle any of the above heavy tasks as well but IMHO i feel more comfortable ripping thru heavier stuff with the heftier spanto blade.

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