Demko AD-10 vs XM-18 Hinderer

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rexromic

rexromic

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Hi recently I ordered Demko AD-10 and Iam wondering how is that knife compared to Hinderer xm-18,toughnes,blade steel,fit and finish....
Anyone has both and the thoughts about them.They are both excellent knives in my opinion just want to know from real owners how they stack up againt each other.
 
I own both. They are very different in very many ways, it's kind of tough to compare.

The AD-10 is a full custom knife, it's not CNC machined. That makes for the uniqueness of each one. No 2 are exactly alike as far as I've seen. The lock is of course very strong, and the tolerances are extremely tight. There is literally zero wiggle on the knife in any position or in any direction. There are a lot of features you can have on the knife, steel, handle material, coated blade, etc.

The XM-18 is one of the most well made midtech knives I've ever used. The fit and finish is just about perfect on the 2 I have. The quality is consistent on the various pieces I've seen. These will run in batches, you get what you get as far as steel and blade grind goes.

One thing to remember is that most people that pay this much for a knife will have a lot of reservations about using it. Yet they still ask questions about how strong the locks are, how tough is the blade, and they will probably never even attempkt to cut so much as cardboard with it for fear of "ruining" the knife. To that I say, it doesn't matter how strong the lock is or how tough the blade is if it only gets looked at and fondled.
 
RevDevil said:
One thing to remember is that most people that pay this much for a knife will have a lot of reservations about using it. Yet they still ask questions about how strong the locks are, how tough is the blade, and they will probably never even attempkt to cut so much as cardboard with it for fear of "ruining" the knife. To that I say, it doesn't matter how strong the lock is or how tough the blade is if it only gets looked at and fondled.
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How very true this statement is. Sort of like the guys that put a 600hp small block in a roadster and then push it on and off the trailer.
 
Well I do have small sebenza and i wanted a strong folder as a second user so demko will fill up those shoes for sure.People are often saying that all you need is sebbie and a xm-18 for a two all you need knives, iam hoping sebbie and demko will be good or if not better for what a need.
 
RevDevil said:
<snip>
One thing to remember is that most people that pay this much for a knife will have a lot of reservations about using it. Yet they still ask questions about how strong the locks are, how tough is the blade, and they will probably never even attempkt to cut so much as cardboard with it for fear of "ruining" the knife. To that I say, it doesn't matter how strong the lock is or how tough the blade is if it only gets looked at and fondled.
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I have one on order, should be summer of 2013. I know that I will be handing that knife to my son once he is old enough. Fortunately, I get to use it for a few years first ;)
 
Lapp_Dance said:
I have one on order, should be summer of 2013. I know that I will be handing that knife to my son once he is old enough. Fortunately, I get to use it for a few years first ;)
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That's the way. :thumbup:
I waited 18 months for my AD-10. :eek:
 
RevDevil said:
I own both. They are very different in very many ways, it's kind of tough to compare.

The AD-10 is a full custom knife, it's not CNC machined. That makes for the uniqueness of each one. No 2 are exactly alike as far as I've seen. The lock is of course very strong, and the tolerances are extremely tight. There is literally zero wiggle on the knife in any position or in any direction. There are a lot of features you can have on the knife, steel, handle material, coated blade, etc.

The XM-18 is one of the most well made midtech knives I've ever used. The fit and finish is just about perfect on the 2 I have. The quality is consistent on the various pieces I've seen. These will run in batches, you get what you get as far as steel and blade grind goes.

One thing to remember is that most people that pay this much for a knife will have a lot of reservations about using it. Yet they still ask questions about how strong the locks are, how tough is the blade, and they will probably never even attempkt to cut so much as cardboard with it for fear of "ruining" the knife. To that I say, it doesn't matter how strong the lock is or how tough the blade is if it only gets looked at and fondled.
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You just described me. I have an XM-18, and another on order soon. I also have a Demko AD-10 on order. The XM-18 is amazing and I'm sure the AD 10 will be too. Worth every penny in my book, but I just can't bring myself to "really" use them. Anytime I need to do something messy or something that could test the lock in even a minor way I grab a fixed blade. I treat my XM like it's made out of glass even though it's extremely tough. I don't even know why I have have so many folders, they are just fun and interesting and I love the innovative technology behind them I suppose.
 
rexromic said:
Hi recently I ordered Demko AD-10 and Iam wondering how is that knife compared to Hinderer xm-18,toughnes,blade steel,fit and finish....
Anyone has both and the thoughts about them.They are both excellent knives in my opinion just want to know from real owners how they stack up againt each other.
Click to expand...

IT WILL BE WELL WORTH THE WAIT! The Demko AD 10 is about as close to a fixed blade in a folder as you are going to get!!! I have both the AD 10 and 2 XM 18's and they are both tank tough but just WAIT UNTIL YOU GET THAT DEMKO!!!!! Everything on the AD 10 is all hand done!!!! CONGRADS! It will do whatever you need it to!! I love the XM18 too and both Rick Hinderer and Andrew Demko are GREAT to deal with so you really cant go wrong with either but just sit back and relax knowing that you are going to get one of the best custom knives in the world!! Kevin
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::D:D:D

Also type in Demko Custom AD-10 Test on YouTube and see his test on his own custom knives.
 
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jstn said:
You just described me. I have an XM-18, and another on order soon. I also have a Demko AD-10 on order. The XM-18 is amazing and I'm sure the AD 10 will be too. Worth every penny in my book, but I just can't bring myself to "really" use them. Anytime I need to do something messy or something that could test the lock in even a minor way I grab a fixed blade. I treat my XM like it's made out of glass even though it's extremely tough. I don't even know why I have have so many folders, they are just fun and interesting and I love the innovative technology behind them I suppose.
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I think many folks go through the phase where it's too nice to carry and use. Eventually you might change your mind and decide to use it. The highest compliment you can give a knifemaker after you buy one of their knives, is to use it. ;)
 
I like the comment RevDevil,use the knives dont just pamper them.Well thats my intention when I get hands on my Demko AD-10.Cant wait.:)
 
I havent owned an XM-18 but have had the chance to own two Demko's so I can only comment on that. It is a brute of a knife, overbuilt in every way. That said, Andrew will work with you and you can reduce the weight and bulk of it by opting to go without liners, thinner blade stock etc. However, most people in the knife world seem to be obsessed with beefy, over-built knives so that's the way they usually go. Be advised it is not a lightweight! This is a proverbial tank of a knife.

The real genius of the AD-10 lies with the lock of course and it really is all that. Andrew has tested it out to real extremes and it held up to whatever he could throw at it. If I was travelling to world's end and only able to take one knife, I would reach for the AD-10 without hesitation. Andrew is also a real pleasure to work with and that really adds to the experience of buying the knife. Its a true custom, hand-made, and you can spec it out to your requirements. Amazingly, it will also cost you less than the XM. In that respect, its a clear winner to my mind.
 
I do like demko more something with xm-18 looks and design I never got hooked on it,I beleive is a nice piece of cuttlery but not for me i think.
 
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