does a xm-18 compare to a strider?

mm3

mm3

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Mar 7, 2007
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I currently own a 3" XM-18, but have never seen in person or handled any strider knives. The Xm-18 kinda seems like a custom version of a a Strider. The materials are same/similar, they both have the Hinderer lock bar stabilizer, they are both ti framelocks with g-10 on one side.

How do they compare fit and finish, durability, cutting effeciency, ect? To anyone that owns both which do you favor?
 
I've handled a couple fo striders, owned a PT and participated in the hinderer passaround. IMO Hinderer is better in every aspect then a strider. Better lock, better finish, better customer service, WAY better cutting ability.
 
The XM-18 is built by Rick Hinderer himself, so is a true custom.

The lock stabilizer is Rick's invention, so you're seeing it made by the inventor. It has way better fit and finish and can be obtained in various blade finishes - blasted, stonewashed, satined and 2 opening mechanisms - flipper or non-flipper.

It is also designed to be disassembled easily, and you can buy different scales to outfit your XM-18. The G10 side also comes with either a nested ti-liner (earlier models) or a full ti-liner, later models.

Rick's edges are also more acute, and therefore cut better (I believe it's 30deg included). He also offers the SPANTO point, which is definitely a great thing - strong tip to pry but without the 2 differently angled edges of a tanto point.

It is also tapped for both tip up AND down, with the unused holes being covered by a titanium "insert" so everything is flushed.

Finally, the newer models also feature 20CV steel, which I understand is a FANTASTIC steel, slightly better than S30V in terms of finish and edge holding.

As you can see, I'm a Hinderer fan....

Oh, and Rick is a super nice guy.
 
Microtech used 20CV in the LCC's and I found it to be about the same as S30V, but easier to sharpen, and less prone to chipping.
 
spyken said:
The XM-18 is built by Rick Hinderer himself, so is a true custom.

The lock stabilizer is Rick's invention, so you're seeing it made by the inventor. It has way better fit and finish and can be obtained in various blade finishes - blasted, stonewashed, satined and 2 opening mechanisms - flipper or non-flipper.

It is also designed to be disassembled easily, and you can buy different scales to outfit your XM-18. The G10 side also comes with either a nested ti-liner (earlier models) or a full ti-liner, later models.

Rick's edges are also more acute, and therefore cut better (I believe it's 30deg included). He also offers the SPANTO point, which is definitely a great thing - strong tip to pry but without the 2 differently angled edges of a tanto point.

It is also tapped for both tip up AND down, with the unused holes being covered by a titanium "insert" so everything is flushed.

Finally, the newer models also feature 20CV steel, which I understand is a FANTASTIC steel, slightly better than S30V in terms of finish and edge holding.

As you can see, I'm a Hinderer fan....

Oh, and Rick is a super nice guy.
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Every word is as true as gospel.

Try getting one. I've been waiting for many months. But I'm not giving up -- this just might be my perfect folding knife! :)
 
mm3 said:
How do they compare fit and finish, durability, cutting effeciency, ect? To anyone that owns both which do you favor?
Click to expand...

Fit and Finish: Hinderer, hands down
Durability: Tie, they can both take a beating
Cutting efficientcy: With the same edge profile I would think the high flat ground Striders would be better cutters. Plus, having the tip that thick(Spanto Blade) makes it harder to have very acute angles on the Hinderer although they are probably great for prying. (If you can't tell I'm not a pryer personally.) I don't believe mine came at 30 degrees... but I may be wrong.
Handle Comfort: Hinderer although I like the handles on Strider folders too.
Buy-ability: Striders seem to be much more available than Hinderers. I got mine second hand so I had to take what was available.
Warranty: Strider, I'm not sure what Rick's warranty is though so I may very well be wrong.
Selection: Hinderer, you can request a certain setup from Rick(when he's taking orders anyway), you get what you get from Strider. You can also get extra G10 sides with a Hinderer that are different colors. (I picked up an Orange and a dark green one when mine was in for adjustment.)
Take apart-ability: Strider, there's more parts on the XM. You need a decent Spanner Wrench for both. (And, of course, they aren't the same size.)

What do I carry more? Currently the XM although I haven't had it near as long as my Striders. (And by currently I mean which do I carry more since I've actually got a Kershaw JYD2 that I've been carrying the last couple of days because it's an awesome flipper.)
 
The XM18 rocks in everyway at least to me. And if your ordering from Rick you have options to chose from. Don't get me wrong Striders are great knives but I very much dislike bead blasted blades and thats one of the only things that keep me from holding on to them.
 
OldPhysics said:
Every word is as true as gospel.

Try getting one. I've been waiting for many months. But I'm not giving up -- this just might be my perfect folding knife! :)
Click to expand...

You and me both brother, I think I ordered my XM-18 last august? still waiting but ya gotta keep the faith.
 
The XM-18, as said above, is a true custom folder. I regard the Hinderer to be way ahead of Strider...
 
At this point I'd almost call them MidTech (Hinderers) but the definitions of such are so screwy who knows.:confused:
 
spyken said:
The XM-18 is built by Rick Hinderer himself, so is a true custom.

The lock stabilizer is Rick's invention, so you're seeing it made by the inventor. It has way better fit and finish and can be obtained in various blade finishes - blasted, stonewashed, satined and 2 opening mechanisms - flipper or non-flipper.

It is also designed to be disassembled easily, and you can buy different scales to outfit your XM-18. The G10 side also comes with either a nested ti-liner (earlier models) or a full ti-liner, later models.

Rick's edges are also more acute, and therefore cut better (I believe it's 30deg included). He also offers the SPANTO point, which is definitely a great thing - strong tip to pry but without the 2 differently angled edges of a tanto point.

It is also tapped for both tip up AND down, with the unused holes being covered by a titanium "insert" so everything is flushed.

Finally, the newer models also feature 20CV steel, which I understand is a FANTASTIC steel, slightly better than S30V in terms of finish and edge holding.

As you can see, I'm a Hinderer fan....

Oh, and Rick is a super nice guy.
Click to expand...
I agree with every word!! I am also a HUGE Hinderer fan!!!
 
Thanks for the great answers.

I already own the Hinderer and think it is a awsome knife. I was just trying to get a handle on the Striders. It seems to me that I already own the better of the two knives. So, maybe I'll devote my limited funds to something a little different than I already own.
 
take a look at yuna knives-trisak makes a well built framelock folder-
i like mine better than than my xm18-not as perfectly made,but it has a human factor that allows me to look past the few minor imperfections-my avatar is the knife
 
rosconey2 said:
take a look at yuna knives-trisak makes a well built framelock folder-
i like mine better than than my xm18-not as perfectly made,but it has a human factor that allows me to look past the few minor imperfections-my avatar is the knife
Click to expand...

I like my Hard1 but what more than "not as perfectly made" needs to be said in a direct comparison between Yun's and Rick's stuff? Plus, Rick is a lot closer, with cheaper shipping costs, if you have issues. Again, I'm not knocking Yun, he's getting better daily. Just not up to Rick's level yet. Yet.
 
spyken said:
The XM-18 is built by Rick Hinderer himself, so is a true custom.
Click to expand...

Won't that "just" make it a handmade knife and not a custom knife ???

I'm sure it's a great knife :)

But does the word custom not mean that you tell the maker how to make the design ?
 
This is really a different discussion but handmade and cnc don't go hand in hand. THat's why I would call them MidTechs at this point.
 
They are still a CUSTOM knife. Rick makes everything, down to the screws on the XM-18.
 
OilMan said:
I like my Hard1 but what more than "not as perfectly made" needs to be said in a direct comparison between Yun's and Rick's stuff? Plus, Rick is a lot closer, with cheaper shipping costs, if you have issues. Again, I'm not knocking Yun, he's getting better daily. Just not up to Rick's level yet. Yet.
Click to expand...

he also makes them by hand -no cnc equipment-
and no doubt he isnt up to ricks level yet-but again i do like the human factor his knives have over ricks-he will be a real good one in a few more years-and to me a few dollars more in shipping isnt a sale killer issue-

and since he already has a hinderer and was looking for other options i mentioned yuna-

matsuoka also does a real nice framelock
 
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