Durable folder question

Between my Strider and my Adamas...I actually feel the Adamas is the tougher. Looking forward to the 4Max, but for me, there really isn't a folder, maybe with the exception of some extrema ratio nonsense, that is tougher than the Adamas until you're looking assertive the $500+ range.
 
I've seen those vids, still waiting on an adamas test. I'm sure you guys are familiar with vinull, that Russian guy that beats the hell out of his folders, the adamas, zt0550, and strider smf did the best, cold steels locks are good, but they grind their blades thin, at least on the smaller folders. In those vids the blade tips snapped. I was impressed with other 3, I would love to see a test of a hinderer. Just cuz. I'm guessing it will do as good or better than the zt.
 
rodriguez7 said:
I decided to get a hinderer Xm-18 3.5 spanto in s35vn steel. My only concern is the warranty doesn't seem as good as striders.
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Not trying to start anything here, but I do want to let you know that S35VN will probably have the same edge retention as CTS-XHP in general, and unless you thin down the edge a little on the XM-18, generally you will find that it might be even worse at holding an edge than the Cold Steel.

I have had very good luck once you thin the edge down just a little bit to about 18dps, but from the factory the edge on the Spanto in particular is a little too thick to really get good edge retention results. They do have a very good heat treat on their S35VN though, so it performs very well overall.

That aside, the XM-18 is a fantastic knife, and having owned both one of those and a Strider SNG, I will tell you that in my experience the Hinderer is a better overall knife for sure, but if I had to tell you which one I would buy again...well it's harder of a decision than it really should be for me.
If you put a Strider SNG (Black Lego in FFG, CPM-154) and a Hinderer XM-18 (Blue, Spearpoint in 20CV), and told me I had to pay full retail for one or the other...well, I would have a REALLY hard time deciding which one I would take, and even after going over all of the reasons that the Hinderer is a better choice, I might STILL get the Strider instead.
Can't really tell you why. I just like the SNG for some really weird reason that even I can't explain that well.
 
I'm sure that will be the case with cts vs s35vn. But the hinderer is a much better knife over all I'm sure. I should have it by tomorrow. For some odd reason I wanted a strider more. Just couldn't land the deal I wanted. I just like the way the striders look.
 
I have a couple of ideas rodriguez7,
Custom fit your at Adamas to your hand by working with a custom scales craftsmen, of whom there are many on this forum, And then have it professionally sharpened if you don't have that level of skill; maybe shave off some grams while they're at it. Among sharpeners, I sub ApostleP for his YouTube reviews and he also offers sharpening services.

vininull abuses knives pretty thoroughly and records the offenses :-) on YouTube, sometimes with English subtitles! From vininull's <Project Hard Use knife testing by vininull> spreadsheet, I was surprised to see a Buck TOPS CSAR-T score 82 to the Adamas's 85, but the stunner was a Zero Tolerance 550 with S35VN that scored 95! From looking at the small sample of tests on the spreadsheet it appears you can get a very strong folder nowadays, which in some instances almost approaches fixed blades.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q3Z9koNohHDIUogSVRaIGl-o3mebrbjwSDNcR0h5LlU/edit?pli=1#gid=0

In the context of everything you wrote, the question of whether a custom-made knife is worth the money is difficult to answer without asking a bunch more questions. From my perspective, supporting craftsmen is great if you have the money, because you can get anything you want. A wise old Italian at the Brickyard once said "the question is not how fast you want to go, but how fast you want to spend." No doubt you could get a seriously stout folder with some equally serious steel to fit whatever need you have for that tool/work of art. My production class budget will never know custom knives, so I cannot comment on how much more durable they are then my Benchmades, Zero Tolerance, CRKT, blah blah blah.
oh, and by the way happy birthday- how many trips around the sun have you laid down?
 
Congratulations on getting a hinderer, post a pic when it gets in so we can all see the new addition.
 
rodriguez7 said:
I'm sure that will be the case with cts vs s35vn. But the hinderer is a much better knife over all I'm sure. I should have it by tomorrow. For some odd reason I wanted a strider more. Just couldn't land the deal I wanted. I just like the way the striders look.
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Can't argue that the Hinderer is a better knife overall than you will get from CS, though their knives are by no means bad at all, especially for the money.

And like I said I understand what you mean about Strider. If not for me constantly finding knives that I want just a little more, I would have already bought another Strider for myself.
There definitely is something about them that just works, even if they are not as good of an overall knife as the XM-18 or some other choices, and I can't explain it.

I think the Hinderer should work well for you though, and I hope you'll let us know how it's going for you once you get it.
 
rodriguez7 said:
I've seen those vids, still waiting on an adamas test. I'm sure you guys are familiar with vinull, that Russian guy that beats the hell out of his folders, the adamas, zt0550, and strider smf did the best, cold steels locks are good, but they grind their blades thin, at least on the smaller folders. In those vids the blade tips snapped. I was impressed with other 3, I would love to see a test of a hinderer. Just cuz. I'm guessing it will do as good or better than the zt.
Click to expand...

Well I'm glad that you realize the videos of cold steel VS. BM, ZT whatever the case may be is them showcasing their main selling point. A strong lock. I wouldn't hold out on buying any knives due to how they compare to cold steel's in house videos. The whole thing is silliness.

Anyway. If you want large and a thick blade then get the SMF over the SnG. If you want to try a hinderer grab one while the prices are really reasonable. $450-$500 is a great price for a new hinderer IMO. I had a couple hinderers, ended up selling them because I didn't like the way they flipped. Still carrying a very old SMF every day. After you try out a hinderer you can pick up a used SMF on the exchange most days. If you go with a strider get a lego (not GG, not CC) it has the thickest Ti.
Best of luck.
 
ZT300 and related ... there testing video around of one being batonned through a 2x4... should do the job... if you want more beef then consider a grayman, or TSF with a 3V blade...big thick knife in uber tough steel...

Personally I'm going the other direction with most of my knives. Thinner and thinner...cuts better, so doesn't need uber strength. Look at how fine and thin (relatively) Nathan the Machinst knives are and the testing he does on them.
 
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