Favorite Hinderer Configuration

NjHart

NjHart

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
715
Howdy folks

I'm sure some version of this has been done before, but I'm curious and this'll likely factor into my shopping for my first XM. My question is this, what is your favorite Hinderer XM configurations and is there any special reason why? Do you prefer slicer, spanto, or warnie; which finish; flipper versus non flipper; size; and anything else a first timer like me might not be thinking of? At the moment I'm leaning towards 3.5" spanto, stonewashed, and oddly enough maybe a non flipper, but all of that will likely change. I'm curious what y'all out there really like!
 
I have had a recurve, a spanto and now a wharnie. The recurve was my favorite but I couldn't see myself carrying a custom Hinderer to beat on soooo I traded it. I like the spanto as an all around blade, but the wharnie I picked up a week or so ago (in the lottery) is by far my current favorite. It flips like its on bearings and it has a nice/easy to maintain edge (cuz I can't sharpen worth a sh**) I like the way it feels in hand...I love the way it flips...and (to me anyways) it just looks killer. (The lottery stock photo...mine is one of the FDE knives...and now with CF RHK scale/Ti stand offs/Crusader Cross handle nut)
 

Attachments

  • Wharcliffe Pic.jpg
    Wharcliffe Pic.jpg
    83.1 KB · Views: 60
  • 20130905_190726 (2900x2175).jpg
    20130905_190726 (2900x2175).jpg
    84.2 KB · Views: 36
  • 20130905_190741 (2900x2172).jpg
    20130905_190741 (2900x2172).jpg
    67.7 KB · Views: 38
  • 20130905_190801 (2900x2133).jpg
    20130905_190801 (2900x2133).jpg
    64.2 KB · Views: 35
  • 20130905_190823 (2900x2026).jpg
    20130905_190823 (2900x2026).jpg
    55.2 KB · Views: 32
It's interesting you hit on the sharpening aspect of the wharnie. I'm a decent sharpener (I think at least) but I exclusively freehand and generally use cheap and simple stones. I like knowing that I can fix my knives without hours and hours of effort. Though spanto is my top choice at the moment I think (how's that for hedging?), I've thought about how insanely easy keeping a wharnie up to my sharpness standards would be.
 
NJ - IMHO the classic XM 18 3.5 Spanto stone washed Flipper w G10 would be a great first. From there you can make it your own with different, scales, standoffs, clips, anodizing, lanyards, etc. The spanto design with the flipper is an iconic Hinderer design.

What ever one you decide on will undoubtedly be a winner! Good luck and enjoy your pursuit, you are asking all the right questions.
 
My personal Hinderer is not at all one of the "popular kids". I have and carry a XM-24 Slicer Flipper. Most here seem to prefer the XM-18 3.5 Spanto. The XM-18 just didn't fit my hand all that well. I tried to love her, but alas I could not. To me the Spanto was much the same story. From a pure "using a knife to cut" standpoint I think the Slicer is hands down the superior blade. All Hinderers are usable art to me so no doubt you can find one that suits you. For me I like the massive, tankish feel of "The Beast" and the Slicer grind is in no way a wimpy blade, and I can't put mine down. :-)
 
I agree with others that a prod SW 3.5" flipper w/ G10 is a good place to start - either spanto or slicer, although like FO noted the spanto is "iconic" to RHKs.

My current favorite is the wharnie. I say "current" because I'm sure it'll change :D as soon as I get my hands on a spearpoint (working on that now), a recurve, and/or a skinner (the grail at the moment)!

All that said, I rotate through all of mine (have spantos, slicers, and the wharnie) on a semi-regular basis - sometimes I just grab one at random from the knife box on the way out the door.

I feel like this post won't help you much....
 
Nj- As you may imagine (or gain a realization) on any given day or with any given Hinderer owner - You will get the gambit of input and for "reasons" that can change from person to person and even with the same person as time goes on.
F.O. hit it on the head with his summation of "what is" the iconic Hinderer and it IS as he described.
One thing is for sure, actually several things :)
You simply can not go wrong with ANY configuration/size/style/finish of Hinderer.
You can personalize and "dial-in" ALL the Hinderers you accrue.
Use them, Love them, sharpen/cut/rinse/repeat - with them.
As long as Rick draws breath and Rob eats cheeseburgers there will be a Team at the Ranch who will back them.
These days,,, it doesn't get much better than that.
 
I have smaller hands so I prefer the 3" to the 3.5. The 3.5 is significantly bigger than the 3", but the 3.5 spanto is the iconic Hinderer.
 
I find the 3" a little small for my hands (but still a great size for guys like LdB) I do like the 3" when wardrobe/weather dictates otherwise the 3.5" is perfect for me as an EDC.
The 4" fits great in my hand as well BUT opt for it in more demanding (tactical in a prior life) situations.
The 4" is has a "presence" if you will, that no other folder I own possesses.
So, like I said - very little help probably but even less downside. Start with what FO described and go from there IMO
 
I was a 3.5 spanto guy for a long time. I finally gave the 3.5 slicer a try and it won me over. I love my slicer. I also love stonewashed blades and frames. A nice bronze anodized knife is sweet as well! Gotta get the flipper!!! Good luck and happy hunting my friend!
 
I have found many that I like and I am sure you will too. My favorite is a 3" Spanto non-flipper right now. I work in an office environment, so the smaller size is less frightening to my co-workers. When I am home working in the yard or tooling around town, the 3.5" size is a much better fit in my hands. I just bought a Wharnie today and I am looking forward to that grind. I am also going to be on the lookout pretty soon for the 4".


I think the only piece of information I can offer is that you will be happy with whichever one you choose.
 
I think the 3.5" spanto is a must own. My favorites are my slicers though. :D Stonewashed is the only thing I trust myself with. I scratched my bead blast and sand blast in minutes. I'm OCD about scratches so I have to stick with stonewashed. :D
 
Like what the others said, 3.5" spanto is really a good start. It is my first too. Spanto is so unique to RHK that when you mentioned it, most collectors will know it has to be a RHK.
 
My first is going to be a 3.5" spanto flipper. It's the first one I saw and fell in love with the design. Also, I'm a sucker for flippers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top