First XM-18 3.5 spanto

5

5pinRight

Joined
Apr 19, 2013
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I have to say I am really impressed with this knife. But I ordered a flipper version because I expect to flip it... Will it eventually break in? Or do I have to make my detent bigger myself?
 
5pinRight said:
I have to say I am really impressed with this knife. But I ordered a flipper version because I expect to flip it... Will it eventually break in? Or do I have to make my detent bigger myself?
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Practice, technique and properly adjusted/lubed. Technique includes applying some preload to the flipper.

There are many threads on this topic.
 
RDA is referring to pushing forward with your flip finger just before snapping back. Pointing tip down helps while you are learning. I use Daiwa Reel oil in my pivot for effortless glass smooth and snappy deployment (non-flipper).
 
I have the same detent problem. Just give it a little wrist flip. That's about all you can do to it. I have pretty much just learned to live with it.
 
Technique and break-in will solve the issue, IF you find you need authorized warranty work - send an email to Rob
 
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Well...out of the many I've had and have...I've yet to come across one that can't be either broken in/lubed or adjusted at the pivot!
 
Most anyone with a bit of time and patience can adjust their XM to flip as they like. It's not that difficult if you understand what you are doing. And the brand new ones ship a little "tight" for good reason.

The flipper on the XM is an assist. It's not rolling on bearings or spring assisted. Rick covers this concept pretty well in the Monkey Edge interview videos.
 
5pinRight said:
When I adjust it at the pivot is ok to just use a flat head screw driver or coin?
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We're talking very minor adjustments. But I have used a couple coins from time to time (like in the hotel room when my Armorer's tool isn't handy). I find a penny and a dime work well enough.
 
Hairlesstwinkie said:
I have the same detent problem. Just give it a little wrist flip. That's about all you can do to it. I have pretty much just learned to live with it.
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Wrist filliping isn't required regardless of detent, technique is the key, if I can flip open my 3" XM, anyone should be able to flip open any size XM.
 
RDA said:
Wrist filliping isn't required regardless of detent, technique is the key, if I can flip open my 3" XM, anyone should be able to flip open any size XM.
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Bad detent will lead to the need to have the a wrist flick. I have a Southard flipper and had a ZT0560; they both flip better than my XM-18. I can just press down on the flipper and the blade would deploy perfectly and doing that consistently. My girlfriend's crappy Chinese Gerber flipper flips well and consistently because it has a strong detent. Whereas with my XM-18, if I don't push it the right way, it won't swing all the way. Oil and loosening the pivot helps, but doesn't guarantee a consistent deployment. The only time that I do get consistent flipping is with a wrist flick or some sort of extra motion to let the inertia of the blade to swing into locking position.
 
While mine are adjusted to flip as I want, the flipper on the XM is an assit. It assists in blade deployment.
 
You guys ever seen images and videos of the term "you're not doing it right"??? Some of it is hilarious!
 
Hairlesstwinkie said:
Bad detent will lead to the need to have the a wrist flick. I have a Southard flipper and had a ZT0560; they both flip better than my XM-18. I can just press down on the flipper and the blade would deploy perfectly and doing that consistently. My girlfriend's crappy Chinese Gerber flipper flips well and consistently because it has a strong detent. Whereas with my XM-18, if I don't push it the right way, it won't swing all the way. Oil and loosening the pivot helps, but doesn't guarantee a consistent deployment. The only time that I do get consistent flipping is with a wrist flick or some sort of extra motion to let the inertia of the blade to swing into locking position.
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It doesn't appear you are hearing me. A strong detent allows any newb to flip a knife with no technique whatsoever. But, technique overcomes any detent (even if a knife had no detent), you don't have to use wrist action unless you have poor technique. If I can do it without wrist action, anyone can.
 
RDA said:
It doesn't appear you are hearing me. A strong detent allows any newb to flip a knife with no technique whatsoever. But, technique overcomes any detent (even if a knife had no detent), you don't have to use wrist action unless you have poor technique. If I can do it without wrist action, anyone can.
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I heard you. We are discussing technique and detent. I understand that technique can play a role. I can open my XM without a wrist flick if that answers your question if I'm a "newb". When I'm buying a flipper, I'm expecting the flipper to work as a flipper. Only knife that should require techniques to open are balis, but that's beside the point. For a high caliber knife like the Hinderer, I would expect the flipper to deploy perfectly with minimal effort like what I would expect in a Southard Flipper, a ZT0560, or a Shirogorov. I did buy a XM-18 Hinderer Spanto FLIPPER. The common aspect in all those knives is the strong detent. Gen 4 Hinderers have strong detents and they flip better. There are a few comparison videos on youtube about it. If Gen 3 is perfect with the weak detent, then why did Rick go through the trouble and added a stronger detent? You may be uber talented in opening your Hinderer, but I can't say the same for my best friend or girl friend who needs to borrow my knife. What if it's an emergency situation where someone has to borrow my knife and he/she doesn't deploy my knife properly the first time?

But please, let's not discuss this any further. This won't end well. You can stand proud and strong with your technique while I carp at my detent. Do know that I am a proud owner of my XM-18, but I'm not afraid to admit that it's not perfect.
 
Hairlesstwinkie said:
I heard you. We are discussing technique and detent. I understand that technique can play a role. I can open my XM without a wrist flick if that answers your question if I'm a "newb". When I'm buying a flipper, I'm expecting the flipper to work as a flipper. Only knife that should require techniques to open are balis, but that's beside the point. For a high caliber knife like the Hinderer, I would expect the flipper to deploy perfectly with minimal effort like what I would expect in a Southard Flipper, a ZT0560, or a Shirogorov. I did buy a XM-18 Hinderer Spanto FLIPPER. The common aspect in all those knives is the strong detent. Gen 4 Hinderers have strong detents and they flip better. There are a few comparison videos on youtube about it. If Gen 3 is perfect with the weak detent, then why did Rick go through the trouble and added a stronger detent? You may be uber talented in opening your Hinderer, but I can't say the same for my best friend or girl friend who needs to borrow my knife. What if it's an emergency situation where someone has to borrow my knife and he/she doesn't deploy my knife properly the first time?

But please, let's not discuss this any further. This won't end well. You can stand proud and strong with your technique while I carp at my detent. Do know that I am a proud owner of my XM-18, but I'm not afraid to admit that it's not perfect.
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I don't like to repeat myself and fully agree this discussion is over. The flipper on the XM is an assist, that's it. Some may not understand that. It's called a flipper because the blade has a flipper. There's a famous dolphin named flipper because he had some too.

U-tube does not get everything correct...it's people and people are often mistaken.
 
Haha this thread is absurd. I love how people are arguing for a design that is clearly inferior. A flipper is supposed to flip the knife open, when it doesn't do that well, it isn't a good flipper.
 
Thread feels done to me...thanks to those who posted for the sake of education.

The XMs have design features Rick thought up while using knives. The flipper comes in handy when one is wearing gloves or the knife is very dirty.
 
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