Gen 4 detent

R

rome215

Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Messages
13
Before I start, I am not freaking out about this. Recieved my first XM-18 today direct from the ranch. I did weeks of research before committing to the purchase. Through that research, I for some reason, came to the conclusion that the detent tension had been increased on the gen-4. My knife, however, can easily be shaken open. So the question is, is this typical for a gen-4 or is each knife different? I have only opened the knife 3 times, in case this matters. Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Update: After tightening down the pivot screw slightly the "detent" became strong but the knife still flies open when deployed by the flipper. For those that question if this knife is a true flipper, I can assure you it is. As an added value the user can increase/decrease the amount of force holding the blade in place, via the pivot, which increases/decreases the amount of force needed to flip the knife open. After a little over a week with the knife I am extremely pleased with the performance and blade retention, the adjustable pivot screw is added value that most do not talk about.
 
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Just a follow up. After opening and closing the knife 50 times or so the detent now holds the knife when I attempt to shake it open. Not too familiar with machining, but my only guess is that the detent ball seats better after a little use.
 
The Gen 4 detent really isn't any different than prior generations (despite what you have read), detents vary based on machining differences, detents vary based on lockbar tension, breaking-in your knife is a good idea, everyone's opinion varies on the detent, lubricant can make the detent feel less resistant and I am sure there are more that I didn't cover.

Congrats on the new knife.
 
Thanks for the response. Since you mentioned lube, what type do you use? Do you think wilson combat ultimate-lube II would work?
 
rome215 said:
Thanks for the response. Since you mentioned lube, what type do you use? Do you think wilson combat ultimate-lube II would work?
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Another topic which will have as many different answers as you get responses. With the teflon washers, just about any lube works from WD-40 to the latest flavor of the month. Many seem to like Nano oil, or a light machine oil (reel oil). I use Tuf-Glide.
 
There are 3 ways to deploy an XM, the thumbstud, the flipper, and inertia opening, so yes you can expect it to open when shaken. I'm sure you still have my email address through all of our correspondence, you are certainly welcome to return the knife for a refund if it doesn't suit your preferences. I've covered this openly here on the furum more than once, it's no mystery, nor does it have anything at all to do with user error. We build them to a certain spec, it is not for everyone.
 
Nope, do not want a refund. I am extremely happy with the knife. I was attempting to get clarification from a knowledgable crowd. I did a search for detent on the Gen-4 in the hinderer forum and yeilded no results(probably user error). I would not have asked the question if I could have found another thread. If I had issue with the knife you would have been the first person I contacted, please do not take my question as a passive aggresive attempt to attack the brand. Any future questions will be directed to you via email.
 
Well, I was not looking for a debate or fanboy arguments just clarification on an aspect of the knife I researched.
 
I usually try to stay away from these, "sensitive" topics. But here goes.....
As rob said one method of deployment is inertia, and there are countless situations where this option would be preferable to any other, like hanging upside-down from a tangled rope climbing etc, or paracord you get the picture. IMO what makes this brand of folder so unique is that not only is this considered an optional method of deployment but that it is actually part of the design and intended use..The thing most forget is that the pivot is purposely adjustable, so that the inertia effect can be enhanced or mitigated all together.

I can understand the fear of having a blade open unintentionally in ones pocket, and heartily agree that such an event could be devastating if a femoral artery was encountered by the blade during say a car accident etc.... the point is the pivot is designed to allow the user to set his own desired tension all the way from "wow i need two hands to open this" to " shake and slice"....find another brand that designs a knife this well made with these features, and this quality, and this following.

thats it I'm done sorry for the rant....
 
wowcoop said:
I usually try to stay away from these, "sensitive" topics. But here goes.....
As rob said one method of deployment is inertia, and there are countless situations where this option would be preferable to any other, like hanging upside-down from a tangled rope climbing etc, or paracord you get the picture. IMO what makes this brand of folder so unique is that not only is this considered an optional method of deployment but that it is actually part of the design and intended use..The thing most forget is that the pivot is purposely adjustable, so that the inertia effect can be enhanced or mitigated all together.

I can understand the fear of having a blade open unintentionally in ones pocket, and heartily agree that such an event could be devastating if a femoral artery was encountered by the blade during say a car accident etc.... the point is the pivot is designed to allow the user to set his own desired tension all the way from "wow i need two hands to open this" to " shake and slice"....find another brand that designs a knife this well made with these features, and this quality, and this following.

thats it I'm done sorry for the rant....
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Thanks for the response. You have helped me better understand my new knife. I will mess around with it to figure out my perferred pivot tightness.
 
I checked my gen 4 last night after reading this thread while watching a very boring Super Bowl. Mine dosent deploy with inertia but I have my pivot a hair tighter than most. It still flies out using the flipper but requires just a small amount of wrist action but that's the way I like it. I had an old knife that I will not name that had a poor detent and while at work it opened up a bit in my pocket and when I put my hand in my pocket to get my Chapstick I cut myself pretty good so I would say play around with it a bit and find YOUR common ground.
 
There are over 500 views for this thread. It's really as simple as "righty tighty / lefty loosey".
 
I have 6 xm's and have owned others. The detents do vary. Lube and pivot tightness goes a long way, but in the end, the detents do vary. I have 20+ crk, and they vary too. It's ok, Hinderer makes fantastic knives...the best in my opinion. Denying that the detents vary from knife to knife is plain silly though.
 
dtm i agree with you. i have owned several that i have bought and sold to find the one i have now that has an excellent detent. they do vary and are not consistent across the board. my 3 crk's have very slightly varying detents but all are excellent as well. my hinderer is the one knife i will never get rid of, i keep it next to my bed at night because my wife wont allow a firearm in the bedroom.
 
dtmbinb said:
I have 6 xm's and have owned others. The detents do vary. Lube and pivot tightness goes a long way, but in the end, the detents do vary. I have 20+ crk, and they vary too. It's ok, Hinderer makes fantastic knives...the best in my opinion. Denying that the detents vary from knife to knife is plain silly though.
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Thanks brother. The XM-18 is my first elite knife. Prior to this knife i owned $80-$100 SOGs that are no where near Hinderer quality. Your information, as well as that provided by others, has really helped clear up my ignorance.
 
C699 good advise, so much is made of opening the knife, the beauty of the Hinderer design is in the hard use capabilities. Almost like having a new car and only stare, clean, open and close door, the fun part is actually using it for what is was designed for. Conversations would then be how great it (Hinderer) drives!
 
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