Gen 4 XM 18 3 inch

pibbxtra19

pibbxtra19

Joined
Jul 13, 2012
Messages
133
Hello everyone!
Got my first 3 inch hinderer today and was very surprised with its size! But that's not why I'm posting today. My gen 4 has rounded thumb studs but no change in the stop pin, can anyone explain this?
 
The newest 3" is the same as the most recent predecessor. Only the latest 3.5" have a relocated stop pin as of now.

The domed thumb studs are what the Ranch decided to go with on most if not all current 3".

And yes, the 3" is tiny when compared to to its bigger brothers.
 
The 3" is perfect in size/scale in my opinion but I am biased as I carry one daily. I feel the same about the 3.5" and 4" though, just different uses. Although most of the knives recently produced have the rounded thumbstuds, that isn't necessarily a permanent change, the shop has both styles in abundance from what I recall and the rounded thumbstud isn't particular to any particular generation.

The 3" didn't have a relocated stop pin as there wasn't enough real estate to accommodate that change and it really probably didn't make sense to make that change for the 3" models based on the plans for the blade types/styles. The 3.5" obviously did have the relocated stop pin which did result in a generation change from 3 to 4 and the XM-24 will likely have a similar change when produced again which result in a generation change for it as well (from 2 to 3).

And by the way, your 3" is a Gen 2.

Congrats.
 
My blade sticks up exactly like yours on top and I have a Ti scale. Looks identical.
 
pibbxtra19 said:
I'm also curious on why my blade sticks out around a quarter of an inch an the top of the handle: http://i.imgur.com/63cF4.jpg
Is this how the 3 in ones are made? I know my 3.5 inch is flush with the handle.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call it a 1/4", it is less than 1/16". It is normal, compare the 3", the 3.5" and the XM-24 and you will see that the blade sits a little differently in the handle in each version with the XM-24 sitting the deepest.
 
Ok, thanks guys. I got this on eBay as a brand new 4gen. I thought all the 2 nd gens had hinderer on the blade?
 
pibbxtra19 said:
How do you know it's a second gen? It doesn't have hinderer on the blade
Click to expand...

There have only ever been two generations of XM-18 in 3". The Gen 1 XM-18 3" had HINDERER on the blade and were all custom ground. Gen 2 brought on the production spanto and production slicers (along with customs as well) and had HINDERER on the Ti lock side.

Don't confuse the 3" generations with the 3.5". The Gen 2 3.5" were akin to the Gen 1 3" and the Gen 3 3.5" were akin to the Gen 2 3".
 
I've been following the forums for almost two years now, but still have not been able to sort out the difference in pictures between the gen 3 and gen 4 xm18 3.5" knives. Does anyone have a side by side picture with explanation? just curious.
 
i dont own a 4th gen 3.5 but i can tell you the differences.
1. thumb studs
2. Stop pin is moved up the handle
3. Ive also heard that the knife better stays closed then the 3rd gen.

Please correct me if im missing any.
 
jspaxton said:
I've been following the forums for almost two years now, but still have not been able to sort out the difference in pictures between the gen 3 and gen 4 xm18 3.5" knives. Does anyone have a side by side picture with explanation? just curious.
Click to expand...

This was covered earlier this year (I believe more than once), here is one link I found quickly:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...h-Gen-3-5-quot-Slicer-side-by-side-comparison

Another one with pics:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/898178-XM-18-Gen-3-vs-4-My-Impressions

For the record, the only official difference going from Gen 3 to Gen 4 on the 3.5" XM-18 is the stop pin position. The thumbstud and the detent are not specific to any particular generation.
 
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RDA said:
This was covered earlier this year (I believe more than once), here is one link I found quickly:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...h-Gen-3-5-quot-Slicer-side-by-side-comparison

Another one with pics:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/898178-XM-18-Gen-3-vs-4-My-Impressions

For the record, the only official difference going from Gen 3 to Gen 4 on the 3.5" XM-18 is the stop pin position. The thumbstud and the detent are not specific to any particular generation.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this for the newer folks.

And the addition of a production Slicer grind was a big change on the new 3.5 and the current 3" as well.
 
pibbxtra19 said:
Hello everyone!
Got my first 3 inch hinderer today and was very surprised with its size! But that's not why I'm posting today. My gen 4 has rounded thumb studs but no change in the stop pin, can anyone explain this?
Click to expand...

Yes pibb, normal initial response. Carry it/use it for awhile and you will gain an appreciation for where your 3" XM fits in the grand scheme of things. (IMO)
It is a very handy size.
I carry it now (summer) as my EDC, when the leaves start to change my XM18 3.5" will replace my 3" in my jeans pocket.
Great to have options!
 
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