Help: Hinderer clip insert issue XM 18

stompbox64

stompbox64

Professional Goof Ball
Gold Member
Joined
May 17, 2013
Messages
98
So I just picked up a Hinderer XM 18 Spearpoint in 20CV. Love it. Again, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.

I came in the standard configuration with clip in Tip Down carry. I wanted to change to Tip Up, but when I tried to get the clip insert out of the handle, it appears to be very stuck.

After removing the screws, I tried to bang it out by lightly tapping the knife on a soft piece of wood in such a way so that the insert was nowhere near the impact point. That didn't work, so I tried to pry it out with a box opener (being very careful not to damage the finish of the titanium side of the handle.

That didn't work. Then I tried to lift it out via a small probe/pick set, but no leverage could be found in the screw holes (again careful not to damage threads tapped in handle). I then took it to a MAP torch to heat the handle a little bit (just hot to the touch - a few tenths of a second until hot to the touch) to see if the wedge could be loosened up via temp differential. That didn't work.

I now have the knife in the freezer to repeat the temp differential experiment, but to see if the larger differential but still near room temp will help loosen things up.

Anyone else have any ideas on how to get that bad boy out? I may just have to love this knife in the tip down configuration.

P.S. Did I mention that I love this knife...
 
Just a quick thought... I wonder if I could drip a few drops of water into the seem of the clip insert, stick that in the freezer, and let the water expansion via transition to ice do the work...???
 
Take a small hex key and put it in the hole where the screw goes and pop it out. Welcome the the Hinderer community. This and a ton of other info is in the stickies, you should check it out.
 
Mine had oil on the underside when I took it out. Kind of formed a bead. I knocked mine against my wood work bench until it came out. Maybe a drop of solvent would help it out?
 
The hex key/Allen wrench method is what I have always employed. You can tape the area off with Gorilla tape to insure against a "slip".
Once the hex is in use a small piece of something and employ it as a fulcrum.
You'll get it.
 
Thank you, All!

I got it out with the freezer. However, once everything warmed back up, I saw the same thing occurring. This time, I tried the hex wrench method that folks had mentioned. This worked wonderfully and I didn't have to wait 1 hour.

Now this baby's in my pocket. It has now replaced my 0562CF for EDC duty, and I couldn't be happier.
 
I've been in situations like in a hotel room near a knife show with limited tools and a clip flip was desired...the filler tab pops out with little effort by using the corkscrew on a Leatherman...from my experience.
 
Need2Know said:
I've been in situations like in a hotel room near a knife show with limited tools and a clip flip was desired...the filler tab pops out with little effort by using the corkscrew on a Leatherman...from my experience.
Click to expand...

Corkscrew is a nice "Grabber" even when not in a pinch. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top