Help with Hinderer choice

sXePhenomenal

sXePhenomenal

Joined
Mar 8, 2018
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Howdy guys was wanting some advice on purchasing an XM-18. Choosing between a 3' and a 3.5' from DLT both spantos and two anodized bronze and a blue anodized one but the real issue is which size? How different are they? I have a ZT 566 that I love how much smaller is the 3' and how much larger is the 3.5? Also have a ZT 561 that I love too I know the 3.5' will be a bit shorter but wider. Anyone have a 566 561 and Cryo to compare to the XM-18 sizes? How much bigger is the 3' to the Cryo I like the Cryo but it is a bit to small and I'm worried the 3' wouldn't be that much bigger. I do love thick handle of the 3.5' how much smaller does the 3' feel? I have a smaller medium hand size. Thanks in advance for all advice! :D
 
I’ve had both and in my experience tje 3.5 was a lot to carry size and weight wise. The 3” Just my opinion was perfect for daily carry and was a very well made knife. The larger to my mileage didn’t cut or slice well with factory edge and geometry. Im sure would do good with regrind or re profile though. I have medium size hands, and I always find the 3.5” knives a bit big and 3” are always a bit small. Hope it helps, good luck
 
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I have owned both sizes and prefer the 3" for an EDC. Both are fine knives, but the 3.5" exceeds the weight I like for an EDC. I haven't owned any of the newer years, but in the past the 3.5" did flip better then the 3". I prefer non-flippers in both. After owning a number of 3.5's and 3's I now own 2-3" non flippers (a slicer production and a custom spanto) and I am very happy with them. I have no plans to add a 3.5 again-just doesn't work for me, but opinions will vary
The 3.5" is considerably bigger or the 3" is considerably smaller depending on your view. This is the case with most manufacturers and why people keep asking for 3.25's
 
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sXePhenomenal said:
Howdy guys was wanting some advice on purchasing an XM-18. Choosing between a 3' and a 3.5' from DLT both spantos and two anodized bronze and a blue anodized one but the real issue is which size? How different are they? I have a ZT 566 that I love how much smaller is the 3' and how much larger is the 3.5? Also have a ZT 561 that I love too I know the 3.5' will be a bit shorter but wider. Anyone have a 566 561 and Cryo to compare to the XM-18 sizes? How much bigger is the 3' to the Cryo I like the Cryo but it is a bit to small and I'm worried the 3' wouldn't be that much bigger. I do love thick handle of the 3.5' how much smaller does the 3' feel? I have a smaller medium hand size. Thanks in advance for all advice! :D
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"Bigger" meaning "greater girth of the handle", I take it? OAL and weight are given on the site you are buying from.
 
I have two 3.5" and feel they are the perfect size and weight. If I were to buy a 3", I'd choose the slicer grind. To me a smaller knife like the 3" Hinderer needs to be a bit thinner as well. But this is just me.
 
Dallas T said:
I’ve had both and in my experience tje 3.5 was a lot to carry size and weight wise. The 3” Just my opinion was perfect for daily carry and was a very well made knife. The larger to my mileage didn’t cut or slice well with factory edge and geometry. Im sure would do good with regrind or re profile though. I have medium size hands, and I always find the 3.5” knives a bit big and 3” are always a bit small. Hope it helps, good luck
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Heard a lot of ppl say that about the 3.5 edge and you make me realize a good point I carry my knife a lot more than use it the larger might not be the best choice. Does the 3s smaller handle still feel good like the 3.5 or does it feel too thin? My main issue bc I'd rather it be too big than too small
 
Personally, I found the 3" too small even though I love a lot of 3" knives. The 3.5" is a great full size knife without being as huge as the 0560. It is definitely bigger than the 0566.

I'm not a huge fan of the Cryo I, but I'd say it worked better in my hand than the 3" XM. I no longer have a 3", but I can take a pic later tonight with the 3.5, 0560, 0566, Cryo. The Half Track is easily my favorite small Hinderer, and way better for me in hand than the 3" XM.
 
Peter Hartwig said:
I have owned both sizes and prefer the 3" for an EDC. Both are fine knives, but the 3.5" exceeds the weight I like for an EDC. I haven't owned any of the newer years, but in the past the 3.5" did flip better then the 3". I prefer non-flippers in both. After owning a number of 3.5's and 3's I now own 2-3" non flippers (a slicer production and a custom spanto) and I am very happy with them. I have no plans to add a 3.5 again-just doesn't work for me, but opinions will vary
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In your opinion would it be "pointless" for me buy the 3.5 since I already have a 561 as a larger folder that is also lighter. I don't have anything the size the of the 3 but my main concern is being unhappy if it's too small
 
abbazaba said:
Personally, I found the 3" too small even though I love a lot of 3" knives. The 3.5" is a great full size knife without being as huge as the 0560. It is definitely bigger than the 0566.

I'm not a huge fan of the Cryo I, but I'd say it worked better in my hand than the 3" XM. I no longer have a 3", but I can take a pic later tonight with the 3.5, 0560, 0566, Cryo. The Half Track is easily my favorite small Hinderer, and way better for me in hand than the 3" XM.
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Sweet thanks for the help. It'll be good to see them all next to each other. Hard to choose between the two with never touched either one
 
Hope these help. Sorry for the customized 3" Spanto but it is the only 3" Spanto we have left in the store. I typically carry a Half Track for my top right pocket EDC. The biggest difference besides overall length is the handle thickness. I believe the 3.5 is 0.52", the 3" is 0.42" and the Half Track is 0.52". If you need or want other pics, let me know!

Top to bottom 3.5, 566, 3.0 and Cryo:
https://flic.kr/p/HpWeKj https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

3.5" to 3.0" Spanto
https://flic.kr/p/25xFAyk https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

3.5", 3.0" Half Track
https://flic.kr/p/HpWeQ9 https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/


https://flic.kr/p/25xFABB https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
sXePhenomenal said:
In your opinion would it be "pointless" for me buy the 3.5 since I already have a 561 as a larger folder that is also lighter. I don't have anything the size the of the 3 but my main concern is being unhappy if it's too small
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Actually ZT 0561 is a tiny bit heavier than Hinderer xm-18 3.5" spanto (5.98oz vs 5.6oz). In terms of the size, ZT 0561 is more like Hinderer xm-24 than the -18.
 
whitty said:
Hope these help. Sorry for the customized 3" Spanto but it is the only 3" Spanto we have left in the store. I typically carry a Half Track for my top right pocket EDC. The biggest difference besides overall length is the handle thickness. I believe the 3.5 is 0.52", the 3" is 0.42" and the Half Track is 0.52". If you need or want other pics, let me know!

Top to bottom 3.5, 566, 3.0 and Cryo:


3.5" to 3.0" Spanto


3.5", 3.0" Half Track



Click to expand...

OP says he's looking at DLT and whitty whitty posts great photos to help the OP with no sales pressure.


I've never owned a 3 inch but the 3.5 is about perfect for me.
 
I'll be the third one to say that the handle difference between the 3.5 and the 3.0 is very noticeable to me. It's thinner, narrower, and shorter. My 2 XM-18s are both slicers, WF, and black G10. So they're exactly the same except one is a 3.5 and the other is a 3.0. The 3.5 is fine for me, but the 3.0 is just under what I like in handle feel. It "feels" a little too narrow, a little too short, and a little too thin for my taste. If I want to step down a bit from the 3.5 XM-18 and stay with Hinderer, I'd rather carry my Jurassic than my 3.0 XM-18.
 
sXePhenomenal said:
In your opinion would it be "pointless" for me buy the 3.5 since I already have a 561 as a larger folder that is also lighter. I don't have anything the size the of the 3 but my main concern is being unhappy if it's too small
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I am afraid only you will be able to determine what is too small for you. The 3" isn't petite, but it is a small knife. I would guess my hands are average size(never put much thought into it) and I can get 4 fingers on the handle with a little to spare. On a small Sebenza I can just barely get the 4 on. Once you carry a small for awhile your larger knives will seem very large and vice versus. One adjusts. The smalls are however much lighter and make more sense to me as an EDC unless one has a great need for the extra blade-in which case a choil-less might be in order.
It's all a matter of personal likes and dislikes and needs. Some find the 3.5" small and buy 24's. I wouldn't even consider it.
 
One thing I love about the XM, and a trait that reminds me of the Emerson Commander line, is that all the sizes feel "just right" in my hands. When I hold a 3" XM (never handled the 3 foot one ;)), and look at the 3.5" and 4" 24 laying there, it seems there is no way they will feel good, but they do. For me the 24 is best, but the 3 and 3.5 are also great. Ditto the Commander: Mini-Regular-Super, all just work.
 
Hope Hinderer will make batch of 3’ slicers,non flippers with M390-CPM20CV.That would be ultimate XM-18 EDC blade for me.Cheers.
 
whitty said:
Hope these help. Sorry for the customized 3" Spanto but it is the only 3" Spanto we have left in the store. I typically carry a Half Track for my top right pocket EDC. The biggest difference besides overall length is the handle thickness. I believe the 3.5 is 0.52", the 3" is 0.42" and the Half Track is 0.52". If you need or want other pics, let me know!

Top to bottom 3.5, 566, 3.0 and Cryo:


3.5" to 3.0" Spanto


3.5", 3.0" Half Track



Click to expand...
Really appreciate the comparison pics and number thanks a lot. Hmm the 3 looks a little larger than the Cryo but I little smaller than the 566 interesting middle ground
 
dalefuller said:
I'll be the third one to say that the handle difference between the 3.5 and the 3.0 is very noticeable to me. It's thinner, narrower, and shorter. My 2 XM-18s are both slicers, WF, and black G10. So they're exactly the same except one is a 3.5 and the other is a 3.0. The 3.5 is fine for me, but the 3.0 is just under what I like in handle feel. It "feels" a little too narrow, a little too short, and a little too thin for my taste. If I want to step down a bit from the 3.5 XM-18 and stay with Hinderer, I'd rather carry my Jurassic than my 3.0 XM-18.
Click to expand...
This is how I think it'll feel to me even tho I kinda want the 3 the 3.5 is probably better for the hand feeling aspect
 
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