Hinderer non-flipper question

DanRio

DanRio

Joined
Sep 24, 2023
Messages
33
As these Hinderers don stay available long on his web site.. does anyone know if the XM-18 non-flipper models are made with a lighter detent? I'm not at all opposed to a non flipper but the 3 XM-18 flippers I have, all the newer tri-way gens, are practically impossible to thumb stud deploy one-handed (forward or reverse flick). The Hinderer web page description for the non-flippers doesn't indicate if the detent is adjusted accordingly and they'll be long gone by the time someone responds from Hinderer. Thanks!
 
I hsven't owned a XM-18 fliiper in a long time, but can say the non flipper action is excellent. I don't yhink you will be disappointed.
 
There are reports on both sides, OP, so I wouldn’t count on it.

I suggest to find a gen2 or early gen3 instead, they work very well with the studs, and you can always grind the flipper off.
 
All of the non flipper XM-18s I own or have owned (6 or 7) have lighter detents. The detent varies some even from one non flipper to the next, but they definitely have lighter detents than the flippers and are easily opened with the thumbstuds.

If you try to open a XM-18 flipper by thumbstuds the way you do most thumbstudded knives it can be nearly impossible.

That being said ... there is a technique you can use to open even the firmest detent XM-18s with the thumbstuds. I've explained it to a few people and some know what I'm saying and some don't so I stopped trying to type it out.
 
When I got my first Hinderer (xm-18 flipper), it took me 3 days to learn how to use the thumb studs. And I'm a thumb stud guy. Once I got it, it became easy and fun. I almost immediately bought 2 more Hinderer flippers.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
That being said ... there is a technique you can use to open even the firmest detent XM-18s with the thumbstuds. I've explained it to a few people and some know what I'm saying and some don't so I stopped trying to type it out.
Click to expand...

A lot of it goes down to techique, or preference. I generally prefer to slowly roll out a blade, but as the years pass the less knives have that option. I believe the technique in question involves jamming your thumb between the scale and the stud and using the scale as leverage to push the blade out. Took me mere minutes to learn the motion to the point even the stiffest detent was trivial to flip. (Hinderer flippers mostly).
 
Thanks all, I sure appreciate all the valuable input. I pilled the trigger and ordered the working finish non-flipper. I'm really after the bowie blade style and this 4th XM-18 3.5" will round off my collection of this iconic American EDC just the way I want it.
 
Kryme said:
A lot of it goes down to techique, or preference. I generally prefer to slowly roll out a blade, but as the years pass the less knives have that option. I believe the technique in question involves jamming your thumb between the scale and the stud and using the scale as leverage to push the blade out. Took me mere minutes to learn the motion to the point even the stiffest detent was trivial to flip. (Hinderer flippers mostly).
Click to expand...
The technique I mentioned isn't that. It's easier than doing it that way. You put your thumb on one thumbstud and your index finger on the other and use both to open with the spine of the handle in your palm. If the detent is firm it will fire out as hard or harder than using the flipper tab. It isn't a good method for a weak detent, but for a good firm detent it works like a charm.
 
By the way, I did find a Youtube video from Rick Hinderer where he covers this very question and will leave the link below for anyone interested. He explains that the detent is actually designed heavier with his non-flipper in an effort to make sure the blade doesn't deploy too easily. He seems to be able to flip this out with the thumb stud no problem and at this point, he's definitely my trust with his solid designs and attention to quality. Once this arrives and I've had a chance to check it out myself, I'll add my findings on this thread. Thanks again and here's the link
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
The technique I mentioned isn't that. It's easier than doing it that way. You put your thumb on one thumbstud and your index finger on the other and use both to open with the spine of the handle in your palm. If the detent is firm it will fire out as hard or harder than using the flipper tab. It isn't a good method for a weak detent, but for a good firm detent it works like a charm.
Click to expand...
Makes perfect sense, thanks JJ.
 
It’s all technique. I prefer thumb studs over flippers so I use the thumb studs almost exclusively on my eklipse. Was having a similar problem till I figured out how to do it with a little help from here.

Try putting your thumb completely on the blade and pushing forward on the stud. Works great for me. However, if you’re putting pressure on the lockbar, nothing will work.
 
mitchnola said:
It’s all technique. I prefer thumb studs over flippers so I use the thumb studs almost exclusively on my eklipse. Was having a similar problem till I figured out how to do it with a little help from here.

Try putting your thumb completely on the blade and pushing forward on the stud. Works great for me. However, if you’re putting pressure on the lockbar, nothing will work.
Click to expand...

Easy to say. You should add that you had Zaan training :)
 
I deleted my flipper tab and found it to be perfect out of the box for the studs. Granted this was also on bearings and not washers.
 
Copy that, bearings should make it a snap and it should arrive in just a few days. Any one going to the Atlanta Blade Show this weekend? I'd love to check out Hinderer's new hollow grind blades and pick up a FullTrack if they have any at the show!!
 
DanRio said:
. Any one going to the Atlanta Blade Show this weekend? I'd love to check out Hinderer's new hollow grind blades
Click to expand...
I wish! Those new battle black Eklipse hollow slicers look awesome, I hope to
pick one up sooner than later, but I won’t pay a crazy price for one, because he said in the future ALL slicer grinds will be hollow! Just a heads up for those considering buying one on the secondary.
 
My XM18 3.5 non-flipper arrived today and it thumb stud flicks like a champ, either way. The reverse flick only took a couple of tries to figure out finger positioning and I sure like not having a flipper tab with this bowie blade.
 

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