Hinderer VS CRK

S

SuzukiGS750EZ

Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
4,563
Hey guys. Looking to buy a new knife. After some looking, I've come across the hinderer mp-1 & xm-18 3.5". I've also considered waiting for the sebenza 31 or picking up another large 21. I like the look of the mp-1 with cf inlay. Opinions?
 
I too am a big fan of both .

However after going back and forth for years I have come to prefer the cutting ability, ease of assembly/maintanance and awesome hollow grind of CRK the just keeps thin and cutting great over time.

I have a Micarta 31 on order.

Might even get an umnum in the mean time.

If you really want to wait for a 31. Just grab a hinderer in the mean time. If not. Grab a CRK.
 
Last edited:
Both well made knives, but I would go CRK.
I find the blade style fits my needs better
I also believe CRK's customer service and spa treatment wins out
I also am not a big fan of top flippers, so only non flipper Hinderers appeal to me-like their 3" a lot
Which ever way you go , you will get a nice knife-enjoy
 
Pickup both - Hinderer and CRK if your budget permits.

If however you got to pick only 1, I would strongly suggest CRK Sebenza 31. Sebenza line was getting a bit dated and 31 is the upgrade that this line deserved. Even though I wish, they went with a better steel than CPM-S35VN; but I am okay with the steel at the price point (around $375 ish for the "plain" 31).

On the Hinderer side, I have been eyeing the Full Track with Ti body/G-10 inserts; M-390 blade with the award winning (Blade Show 2018) Tri way Pivot. But at a touch under $600, its at a different price point than the "plain" Sabenza 31. At that price point, there are lot more options besides just these two iconic brands.
 
I like both but I prefer CRK, mainly because of:
- better cutting performance
- easier to disassemble and to maintain
- more neutral handle
- more pocket friendly carry


If you have already a 21 the31 should be an improvement but not something new
Maybe a large inkosi or an Umnumzaan will be more interesting

i have a xm-18 3.5 gen 6 flipper and I don’t like the flipper tab nor the action
I changed it for a non flipper and I like it better
I think it is good but in fact it makes me want an inkosi again ;)
 
Both great knives. Great advise.

if you want stouter, stand up to borderline abuse (our outright abuse) better, go hinderer. If you want more svelte, better slicer, go crk. My crk’s have never failed to do what needed. Neither has my hinderer, but it isn’t as adept at chopping and onion, slicing up cardboard. Does it, just not as easily. But the crk’s won’t pry open a car door either.
 
Both great knives, but I just prefer the flipper over the thumb stud. I'd go with Hinderer.
 
All that “this one is better than the other one because...” stuff notwithstanding, you could always just cut straight to the chase and end up where you’ll eventually end up anyhow. Just buy one of each now.
 
I have both and love them both. But prefer the cutting performance of the CRKs more. I too love a good flipper. I really wish CRK would make one. Until then, Hinderer if it must be a flipper.
 
I’ve never handled or owned a hinderer. Have several CRKs so my opinion may be biased, but I’d go Crk. Simple construction, tight tolerances, outstanding build quality, great customer service, spa treatment availability, and easy to maintain. I’m
Not a huge flipper fan myself. CRKs are good sized knives that carry small. I’ve heard good things about RHK and I’m positive they’re quality knives, but for me it’s CRK all the way
 
something that is fun with the XM-18 is the « make it your own » philosophy from Hinderer

you can choose
- your grind: slicer, spearpoint, spanto, wharncliffe, harpoon spanto, Bowie, etc.
- sometime your blade thickness: skinny, standard, fatty
- your finish: stone wash, working finish, DLC, etc.
- your action: flipper or non-flipper
- your edge length: with or without choil
- you have options for the colour of your scales and hardware
- your pivot system on the gen 6


You have so many options!

That is something very fun and that can make you prefer the XM-18 over a CRK with a more limited set of customisation options
 
Therom said:
something that is fun with the XM-18 is the « make it your own » philosophy from Hinderer

you can choose
- your grind: slicer, spearpoint, spanto, wharncliffe, harpoon spanto, Bowie, etc.
- sometime your blade thickness: skinny, standard, fatty
- your finish: stone wash, working finish, DLC, etc.
- your action: flipper or non-flipper
- your edge length: with or without choil
- you have options for the colour of your scales and hardware
- your pivot system on the gen 6


You have so many options!

That is something very fun and that can make you prefer the XM-18 over a CRK with a more limited set of customisation options
Click to expand...
Where can you do this?
 
^ Any Hinderer dealer has multiple variations. Just browse to see what's in stock.

USAmadeblade & DLTtrading are good places to start.
 
Hinderer produce it’s knives per batches
Recently some non flipper spearpoint have been released, I think now they ship some flippers with spanto
You can browse some dealers
DLT, USAmadeblades are proposed are very good but others may have stocks on some specific configuration

you can also joint some groups on FB to discuss with the community of Hinderer fans
You can also look at the forums here

for spare parts a lot can be found everywhere: screws, stand offs, fillers, pocket clips

the list of options is just insane ;)

Pound to pound I think an inkosi is a better comparison to an XM-18 and for my needs the inkosi is just a better knife... but seriously the Hinderer is just so fun ;)

I have recently sold my large inkosi to get a 3.5 XM-18 and I like it

i will have to get an inkosi in the future for sure but I don’t regret my « side step »
 
Hinderer

2019-Jeep-Accessories.jpg


CRK

a84f140b26d1521f701c76374c8fd528.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top