Hinderer VS CRK

Yes, both is the correct answer with this one. Different animals that do 95%+ of the same thing in different packages.
 
I own a number of knives from both companies. I absolutely love my DLT exclusive M390 no choil skinny slicer. That’s a mouthful! I’d take it over any Crk that I own. Crk makes great knives and probably has tighter tolerances but I’ve never been enamored with their ergonomics and found their knives cumbersome to open. They use just one steel and don’t really push the envelope when it comes to edge retention.

My Hinderers melt into my hand and you a have various grinds and steels to choose from. Hinderer’s are also more customizable, if that’s your thing.
 
If a Sebenza and a XM-18 had a kid, you’d have an Umnumzaan. With where my sharpening skills are now, I’ll agree, I could go for a little more wear resistance out of CRK’s S35VN. I also understand that where CRK has there HT at now is perfect for those with less experience who would like to maintain their edges.

I’ve contemplated selling my Umnumzaan for an XM. The large XM has great ergos. What’s holding my back right now is Hinderers BTE thickness and tolerances. That plus I only want a skinny non-flipper slicer grind with no choil. Which may never happen.
 
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I have a Gen 4 XM18 3.5 with a standard (non skinny) slicer grind and it is a better cutter than my ZT0562 but for sure not as good as my previous inkosi and far far away from my tanto Umnumzaan and 21s with DP and Insingo blades
 
Love both companies, but CRK is....more essential, more perfect, just more. That said, a collection consisting of a Sebenza and an XM18 (slicer, please) would be a perfect 2-knife collection.

Get both, but if you gotta go one at a time, start with a Sebenza and get an XM later one when funds allow. You won't regret either of them.
 
I split the difference and ordered a ZT 0562CF with purple anodized hardware and a tealish green/ purple underneath anodized lock side.
 
I also ordered ceramic bearings for it. I customized a zt 0561 i had previous and remember getting rusty bearings in it. They didn't really effect the knife but I figured I'd prevent it before using it.
 
Not sure for the 0562.
It is one of the best ZT best I am not a fan of this design.

my introduction with Hinderer’ s designs was the 0550 gen 3
This has been one of my favourite ZT but I sold it after I got a sebenza
Then I got a 0562cf and I had an honey moon period with it and for 2 years I only carry it once or twice and I put it on sale
I have a 0393 that is a keeper so far

only last year I have purchased an half track gen 2 spanto and I have seen the difference between a ZT and an Hinderer
I have tried a gen 6 XM-18 slicer flipper but the flipper was not for me and I have not been convinced by the bearings - not as good as the action of the my 0562 and half track
So I returned it and got a gen 4 non flipper on PB washers
This one is really growing on me

IMO not as good as a large inkosi but it like it because it is more fun ;)
And the slicer grind performs better than the 0562

you will make your own experience

I don’t want to be negative here, the 0562 is a great knife but IMO it is not on pair with an hinderer
 
Don't let that ZT sway you from ever getting a real Hinderer.

Design wise they are similar, but I'd argue the quality and tolerances are beyond better on a Hinderer.
 
I have a few in both Hinderer and CRK, and while I haven't handled the CRK 31, I think XM18 3.5 is one of the best offering in the XM series.

But if I plan to 'hard use' a knife, the smooth handle of CRK is more preferable to me. I never quite understand why Hinderer put aggressive jimping where the flipper is, it does take some getting used to. This jimping do feel less prominent on XM18 3.5 than the XM18 3.0 though.
 
I carry my Sebenza everyday unless I know I’m going to do non-knife things with my knife then I grab my XM24. I did recently get a Cold Steel AD10 and it is just as tough if not more and cuts better but the XM’s handle is more flexible. If I had to sell one of the three the XM would be the first to go.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I also ordered ceramic bearings for it. I customized a zt 0561 i had previous and remember getting rusty bearings in it. They didn't really effect the knife but I figured I'd prevent it before using it.
Click to expand...
Where did you get the ceramic bearings from?
I am interested in trying this mod in my 0393 or 0470
 
RHK.

At one point I owned 5 CRKs and 7 RHKs. Historically I have not been much into selling my higher end knives, but now I own 1 CRK and 15 RHKs. Models, blade shapes, handle ergos, flipper, and lots of customization options clearly revealed my preference over time and through my wallet.
 
I have a 5 Hinderer's and 1 Umnamzaan. I prefer non-flippers and use the studs on the Hinderers except the 1/2 track which doesn't have any. My skinny slicers (a 3 and a 3.5) will cut as well as the Zaan IMO. I don't dislike CRK's but they don't do anything for me. Hinderers on washers are as hydrolic as CRK's, they are beefier but the skinnies are no wider than the Zaan, they fit my hand better, more contoured (which some people don't like). I will upset some folks by saying CRK's are a one trick pony, but that trick is done very well. Hinderer seems to be more creative and innovative and all his offerings are stellar quality and built right.

2 things bug me about my Zaan, lock-up is pretty late, like 75-80% and the blade has a slight recurve from the factory. It's a large knife and fills the pocket just like my Hinderer's so no advantage there. I've had the Zaan for around a year and probably have only carried it a dozen times, I see no advantage in edge retention over most other s35 steel blades. I like that Hinderer offers a number of different steel options. For me the Zaan doesn't do anything better than a number of other knives I own but I figured I needed a CRK and the Zaan was more in-line w/my aesthetic than the Sebenza. I honestly don't see the take down advantage over a Hinderer either, they both have parts and come apart and go back together easy.

I still get a excited by Hinderer's 'latest' but yawn a little at CRK's :)
 
Both great knives and definitely get both but if you have to pick one,CRK is way to go IMO.
 
I have Hinderders and CRKs both great knives but very different in feel and design. For me the closer comparison to the CRKs are the Koenig Knives, which I also love
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CRK%202_zps4dzryaqf.jpg

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