Hinderer XM-18 Problems...PLEASE HELP!!!

Can I be you other brother? then maybe you can give me the XM-18 for Christmas, Problem solved!:)
 
Wow, you must really care about your brother! Hats off to Rick Hinderer for saving you a few hundred bucks.

Your brother will be thrilled beyond belief. I've only handled one brand new flipper XM-18, it was very sharp and tight. In order to flip it open using the flipper, I had to push very hard, precisely, and quickly. It opens easier now and is very smooth; I did not loosen the pivot.

I did tighten the screws holding on the G-10 scales and the clip just a bit. It's a super solid knife and it feels great in the hand.

Tell your brother the story of how you managed to get it, and that he can arrange to sharpen it if he likes, he will not mind.

Ciao:)
 
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Ive had brand new flippers by Bogi, Onion, Galyean, Burke, to name a few. None of which needed to be broken in any. They came perfect and shaving sharp.

OP it would be safe to say that the reason you did not know these things about the xm18 is because of the fanboy love fest the knife receives on the forums. This is a good thing for makers but tends to greatly distort reality in many instances, as we have seen in your case.
 
I picked up my gen 3 3.5 inch and while a little stiff, Im sure it will loosen with use. The edge came pretty sharp but not to my standards..only one knife I own has ever come with an edge that I thought was sufficient and that is my William Henry. Really nothing unusual in the OPs first post. I have an SNG as well and suspect the Xm-18 is a bit more stout and could take more abuse...either will take more abuse than a cutting tool should.
 
severedthumbs said:
Ive had brand new flippers by Bogi, Onion, Galyean, Burke, to name a few. None of which needed to be broken in any. They came perfect and shaving sharp.

OP it would be safe to say that the reason you did not know these things about the xm18 is because of the fanboy love fest the knife receives on the forums. This is a good thing for makers but tends to greatly distort reality in many instances, as we have seen in your case.
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+1. I had an XM and it was gritty, stiff and a little on the dull side. These things are all fixable, but, alas, the knife didn't suit me so I sold it. The thing folks need to realize is that these knives (and Striders) are not custom knives. They just have prices similar to some custom knives. These knives are mass produced and they are not tuned or given much attention at all before they are sent out the door. Heck, the XM I had came to me with the abrazive blasting media all over it, it wasn't even wiped down before it left the shop.

None of this is an indictment of these knives, but, if you are looking for an extreme level of fit and finish and a knife that has been fine tuned by the maker in the same price class you might want to try an RJ Martin or something of that nature.

Now, on the the OP;).... you are a heckuva brother and I am sure your bro will cherish the knife. It should last him a lifetime and will only get better with age. So, good on you amigo. I hope he gets you something you will cherish as much, 'cause that was a darn thoughtful gift. :thumbup:
 
Some of the comparisons to other knives and makers seem "off" or even a little obtuse to me.

I've owned a lot of custom tac/utility knives in the past 10 years. Onion, Carson, Mayo, Ralph, Chew, Boguszewski, Terzuola, Obenauf, Blackwood, Emerson...lots of stuff.

Many of these had unbelievable fit/finish, or insanely smooth flipping action, or mirror-polished blades with hair-popping edges, wild anodizing and engraving, etc.

For me, I've found that much of that stuff ends up being useless/undesirable in a tac/utility that I plan to use.

Personally, I've decided that I should only buy utility-type knives that I would actually use, and that if I want safe queen/art knives I should buy art knives (nothing wrong with that either).

Based on what I think the knife was intended to do, I think the XM-18 is a home-run.

I love Boguszewskis (have owned over 20 of them). The fit/finish and flipping action is insane. For me it's not the knife to use out in the yard cutting burlap off of root balls or something. If you would, then more power to you. I was doing just that with an XM-18 this weekend and the knife is no worse for it. They are different knives.

If the XM-18 had a thin mirror polished edge, anodized bolsters and clip, a roller bearing pivot, etc, then it wouldn't be the same knife and it would have been sitting in my drawer (nothing wrong with that).

Buy a tool for what it was intended to do -- not what you wish it was.
 
Man that's what the strider guys say about their knives
but it's still a $500 dollar knife that skimps on the details.
 
Call it what you will. I'm sick to death of the term "tactical." There's nothing "tactical" about what 99.99% of people are doing with their knives 99.99% of the time. Maybe other people consider opening packages "spec ops?"

The Strider is an apt comparison for me, though. I've owned ARs (2) a GB, and a PT. The fit and finish did not approach the XM-18. They were tough and sharp, though.

Again, I'm not a fanboy -- look at my posts -- I don't "pump and dump" knives here.

BTW, last I checked the XM-18 is a $385 knife, and I've bought two from dealers in recent months for <$50 premium?
 
Pivot action smooths out with use, but shipping a dull knife sounds lazy. I can sharpen a knife at 30-40 degrees per side and get it to shave, my axe shaves, I haven't bought a single Spyderco, Kershaw, or Cold Steel knife that didn't shave. There is no reason for a knife not to be sharp.
 
I agree that a knife should arrive sharp. That said, I've received knives from the makers (more than one) listed above that arrived UNSHARPENED. I could list all kinds of other little problems with custom knives I've received. The makers always made it right, though. Stuff happens. I've made mistakes in my job too.
 
I just bought one and found this thread while searching for reviews on the XM-18. I bought it for $460 brand new. Mine is very sharp out of the box and easily cuts paper. This folder is very well made and the flip mechanism is really smooth. It definitely feels like a $400-500 knife (I have dozens in that price range and up). Its finish is geared towards a EDC/user and this one won't sit in my safe.
 
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