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How Does The ZT 0392 Compare To A Hinderer?
- Thread starter Razor
- Start date
Do you or don't you?
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2015
- Messages
- 1,026
It shares some characteristics, but no ZT will replace a Hinderer, the comparison you will hear a lot is the 562 vs xm18, I own both, and the ZT doesnt match the xm
Natural comparison would be the 392 to the first gen eklipse. I’ve had both. The 392 was vastly superior to the eklipse in my opinion. A better Hinderer in every way. Much better action and a better cutter/edge geometry (plus I think the blade profile of the original 392 is significantly more attractive than the eklipse tanto and is one of my favorites). The idea of “factory custom” was pretty weak though. Seemed like a cash grab for hinder to make standoffs and clips instead of knives (this was back when production was low). I still have the original 392 and use it frequently.
My xm 18 feels great in the hand but is impossible to open using the flipper alone and the detent is so soft it can’t even keep the blade in if you lightly shake it. I’m surprised they let it out of the factory as could easily open in your pocket but at the time, it seems like it was the unspoken norm (I think everyone was keeping quiet to preserve their resale value). I read once that this “inertia opening” was a feature....hmmmm....
The 562 is pretty nice but is a slimmer/thinner handle that is less comfortable in use than the xm. Of course the action is 100x better than my xm but it seems in the following 10 years hinderer finally figured it out. The nicest action that could be easily flipped or opened using the studs in my experience was actually the 560. Nearly a perfect “big” knife. Not so heavy given the size and good ergos except the lock bar cutout could pinch the side of your index finger when gripped tightly.
Everyone certainly has preferences and there is no right or wrong but I certainly feel like I got a much better knife regardless of price with my 392 (which I feel is one of Kai’s best) than any of my hinderers.
My xm 18 feels great in the hand but is impossible to open using the flipper alone and the detent is so soft it can’t even keep the blade in if you lightly shake it. I’m surprised they let it out of the factory as could easily open in your pocket but at the time, it seems like it was the unspoken norm (I think everyone was keeping quiet to preserve their resale value). I read once that this “inertia opening” was a feature....hmmmm....
The 562 is pretty nice but is a slimmer/thinner handle that is less comfortable in use than the xm. Of course the action is 100x better than my xm but it seems in the following 10 years hinderer finally figured it out. The nicest action that could be easily flipped or opened using the studs in my experience was actually the 560. Nearly a perfect “big” knife. Not so heavy given the size and good ergos except the lock bar cutout could pinch the side of your index finger when gripped tightly.
Everyone certainly has preferences and there is no right or wrong but I certainly feel like I got a much better knife regardless of price with my 392 (which I feel is one of Kai’s best) than any of my hinderers.