I Love my XM-18!!!

beanbag

beanbag

Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,079
I bought this blade last week.

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It's a used and spa'd XM-18, 3.5" with yellow g-10 scales. The second I picked it up, I knew I was going to love it. The fit and finish is perfect, it's super sharp, it flips open like a dream, and fits my hand perfectly.

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I know that for resale purposes, you should be positive you like a knife before you go ahead and use it. Even though this knife is kind of grailish for me, after only a week of flipping and getting the feel for this baby, I decided to pull the trigger and test it out because I just could tell it was right for me. I was not disappointed.

Since I like to spend a lot of time in the woods, that's where I decided to give my new knife a brief test run.

First I made a tent peg. The XM-18 chewed right through the wood to make a nice point in no time:

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Notching was also easy:

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I also made a feather stick. It was no problem making controlled curls both thick and thin with the XM-18. Though the choil is a bit small for my fingers, it is still useable, and after all, how much cutting edge can you really give up on a 3.5" folder?

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First impressions mean a lot to me when it comes to knives, and though I only got to give this a quick test drive while exercising my dog, I am very impressed. I look forward to getting back out and trying some other tasks with this blade.

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Just got mine a couple a weeks think it is best knive i ever owned. Have hunderds of knives had all the top brands. When you have one in your hand for first time you will understand the quality.
 
incaorchid said:
It's a great knife.
What blade is yours?
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CTS-XHP. It seems like great steel. There certainly was no discernible edge degradation from what I did with it.

bm11 said:
Nice, and great pics!
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Thanks.

kriegbubby said:
Just got mine a couple a weeks think it is best knive i ever owned. Have hunderds of knives had all the top brands. When you have one in your hand for first time you will understand the quality.
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Yeah man, that really is the truth. It blows away every other folder I have, and the flipper is really fun to use.:thumbup:
 
Great write up and pics, definately teriffic knives. I like the yellow too. I threw an orange scale on my xm-24 so that id have a better chance of finding it if i drop it out on the propery.
 
Beautiful user pics!
I love the confidence inspired by the quality of these knives. You just "know" they will handle the task.
Thanks for sharing!
 
I really like Hinderers but i dont know where to get them, are there any on his website or are they rare to find?
 
mrlaserguy1 said:
I really like Hinderers but i dont know where to get them, are there any on his website or are they rare to find?
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Hinderer website lists Dealers. They come up for sale in the Seller forum. Lastly, the auction sites but I find that frustrating unless you just do a BIN.

Then of course are the Knife Shows but again, you may not get a chance to buy one.

My advice to those who REALLY want one is, determine which model you want to start out with. Search for that one. Buy it. Life is too short.
 
Great! pics BB. I applaud your decision to use your wonderful knife. It looks right at home in those pics.
As was said, these knives inspire confidence. You just know you can use it and not have to examine it during the process making sure it's ok.
I read some forums and the knives being used, posts read " I just used my knife to cut string" Amazing.
If cutting string passes as a knife test.....:rolleyes:
 
Seems like folks like seeing the Hinderer in action.:thumbup:

My wife asked me to break down a box, so here are some more "action shots," albeit far more mundane than woods pics.

This X-M 18 conveniently arrived with a razor sharp edge, so despite it's thick blade stock, it sliced through the box no problem.

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Here's a pic with another surprisingly stout knife from Spyderco- A Native 5 in S35V. The Native, also super sharp, did out slice the XM-18 in this task because it is much thinner. I suppose the full flat grind could also factor into the equation.

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Here are the respective knives below their pierced cardboard imprints. You can clearly see the XM-18 is way thicker.

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On another point, I've read that some find the XM-18 to be a little big for pocket carry. Not me- I find it just melts away into front jeans pocket. That's where it rode for a three hour hike today.
 
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Beanbag,

Great pictures and I'm glad to see that you are using your XM-18. I have a Native 5 as well and looking for an XM-18. Is it possible for you to post a picture of the two knives next to each other. I want to see the blade size and overall length between the two. The Native 5 is a perfect EDC for me, but I want the 3.5 XM vs the 3 inch. Is it too heavy in your pockets?

Thanks
Steve
 
The thinner FFG will, no doubt, outslice a Spanto all day long. But that's why we can now get a Slicer grind :)
 
BeanBag-
Is that the factory edge? It looks as though the bevel is a little larger and possibly a bit polished in the photos?
 
rubiconss said:
BeanBag-
Is that the factory edge? It looks as though the bevel is a little larger and possibly a bit polished in the photos?
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As I mentioned, this blade was sold to me after it had been to the Hinderer spa. Apparently the original owner messed it up trying to sharpen it on water stones. I believe the finish is now tumbled or bead blasted, but no longer satin. Also, it was resharpened, and possibly re-ground somewhat.

It is extremely sharp, and the edge indeed is polished.:thumbup:
 
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