Is the Curtis F3 a Hinderer XM-18 Knockoff?

I don't think anyone would disagree that Curtiss was inspired by Hinderer but the knives are not nearly similar enough to be called a ripoff.
 
Smokinape said:
It would be a ripoff if it was made in China. :)
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I was thinking the same thing. The selective hypocrisy here can be staggering at times. I have seen knives that share fewer design characteristics be called knockoffs just because it was Chinese made.

I think both knives are kind of similar, but definitely far enough off to be unique. They both suck anyways, neither has a lefty clip position! :p
 
Both very nice knives... I own two XM-18's And one XM-24..just because I wanted them, they are for sale everywhere but any time an F3 pops up its gone unless the price is to high.. then it only takes a little while. The Hinderers are built to use and from all reports stand up to hard use. I will eventually get around to getting an F3 but its not a priority right now. (UNLESS ONE COMES UP) The F3 is a True Flipper, The Heninders not so much, Is the F-3 a knock off of the XM-18? Not really, unless you think a Chevrolet is a knock off of the Ford or a S&W is a knock off of a Colt. Both knives have there pros and cons, both are very good knives and there is plenty of room for both in any collection. JMHO...
 
there are only so many designs before some are going to start looking like others, I personally think that the f3 is a bit cooler than the hinderer
 
I agree with theaxel, kind of like comparing a Ford to a Lincoln or a Chevrolet to a Cadillac in appearance anyway. They will all get the job done, but one may look better doing it! ;)
 
The grind (spanto) and the pocket clip of the F3 are definitely Hinderer "inspired" (take away the water-jetting design on the clip & it's a dead ringer for a Hinderer clip). The overall shape is reminiscent too, but Curtiss has made enough changes to make it unique enough. Again, inspired? Yes. Theft? No. I have owned several XM-18s... excellent knives... have yet to own an F3, but would like too.

As for those who say that Hinderers don't flip... sorry can't agree with ya. They flip just fine. But they are a "push type" flipper... not a "pull type". When you flip/operate them as designed (ie, push type) they flip great!
 
Hinderer cult status is SLIGHTly diminishing(Pure WAG , but an Observation), F3 on the rise, but we see trends all the time. I have 2 F3 orders in :) The F3 I have, I'm impressed by Curtis's work!!!
 
evilgreg said:
Again, please remember that the bladeforums hive mind doesn't hate companies that copy designs (e.g. Microtech, Brous, etc.) unless those companies are Chinese. China, China, China or China--that's what you need for a good angsty "ermagerd they copied dis!" thread.

Seriously though, in this case that doesn't even apply--the bottom one is a lot nicer looking, so how could it be a copy? ;)
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This.

People seem to take MT and Brous 'designs' in their stride and have no problem with 'em.

The bottom one is indeed nicer looking. More discreet flipper and no button to clutter up the bade as well.
 
Not everyone takes the MT and Brous issues in stride but that is really for another thread.

They are not relevant comparisons because in both cases they were almost 100% exact copies, not just a general shape. The contours and details that were identical on the MT and Brous knives to the originals are COMPLETELY different comparing the Curtiss to a Hinderer.

Lumping Curtiss in with MT and Brous really is not fair to him at all.
 
BladeScout said:
This.

People seem to take MT and Brous 'designs' in their stride and have no problem with 'em.

The bottom one is indeed nicer looking. More discreet flipper and no button to clutter up the bade as well.
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- The F3 also has an enlarge pivot to prevent lockbar over travel, different backspacer options, different grind, different handle patterns available, etc. The F3 also has IKBS. I don't see the similarities at all.
 
I'm not saying that this is a bad knife... in fact, from everything i can find, it's a top shelf, truly excellent knife. On the other hand, i can't imagine how anyone can say this knife doesn't bear a striking resemblance to an XM18... the blade shape is so close that the first time i saw one, i actually thought is WAS an XM18 that had been heavily modified.
 
BePrepared said:
I'm not saying that this is a bad knife... in fact, from everything i can find, it's a top shelf, truly excellent knife. On the other hand, i can't imagine how anyone can say this knife doesn't bear a striking resemblance to an XM18... the blade shape is so close that the first time i saw one, i actually thought is WAS an XM18 that had been heavily modified.
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Yes, it is similar. No, it is not design theft. Also, it may be considered rude to accuse someone of design theft ;)
 
bpeezer said:
Yes, it is similar. No, it is not design theft. Also, it may be considered rude to accuse someone of design theft ;)
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Don't much care about that... i calls em as i seez em...

To me, there's too much design overlap for me not to at least raise the question. If someone perceives it as rude, they'll just have to get over it.
 
BePrepared said:
Don't much care about that... i calls em as i seez em...

To me, there's too much design overlap for me not to at least raise the question. If someone perceives it as rude, they'll just have to get over it.
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Then to simply answer your question, no it's not design theft.
 
Honestly, I don't understand your position. The handle shape, blade shape, and blade grind are all different. I don't own either of them personally, I've never even seen either in person, but I don't see what you're talking about.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Lumping Curtiss in with MT and Brous really is not fair to him at all.
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FWIW, I definitely wouldn't lump Curtiss in with MT and Brous. I was merely commenting that even if it were copying, for outrage you'd need some China.

On the topic of the F3, I find myself compelled to get my hands on one. They look sort of spiffy and I love flippers with bearing pivots . . .
 
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