Is the Curtis F3 a Hinderer XM-18 Knockoff?

evilgreg said:
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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I'm on it as well. If I get clues on some I'll advise and please do the same. I have my name in different places but I think signing up for his newsletter and FB are also good.
 
Ocelot85 said:
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.
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It's certainly not anything i'd be firm enough to call a "position"... it struck me instantly as a potential issue, but the general consensus is that it's different enough not to fit that description, and I'm inclined to go with the majority on this one.
 
Just to get an idea on the sizes, is that a 3 or 3.5 XM-18?

Both fine looking knives to me.
 
evilgreg said:
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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There was some anger with the microtech matrix if im not mistaken.
 
Thanks. The lack of a thumbstud/blade stop on the F3 is major difference.

Similar yes, but not the same. To me, they look as though someone gave two different knife makers a loose description of a knife to make and got two knives with the same soul but a different skin. Or the same skin and a different soul. Whichever you prefer.

I think I would be happy with either in my pocket.
 
If you just glance at the knives for a second there is a similarity. However if you actually look at the picture you see all the differences. I cannot speak for all XM models however from the ones I have handled compared to the F3 models I have handled, the Curtiss is the better flipper. Maybe a little too quick to blame people for theft.....
 
MEJ said:
There was some anger with the microtech matrix if im not mistaken.
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IMO, it's not even remotely the same. You can still sell Microtech's copy of the 0777 on the exchange, for example, and you don't exactly see mods beating on threads about the Matrix or about one of Brous's thieved designs--in fact, I've seen the mods do the opposite, stifling discussion of the evidence of Brous's theft.

When it's a China clone, though, it's a pile-on. 'Murica hell yeah! I don't have a horse in the race, but I find the hypocrisy obvious and amusing.

Back on topic, though--I don't think the F3 is remotely a copy. In particular I think this is proven by the fact that I have no XM desire, but I do want an F3 . . .
 
BePrepared said:
To me, there are similarities in the blade shape, grinds, handle shape... the most notable being the fact that the blades share a profile that upon first glance is immediately recognizable as an XM-18 profile
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The only thing similar with these blades is the outline. I count at first glance six differences between the two actual blades. Anyone can play this game with numerous knives. There is more to a knife than the OUTLINE of the blade.
 
BePrepared said:
that's kinda what i was thinking too. If this was made in china and sold on AliExpress, EVERYONE would be calling it a hinderer knockoff, but because it's made in the US, and uses good materials, people don't see it that way
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Like those knock offs that microtech do.
 
I have had and still own over 10 Hinderer knives,
For years I tried to get an F3 just out of curiosity. Last week I was able to purchase a latest generation brand new 4 inch F3, after owning the knife for two days, I sold a few Hinderers and ordered 2 more 4 inch F3 knives, in my opinion they are a much better knife, I absolutely love them
 
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