It's been a week, and I still want one

NjHart

NjHart

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
715
Howdy folks. I've posted once or twice around here, but I'm far from a regular largely because I'm not a Hinderer owner. I try very hard to not fall head over heels for any product ever- whether it be knife, watch, car, or bourbon. I tend to be an extraordinary product loyalist, but when I first see something I refuse either buy it or start my planning for how to buy it in the case of more expensive things until I've had time to let it settle so to speak. I say all of that in order to say, I actually handled my first Hinderer last week and now I have to have one.

As a little back story, I went down to the local (relatively) knife shop last week to look around a bit. I've been carrying a Sebenza for quite awhile now and I specifically went to check out the Striders. I was actually surprised to see that one of the employees there had a Hinderer in his pocket and let me play with it for a bit. I really appreciated the robustness of the XM and felt like I could put it to work ranching or in any of my other outdoor activities, but at the same time it had just enough elegance that I wouldn't hesitate to clip it to my pocket for the office. I think I absolutely have to have one! I'm leaning towards something pretty basic, xm-18 3.5" Spanto, and l started throwing spare cash and change into an old tumbler on on my dresser. I just wanted to introduce myself and say I'll probably be lurking around here a lot more in the future and hopefully posting pictures of a new XM before too long (though far further out than I'd like).
 
Welcome and I think I speak for the community when I say that, as well I will add - We enjoy those who enjoy being here whether they own a Hinderer or not. Ownership is not a requirement just a willingness to have good fun.
Now, that said. Good luck with your procurement mission, you have your sights set on a great candidate (personal favorite)
Rubi
 
Welcome aboard NJ, as Rubi and others have said don't have to be an owner to join in! I think the procurement process is part of the fun, good luck.
 
Thanks! My work productivity today (I work for myself so it isn't a huge deal) has been totally shot so far looking through the picture thread. I'm definitely going to be starting off with the basic, but there are some absolutely gorgeous customs around here. The Skinner and Harpoon (I especially like this one) are just awesome.
 
Welcome.

Happy hunting and glad to see anyone with a genuine interest around here. Like already posted, ownership is not mandatory.
 
Hunting Hinderers is great fun... Welcome NJ! Hope you get one soon...
 
I gotta say, with all the customs out there (And trust me, I drool over them too), the production stonewashed with the stonewashed TI is a piece of art that will hold up with the best of em. I have a stonewashed 3" and 3.5" and I love the look of them. Welcome to the group man!

P.S.

Fair warning!! They are like Lay's potato chips. Can't get just one :D
 
Thanks for the welcomes! I sort of suspect my first will not be my last. After all, I need a 3.5" for normal carry, a 3" for picky jurisdictions, and a 4" for more intense outdoor use right? I'm fighting the urge to sell off my sebenza and as much plasma as they'll take to expedite the process, but saving a bit might be more rational (though the sebenza may go, we will see). Great stuff and ill be around here trying to appease my desires a bit while I'm in saving and searching mode.

EDIT:

So rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd just edit in a little question for yall. How close of an approximation is the zt560 to to xm-18/xm-24 for you? I know all of the spec differences and I've at least sort of briefly handled both now. I'm just not sure if its something I'm willing to go for as a temporary fix to satisfy me for a bit or if I'm better off keeping my eyes on the prize so to speak. I know this is, and I intended for it to be, highly subjective, but I'd love to hear what yall think!
 
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The ZT 0560/0561 are Hinderer collaborations, however 0560 and 0561 are more in size to the XM 24. Blade geometry is also different, the spanto design in the XM 18 is iconic. Although the ZT utilizes a a bearing system the XM uses teflon washers but is also is very smooth in deployment.

When the ZT 0560/0561 was introduced I was on a pre-order list so while I was waiting I bought my first Hinderer XM 18 3.5 spanto grind. When the ZT's came in I was definetly impressed with a quality knife but it was not the iconic XM 18 overbuilt knife that I craved. So my ZT's don't see much carry time. Everyone's situation is different what worked for me may be a different path for you, either way wish you the best in your pursuit!
 
NjHart said:
EDIT:

So rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd just edit in a little question for yall. How close of an approximation is the zt560 to to xm-18/xm-24 for you? I know all of the spec differences and I've at least sort of briefly handled both now. I'm just not sure if its something I'm willing to go for as a temporary fix to satisfy me for a bit or if I'm better off keeping my eyes on the prize so to speak. I know this is, and I intended for it to be, highly subjective, but I'd love to hear what yall think!
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They are VERY different. ZTs are NOT Hinderers, but are knives with Rick's design and input. So what you get with a ZT collaboration is a nice knife, but it likely will not lessen the XM want.

Let me put it this way, I gave them a shot. I let my buddies (with variety of occupations) borrow them:
And all the feedback (mixed with my personal experience) is this: the ZT collaborations are worth serious consideration when compared to other knives, but fall far short of a true XM. They get and stay sharp, as a knife should...but they lack the feel and robustness of the XM.


Some older images from my bucket:

3.5 w/ 0560


XM24 w/ 0560


From the top: can see that 0560's blade is comparable to 3.5 while it's handle more favors toward 24 in terms of lengths.
 
NjHart- Both N2K and F.O. are very knowlegeable and have addressed the issue very well.

I would add, "Interim steps" such as the temporary fix you alluded to take away valuable resources from your actual desired result namely Owning an XM. Other knife purchase dollars can go toward what you really want.
Just a thought, one that I'm sure has already occurred to you. :)
 
Thanks for the comparisons, and I have to say the response was largely what I expected. I handled the 560 before and definitely liked it, but didn't love it. I love the xm-18. I'm an impatient man and have been concocting every option I could to get myself an xm sooner rather than later while still leaving myself something serviceable in my pocket. I have a Sebenza 21 that is definitely on the blocks (the more I think about it, the more I want an xm over anything else). I've debated trying to sell it which would maximize my cash situation for an xm, trading down to 560 if I could get a little cash too as middle road, or just saving up and not selling anything- lets me honest that isn't going to happen.
 
Many on this Forum have liquidated "other" items in order to finance the purchase of an XM. Never have heard any regrets (me included)
I have/had stuff I simply did not carry/use or particularly value owning anymore but they were items others have certainly gotten service and enjoyment out of.
Good news is, the Ranch is still making them and they are as sweet as ever so - I know you mentioned patience isn't one of your attributes but at least you have time. :)
Some find the "hunt" to be a big part of the fun.
 
Did you mention honesty? ;)

Let's be honest then, Sebenzas are what I would refer to as readily available. If someone wants one, they are not difficult to locate. Contrast that with XMs in the exact configuration you seek...I have often had pockets full of "ready" and "gone home" in the same condition.
 
RubiconSS said:
Many on this Forum have liquidated "other" items in order to finance the purchase of an XM. Never have heard any regrets (me included)
I have/had stuff I simply did not carry/use or particularly value owning anymore but they were items others have certainly gotten service and enjoyment out of.
Good news is, the Ranch is still making them and they are as sweet as ever so - I know you mentioned patience isn't one of your attributes but at least you have time. :)
Some find the "hunt" to be a big part of the fun.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am one of them :D I had a huge ZT collection and while they were all nice, none of them really "did it" for me. I chanced upon a Hinderer at a local shop and was like "What's the big deal with the Hinderers". Then I held it. :D It told me how much it loved me and told me it wanted to go home with me and be mine forever :D In all seriousness though, the only ZT I have left out of my 15 or so is a 560 and it's because of sentimental value. The rest are gone and I couldn't be happier with my 3 and counting Hinderers. Got a couple matching pens to go with two of the three now. I like to lie to myself and say one more and I'll be all set, but I love having several EDC options ready in the safe to grab and go depending on the day / task at hand. The 560 is a very nice knife, but it's by no means an XM as others have said. I actually prefer the heft of the XM versus the 560 as well. The problem I see with going with the 560 when you really want a Hinderer is, unless you get a great deal on it, you are going to potentially take a loss on it when you resell it to fund your Hinderer. :D Cause let's face it, once you get the itch... You are gonna have to scratch it :D

Oh, and the gimping on the 560 can be brutal... Just saying ;)
 
Oh yeah, if I decide to get a 560 for now its complete sunk cost. I wouldn't buy one either way, but I might trade my sebenza for one + cash toward an XM(still debating), and just keep it as a back up until the collection of XM's is fully fleshed out. This is the problem with a very small collection in general. As I sit I have two functional knives for carry- my sebenza and a junkyard dog. I'm trying to sort out the best way to get what I want as quickly as possible while still giving myself a good daily carry option in the interim.
 
NjHart said:
Oh yeah, if I decide to get a 560 for now its complete sunk cost. I wouldn't buy one either way, but I might trade my sebenza for one + cash toward an XM(still debating), and just keep it as a back up until the collection of XM's is fully fleshed out. This is the problem with a very small collection in general. As I sit I have two functional knives for carry- my sebenza and a junkyard dog. I'm trying to sort out the best way to get what I want as quickly as possible while still giving myself a good daily carry option in the interim.
Click to expand...



I'm going to avoid terms like "trade up" or "trade down" to keep this thread on topic. But you might seriously consider the option of offering your Sebenza plus cash toward an XM, instead of going for a ZT + cash.
 
Need2Know said:
I'm going to avoid terms like "trade up" or "trade down" to keep this thread on topic. But you might seriously consider the option of offering your Sebenza plus cash toward an XM, instead of going for a ZT + cash.
Click to expand...

I also considered that! I fully understand the terms (and occasionally use) "trade up/down" in terms of price rather than value, quality, or other subjective terms. There's no worries in using them me, but in general avoiding them is probably wise. My one worry with that offer is simply one of availability- I'm left handed and my Sebenza is lefty, so the small market of Hinderer owners willing to accept a Sebenza + cash just shrank dramatically. I'm certainly not in a rush to lose value, so I may post that up just in the off hand hope of getting a lucky offer but my hopes of finding a partner seem pretty slim.

On a related and topical note, I really like that the XM has a tip down option which is really a nice carry in my left front pocket. Too many higher end knife makes only offer a right handed, tip up carry which is pretty much the worst option for a left handed person.
 
I want to be clear, there are many nice knives (many of which have been mentioned here) some are worthy of being someones EDC for life. I simply (personally) will pass on something "IF" I find it just sits. I just view tools as being wasted if not used and enjoyed.
Obviously, I have my "Favorites" one is in my pocket as we speak ;)
 
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