Large Inkosi vs 3.5" XM 18

Big DJ

Big DJ

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Could someone please post a side by side of a large Inkosi and a 3.5" XM 18.
I haven't been able to compare the 2 size wise.
Thanks.
 
The 21/25 are almost identical in size length wise to the 3.5". I had an Umnumzaan that I sold, bought two XM-18s and then sold them and bought a WC/Reeve Starbenza 21. The XM aren't worth their weight any more. The market is flooded now their production has picked up and inflation is set in. Personally, coming from a guy who was dead set on owning and using a XM and bought two, go with any CRK. I may have a pic of the Zaan and the XM side by side. A large inkosi is the same as a large 21/25 and the Zaan in size.
 
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I have not owned either knives, however I've held and played with several of both, and I will also second what is mentioned above in that the CRK is just a better, much higher quality knife. All 4 or 5 XM18s that I've had my hands on we're not even able to completely flip open without serious wrist action. What company builds a flipper for $400+ that doesn't even flip. I know there is supposed to be a "break in" period, but my personal findings is that it's pretty hard to find a smoother, more well put together knife than what is made by CRK. Just my 2 cents so take it for what it's worth. In the end they are both great companies that obviously put out great products that people love.
 
The may be pretty much the same size but you're comparing the Hope Diamond to a sack of garbage when you compare a CRK to any Hinderer. I was called every name in the book about a year ago when I posted that Hinderers would begin to sell for less than $300. It's now common. A few years ago a Hinderer would fetch $500-700. There is a reason Hinderer prices have not only went down in retail, but also on the secondary market (where they have fallen like a rock). I owned two Hinderers and had to sell them as quick as I could, because after owning CRK, their lack of quality was vomit-inducing.
 
I respectfully disagree. I have owned every CRK folder except for a Mnandi and a Tilock and the micarta 25 is one of my favorite knives. I really like CRKs.

However, the XM-18 is in my opinion a hellacious tough knife that is stronger than a CRK overall. I have three XM-18s and two XM-24s and they are great knives as well.

I was really dismayed when I saw Andrew Demko's lock strength demo on YouTube with two consecutive 21s. I know that is not a normal action when cutting, but I thought to fail at 45# was huge disappointment. They did, too. I might have to push through a tough conveyor belt on a piece of equipment to begin to cut it in half and who knows, I might put more than 45# of pressure against the lock face.

I am not bashing CRKs, I still own 5 of them and carry them often. But to say they completely outclass a Hinderer XM-18 is baseless, in my opinion. An 18 is a damn good knife.

And to discount them because based on demand, they are able to build a new shop, go from 3 to 22 employees and increase production so more people can have them so now they are worthless? Give me a break.

And where are you finding them for less than $300? What were you buying, Chinese knockoffs?

An 18 is $425 and a 24 is $595 from all their authorized dealers. The prices went down because more are now available. They did not go down in quality one iota, you just could not easily get them in the first place before unless you were active duty military, in law enforcement or a firefighter. You had to buy them on the secondary market.

It's called supply and demand. Look it up if you do not understand the concept.

The OP just wanted size comparisons, not your unproven opinions on how they stacked up.
 
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jmclfrsh said:
I respectfully disagree. I have owned every CRK folder except for a Mnandi and a Tilock and the micarta 25 is one of my favorite knives. I really like CRKs.

However, the XM-18 is in my opinion a hellacious tough knife that is stronger than a CRK overall. I have three XM-18s and two XM-24s and they are great knives as well.

I was really dismayed when I saw Andrew Demko's lock strength demo on YouTube with two consecutive 21s. I know that is not a normal action when cutting, but I thought to fail at 45# was huge disappointment. They did, too.

I am not bashing CRKs, I still own 5 of them and carry them often. But to say they completely outclass a Hinderer XM-18 is baseless, in my opinion. An 18 is a pretty good knife.

And to discount them because based on demand, they increase production so more can have them so now they are worthless? Give me a break.
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I wonder if CRK produces more knives now than they did a few years ago?
I wonder if the Cold Steel video could have been slightly biased?
Has CRK ever dropped their retail prices?
If a hinderer and a CRK were each purchased at the same time, kept for five years, and then sold, which would bring closest to or more than their purchase price?
I will give you that Hinderers are built like a tank. A really heavy tank. However, shouldn't a flipper flip? I hear they have gotten better, but for years and years they would wear out a person's wrist trying to open them. They should both easily last a person a lifetime.


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The best I could do would be a Sebenza 25 next to an XM-18. Not a fan of the Inkosi. As for CRK vs Hinderer, I have had many of both and would give my thoughts, but that is not what this post is about. So I will end that right there.
 
I feel somewhat bad for saying anything. Both companies make good knives.

On on the flipper side, it does appear that they have sorted that issue out somewhat, and I feel as well that it could have been corrected sooner probably.

But he was selling every one as soon as it was produced, so folks must have felt that was not the only criteria to consider when buying one.

I think Hinderer prices have just come more into line with what the market will bear. There are more of them now, so they are no longer $700-$900.

Look at a Shirogorov. Is it twice as good as a Sebenza? I don't see how, nor how one could even judge that. But they regularly still sell for what, $700-900?

Again, supply and demand. And I'm getting out of this discussion. Carry on.
 
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jmclfrsh said:
I feel somewhat bad for saying anything. Both companies make good knives. Period.
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Hinderer is no longer a member of Bladefourms because they can't handle criticism ( my opinion ). That alone is your answer. Both great knives, but my choice is CRK based on experience with both.
 
jmclfrsh said:
And where are you finding them for less than $300? What were you buying, Chinese knockoffs?

An 18 is $425 and a 24 is $595 from all their authorized dealers. The prices went down because more are now available. They did not go down in quality one iota, you just could not easily get them in the first place before unless you were active duty military, in law enforcement or a firefighter. You had to buy them on the secondary market.

It's called supply and demand. Look it up if you do not understand the concept.

The OP just wanted size comparisons, not your unproven opinions on how they stacked up.
Click to expand...

If you watch the bladeforums exchange, ebay, other forums, etc. you can easily get one for less than $300, some with asking prices starting at less than $300.


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pwrdbycotn said:
If you watch the bladeforums exchange, ebay, other forums, etc. you can easily get one for less than $300, some with asking prices starting at less than $300.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I can definitely remember the days when XM's were scarce and you had to give up a kidney to get one. I remember getting an XM ( only one I have remaining ) for $500 the second it was posted and having a whole forum furious with me for snagging it....lol. I sold/traded many of my CRK for Hinderer's in that timeframe. I was up to 14 XM's before I began selling them all off save for the lone XM I now have. I deeply regret the One Piece knives that are long gone just like all the XM's they were given up for. CRK is where it's at for me and I NEVER feel " under knifed " when I have a CRK vs any other brand. It's CRK all the way for me. It's simply why I have had so many of them.
 
I don't have an Inkosi, but I have several XM's. If someone wants to loan me a Inkosi, I'll take some pics for you folks.
 
Lone_Wolfe said:
I don't have an Inkosi, but I have several XM's. If someone wants to loan me a Inkosi, I'll take some pics for you folks.
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Being as a Large Inkosi is basically a 25 Sebenza, I figured a 25 next to an XM 3.5 would have been good enough 😬
 
Respectfully gents I wasn't looking for a debate of the merits of Chris Reeve vs Rick Hinderer built knives. I am only looking for a visual comparison of the 2 knives. I have owned quite a few XM 's in 3" and 3.5" and think they're great for what they are but only have a small Inkosi to compare size. Btw a 25 would do nicely.
Thanks,
Derrel
 
Sorry to start off such a debate when all the OP wanted was a size comparison.



Now I get to weigh in some more on the 25 vs. Inkosi debate.

Spoiler alert: really glad I kept my 25s! :D

Have a good day everyone -
 
Try putting a large zip tie around the knife to simulate hand loading on the lock when testing an integral lock. The lock will literally never be stressed like that without you having a good grip on it.


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Here you go OP... Size comparison as requested. The top one is a little misleading because of the angle of the sun and camera...

Regarding the debate you ask? I am keeping both. ;)







 
Sivart1 said:
Here you go OP... Size comparison as requested. The top one is a little misleading because of the angle of the sun and camera...

Regarding the debate you ask? I am keeping both. ;)

Click to expand...

Is that the Sebenza pocket clip from MXG?
 
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