May Finally Buy an XM-18

I bought my first XM-18 a little over a month ago and I absolutely love it. My ZT for comparison is the 0566. ZT is a great knife but the Hinderer is just on another leverl. The fit and finish is perfect on mine. Thicker and yet sharper blade stock and the work finish titanium is a big improvement over the stainless lock side on the ZT.
 
From my handling experience I'm not sold on the Hinderers. They are massive thick pieces of titanium and are solid as a rock, but to command such a price is nothing more than hype and buying a name. That said if you want a blade that can pretty much handle anything thrown at it the xm is great, but there are knives out there that are less expensive that have the same materials that will also get the job done. Buying a Hinderer is just about buying a "Hinderer". I would look for a used one that is in like new or new condition. The new ones are finally becoming readily available so prices are going to start to settle down a bit. They are now popping up in like new condition on the exchange for right around the $300 mark. At that price they are worth a shot, but at the $450-$500 that the xm-18 was selling for new it's just a waste of money.

Keep in mind that these are only my opinion and my findings. Everyone has different views and uses for a knife.
 
They are better IMO, but they aren't really going to give you the same value proposition. So as long as your are OK with the cost of better, then I can highly recommend an XM. I have a Spearpoint flipper and a Spanto Non-flipper. and they are both better than my 0550 or 0560 were. ZTs are a better value tho hands down.
 
I've never understood the "hype." The design never particularly appealed to me. I owned a ZT 0561 briefly, and it was a very poor flipper, almost pointless to have a flipper as it, and every one I've handled (both ZT and Hinderer) had a very weak detente. I've owned knives in the same price ranges as the XM-18 that were far better made.

For what these cost, I'd much prefer an entry level custom.
 
We all know the direction this thread may dive. Anyway, it's all a personal choice of one's wants/needs. I own both and my ZTs sit idle most days while many of my XMs live pretty active lives. The XM was not originally designed to be a knife for every one.
 
Zt and Hinderer's are two of my favorite edc knives! I own about 8 Zt models and 4 Xm-18's. My favorite Zt is the 0095 bw. If I had to choose, I would go Hinderer every time though. I love the ergos of the Xm series and the fit and finish is top notch. The lock bar to tang geometry on my Xm-18's is just so solid. I never feel any lock bar movement, bank vault. When cutting through any substantial materials I see significant lock bar movement on most of my Zt's. The only knock on the Xm's (in my opinion) is the inconsistent detent strength from the factory. All of mine have solid flipping action, in fact two of them are very strong. I do ask any retailer to pick out one with a strong detent.
 
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The "how much better" depends on how much blue sky the knife brings you IMHO. Specs, build quality, functionality and value of the XM-18 have been wrung out here and elsewhere. I use my Gen IV Bowie mostly for light bushcraft and yard chores, but I've never warmed up to it emotionally. Conversely my Emerson Sheepdog, of similar size and flipper also, was half the price of the XM-18. Admittedly, it's very crude compared to the Hinderer but it strikes an emotional chord in me. The XM-18 is simply a tool, an appliance with no warmth, but it could be completely the opposite for someone else. The Hinderer feels good in hand but the Emerson feels right.
 
I am also interested in hearing what people who have both brands would say. I have seven ZTs and zero Hinderer. All those ZTs are rock solid and have no issue big or small whatsoever. Three of them are ZT/Hinderer. I want to see what else better a Hinderer knife can and will offer, in addition to the name.
 
I had a XM18 and came to realize it was way to much money for what it was and what I intended to use it for. Luckily I was able to sell it for only a bit less than I paid. Learned my lesson and will stick to less expensive knives that I don't feel bad using for their intended use(the exception being my Busse knives). I haven't owned a ZT to compare it to but going forward I my self will likely check out ZT or keep with my PM2 and use fixed blades for more hard use.
 
When this question comes up I always like to reference my first Hinderer experience. This is my experience, and as you can tell from other comments, everyone's experience will differ.

I was carrying a 562 when I got my first Hinderer. Besides a little more heft to the Hinderer I did not think there was much of a difference between the 2. I almost decided to not keep my Hinderer and sell it as new in box. Instead I stuck it in my pocket and figured I had gone this far, lets give it a test run. After about 2-3 weeks the knife broke in and I was hooked. I like to switch up my EDC from time to time and will still carry my ZT0562 but there is noticeable difference between the 2. I think they both cut the same, keep a great edge and flip great. The difference are small but noticeable after extended carrying time. Some I can not even describe. The Hinderer does not flip faster but it flips smoother some how. It is not that much thicker but fits my hand better somehow. All the differences are minimal but they add up. I love my ZT's and I love my Hinderer's. The choice is almost always a personal one and nobody's answers are right or wrong. Truthfully it is just being willing to take the leap, buy one, and find out for yourself.

https://flic.kr/p/KapcVe https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
I have a ZT560 and a 3" and 3.5" XM18. I find that the 3" is just a bit too small for my hands and the 3.5" is too pretty to use. I think the ZT is a great deal for the money and the detent on mine is very strong. They are definitely different knives, the ZT is very sturdy but much lighter than the 3.5" XM18. Also cheaper so I don't mind if it gets knocked around more.

If I were you, I'd try to see both in person before buying.

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk
 
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errr thats the difficulty. Most of us just do not have the opportunity to handle and feel the knife in person.
 
Well if you are near MD I'd be happy to let you see the ones I have

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk
 
whitty said:
When this question comes up I always like to reference my first Hinderer experience. This is my experience, and as you can tell from other comments, everyone's experience will differ.

I was carrying a 562 when I got my first Hinderer. Besides a little more heft to the Hinderer I did not think there was much of a difference between the 2. I almost decided to not keep my Hinderer and sell it as new in box. Instead I stuck it in my pocket and figured I had gone this far, lets give it a test run. After about 2-3 weeks the knife broke in and I was hooked. I like to switch up my EDC from time to time and will still carry my ZT0562 but there is noticeable difference between the 2. I think they both cut the same, keep a great edge and flip great. The difference are small but noticeable after extended carrying time. Some I can not even describe. The Hinderer does not flip faster but it flips smoother some how. It is not that much thicker but fits my hand better somehow. All the differences are minimal but they add up. I love my ZT's and I love my Hinderer's. The choice is almost always a personal one and nobody's answers are right or wrong. Truthfully it is just being willing to take the leap, buy one, and find out for yourself.

https://flic.kr/p/KapcVe https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
Click to expand...

Loving the blade on that green one. They are really nice knives👍
 
I've owned two 3.5s and while I love the design the detents on both have been just way too soft for my liking. Great knives with really epic heat treating. If I could find one with a nice firm detent then I would be all in!
 
I absolutely love my XM and IMHO, its definitely better quality than the ZTs I currently and have owned. Not that ZTs dont have their place. They make great users at roughly half the cost, but my Hinderer elicits feelings the ZTs never have. Plus, there are a ton of factory made custom parts to customize your XM.
If youve got the itch, seek a light user Gen 4 at a good price, and carry it a while. The best way to know, is to own one. If its not for you, sell it.
 
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