My First Hinderer, and a few questions

egally08 · Mar 31, 2013

Hey Guys, I have been checking hinderers out for a little while, and I finally decided to take the plunge. Recently a configuration I am fond of presented its self on the exchange so I decided to sell a couple knives and purchase it.

First off, I couldn't be more happy. It is everything it is cracked up to be and more so. Initially the blade was a bit tight, but after I dialed it in and applied some mineral oil to the detent, it couldn't be more perfect. It is a sad day for my wallet and other knives though, because I am sure I will end up selling them and purchasing Hinderers from now on.

I have done quite a bit of reading but I still have a few questions. This is a 3rd gen 3.5, and was told it had duratech 20cv blade steel. It is unmarked, but I was curious if it was possible to have any other type of steel, or are all 3rd gen unmarked have duratech?

I read in one of the stickies, that RHK no longer refurbishes had rubbed finishes. That is what mine is and it has me a little worried because I also saw, they will not change the finish on it while refurbing it. Does that also apply in this case, or will they put another finish on it since they stopped doing hand rubbed?

I noticed some XMs had different color finishes, like light blue, dark blue, purple. I also read in a sticky that RHK offers anodizing, and to call them for details. Are these different colors anodized Ti, or are they an actual type of different color DLC coating?

I have noticed the more common finishes are completely tumbled. Are the XMs that are blasted, or even hand rubbed blades more sought after, and does it affect market value? Or they are all pretty much the same value wise?

My last question has to do with the working finish. I have noticed they are mainly on the customs, but what exactly is it? It looks to be anodized and then blasted. Is this correct?

Sorry for the long post, I am just new to hinderers. I have done a lot of research but I cannot find straight answers to most of these questions.
Thanks in advanced, and I hope to become a knowledgeable and contributing member soon to the RHK family.

Now for the pictures!

This is a picture with my old favorite, and now my new favorite. Also, my most recent custom by Bill Akers

Chemdawg · Mar 31, 2013

Hi...and welcome.

On the working finish...they blast first then stonewash it. It doesn't have to be anodized to receive working finish. The vast majority of working finish are customs although a small few productions have received it.

You can gain a wealth of info on all models by reading the sticky above by RDA on generations and history. I recommend that to anyone getting their feet wet!

Once again...welcome and enjoy your great slicer! Please share more pics.
:thumbup:

egally08 · Mar 31, 2013

Hey Chemdog, thanks for the replys, I have read every sticky before posting and it did provide a lot of answers, but none to the questions I have asked. More specifically, it says gen3's could have 4 different steels, but did not tell how to identify which is which. Also since they stopped reburbishing satin finishes, am I out of luck, or will they make an exception on changing the finish.

I doubt highly this is a custom, but you did get me looking closer. There are definite grind lines on the swedge, and it does seem to have grind lines on the flats, but they are probably scratches. They are pretty uniform though. Though it is probably just wishful thinking. I do not have my camera handy, nor any good natural light. I do have a few close ups of the blade from the previous set of pictures.

Thanks for the response Sir

Chemdawg · Mar 31, 2013

That appears to be a production model with some nice use marks...satin grind lines on the flats run parallel not vertical.

If your slicer is indeed a production model....you could send it back in for a spa treatment and get it stonewashed...
Regarding that and questions on blade steel...I would send Rob Orlando an email and patiently await a reply. He will answer all questions!

Good luck and enjoy!

RDA · Mar 31, 2013

egally08 said:
Hey Guys, I have been checking hinderers out for a little while, and I finally decided to take the plunge. Recently a configuration I am fond of presented its self on the exchange so I decided to sell a couple knives and purchase it.

First off, I couldn't be more happy. It is everything it is cracked up to be and more so. Initially the blade was a bit tight, but after I dialed it in and applied some mineral oil to the detent, it couldn't be more perfect. It is a sad day for my wallet and other knives though, because I am sure I will end up selling them and purchasing Hinderers from now on.

I have done quite a bit of reading but I still have a few questions. This is a 3rd gen 3.5, and was told it had duratech 20cv blade steel. It is unmarked, but I was curious if it was possible to have any other type of steel, or are all 3rd gen unmarked have duratech?

Unmarked Gen3 3.5" has Duratech 20CV.

egally08 said:
I read in one of the stickies, that RHK no longer refurbishes had rubbed finishes. That is what mine is and it has me a little worried because I also saw, they will not change the finish on it while refurbing it. Does that also apply in this case, or will they put another finish on it since they stopped doing hand rubbed?

Is this the knife you purchased:

If so, that is a production slicer. I saw the seller's description, I am not sure what they meant by "-Polished and hand rubbed blade", the knife you bought has a stonewashed (or tumbled) finish. I don't know if the seller tried to "polish and hand rub" the blade or not from the pictures.

Regardless, you can send your knife in for refurbishing assuming it is a stock, unaltered knife but honestly I would recommend you use it instead.

egally08 said:
I noticed some XMs had different color finishes, like light blue, dark blue, purple. I also read in a sticky that RHK offers anodizing, and to call them for details. Are these different colors anodized Ti, or are they an actual type of different color DLC coating?

The Ti is anodized. The only DLC has been black and FDE.

egally08 said:
I have noticed the more common finishes are completely tumbled. Are the XMs that are blasted, or even hand rubbed blades more sought after, and does it affect market value? Or they are all pretty much the same value wise?

Hand rubbed from Hinderer Knives is typically associated with customs (there have been exceptions such as hand rubbed flats on productions), you have a production stonewashed version.

egally08 said:
My last question has to do with the working finish. I have noticed they are mainly on the customs, but what exactly is it? It looks to be anodized and then blasted. Is this correct?

No, the metal starts out either ground or tumbled, then it is sand blasted, then tumbled again.

egally08 said:
Sorry for the long post, I am just new to hinderers. I have done a lot of research but I cannot find straight answers to most of these questions.
Thanks in advanced, and I hope to become a knowledgeable and contributing member soon to the RHK family.

Actually, a number of these answers do exist in other threads I believe but they are worth repeating. Congrats on the new acquisition.

egally08 · Mar 31, 2013

Hey RDA, thank you for the well thought out reply. I guess the combination of me being new and being led to believe that this was a satin "hand rubbed" finish kind of through me off. I do plan on using it, but if the previous owner did polish the blade, I am assuming this voids the warranty?

Thanks

RDA · Mar 31, 2013

egally08 said:
Hey RDA, thank you for the well thought out reply. I guess the combination of me being new and being led to believe that this was a satin "hand rubbed" finish kind of through me off. I do plan on using it, but if the previous owner did polish the blade, I am assuming this voids the warranty?

Only Rick/Rob can make that determination, I certainly can't tell from the pictures if it has been altered/pimped.

jon1all · Mar 31, 2013

Congrats on joining the herd...

No worries, just use that sucker!!!

Locutus D'Borg · Mar 31, 2013

Looks good, just use it and forget about the refurbishing until you really need it.

MODiFiEDZ · Mar 31, 2013

Looks like a production Slicer in 20CV. I would just use it & enjoy it despite the altered blade finish. If you follow Hinderers warranty to the letter then yes the warranty is voided IF the previous owner put sandpaper or scotch brite pad to the blade trying to polish it, but since Hinderer is pretty forgiving & can understand that sometimes a knife can go through so many hands & what all has been done to the knife doesn't get passed on to the next buyer.
This would be handled on a case by case basis & only Rick or Rob would be able to determine if they will work on the knife. If they offer to refurb the knife for you they will re stonewash the handle & blade, if you would like it anodized that will be extra but definitely worth it IMO.

Locutus D'Borg · Mar 31, 2013

Hinderer Forum, Not an "Ad Mat" for other commercial ventures.

egally08 · Mar 31, 2013

Thanks guys. I really hope it was not altered. I emailed Rob to see if there is a possibility of it coming from the ranch this way.
Hopefully it will work out
Thanks
Elliot

akubra · Mar 31, 2013

egally08 said:
It is unmarked, but I was curious if it was possible to have any other type of steel, or are all 3rd gen unmarked have duratech?

They also used CTS-XHP. Blades with that steel are marked accordingly.

cziv · Apr 1, 2013

Mine have never arrived with the rubbed look that yours display though.