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My number came up for a new 3.5" XM-18. Is $625.00 too much?
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Kaizen1
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I haven't checked too recently, but last time I checked, 3.5" XM-18s with the outsourced grinds were going for less. It might be worthwhile to check out the for sale forums here first. I thought they were going down to the low to mid $500's ranges.
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Depends..........is the blade stonewashed or satin polished? Is the titanium anodized or stonewashed?
Kaizen1
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I didn't know Rick started putting out satin finish 3rd generation XM-18s. For 3rd generation XM-18s, I know they at least come in either bead blast or "tumble" finish (stonewashed).
Doing a quick search on this and another forum, $625 seems about right on the secondary market. The only question now is whether $625 is worth it for you.
Doing a quick search on this and another forum, $625 seems about right on the secondary market. The only question now is whether $625 is worth it for you.
Yea I know....I am already getting a HEST/F and ZT 0551. I would probably have to not get them for the XM-18.
Kaizen1
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Yea I know....I am already getting a HEST/F and ZT 0551. I would probably have to not get them for the XM-18.
As someone who's been using an XM-18 for over a year now, that would be a tough choice for me. The 0551 and the Hest look incredibly tough and having two knives gives variety. The 0551 looks like it would be a more effective slicer and the Hest seems to almost play a multitool role while also playing the tough-tactical role. The XM-18 will likely have a better warranty for abuse or abuse-like activities, which I don't condone unless absolutely necessary. If you grab the XM-18, you'll likely be able to sell it at not much of a loss, if any. That might be good enough for you to check it out while it's available to you. If you lose $20-$45 by reselling the XM-18, just think of that fee as renting it and you'll get closure from wondering about its awesomeness. Uz4u has a good point that the Hest and 0550 (maybe the 0551, but the difference will be negligible I think) might be easier to get a hold of later.
For the record, I love my XM-18 and don't plan on selling it. But with production knives getting into this niche of the folder market, I think it gives less reasons for others to spend so much on a knife in the niche.
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I paid $660 for mine, though it did have a flipper
.I kind of felt it should have been $525, and a lot of people would say much the same. Thing is, finding one brand new 3.5 inch XM-18 at that price is just some sort of a sick joke. Lowest I've ever seen was $575 for a USED one on the 'bay.
The scale alone would cost $65(and you would likely need to purchase it separately because most XM-18's come with some other color). So if the blade finish is to your liking and the purchase won't bankrupt you or otherwise result in your untimely death at the hands of your other half, I would strongly suggest you get it.
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I got lucky (extremely) and paid less than $425 shipping included for a NEW in the box XM-18 flipper. I am currently waiting for the knife to arrive. The person (I am not going to mention his name) even let me choose the color of the scale I wanted on the XM-18.
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I like the way you think.....
The blade is stone washed with the blue/black handle. At least thats what the dealer described it as, dark blue/black. I havent seen the color. I am looking now for a Hinderer stock pic of the color. I talked to my wife and she was surprised that it cost that much. Her comment was..."I dont care as long as you have it paid off of the CC in a month."
The blade is stone washed with the blue/black handle. At least thats what the dealer described it as, dark blue/black. I havent seen the color. I am looking now for a Hinderer stock pic of the color. I talked to my wife and she was surprised that it cost that much. Her comment was..."I dont care as long as you have it paid off of the CC in a month." I paid $660 for mine, though it did have a flipper
I kind of felt it should have been $525, and a lot of people would say much the same. Thing is, finding one brand new 3.5 inch XM-18 at that price is just some sort of a sick joke. Lowest I've ever seen was $575 for a USED one on the 'bay.
The scale alone would cost $65(and you would likely need to purchase it separately because most XM-18's come with some other color). So if the blade finish is to your liking and the purchase won't bankrupt you or otherwise result in your untimely death at the hands of your other half, I would strongly suggest you get it.
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My simple answer is that you are being charged about $125 more than a dealer should be charging for an XM-18. I have purchased an XM-18 3.5" flipper from Les Robertson (as well as seeing him sell multiple others) for $500.00 plus shipping. I believe the non-flipper versions he sold for $485.00 plus shipping. I would not pay more than this from any dealer for a Gen. 3 3.5" XM-18.
I wasn't aware that the XM-18 was going anywhere. Also, the ZT0551 is a limited sprint run of Stonewashed ELMAX blades. Once they are gone, they are gone for good.
I wasn't aware that the XM-18 was going anywhere.
Also, the ZT0551 is a limited sprint run of Stonewashed ELMAX blades. Once they are gone, they are gone for good.
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Question:
Would I be able to purchase an XM-18 from this guy right this second?
If not, how long would I have to wait?
P.S.
That is not an actual request to buy another XM-18, merely a question of availability.
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I like the way you think.....
I think I can help you with that. Here is a picture of the blue/black XM-18
At first I was undecided between the blue/black and the green/black. After I got the photos, I went and selected green/black
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Very pretty, but I like the orange scales better
.
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Kaizen1
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My simple answer is that you are being charged about $125 more than a dealer should be charging for an XM-18. I have purchased an XM-18 3.5" flipper from Les Robertson (as well as seeing him sell multiple others) for $500.00 plus shipping. I believe the non-flipper versions he sold for $485.00 plus shipping. I would not pay more than this from any dealer for a Gen. 3 3.5" XM-18.
I wasn't aware that the XM-18 was going anywhere.
I got mine for around $405 from a dealer. $625 is an incredibly high mark up. But if someone is willing to pay $625, I don't see how it matters where it's coming from. Many people are flipping the knives when they see a large enough gap in price. The mark up is coming mainly from the secondary market, not from the dealers.
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No you can't, but since the OP said his name came up on a list, I'm assuming that he had to wait anyway. All it takes is a call to Les and he puts you on a list. Also, if you watch his site sometimes they are just there. Other times he'll announce that he has some in stock and it's first come, first served. The question is that if $625 is a good price from a dealer. In my honest opinion that dealer is price gouging. It is not a good price from a dealer. $625 may be a price you'll see on the secondary market from a private seller like here on the Exchange, but from a dealer who is getting them at the price Rick sells them for, $625 is rape.
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My simple answer is that you are being charged about $125 more than a dealer should be charging for an XM-18. I have purchased an XM-18 3.5" flipper from Les Robertson (as well as seeing him sell multiple others) for $500.00 plus shipping. I believe the non-flipper versions he sold for $485.00 plus shipping. I would not pay more than this from any dealer for a Gen. 3 3.5" XM-18.
I wasn't aware that the XM-18 was going anywhere.
I agree.....the ZT0551 is a limited edition/run. Since it is a colaboration between Rick and ZT, I went ahead and ordered more than 2 for myself.
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$405 is an incredible price from a dealer. You sir, have an excellent dealer. I would stick with that guy through thick and thin. Not many are lucky enough to catch a price like that. The markup absolutely comes from the secondary market. It's really just a vicious cycle. Guys who buy them for $395 from Rick turn around and sell them for $600. Then the guy that buys it for $600 turns around and tries to sell it for $650. It sucks really. This was the same problem with a lot of Microtechs for a long time.
Kaizen1
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Yup, Dan from Plaza Cutlery is the man:thumbup: I got mine over a year ago (over 2 years maybe
) and the prices were higher then than they are now I believe.
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Hmm, true enough $625 is too much if you already had to wait for the knife. If the buyer is willing to wait again, I suppose there's no reason not to.
Still, if you're like me and absolutely MUST HAVE IT NOW, then I would shell out the extra buck to save myself 3-4 months(as opposed to saving myself $100). I had to wait 8-9 months for a custom flashlight and while it was certainly worth it, I can definitely say that I would not want to repeat the experience. Though I suppose it's not as bad when you don't have to pay for it beforehand and constantly remind the guy about it(and a month of reminders for him to ship the thing).
I guess it depends how good you are at playing the waiting game.