My number came up for a new 3.5" XM-18. Is $625.00 too much?

[bearcut]

No, $625 isn't too much, for a $625 knife.

The problem is, the XM-18 isn't a $625 knife, in terms of materials or construction. it is a $400 knife. And, for that price, it an incredible value.

I guess if you never plan on using it, (most people don't), then paying out the nose for one isn't too bad. I've paid more for useless toys.

I paid $398 for mine. I've used it very hard and it still functions like it did when I first got it. I might have paid as much as $500 for one, but not a penny more.

Why don't you just get a new ZT 0550/0551? It's darn near the same class of folder for a WHOLE lot less, and, you can actually use the thing without feeling bad.

 

[mystro]

Well guys, I thank you for all your input and perspectives. I am not a full price kind of guy when it comes to toys. I always like to feel I got a good or at least fair deal or the purchase feels sour to me. I am going to let the XM-18 go for that price...

On another knife I was looking at: I was talking to another dealer I have purchased knives before and explained the other dealers mark ups and he felt bad and offered a very good deal for Christmas on a New Strider MFS, Gunner Grips with Digi Camo blade. shipped for $500.00. It looks like a very cool knife and at a good price. Any input is great.

 

[Ankerson]

Well guys, I thank you for all your input and perspectives. I am not a full price kind of guy when it comes to toys. I always like to feel I got a good or at least fair deal or the purchase feels sour to me. I am going to let the XM-18 go for that price...

On another knife I was looking at: I was talking to another dealer I have purchased knives before and explained the other dealers mark ups and he felt bad and offered a very good deal for Christmas on a New Strider MFS, Gunner Grips with Digi Camo blade. shipped for $500.00. It looks like a very cool knife and at a good price. Any input is great.

That is a fair price for that knife.

 

[arjung]

Actually $625 is way too much. I've seen many people sell on the after market new for $575 average. That's at least the offer I'm working on right now. Missed one for $425 (which is a steal)and $525.

You're better of just waiting on the sale thread of different knife forums.

 

[mystro]

That is a fair price for that knife.

I thought so too. I have been looking at them for a while now and I see used ones are selling quickly for $500.00. I called around to other Strider dealers and all but 1 do not have a SMF GG and if they did have it, they dont sell below the msrp $575.00 plus shipping cost. I must have called 6-8 Strider dealers and none of them discount any SNG or SMF spear point knives. I only see a small discount on some tanto blades.

 

[Ankerson]

I thought so too. I have been looking at them for a while now and I see used ones are selling quickly for $500.00. I called around to other Strider dealers and all but 1 do not have a SMF GG and if they did have it, they dont sell below the msrp $575.00 plus shipping cost. I must have called 6-8 Strider dealers and none of them discount any SNG or SMF spear point knives. I only see a small discount on some tanto blades.

Yes that sounds about right.

 

[atony]

If a Strider is a good value at 500.00 then the XM is an outstanding value at 625.00.

 

[softrockrenegade]

Yes that is too much ! They are around 400 originally and you can probably find one here on the exchange for 100 dollars less than what that dealer us charging ! In other words , he's ripping you off even for the secondary market !!!

 

[Noctis3880]

Yes that is too much ! They are around 400 originally and you can probably find one here on the exchange for 100 dollars less than what that dealer us charging ! In other words , he's ripping you off even for the secondary market !!!

Believe me, I've looked on the exchange of 2 forums for a week. Unless you happen to have an iPhone or Blackberry to check the section every hour, you won't get it because XM-18's will be picked up within an hour of the sale thread.

 

[Tony8179]

Believe me, I've looked on the exchange of 2 forums for a week. Unless you happen to have an iPhone or Blackberry to check the section every hour, you won't get it because XM-18's will be picked up within an hour of the sale thread.

It's all about the forums that you're checking out. The forum that I find the best deals on XM-18s is frightfully green for this time of year.

 

[chintofong]

Well guys, I thank you for all your input and perspectives. I am not a full price kind of guy when it comes to toys. I always like to feel I got a good or at least fair deal or the purchase feels sour to me. I am going to let the XM-18 go for that price...

On another knife I was looking at: I was talking to another dealer I have purchased knives before and explained the other dealers mark ups and he felt bad and offered a very good deal for Christmas on a New Strider MFS, Gunner Grips with Digi Camo blade. shipped for $500.00. It looks like a very cool knife and at a good price. Any input is great.

If you changed your mind and decided to get a Strider, there is a member selling a Strider CC SMF lightly carried for less than $400. The link is

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796776&highlight=xm+18

He also has for sale an XM-18 in that same thread. Happy hunting....

 

[Kaizen1]

So... the handle, hardware is done by CNC, blade is ground by CNC. Everything is put together by a person and sharpened. Customer has no say in choice of materials or any specs. How is it a custom? I think it is a very good low-production knife. "Mid-tech" (whatever that it) at best.

When you compare XM to ZT055X the difference is pretty much that maker's hand did touch XM and maker's quality control is there. That's pretty much it ... unless I'm missing something.

Yes, I think you are missing something. Everything is done by Rick (assuming he still has the same process since the last time I checked) except for the primary grind. He's not merely supervising the process while others are making the knives. He's doing the work himself. That's much more work than many other supposed custom makers put into their knives. My point wasn't to argue that the Gen 3 XMs are "custom", but to point out that the "production/custom" distinction seems to fail to properly categorize a knife like the Gen 3 XMs. It's too black and white.

 

[Kaizen1]

If a Strider is a good value at 500.00 then the XM is an outstanding value at 625.00.

I'd agree that if an SMF is worth $500, then an XM-18 is worth at least that much. And I'm a fan of Strider Knives.

 

[wouter1967]

Is 625.00 a fair price??

Totaly over top.

 

[mystro]

Thanks for the heads up. I bought it. Price was excellent for a Light carried, solid lock-up, no blade play, and blade centered Strider SMF CC.:thumbup: Its in great shape and since its gonna be a user, I dont have to worry about the the first scratch.

If you changed your mind and decided to get a Strider, there is a member selling a Strider CC SMF lightly carried for less than $400.



He also has for sale an XM-18 in that same thread. Happy hunting....

 

[Kaizen1]

Thanks for the heads up. I bought it. Price was excellent for a Light carried, solid lock-up, no blade play, and blade centered Strider SMF CC.:thumbup: Its in great shape and since its gonna be a user, I dont have to worry about the the first scratch.

Great choice:thumbup:. I love my SnG CC (DDC).

 

[effer]

Yes, I think you are missing something. Everything is done by Rick (assuming he still has the same process since the last time I checked) except for the primary grind. He's not merely supervising the process while others are making the knives. He's doing the work himself. That's much more work than many other supposed custom makers put into their knives. My point wasn't to argue that the Gen 3 XMs are "custom", but to point out that the "production/custom" distinction seems to fail to properly categorize a knife like the Gen 3 XMs. It's too black and white.

It still is CNC and I'm pretty sure not too much different from CNC machines used by other manufacturers (Kershaw). There sure is a better quality control in Rick's manufacturing, though if you would apply production numbers of Kershaw, I don't know where we would end up.
And yes, most makers nowadays use CNC machines and nothing is wrong with that (quality and tolerances are usually higher), but when even blades are ground somewhere by CNC, there is very little left there to consider such knife a "custom" in any way. I do know and appreciate the fact that many parts are CNCed in-house, but in my mind it is not much different from a limited-production.

And don't get me wrong, I do like this knife and I won't stop anyone from paying whatever they want to pay for it.
Those high-end knives are more than just tools and in many cases price cannot be justified by quality or tolerances. Sometimes it simply comes down to "I have it, and you don't... hahaha", just like with other collectibles.

I'd agree that if an SMF is worth $500, then an XM-18 is worth at least that much. And I'm a fan of Strider Knives.

I totally agree with the last statement.

 

[Kaizen1]

It still is CNC and I'm pretty sure not too much different from CNC machines used by other manufacturers (Kershaw). There sure is a better quality control in Rick's manufacturing, though if you would apply production numbers of Kershaw, I don't know where we would end up.
And yes, most makers nowadays use CNC machines and nothing is wrong with that (quality and tolerances are usually higher), but when even blades are ground somewhere by CNC, there is very little left there to consider such knife a "custom" in any way. I do know and appreciate the fact that many parts are CNCed in-house, but in my mind it is not much different from a limited-production.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you here, but what method of making something like a screw would you consider to be "custom"?

And don't get me wrong, I do like this knife and I won't stop anyone from paying whatever they want to pay for it.
Those high-end knives are more than just tools and in many cases price cannot be justified by quality or tolerances. Sometimes it simply comes down to "I have it, and you don't... hahaha", just like with other collectibles.

They're excessively expensive tools and toys for me. I'm not fooling myself, I agree here. The most useful knife I've ever owned was/is a Leatherman Wave.

 

[effer]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you here, but what method of making something like a screw would you consider to be "custom"?

I really don't want to get into the "what is custom?" discussion here, there are enough threads and disagreements about that already. My point was simply to compare the process of manufacturing of ZT055X and regular XM18.

 

[chintofong]

Thanks for the heads up. I bought it. Price was excellent for a Light carried, solid lock-up, no blade play, and blade centered Strider SMF CC.:thumbup: Its in great shape and since its gonna be a user, I dont have to worry about the the first scratch.

I am glad you got the Strider. Although I don't own one, I know several who own Striders and they say it is an excellent folder.


:thumbup: