(New PICS + Follow Up thoughts) Progression to the XM-18

n2wilderness

n2wilderness

Joined
Sep 6, 2010
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I have really gotten into knives over the last 2+ yrs and as far as folding knives my progression has looked something like this:

SOG- Aegis, Flash I (sold both)
Benchmade- Grip, Mini-Grip, 710, 930, 942, 950 (sold all those)
Spyderco- Delica 4, Leafstorm, Military, Para 2, Sage 2 (sold all those)
Strider- SMF DGG (sold)
CRK- Umnumzaan, Large 21 Micarta (still have both)
Hinderer- XM-18 3.5 non-flip is being shipped to me right now (thanks deusker :thumbup:)

I knew that I would end up at this point but I wanted to make the progression through the different manufacturers so I could understand the differences in quality control and just understand what I like/dislike about the folding knife. At this point I know that I'm a fan of CRK b/c that's the only knife to this point that I have not wanted to sell. I don't want to keep knives just to keep a collection, but think whether or not I'd miss the knife if it was gone.

All that to say, I'm excited to finally be trying out the XM-18 and hope it meets all my expectations. Pics (and plenty of questions) to come in the near future. Thank you for all your wisdom/opinions/pics on this forum!
 
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So I realize I didn't really ask any questions to get a response from the forum but I would like to pose one now.

Have any of your progressions been similar or did you just jump right into the expensive knives?

If it was a progression, what knives have you ended up keeping along the way? Do you find yourselves picking those up to EDC before the Hinderer?
 
Similar progression here. Bucks to BM to ZT and now the Hinderer. The XM is the best made folder I have ever run across and is in my pocket most frequently.
 
I had a spyderco native that I bought in 2003 at wally world. Only knife until I lost it in 2009... then I came to this forum to do research on what to get next. Stepped up to higher model spydercos, then a lot of benchmades.

I then got a buch mayo TNT and was blown away by the fit and finish. So I then upgraded to a sebenza and that is all she wrote! I now have 3 crk folders and a hinderer xm-18 3.5.. lol. Getting rid of the rest of the collection as we speak... nothing else compares.

I gaurantee if I didn't lose that native I would still have it as my only folder... :D
 
Update- Got the XM in the mail today! Video of the unboxing-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2h8o2HQlZg

The unfortunate part of the story is about 1 hour into my ownership experience I was trying to center the blade after loosening the pivot and as I was screwing in the middle pillar the top of the screw broke off!!

Photo31.jpg


I emailed Rick and expect the situation to be worked out completely but definitely am disappointed. I'm walking around with a 2 pillar construction which is fine until I get another screw from the shop (which I'm expecting is what will happen).

With the broken screw aside, here are my initial impressions:

- The handle fits my hand perfectly and allows for a very strong grip.

- The jimping is about as perfectly aggressive as you can get...much better than the Strider...and inspires a confident grip.

- The frame lock is much easier to work with than I expected.

- Haven't had to cut very much so can't speak to that.

- I am disappointed in the blade centering. The only way I've been able to get it centered was with the pivot completely tightened down. I've followed instructions on the forum about using paper to push the blade over while tightening and loosening the screws. At this point I am limited on this exercise while one of the screws is broken.

- Overall, I'm glad I have this knife and I expect the screw situation to get worked out soon. Glad to be a part of the family!
 
Congrats on your new knife! Must be a special day. You even have a matching shirt on :D Don't worry about the screws too much. Rob will take care of you. You'll be gtg in no time :thumbup:
 
Did the blade come off-center? Was the knife purchased from Rick? If not I would guess that the previous owner has messed with the knife and previously overtightened and or when you were trying to center the knife overtightened it. People often over torque these screws, they don't require much force to get them snugged up. Rick will of course take care of this. They sell complete screw sets and it is not a bad idea to keep them around.

Awesome knife by the way! Was it coincidence to have a orange sweater on?

Zach
 
tundratrader said:
Did the blade come off-center? Was the knife purchased from Rick? If not I would guess that the previous owner has messed with the knife and previously overtightened and or when you were trying to center the knife overtightened it. People often over torque these screws, they don't require much force to get them snugged up. Rick will of course take care of this. They sell complete screw sets and it is not a bad idea to keep them around.

Awesome knife by the way! Was it coincidence to have a orange sweater on?

Zach
Click to expand...

The blade was centered when I got it but the tension was too tight (really slow to open and close) so when I loosened it up the blade became off-centered (just slightly).

Just love that sweater and the color orange!
 
I just twist it with my hand until it gets snug and that is it. I don't apply that much pressure to the screwdriver when it is tight. It centers up nicely and flicks out easily. Too bad about that screw.. sometimes things just happen like that. I broke a sears hex wrench one time and was hardly twisting it and it was not at an angle and just snapped for no reason.
 
I did the progression to more expensive customs and now I am regressing back to high end productions. I will keep my customs but I find that I can do anything I need with a quality production framelock folder. I also get to try more knives this way. I will always love my Mosiers but for EDC I can live with ZT, BM & Kershaw
 
Getting the blade centered takes a little time to get it just right but when you do it stays good forever. I had trouble the first few times but I've got the touch now. Try wedging a folded business card or similar to push the blade the direction you want. Tighten the pivot and then tighten screws from the bottom up. Now adjust the tension to your liking. Use very small adjustments as it doesn't take much movement at all.
 
Borrowed (Rico801) theese off another forum, but it works like a champ. As far as the screw goes Rob will get ya straightened out.



1. Open blade to 90 degrees and tighten pivot so that it is really tight.

2. Close the blade and loosen frame screws so they aren’t tight, but still holding the frame together.

3. While the blade is still in the closed position, pull blade towards the side you want the blade to move. In my case, I pulled the blade toward the liner/scale.

4. While pulling blade, tighten the frame screws from the bottom up.

5. Loosen the pivot and adjust it to the desired tension
 
Wanted to add some pics. The XM-18 doesn't feel as big as the photo's make it out to be compared to the CRK but it really is pretty big comparatively speaking.

IMG_0609.jpg


IMG_0610.jpg
 
Don't worry about the screw,Rob will hook you up with one very soon.Their service is unseen.You will experience it yourself.
The screw might be one of the first batch.They were a bit different to the current ones.I had a bust one too on a knife of mine.

The centering of the blade should work out too.If you don't like it the way it is first adjust the tension of the pivot in very tiny steps.I put some blue locktite on it and tighten it just how I want it.Of course,make sure it flips,and take care not to let it too loose.The blade shouldn't be easily pushed sideways.
Then I let the locktite set.

The centering can be done with the grip screws.Just follow the steps as said above.
One remark,tape the blade.Prevents scratches and cut fingers!

If you once have the hang of it it's easy.
 
Nice pics of the CRK vs hinderers. The thing I love most about the sebenza is how little pocket space they take up, vs the hinderer. Both feel great in the hand and both have excellent fit and finish.
 
Guy- Thanks for the heads up on Rob. The only contact I saw on the sight was Rick and I didn't get a response back after a day or so...I changed the email to Rob and he emailed me back within a few hours (not expected) while he was at NJ knife show. Of course, like you all said they are going to take care of me.

Back on the issue of blade centering. I have tried the exercise already mentioned on this thread a number of times and I see zero difference. If I want the pivot tension to be loose at all the blade is off centered. Can you suggest any other tricks? Is it possibly due to not having all 3 screws on the handle?

Thanks again-
 
Scratch that last post...

Disassembled the knife again today to see if a new assembly would help with the centering. It sure did. I don't know what I did differently but the knife is actually centered now! Not quite as loose as I'd care for but I think it will wear in a little. I'm thrilled! I feel like I finally have the knife I wanted to buy (minus the missing screw of course).

It could just be my imagination but i feel the female pivot screw is not as flush with the Ti as it was before. Could that have anything to do with my centering problem before?
 
N2W,
I have been collecting knives since I was 10. Up until about 2 years ago I always carried Spyderco, Benchmade and Case. Some Kershaws and of the sorts.
Like you when I bought my first real nice expensive knife I couldn't stop. I have had a few Hinderer's and they are good people. I am about to put up a 3" XM flipper but I almost don't want to because it is so freaking smooth. I have never had a knife deploy like this one. The blade is ever so slightly off centered but I no longer have the tool to adjust it. I lost my home made dime that I used as the pivot tool. MAy have to make another.
Anyway, you will find that with Hinderer you'll have the same great service as CRK.
 
Well, I've had the XM for a week or so now and thought I'd follow up on my experience so far.

- Rob has done an excellent job taking care of me...just like you all said he would.

- The blade centering process has worked itself out and I've been able to center it completely with a relatively loose pivot setting. Thanks for the tips!

- I had the knife up on the exchange after some debate but have decided to keep if for now. I try not to hold onto things unless I think they will be missed and it seems that this will be the case on the XM-18. Up until now the Large 21 Micarta has been my favorite knife but the XM-18 is putting up a good fight for my pocket.

- I was doing some food prep and the after the blade sliced right through the food it hit my plate pretty hard...I now have a couple micro chips in the blade :grumpy: I have yet to be happy with my sharpening method but I'm getting the DMT sharpening kit which I hope will work out the chips. Have you guys had problems with chips at all? (check out the last pic)

Couple pics-

IMG_0659.jpg

IMG_0658.jpg

IMG_0666.jpg

IMG_0663.jpg
 
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