- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Messages
- 123
Let me 1st start things off with a much deserved tribute to Rick & Rob & all the crew. We wouldn't all be here without them and the exemplary product that they produce - which we carry & admire with - dare I say - Reverence. 
Here ya go:
I guess we all know what comes in THAT box. You got it - Mine (XM18 3" non-flipper slicer) arrived & blew me outta the water today. Being freshly retired, I sat on my couch in my slept-in fashion, sipping black Italian Roast early this PM staring at the unopened USPS Priority International parcel with a huge grin, not wanting to crack that sucker til I was fully awake.
I finally flipped my Native 5 & sliced 'er. You all know the routine. BUT this was my 1st. Virgin territory.
How do I talk about the XM to a group of people who know more about it than I do? Seems kinda pretentious. But how do you NOT talk about your 1st XM. If it was someone else's experience & I was a listener I would undoubtedly recollect with a smile how I felt when I was in that position. This ain't no Kmart paring knife we're talkin' here.
One can never do this knife justice with all the guess work that goes into the expectation. Once I took it in hand I could feel something I hadn't felt in a folder previously. Intangibles if you will, while doing the examination & getting comfy with how it sat in the hand. Keep in mind that I'm left handed & I had just bought myself a very expensive Right Hand knife. The trepidation gave way quickly when I snuggled my thumb in the "pocket" & gave a little flip with some "intention" behind it. HELLO! Those teflon washers are a feeling I won't soon forget. I suspect that they play a none to small part in the butter of the deployment. I thought I was about to start whimpering like a child. Ain't NEVER seen the like!
I'm here t' tell ya - this puppy is every bit as much a L/H er as it is a R/H er! I'll get there in a minute.
The first thing I did was change the clip to tip up position. With the knife in the left hand the G10 scale forms a smooth, flat surface on the palm & the clip is like a contoured form-fit for finger wrap on the lock side.
The middle finger sits perfect in the turn up contour of the clip. Where R/H ers turn the knife over to dis-engage the lockbar with the thumb, I push out the bar with my index finger & press down on the jimping of the blade with my thumb - Then turn the knife over to close the blade.(2nd photo). The bottom of the blade tang presses against the finger to prevent closing the blade on the finger.
I am REALLY impressed with the pivot adjustment as it came. & I'm not even sure yet if it's lubed. I plan to break it down soon but want to make myself a spanner or find a spanner bit at my go-to machinist supply.
I am of the opinion that those teflon washers are where it's at for smoothness. It's almost like the blade has "air cushion ride".
I still can't believe I found a NIB XM of the exact model I preferred. I know how popular the 3.5 is but for my own EDC I like how much control the 3"er gives for a wide variety of application. I have other folders of both sizes so I'm familiar with the feel of both to a degree. Hey - there's always #2.
The scale on mine is grey & it's fine, but I'll change it out when I'm able for what I prefer. Standoffs too. Gonna dress 'er up for dancin'.
That laser etching of the Hinderer Logo is a thing of beauty! Here you can see how light is reflected from 2 angles. Nice touch Rick.
A few of the details which we all admire I'm sure.
I won't ramble on stuff y'all are more than familiar with but I can't wait to learn more about what I now have acquired.
A dear friend used to tell anyone who would listen: "Beliefs can only become knowns through direct, personal experience". I'll pick some of that up from working with what this baby has to offer. The rest I'll absorb from the great posts of learning & entertainment around these parts.
Thanks to everyone who makes our forum a true privilege & enjoyable place to frequent.
Blair.
PS: All these photos are only of medium quality file size.
Here ya go:
I guess we all know what comes in THAT box. You got it - Mine (XM18 3" non-flipper slicer) arrived & blew me outta the water today. Being freshly retired, I sat on my couch in my slept-in fashion, sipping black Italian Roast early this PM staring at the unopened USPS Priority International parcel with a huge grin, not wanting to crack that sucker til I was fully awake.
I finally flipped my Native 5 & sliced 'er. You all know the routine. BUT this was my 1st. Virgin territory.
How do I talk about the XM to a group of people who know more about it than I do? Seems kinda pretentious. But how do you NOT talk about your 1st XM. If it was someone else's experience & I was a listener I would undoubtedly recollect with a smile how I felt when I was in that position. This ain't no Kmart paring knife we're talkin' here.
One can never do this knife justice with all the guess work that goes into the expectation. Once I took it in hand I could feel something I hadn't felt in a folder previously. Intangibles if you will, while doing the examination & getting comfy with how it sat in the hand. Keep in mind that I'm left handed & I had just bought myself a very expensive Right Hand knife. The trepidation gave way quickly when I snuggled my thumb in the "pocket" & gave a little flip with some "intention" behind it. HELLO! Those teflon washers are a feeling I won't soon forget. I suspect that they play a none to small part in the butter of the deployment. I thought I was about to start whimpering like a child. Ain't NEVER seen the like!
I'm here t' tell ya - this puppy is every bit as much a L/H er as it is a R/H er! I'll get there in a minute.
The first thing I did was change the clip to tip up position. With the knife in the left hand the G10 scale forms a smooth, flat surface on the palm & the clip is like a contoured form-fit for finger wrap on the lock side.
The middle finger sits perfect in the turn up contour of the clip. Where R/H ers turn the knife over to dis-engage the lockbar with the thumb, I push out the bar with my index finger & press down on the jimping of the blade with my thumb - Then turn the knife over to close the blade.(2nd photo). The bottom of the blade tang presses against the finger to prevent closing the blade on the finger.
I am REALLY impressed with the pivot adjustment as it came. & I'm not even sure yet if it's lubed. I plan to break it down soon but want to make myself a spanner or find a spanner bit at my go-to machinist supply.
I am of the opinion that those teflon washers are where it's at for smoothness. It's almost like the blade has "air cushion ride".
I still can't believe I found a NIB XM of the exact model I preferred. I know how popular the 3.5 is but for my own EDC I like how much control the 3"er gives for a wide variety of application. I have other folders of both sizes so I'm familiar with the feel of both to a degree. Hey - there's always #2.
The scale on mine is grey & it's fine, but I'll change it out when I'm able for what I prefer. Standoffs too. Gonna dress 'er up for dancin'.
That laser etching of the Hinderer Logo is a thing of beauty! Here you can see how light is reflected from 2 angles. Nice touch Rick.
A few of the details which we all admire I'm sure.
I won't ramble on stuff y'all are more than familiar with but I can't wait to learn more about what I now have acquired.
A dear friend used to tell anyone who would listen: "Beliefs can only become knowns through direct, personal experience". I'll pick some of that up from working with what this baby has to offer. The rest I'll absorb from the great posts of learning & entertainment around these parts.
Thanks to everyone who makes our forum a true privilege & enjoyable place to frequent.
Blair.
PS: All these photos are only of medium quality file size.
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