POLL: XM-18 or SNG CC?

XM-18 or SNG Concealed Carry

  • XM-18

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • SNG CC

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
Having handled both a XM-18 and XM-24 for an extended period of time, I've reached the following highly unpopular conclusion:

Hinderers are simply not worth the ridiculous second-market prices. Rick's elitist, gimmicky "only active LEO get reasonable prices only because my knives ARE EXXXTREME,DUDEZ" marketing has blown the reputation and quality of these knives far out of proportion. There is nothing magical or special about these knives when compared to the many other solid "hard use" options that cost a fraction of the price [Strider SNG/Benchmade 275/ZT 0560/CRK Large 25]. Any of those knives will match or out-perform a Hinderer at a fraction of the cost. And frankly, for a "hard use" knife that you intend to use vigorously, it does not make sense to drop large amounts of money considering the abuse the blade will be put through.

I'd take a CRK Sebenza 21/25 over either option any day of the week. Better quality control, fit and finish, warranty service, and pricing.
 
zImsKee said:
XM18 times 1000. Go for a strider if you enjoy lock rock and blade play!
Click to expand...

To be fair new Striders have the lock up face cut different than the older. It seems to have solved the problem of the lock bar running into that curve and being unable to travel any further. Lock up on my new SMF is as perfect as any other frame lock I own. I wouldn't have bought one without this improvement. I'm happy and I can open it one handed, fit and finish is as also very nice. The grip to me is outstanding and I can move this big knife very rapidly with no feeling I'd ever lose my grip. It came shaving sharp and I love the pure mean looks.

[video=youtube;iLVDUjD3I38]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLVDUjD3I38[/video]
 
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jill jackson said:
To be fair new Striders have the lock up face cut different than the older. It seems to have solved the problem of the lock bar running into that curve and being unable to travel any further. Lock up on my new SMF is as perfect as any other frame lock I own.
Click to expand...

Ive had striders with the new lockup develop blade play. They took care of one problem by going from a radiused tang to a flat tang, but the face is that having it lock up on the corner, or having their famous "shit vent" isolates wear to one small point of the lockbar face and speeds up wear. If they went to a flat, more spread out locking face like a Sebenza, I don't think they'd have near as many problems. Thats just my thoughts though.
As for the vote, Ive only owned two lego smfs.
 
I'm a bit turned off by the plastic washers Hinderers have. I know it makes the knife flip easy, but if that's the goal I think for the price bearings would be a better choice. I have a CRKT flipper with plastic washers and it flips smooth, but it also cost about 70 dollars.
 
jill jackson said:
I'm a bit turned off by the plastic washers Hinderers have. I know it makes the knife flip easy, but if that's the goal I think for the price bearings would be a better choice. I have a CRKT flipper with plastic washers and it flips smooth, but it also cost about 70 dollars.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter what Hinderers have as washers all the loads are put on the tumbstuds frame and lockface. So may as well use whatever is going to be smoothest, phosphor bronze would be a waste in a XM-18 and bearings would make a more expensive knife.
 
tussery said:
It doesn't matter what Hinderers have as washers all the loads are put on the tumbstuds frame and lockface. So may as well use whatever is going to be smoothest, phosphor bronze would be a waste in a XM-18 and bearings would make a more expensive knife.
Click to expand...

Unless you can buy it direct it's already an expensive knife. We can get one direct but they still aren't available right now.
 
Plastic Good. Just ask Glock.
I'd go with a Strider for the design alone. Also the Strider is in the top 3 folder lineup. imo.
rolf
 
Strider. KICKASS warranty, if you saw half the stuff I have done to my zwear sng you would cringe, the lockup is solid, I've abused the ever loving crap out of it and the flat lockup didn't move. Absolutely awesome. Oh what's also awesome is you don't have to be leo, emt etc etc to get one at a fair price
 
jill jackson said:
Unless you can buy it direct it's already an expensive knife. We can get one direct but they still aren't available right now.
Click to expand...

Well considering it is Hinderer and nothing will be done half assed. You could probably double the current production price of an XM-18 which would in turn double the second hand price. No thanks I'll stick with Teflon.

Edit: Teflon is not plastic it is polymer.
 
Eddie47 said:
The XM is almost double the price of the Strider. Own both. XM is THE much better folder. But is it worth 2 Striders? IMO, probably.
Click to expand...
And I respectfully disagree. The Strider (and practically any other well-made, high-end folder that can be purchased at MSRP) clearly represents the better value proposition. Besides, I'm nobody's second-class citizen. So long as makers like Chris Reeve are willing to sell their knives at MSRP to ordinary hard-working American taxpayers like me, I'll never buy a Hinderer. YMMV.
 
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Hinderer didn't even have a estimated time for the XM-24 when I asked. So I went with the SMF, because at least it was available.
 
For the price of a Strider CC you can get a ZT0560CBCF Henderer design with carbon fiber scale and S110V steel. The blade is only .25" longer and the ergos are outstanding. Aside from that I'd go with the XM-18.
 
I know Rick is a stand-up guy and if I liked his folder design, I'd buy one.
 
jill jackson said:
To be fair new Striders have the lock up face cut different than the older. It seems to have solved the problem of the lock bar running into that curve and being unable to travel any further. Lock up on my new SMF is as perfect as any other frame lock I own. I wouldn't have bought one without this improvement. I'm happy and I can open it one handed, fit and finish is as also very nice. The grip to me is outstanding and I can move this big knife very rapidly with no feeling I'd ever lose my grip. It came shaving sharp and I love the pure mean looks.

[video=youtube;iLVDUjD3I38]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLVDUjD3I38[/video]
Click to expand...

:thumbup:

Yeah, I just pick-up a new SNG (lego) and it is 100% solid--lock-up, F&F, centered, I can open it with one hand, etc... though I don't have the XM-18, the ZT 0561 I have is an excellent knife, solid, dependable, and smooth; if I can get a Hinderer-like experience for the price of the ZT, then I am satisfied. I agonized over the price of the SNG for a while, just on principle, but went with it due to the new improvements. I have not been disappointed.
 
Lycosa said:
I know Rick is a stand-up guy and if I liked his folder design, I'd buy one.
Click to expand...
I hear you. It's too bad Rick won't stand up for me.

I'll leave it at this. Who do you think pays the wages of folks Rick is willing to sell to? People like me, that's who. And if it weren't for people like me, how many of those folks do you think would be willing to do what they do for free? No, I may not put my life on the line, but I put my blood, sweat and tears on the line every day to support those who do. How dare Rick or anyone else tell me that my contribution isn't sufficient to qualify me to do business with them? And what kind of person would I be if I were willing to buy products manufactured by people who feel that way?
 
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This thread is from January.
I voted XM back then. I don't want either, but I would rather have it than a Strider.

OP, which one did you get ?
 
Xm-18 all day everyday, and twice on Sunday. I love my SnG, but Hinderer are in their own class IMHO.
 
Emerson and Mick nailed the ergos in designing a knife. The Strider SnG just locks onto your hand.
The build of the SnG is in a class of it's own.
 
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