Question regarding Rick Hinderer & ZT models

[Sonnydaze]

Very awesome of you, Don! :thumbup:

And I hope you know I was joking around, brother.

Hey, my friend...a Texan can joke with a former Texan any ole' time.

Don

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

The secondary market prices are just that, secondary market. That will always be what the market commands of a product (without MAP pricing). If the market thinks a product is overpriced it won't sell leading to lower prices. The market prices of Hinderer's are based on the limited numbers of pieces out there and the number of individuals that want them. The direct price from Rick is based on his cost plus markup. All of his parts are made in house except the pocket clip screws and I'm not sure about the washers. That cost adds up since they are relatively smaller batches of parts than what would go into a ZT model.

The ZT models I've owned have been great knives and well made. So have my XM-18's.

 

[bld522]

The answer is regardless of how tough the 550 is, it's still not quite to the extreme as a genuine Spanto XM18. Whether that level of extra durability is necessary or warrants the extra $$ is definitely debatable. But it's not questionable in my mind that the genuine Hinderer will handle more extreme use.

Trust me. If I need a knife tougher than the 0550, it won't be a folder.

To answer the OP's question, Hinderer-designed ZT knives have been close approximations of XMs . . . at least up to now. But all that's about to change with the introduction of the 0562CF.

 

[rxavage]

A knife doesn't need a spanto grind to be rugged as all hell. Have you seen this vid of some Russian hard use testing his 0550?

http://youtu.be/AW0TVkcBFkw

That video is the reason I bought the zt 550 last week and started me on this journey.

 

[Therealtwitch]

Trust me. If I need a knife tougher than the 0550, it won't be a folder.

To answer the OP's question, Hinderer-designed ZT knives have been close approximations of XMs . . . at least up to now. But all that's about to change with the introduction of the 0562CF. I'd call the 0562CF the 3.5" XM-18 for the rest of us.

Agreed. I personally prefer the stiffer detent and the kvt of the zt over the hinderer. That being said I own both because I love the hinderer Wharncliffe

 

[bld522]

Agreed. I personally prefer the stiffer detent and the kvt of the zt over the hinderer.

Roger that. The need to carry a knife tougher than an 0550 is why God made Jerry Busse. And yes, the stiffer detent and KVT are two compelling reasons for selecting a ZT over an XM.

Rob Orlando said it best. The XM is a purpose-built knife designed for use by military, law enforcement and emergency medical transport personnel. I'm none of those. So there's no reason for me to buy an XM other than the fact that I like the way it's designed. Now that ZT makes XM alternatives that are practically as good as (IF NOT BETTER THAN) the originals and serve the needs of the general populace rather than a subset of the populace I'm not a member of, there's even less of a reason for me to buy an XM. Add to that the obvious financial advantage I gain if I buy Rick's knives in conformance with the way he intended that they be used and as far as I'm concerned, the game is over. If ordinary folks choose to pay twice as much or more for a less suitable knife because they want a different grind or a different blade shape or a genuine Hinderer logo or pretty colors or entry into an exclusive club, more power to them. From my perspective, however, price, practicality and performance trump them all.

Behold the ZT 0562CF - the 3.5" XM-18 for the rest of us! :thumbup: