Rick Hinderer XM-18..Looking for a Review

J

jryan76

Joined
Nov 20, 2005
Messages
239
Hello,

I am interested purchasing a Rick Hinderer XM-18. I was wondering if anybody out there has one of these or has some experience with one. I would like your take on it, what you thought of the quality and construction and maybe how it stood up to some use. Reviews and Pics would be sweet if you got them. I think these are a good looking knife and considering a purchase. Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
I don't have a Hinderer XM-18, but, I DO have a Hinderer Firetac. Rick's work IS fantastic!! I assure you that you will get a fantastic knife, that is unbelievably sharp. It WILL be one of the BEST knives you will ever own!! You get a fantastic custom, made by a fantastic guy. Rick IS one of the nicest guys you will ever have the pleasure of dealing with. Does this help? I hope so!! I have one on order as well, by the way!
 
I think for the price of a Sebenza you're getting a better deal with the XM-18. Rick wants his work USED. That's why he parked his jeep up on one and then threw one at a board. It held up just fine. It's got AT LEAST Sebenza quality, and I'd argue with the Ti half-liner/G10 combo and the Hinderer overstop you get a better engineered, better value knife. Also, he has several style blades for it (drop-point, Spanto, Tanto, Hellfire) AND you can get a flipper. These are things that you CANNOT get with a Sebenza.

*I'm not bashing the Sebenza (and yes I've owned them), but merely comparing the XM-18 to something in the same price bracket, and to something which a lot of people on this board consider to be a standard of the industry.

Personally, I don't think for under $400 you can get a much better framelock folder.
 
TKC, Spyderjon, thanks for the replys. I really like the looks of the XM-18 and seriously considering picking one up. So far as both of you said all I have heard is good things. I didnt know you could get a flipper on the XM-18, that is something I will definately consider.

TKC, what choice of G-10 color did you go with and blade shape? How bout the flipper, did you choose that option?

Thanks for the help, if anybody else would like to chime in on what their likes/dislikes(if there are any, dosnt sound like it)are about these knives....please do


Thanks,
jryan
 
My XM-18 is going to be lime green and a 3 inch blade. Yes, I believe I am getting the flipper.
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
My XM-18 is going to be lime green and a 3 inch blade. Yes, I believe I am getting the flipper.
Click to expand...

Knife Collector I'm interested in a XM-18 as well. It looks like a drop point to me but I hear it referred to as seemingly everything but a drop point (i.e. tanto or spearpoint). Have you seen one of the XM-18 similar to that shown on his web page and if so what type does it look like to you?

Also did you consider a wave rather than a flipper?

Sure would like to get to Atlanta since he'll have a table.
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
My XM-18 is going to be lime green and a 3 inch blade. Yes, I believe I am getting the flipper.
Click to expand...


Nice! That is going to look really sweeet!:D
 
I have an XM-18 with black G10 and a 3.5 in. beadblasted spanto blade. The spanto looks like a traditional drop point blade, but has a thick tip like a tanto. The knife is sturdy as hell and as well made as any knife i've owned or used. I have the flipper, and it's very smoothe also. The lockup is great and it is exceptionally ergonomic. I love this knife and i highly recomend it.

~Richard Unger
 
runger said:
I have an XM-18 with black G10 and a 3.5 in. beadblasted spanto blade. The spanto looks like a traditional drop point blade, but has a thick tip like a tanto. The knife is sturdy as hell and as well made as any knife i've owned or used. I have the flipper, and it's very smoothe also. The lockup is great and it is exceptionally ergonomic. I love this knife and i highly recomend it.

~Richard Unger
Click to expand...


Thanks Runger,

Man, it sounds like I cant go wrong with the XM-18, the spanto blade is the one I have been thinking about as well so its good to hear you are liking yours. Looks like I will be calling Rick in the morning to get all the details on placing an order.

thanks everybody.....keep em coming
 
runger said:
The spanto looks like a traditional drop point blade, but has a thick tip like a tanto.
~Richard Unger
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I'd hoped for and what the picture looks like but just wanted to be sure.

If you would mind a couple questions:

Why did you get the bead blasted type?

Does the flipper completely open the knife or is it an assist? Not sure if I want a flipper or wave.

Have you owned a RJ Martin or Raplh Darrel for comparison? Trying to narrow it down, but the Hinderer is the one I keep looking at.
 
I have one as well (Check out the Gallery from about two weeks back for pics) I have carried it constantly since receiving it and it's one the best folders I've ever owned.
The handle ergos are dead on, locks right into my hand without any hot spots. The fit and finish are literally perfect. Lock up is like a vault but is still easy to unlock when ready. There is NO blade play either, when open, this might as well be a fixed blade. I can't say enough about how cool the spanto tip is either. It's super tough like a tanto, but keeps the cutting ability of a spear point. The price point is outstanding for what you get. I mean under $400 for a custom of this caliber is a steal. (Shhh, don't tell Rick!) A Sebbie will be a better slicer because it is thinner stock, but the XM is a much stouter knife.

Edited to add link to my pics: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=405093
Note these pics were taken fresh out of the box, it's scratched up and well loved now :D
 
tknife,

Just checked out your pictures, Very nice! Thanks for the link.

I emailed Rick about placing an order this morning, cant wait to see what they say.

What was everyones turn around time on placing and recieving their orders?

Thanks
 
I just recieved mine last week (about three weeks from order to delivery). It is one study knife! As others have said it has the best ergonomics of any knife I have seen, it just fits in my hand ( and I have huge hands). I ordered mine with black G10, Spantor blade, no flipper and a Sandblasted finish, nothing flashy, but should stand up great to fairly hard use. This is a weekend knife for me as I can't carry anything that big at work (3" rule, but that is what my M2 Mini-RSK is for) and it is still waiting for anything to really challange it. This thing locks up and feels like a fixed blade. I agree that as a slicer other knives would probably work better, but as a general working knife it seems hard to beat. Steven
 
Mine took a little over a month from order to delivery. But he is getting swamped with orders for these now, so may be a bit longer. You won't be disapointed if you get one!
 
Also with Blade coming up, he has I believe been busy trying to get thing ready for the show. Steven
 
oldrifleman said:
Also with Blade coming up, he has I believe been busy trying to get thing ready for the show. Steven
Click to expand...

I sent him a request for a quote on a Gen II Flame the other day and haven't heard back yet. I too would imagine he's swamped until Blade is over. I've already got 2 Firetacs though that are excellent knives.:thumbup:
 
I received my XM-18 two weeks ago and carry it since then. I choose orange G-10, tumbled handle and satin finish blade. No flipper, not my thing. I think the tumbled finish ti is a very good user choice, You won´t see scratches and wear. Reminds me of the stonewash blade finish on Microtech knives The satin finish is well made, does not cost extra and is my favourite - easier to clean, better against corrosion and looks good. I can really recommend this knife.

.
hinderer_xm18_angular.jpg
 
OilMan said:
I sent him a request for a quote on a Gen II Flame the other day and haven't heard back yet. I too would imagine he's swamped until Blade is over. I've already got 2 Firetacs though that are excellent knives.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Got my reply back this morning and ordered a Gen II Flame MK1 with a flipper recurved blade and blue handle.:thumbup: Woo hoo.

crashlander: Do you have a pic of the Ti side of your XM? TIA That orange handle looks cool too.:cool:

oil
 
crashlander, those orange G10 ones are wild! I never thought I would like an orange handled knife, but Rick does it great of course. The electric blue G10 is a great choice too. I was a little nervous going with something other than basic black, but it would be cool to have something different.
 
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