Scratches on Hinderer customs

D

denari

Joined
Mar 20, 2013
Messages
84
Hi Hinderer aficionados :)

I just gotten my first XM-18 custom in a beautiful hand-rubbed finish.
Was admiring upon the blade last night and noticed some fine, hairline scratches on the blade.
Now I know Rick no longer refurbish satin blades so I'm just wondering if this is something that I can fix on my own.

Appreciate if anyone can share their experiences and comments.

Thanks!

Update: I need to clarify that the scratches mostly appear on the flats of the blade (where the grain starts from the tang to the tip)
Other parts of the blade like the spine, grind, swedges have no such scratches.
 
Last edited:
Wouldnt get too stressed about it, its a tool not a piece of art you keep behind glass. If you get caught up with keeping it mint forever you will never fully appreciate what it is.
 
I agree. :)
I do beat up the production versions (have a 3" XM-18 which works awesome as an EDC),
but I can't bring myself to use the customs yet.
Always love tinkering with stuff so I thought if this would be an easy fix to do at home.
I've heard some who use scotchbrite on other similar satin finished knives but ain't sure if it will work for the custom.
They do look very fine under the right light and angle, is just that they go in all directions other than along with the grain, otherwise I wouldn't be bothered with it one bit.

I did wonder if it was caused by the cloth while wiping it down but fortunately it wasn't the case when I tried it on a scratchfree area.

Just curious, has anyone else have on their customs?
 
Last edited:
I would not attempt to fix the scratches as it would void the warranty. It's best to wait & see if Rick will accept satin blade refurbs sometime in the future.
After some use, maybe the new scratches will help blend in the old.
 
At this point I'm not trying to do anything else aside from just applying a thin coat of tufglide on the blade.
I doubt Rick would change his policy on refurbing satin blades, but I may be wrong though..
 
It sounds like a classic case of who ever owned it prior to you not knowing how to properly change a scale. The stickies are a valuable tool.... as is the Hinderer tool...in properly changing a scale without damaging the knife. They likely allowed the blade to rub against the liner once the pivot was loosened.
Regardless...enjoy your knife and use to the fullest extent! Carry it often and use it in good health.
 
I doubt the scale has been changed before (comes in a regular black G10)
I have not taken the knife apart yet but the area where the scratches are are near to the top of the spine.
So even if the knife was taken apart while it is closed would not touch the liners.
The scratches are not crazy, just a couple and almost vertical in orientation to the grain which pop out under the right angle and light.
 
brandog said:
Wouldnt get too stressed about it, its a tool not a piece of art you keep behind glass. If you get caught up with keeping it mint forever you will never fully appreciate what it is.
Click to expand...

Not to everyone... I can totally see wanting to keep a $1500-2500 custom in pristine condition.
 
Thanks everyone, I think I've found a way to remove the scratches.
But yeah, it's a grail in my humble collection.
I'm going to love it even more once I fix this eventually. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top