So I got an XM-18

You are making me nervous. My 3.5" XM is sitting in the post office waiting to be picked up today after work.
 
Quote Incahiker:Ya I am absolutley serious about this.. do you own both knives?

Yes I do and more.



Quote Hero: both are great so stop complaining and EDC both

I agree with you................:thumbup:
 
I get several of each brand coming through my shop. I love 'em both. but one odd thing about the xm: several have come in with loose pocket clips and tight screws:confused: I've referred the customer to send it back to Rick for warranty repair.

And regarding over or under built characteristics, most of us here posting have access to either a screw driver or pry bar. I can see someone in the military needing a special tool to do many different tasks.

I use a knife to cut, not pry;)
 
I've had a 3.5" and 3" XM and thought they were both amazing knives, but both are gone while a CRK stays in my pocket. I'd certainly give the nod in tip strength to the XM, but I feel the lock is stronger on the Sebenza. Somewhat unrelated, but I witnessed my bud have his XM come unlocked not once, but twice on a recent camping trip where he was trying to use the knife tip to wedge a piece of towel in between two boards to hang it up to dry. The lock didn't break, but rather his fingers disengaged the lock. It just further confirmed my belief that folders simply aren't the best tools for performing prying-type tasks even if "designed" to withstand abusive use. As result, there's no real advantage in choosing the XM over the Seb for me. Adding to that, I prefer the longer blade relative to overall length of the Seb, dual ti slabs and more comfortable carry. It's certainly not that I don't like the XM, but it's just I like the Seb more.:)
 
It is my opinion that the production XMs are worth every cent of their MSRP. For $600, I'll choose a Seb anyday. The Hinderer's are still fantastic tools, there's just a little too much blood in the water right now.
 
Interesting perspectives, it is nice to know about these things. Unfortunately I don't have the money for either, I may win an xm-18 in a contest I entered, but then again so did a few hundred people =/ knock on wood I guess. Its only a dream of mine to own either or. I have had a chance to play with a sebenza and unamzaan, and they are pretty fantastic. granted to make it even greater, i would do a little customization + raindrop Damascus if I had the money. [I am sorry I am daydreaming. I got laid off, and my health is not good, so all I can do is daydream]. If it counts for anything, that blue on the xm looks fantastics, and something different. I always did love royal blue. I am surprised that he does not use bronze phosphorous washers on such a high priced knife, that is baffling. Is there anyway to customize it yourself and add bronze phosphorous washers? Or will it change the mechanics of the knife too much?

I have used/played with CRKs, but not XM's [again I don't any high priced knives, due to not having a job and a disease needing surgeries]. So I apologize I cannot give any better perspectives/ideas, except for the possibility of maybe changing out the washers, if it fits and works that is. Thank you for sharing your pictures, and your input on the XM-18 and helping people get "grounded" and back on earth about the hinderer - I guess would be the best way to put it. I don't want to offend anyone, especially a lady here but as the saying goes "I wouldn't kick her out of bed" [for any of these knives lol].

Jeff
 
the only hinderer i edc is my xm-24. the rest seem to have too much handle over blade. i just dont like the feel very much. probably because im used to the minimalist execution of crk.

its hard to find the right tradeoff of overbuilt vs slim in a folder. i will say that ive only had flipper folders from rick and the flipper makes the knife feel strange when i hold it. perhaps the non flippers feel different.
 
charlOOsi said:
Good to know. I've been eying an XM18 since I've been following the rage on the forums (and they've usually been true to their words). I always like to hear both the good and bad sides of a knife. When everything I hear is good, I get a little suspicious (I feel people are adulating a knife just because they want to fit in).
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It IS a good knife, and if you can get one at "direct" prices you shouldn't hesitate in the slightest.

If you have to pay secondary market prices, give it some thought before dropping the dime. I have two Sebenzas and I still think my XM-18 was worth the buy. They're all Tonka Tough, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
 
Atmosphere said:
It IS a good knife, and if you can get one at "direct" prices you shouldn't hesitate in the slightest.

If you have to pay secondary market prices, give it some thought before dropping the dime. I have two Sebenzas and I still think my XM-18 was worth the buy. They're all Tonka Tough, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
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I don't doubt it's quality at all. Hell, this day in age, an effective EDC knife could easily be handled by a Gerber or SAK (urban of course).

However, a good example of my point would be the Umnumzaan. I notice a lot of people disregard the slight uncomfortable difficulty in getting a decent purchase on the lockbar (lack of surface area) because no one dares to bring up cons on Chris Reeve knives. Note, I haven't had a chance to EDC it yet (mine should be coming through the mail from a trade on Monday), but I have handled it in the store. I've noticed that the lockbar is fairly uncomfortable to completely catch (probably due to a lack of a cutout). I would assume through daily use, I would easily grow accustomed to it, but I like initial impressions with cons. It gives me a good overview of what I can deal with, or something that I can't live with.

Anyway, I digress. All of this is subjective so anybody and everybody should voice their opinions.
 
It is all a matter of preferrence. I was part of a pass around a ways back with a 3.5" xm-18. I was the first person in the pass around to state that I prefer my sebbies.

The xm-18 is impressive, it is just not for me.
 
charlo I don't agree we post plenty on cons in this forum. Do a search the difficulty in unlocking the umnum has been rehashed more than once.
 
I think the XM is awesome and exudes excellence. Fit and finish are perfect and service is just as good.
 
I would like to confirm that it is a great knife, but mine was delivered via USPS yesterday and signed by "me" at my home address, even though I was at work at the time?
 
Both are awesome knives ( I own a sebbie, and after handling a few Hinderers I would like one) but they are designed with different intents. The Hinderer knives I have handled had great fit and finish.

I like the G-10/Titanium combo. It's stronger than people sometimes give credit for. It also offers great traction. Something nice when wearing winter gloves. I've seen another popular knife with this combo of materials get hit with a hammer and was still functional.

If I do get one it definitely won't replace my Sebbie. It'll just be another one in the rotation :)

EDIT: I will concede thought the detent could be better. The sebbie definitely has the upper hand on this factor.
 
There is a video of Rick Hinderer driving his truck over a XM-18. When he was done the knife was intact and working perfectly.
Also he was using it as a throwing knife and the knife was perfect afterwards too. He probably threw that knife a 100 times in that plywood from about 10' away.
 
I will take my or ANY XM-18 over a Sebenza ANY day of the week. I have a custom 2nd Gen. 3 incher.
 
BBQ BOY said:
There is a video of Rick Hinderer driving his truck over a XM-18. When he was done the knife was intact and working perfectly.
Also he was using it as a throwing knife and the knife was perfect afterwards too. He probably threw that knife a 100 times in that plywood from about 10' away.
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There is a thread here of someone who lost the Sebenza in the snow in their driveway for over month. Porbably ran over it a few times and it only had a few rust spots.

I have had 1 Sebenza and 2 XMs. I prefer the Sebenza for that kind of money. List price that is. Just more my taste. The XM was a very nice knife though.
 
Totally subjective thread based upon what? The look of the XM's Ti liner was thin?

Come on.

Pitting two great makers against each other in a CRK forum is trolling IMO.

I obviously think both makers are good to go.
 
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