Spartan Harsey Folder vs. Hinderer XM-24.

Mistman68 said:
Hmm....not sure a side by side comparo would bare that out.

The jimping on the XM's scales is more refined (eliminated the sharp edges but retained the grip). The body screws/stand offs are flush w/the scales on the XM. Hinderer uses 2 screws to hold the optional clip position cover down while Spartan uses 1 which causes the cover to be proud on one side. The body spacers are a larger diameter on the XM and there are 3 instead of 2. Hinderer uses a lock-bar insert and I personally like the thumb studs on the Hinderer better. The clip is thicker on a Hinderer. Spartan lock-up varies considerably IMO whereas on a Hinderer it's always pretty much the same. Hinderer also offers 3 different bearing/washer combinations with each knife and charges less $$.

Of course that's just my opinion, I like them both very much.
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Most of these are subjective, and not objective benchmarks of quality overall. All of the SHFs I've owned have been excellently finished, all edges chamfered, excellent execution of thumbstuds, and clips, with perfect edge grinds, and amazing designs lasered into the full ti scales. For what Hinderer would charge you for a Ti front scale, that plus an XM-24, you've spent almost the price of two SHFs. I know which I'd rather have. Also, I have never liked Hinderer clips, nor the idea that you need an additional tab just for the like, four people who carry theirs tip-down. I very much enjoy the fact that the Project X told the tip-down folks to take a hike. LOL Additionally, all my SHFs have been better cutters than the XM-18s I have owned, and the two or three 24s I've handled.

About the only thing I see that Hinderer has going for them is the modern gen versions where you can put in bearings, so it flips and drops shut. Problem is, SHFs are made to high standards so when the washers break in, they're drop shut too.

Overall, I think the SHF and XM-18 are both well finished knives, I just feel that the SHF has better overall execution in some key areas that I notice.
 
I agree w/almost everything Quiet Quiet but I do have an uneven grind on one of my SHF's and have seen another w/one.

I also agree that both are quality knives. These days I am more interested in Spartans as they lack flippers and are USA made. I've been extremely pleased with them and will continue to add them to the collection. I won't be buying anymore Hinderers unless non-flippers or older gens that I'll modify.
 
Mistman68 said:
I agree w/almost everything Quiet Quiet but I do have an uneven grind on one of my SHF's and have seen another w/one.

I also agree that both are quality knives. These days I am more interested in Spartans as they lack flippers and are USA made. I've been extremely pleased with them and will continue to add them to the collection. I won't be buying anymore Hinderers unless non-flippers or older gens that I'll modify.
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That is unfortunate, although I will say that by all accounts, Spartan's customer service is stellar, if you were ever inclined to have them correct it for you. Heh, send 'em a $100 with it, and have 'em put in one of their Damascus blades for you!!

I also want to add a caveat to my previous posts, as I'd already mentioned it. The Project X basically handles all my gripes about Hinderers XM series knives. For me, the handle shape is much better and more comfortable, the blade grind on my example came much sharper than any XM-18 I've ever gotten, and I like that it comes with the tool ready to take it apart, so you don't need to buy a friggin' takedown tool from Hinderer (or one of the knockoffs*) to service the knife. The PX is a fantastic knife, and I'd recommend those to anyone. I also have a Firetac I've purchased recently that is much more of a slimmed down affair, which I enjoy as well. It's very much like my Spartan Soundwaves SHF in some respects.

We can always nitpick on design choices, but I have to say that both Hinderer and Spartan are putting out excellent, American made knives of high quality materials, and anyone reading both my and Mistman68 Mistman68 's post should know that we're discussing very small, finer point details, but make no mistake. It's good to be spoiled for choices, and the XM-24 and Spartan SHF are both knives that would serve somebody very well in pretty much any use-case where a stout pocket knife is needed.




* Full disclosure, the large flat top on a SAK Pioneer works just as well...so I'm told.
 
Excellent point regarding customer service. In that regard I'd have to say Spartan is very much more customer oriented. I had them basically rebuild an Akribis (blade and scales) for $100, can't beat that! About in the same league as Olamic which I consider one of the best.
 
I much prefer the Spartan, in fact I am I the midst of a “one year challenge” carrying one.

From my experience it has been an absolute workhorse of a knife! It has been the only knife in my pocket since November (the 25th to be exact), and I have used it for everything and anything in my daily life - I am a construction superintendent, so there are definitely days it gets used pretty hard.

Personally I don’t own a XM-24 but I do have a few XM-18’s; while I appreciate them, they aren’t a first choice for me. I don’t care much for the handle geometry and I really dislike the position of the flipper tab, it angles into my hand and can be uncomfortable.

The SHF feels to me like the perfect blend of a CRK and takes the better elements of a Hinderer, but is much more ergonomic and hand friendly.

https://imgur.com/a/tb9QGtg

My only bit of the SHF is the lack of a sharpening choil, I have sharpened it however and it was relatively easy enough to do. Spartan’s S45VN seems to be heat treated very well - I have only needed to sharpen it once, and it strops up very nicely.
 
I really like the XM-24. The ergonomics are IMO superior and you get a good action with the flipper
However the SHF carries way better, has a good action and for such large knives I prefer s45vn over 20cv
I also had to use the customer service of Spartan and they have been great
 
Hard to say, it's like comparing a Humvee to a Porsche. They have both 4" blades, and that's where similarities stop. Correct BF answer is that you need both, of course ! :)

Also want to confirm that Fulltrack (and Project X ? - don't have one) are easier to carry and much slicier than the XM24 (unless you use a Skinny). Maybe want to try these first.
 
ferider said:
Also want to confirm that Fulltrack (and Project X ? - don't have one) are easier to carry and much slicier than the XM24 (unless you use a Skinny).
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I can absolutely confirm that on the FullTrack carries better than the 24, and it has the same amount of cutting edge on the blade, in a slightly more compact, way more refined package. I don't have a Project X, but since that seems to be the spiritual successor to the FullTrack, I would assume that it's similar.
 
I have 2 full sized SHF's, and an xm-18

I would without question buy a 3rd SHF before buying an xm-24, however I would buy an xm-24, or even a 2nd 18, before I bought a smaller SHF, that's just my 2 cents. If you got the itch though, sometimes you just have to scratch it. I say buy the 24, keep the SHF, and then after a week or 2 sell the one you like the least... both will still get decent value on the secondary market.
 
badmatt said:
Once I get to handle a SHF or own one. I'll give you my opinion.

But, I don't miss my hinderer... At. All.
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Follow up...

SHF all day every day.

Forgot a pic because why the hell not.

PTyzldl.jpg
 
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