Strider or Hinderer

[clearkevin]

Okay guys I have been saving and selling some stuff to get a knife.The question is SMF or XM 24 maybe 18
I would especially like to hear from those who have both or have used both.

 

[Screwdriver]

I found the SMF a little too large for EDC....Now an SMF CC would be a great option as it carries better. I own an SMF Lego and got to play with a CC model. I have handled the Hinderer 18 and 24 and the finish is nicer in a way. The thing about the Hinderer knives is you can get some really nice scales and change the looks. Personally, I would get a SMF CC.

Sorry, I am babbling.

 

[plue]

Have an xm18 I bought as a gift, and waiting on Hinderer to send out some new washers because the old was were pooched when the knife got to me. So far I'm really impressed with the knife and the service from the company, I'll almost be sorry to see it go when I give it to its new owner. Highly recommend the xm18.

 

[Comeuppance]

Do you want a tough-as-nails flipper or a tough-as-nails manual folder?

Long, thin blade or shorter, fat blade?

I wasn't super impressed with the XM-24 I picked up in a trade. The detent was weak and nothing seemed to justify the expenditure. An SMF, however, will cost less and be just as hardy. I don't really like either folder, but I like a lot of the aspects of both. If you're torn, look at the Microtech DOC. It's a flipper SMF, essentially, with a price tag about 1/2 of the other two options. I'm even selling a lightly used one if you want to grab one on the cheap to check it out.

I will say that I would trust the consistency of quality control from Hinderer more - better pivot action, lockup, centering, etc - but I would also argue that the SMF is a folder that is designed to destroy worlds and centering seems to be less of a concern when you open a folder and are convinced you could split Mt. Everest in half with a well-placed stab and have done no damage to the knife.

Hinderers make me think of fine watches. Precisely machined, durable, oozing quality, and... Way more expensive than it needs to be. I won't say the price isn't justified to some degree, but given that it's a cutting tool, I could buy three or four ZTs with very similar QC, a much better and faster warranty service, and identical / better materials...

 

[asdf12345]

Do you want a tough-as-nails flipper or a tough-as-nails manual folder?

Long, thin blade or shorter, fat blade?

I wasn't super impressed with the XM-24 I picked up in a trade. The detent was weak and nothing seemed to justify the expenditure. An SMF, however, will cost less and be just as hardy. I don't really like either folder, but I like a lot of the aspects of both. If you're torn, look at the Microtech DOC. It's a flipper SMF, essentially, with a price tag about 1/2 of the other two options. I'm even selling a lightly used one if you want to grab one on the cheap to check it out.

I will say that I would trust the consistency of quality control from Hinderer more - better pivot action, lockup, centering, etc - but I would also argue that the SMF is a folder that is designed to destroy worlds and centering seems to be less of a concern when you open a folder and are convinced you could split Mt. Everest in half with a well-placed stab and have done no damage to the knife.

Hinderers make me think of fine watches. Precisely machined, durable, oozing quality, and... Way more expensive than it needs to be. I won't say the price isn't justified to some degree, but given that it's a cutting tool, I could buy three or four ZTs with very similar QC, a much better and faster warranty service, and identical / better materials...

Second the suggestion to consider the Microtech DOC.

The newer pocket clips are better, by the way, and if you're a knife user and not a knife fondler then even the older pocket clip isn't a big problem. They can be had on the secondary market quite cheaply these days.

 

[drrickso]

i own an sng and xm18 and have owned an smf... never had an xm24
the smf was a bit large to edc even though the blade isnt much larger than an sng and it didnt fit as well in the pocket since the handle is where the size difference comes bigger into play.

the xm18 is a nice all around size for me and has a great action and speed with the flipper- plus you have a variety of blade choices... the sng/smf is a manual (see slower) folder but that spear shape blade is fat and can take an extreme beating.

both great choices IMO, but they handle different tasks better. if you want something to slice and skin with (precision tasks) go hinderer. if you want something to do some light bushcraft with and potentially put the knife through harsher tasks than a typical folder should go through, go strider.

hope that helps

 

[J85909266]

CRK Umnumzaan. You are getting what you pay for with CRK. In my personal experience, Strider knives are not finished as a knife in that price range ought to be.

I do not have any experience with Hinderer other than scratching my head at the aftermarket prices.

 

[atony]

I have owned 3 SnG's and a bunch of XM-18's, out of those two I would pic the XM-18. Now if you added the Sebenza 25 to the mix I would pic it over the other two mentioned.