Swapping blades?

E

Edventure

Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Messages
13
Forgive the questions if they appear dumb, I'm a Hinderer newbie!

I know people quite happily swap out scales, clips and standoffs but does anyone swap their blades?

Reason I ask is that I have 2 XM24s, one with a stone washed body and blasted blade and one with the stonewashed blade and sandblasted body. I keep thinking from a practicality viewpoint it would be worth matching up stonewashed blade with the body. Won't show as much wear/use that way.

Lastly, would swapping blades constitute "pimping" my knives and negate my warranty!
 
Edventure said:
Forgive the questions if they appear dumb, I'm a Hinderer newbie!

I know people quite happily swap out scales, clips and standoffs but does anyone swap their blades?

Reason I ask is that I have 2 XM24s, one with a stone washed body and blasted blade and one with the stonewashed blade and sandblasted body. I keep thinking from a practicality viewpoint it would be worth matching up stonewashed blade with the body. Won't show as much wear/use that way.

Lastly, would swapping blades constitute "pimping" my knives and negate my warranty!
Click to expand...

You are correct, IMO nothing wears like the stonewashed finish (or should I say Not wears).
 
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Edventure said:
I know people quite happily swap out scales, clips and standoffs but does anyone swap their blades?

Reason I ask is that I have 2 XM24s, one with a stone washed body and blasted blade and one with the stonewashed blade and sandblasted body. I keep thinking from a practicality viewpoint it would be worth matching up stonewashed blade with the body. Won't show as much wear/use that way.

Lastly, would swapping blades constitute "pimping" my knives and negate my warranty!
Click to expand...

Hinderer quality control and tolerances are exceptional, I wouldn't doubt it would work if they didn't make an intended change. But, swapping parts between knives (other than scales or standoffs) will void your warranty.
 
................

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. Stonewashed for EDC and blasted for fondling :D

IMAG0047.jpg


IMAG0048.jpg
 
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It's worth playing with in some spare time. While the Ranch will not swap blades, you might as well give it a try. Part of the hobby is that you can swap parts and pieces. Production XMs are high quality and I am betting you won't have any trouble. I caution you to only swap the least amount of parts between the knives and keep everything organized. Lay out a thought out area with containers and such, have all the tools, cleaning supplies and lubrication ready before disassembly, make sure you have good lighting and so on.

Let us know how it turns out for you.
 
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Warranties cover defects and such, I don't expect someone else to pay for my mistakes. A reputable company will stand behind their work.
 
Need2Know said:
Warranties cover defects and such, I don't expect someone else to pay for my mistakes. A reputable company will stand behind their work.
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X2 N2K. I do not anticipate EVER needing nor using my Hinderer Warranty. IF one of my knives ever failed chances are I have done something really stupid OR I am in a situation that I probably didn't survive anyway ..... either way.
As for the enjoyment of these knives - they give more than I would ever ask for in return.

Anywho....
 
It is my understanding that each frame is hand fitted to each blade. Blades are not interchangeable and just cause they could be doesn't mean they should.
 
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Hammer said:
It is my understanding that each frame is hand fitted to each blade. Blades are not interchangeable and just cause they could be doesn't mean the should.
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In conversing with Rob once, He did mention just that especially as it related to the detent hole/ball relationship.
 
Proceed at your own risk, but I highly recommend if you go forth with the swap that you keep track of everything. Putting them back as they were is something you may want to do if the result of a swap is not as desired.

Hammer and Rubi pointed it out. Each of these knives is very hands on, more like custom knives than mass production pieces by a huge margin.

Here's to a positive outcome no matter what you decide.
 
Hammer said:
It is my understanding that each frame is hand fitted to each blade. Blades are not interchangeable and just cause they could be doesn't mean they should.
Click to expand...

Hammer beat me to it. These knives are mid-tech, mostl hand made. The Blade tang & lock bars are turned to be perfect when assembled. I wouldn't mess with them. Rather, I'd trade for the one you want instead of putting a mismatched knife together and having it turn out messed up. Sticky lockbar, loose lockbar lock rock, etc.

Just sayin....;)
 
I would think the only constraint would be a generation match, the tang differs from Gen 3 to Gen 4 I believe....

Otherwise I assume the non-custom ground blades are CNC produced as well as the frame lock so issues with alignment should be minimal at best.

The proof however is in the pudding and its a easy job just to see if it works.

I'm a tinkerer by nature.
 
Aren't Hinderer lock bars carbidized? That process lays down a coating of tungsten carbide. This may cause each folder to mate differently depending on how much is applied and how it's then fitted to the standard CnC'd tang.

[video=youtube;zpdPl4y3W8Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpdPl4y3W8Q[/video]

This video illustrates the amount of difference carbidizing can make in adding to the lock bar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS8-ZLTU-6c&feature=related
 
As Mike pointed out, despite the precision machining and consistency in their knives, they do grind the tang manually and hand fit the blade to the lockside. There is a standard setting based on their experience but the grinding wheel does wear and adjustments are continually being made. They test fitment and grind more as needed to get the lockup as they desire.

As I stated, their tolerances and precision is quite good, it wouldn't surprise me at all that swapping might work satisfactorily, but you will be voiding the warranty of both knives. If you go to sell one or both of them, be sure to state that warranty has been voided.
 
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