Tight Hinderer XM-18

driwash

driwash

Joined
Nov 13, 2013
Messages
124
Just got my first xm-18 Hinderer and opening with the thumb studs is impossible. Flipping it with the flipper stud is a challenge. Once it is opened just past the detent it is smooth as glass. Any ideas?
Thank you
Tom
 
Keep using it. It will break in after a week.


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In addition to the break in, I can say that each of my several xm18's whether regular 3.5 or fattys have all come with the pivot too tight.

I also like to completely disassemble each new knife, clean everything carefully with windex taking care to wipe off the factory gunk (lubrication.)

Then re assemble it. Use a drop or 2 of Nano or Daiwa oil (most lubes work but I have found the Hinderers to like thin oils better than thicker greases like Reeve's flourinated grease. Nano or Daiwa oils work very well and that is all I use.)

Lube the pivot female part lightly on the outside, a thin circle's worth of oil on the inside of the lockside at the pivot, the washers, and both sides of the blade tang. Don't forget a tiny bit on the detent ball.

Now carefully put it all together the same way you took it apart. Adjust the pivot to your liking and center your blade if need be.

It is important to remember that "less is more" with the oil. Also, do not use oil or any kind of lube on the handle screws, standoffs or handle nuts.

I can tell you from experience that after doing this to each new XM I have bought, all problems were solved as far as smoothness, flipping proficiency and detent. Occasionally, lockbar pressure had to be increased or decreased, but not often enough to worry about.

If you have questions or get stuck, shoot me a PM. I'd be happy to help.
 
Ratman79 said:
In addition to the break in, I can say that each of my several xm18's whether regular 3.5 or fattys have all come with the pivot too tight.

I also like to completely disassemble each new knife, clean everything carefully with windex taking care to wipe off the factory gunk (lubrication.)

Then re assemble it. Use a drop or 2 of Nano or Daiwa oil (most lubes work but I have found the Hinderers to like thin oils better than thicker greases like Reeve's flourinated grease. Nano or Daiwa oils work very well and that is all I use.)

Lube the pivot female part lightly on the outside, a thin circle's worth of oil on the inside of the lockside at the pivot, the washers, and both sides of the blade tang. Don't forget a tiny bit on the detent ball.

Now carefully put it all together the same way you took it apart. Adjust the pivot to your liking and center your blade if need be.

It is important to remember that "less is more" with the oil. Also, do not use oil or any kind of lube on the handle screws, standoffs or handle nuts.

I can tell you from experience that after doing this to each new XM I have bought, all problems were solved as far as smoothness, flipping proficiency and detent. Occasionally, lockbar pressure had to be increased or decreased, but not often enough to worry about.

If you have questions or get stuck, shoot me a PM. I'd be happy to help.
Click to expand...

Great advice ^ this will help even the tightest XM. Did same with all of mine and they flip beautifully after tuning. Two of three came way too tight when I first received them. All were tuned and are now smooth as butter.

Loosening the pivot screw would be in order for your situation. Make extremely slight minor adjustments and test it until it feels right. If you take down the XM as posted above, this can be done when putting it back together. Slowly tighten the pivot screw and test the flipping at different tightness until it's how you like it. A drop of blue loctite on the pivot screw threads would be a good idea if you don't want to have to worry about it for awhile once it's tuned to your liking.

Keep in mind the centering of your blade as you do this, make sure to check that each time you adjust the pivot. If you need extra help you can PM me as well.

With all 3 XM-18's I have so far, I never open them with the studs. They're not really meant to open the knife so don't be alarmed right away if it's impossible/difficult to do it that way.

There is a thread "Lets See Some Hinderer Action" in General Knife Discussion which also has some good tuning techniques in recent pages. You may want to read through that as well for extra advice.
 
Ratman79 and Sevenofnine Thank you for the how to's. If I still have issues with the xm-18 I will PM you. Just have to say that forum members sure are helpful.
Thank you again, Tom
 
glad to help--I was in the same boat when I first got into XMs. The detent wasn't quite right, it was a little stiff opening, and the flipping was labored. Two guys here on the forums really helped to iron out the problems--I was ready to return it and get something else; I reached out as a last resort and I'm glad I did because once I figured out how to adjust them to my liking, they've become one of my favorites and smooth as ever. The first guy to answer was absolutely right--Hinderers do have a "break in" period.
 
I can only open 1 of my 5 using the studs...and one had a very tight detent that made the flipper hurt alot....decreased lockbar tension a lil and flipped it for a few 100 times...now it's the best flipping hinderer i own.

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