Was unimpressed with Hinderer knives but now I can't stop thinking about them.

My latest , flips as well as my ZT's and has zero blade play. Screaming sharp too. Plus, you can use the thumbstud.

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I have to admit, my girlfriend’s Half-Track is growing on me. I’m not usually one for smaller knives but that thing acts like a bigger knife. The fact that it’s city friendly due to size is a bonus.
 
This 0804 is the 3rd higher end ZT, I've received with lockup you can press all the way over. At least Hinderers lockbars won't move with thumb pressure.

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Zt’s are great knives but some models have poor lock bar/blade tang geometry. Jill, I’ve noticed the same issue on my 0562.
 
As far as flipping action on my Hinderers goes:
  • I understand the flipping action is dependent upon fine tuning the pivot tightness to optimize between freedom of blade rotation and solid lock
  • On my Half Track & MP-1 there is a sweet spot to be found within an small range of pivot tightness
  • The Half Track flips very nicely. The dentent is too tight to pull the blade out manually with ease. I just got it a few days ago but I am very pleased with this one.
  • As I have it adjusted, the MP-1 will flip nicely with either some preloading on the flipper tab or a tiny bit of wrist action. I can loosen the pivot a bit for easier flipping but there is a tiny bit of side-to-side blade flex (so slight I wouldn’t even call it “play”) if I do that. After break-in it can be opened easily with the thumb studs. I am very pleased with this knife.
  • There is no flipping sweet spot on my 3” XM-18. To eliminate side-to-side play the pivot must be tightened to the point that flipping is only possible through bull whip type wrist action. I think this is due to a combination of a detent that is too light (much too light) and a short blade that doesn’t have a lot of mass. However, it opens nicely via the thumb studs which is my preferred method. I’m growing tired of flippers and bearing pivots (looking at ZT). My big complaint with this XM is the machining flaws that should not be present in a knife costing this much. I got mine pretty reasonably via a trade though.
  • I briefly installed polished PB washers in my MP-1. The difference was negligible so I went back to Teflon.
  • I tried polished PB washers in the XM and it was a no-go. It was either too tight to move the blade without a lot of force or had excessive side-to-side play.
Anyway, don’t expect to see any of my Hinderers on the Exchange, even the XM. I like them all but I’m not going to deny there are issues with my XM example.
 
Yikes! I've never seen one like that before. I'm sure if you sent it to the ranch they would fix it.
 
It happens to both brands. My zt 0804cf does it but not a few of my friends that have the same model. Also happens to some hinderer's. Functionally what is wrong with that? I find it annoying but I haven't had a functional problem with it yet.
 
Your XM-18 is an older variant, as evidenced by the lack of the decoratively machined lockbar relief. Yes, the older ones didn't flip well. The newer ones are absolutely perfect flippers.


photoman12001 said:
I’ve had an MP-1 for a while and just got an XM-18 3” and Half Track. I really like the MP-1 & Half Track. The machining is very nice and flipping actions are good, though not the best available. The ergonomics and overall designs are very appealing to me.

The XM-18 is a different story:
  • Its flipping action is as you describe, basically nonexistent, unless I adjust the pivot to the point of unacceptable blade play. It does open nicely via the thumbstuds though.
  • The lockbar has some vertical play while the knife is open though no blade play with pivot properly adjusted.
  • The machining is nowhere near the quality of the others. The jimping is roughly executed. Check out the “Hinderer” label on the scale. The milling tool did not come up far enough and left a bunch of trails both within and between the letters.
  • Look at the fit of the scale and liner. I thought this was a defect or something but after some Google searching it appears to be normal. Why? It looks bad, unfinished.
  • Overall I like the design and blade shape but it’s not well executed in my opinion.
Basically, from my experience I’d recommend an MP-1 or Half Track but I’d pass on an XM unless you can see it in person. Admittedly, my Hinderer experience is limited though to these three examples.
Edit: And one other Half Track but it was modified by a third party before I got it. There were issues with it but it’s unfair to judge the knife since I don’t know what it was like from the factory.

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JRRsix7 said:
The newer ones are absolutely perfect flippers.
Click to expand...
Some people say this, but its not always the case. I know of a few folks that have new ones that still don't flip well.
I wonder if it's a special request thing?
 
The 3" XM-18 Wharncliffe is the only Hinderer (of several) in the household that doesn't flip well. It's an older model before they increased the detent tension. All the other Hinderer flippers I've owned (plus the four my son has) flip great. No blade play, no lock rock. The Anthracite DLC spearpoint 3.5" he owns is the smoothest Hinderer I've handled.
 
JRRsix7 said:
Your XM-18 is an older variant, as evidenced by the lack of the decoratively machined lockbar relief. Yes, the older ones didn't flip well. The newer ones are absolutely perfect flippers.
Click to expand...

Actually that is not true (lockbar relief engraving). Some have it, some don't. I bought a brand new XM-18 3.5" bowie not long ago, best flipper I've had from Hinderer (outside of my 24's) and it was smooth in the lockbar cutout.

edit to add: Same with my 3.5 Spanto now that I look at it.

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I have similar thoughts about them. Kind of obsessed with wishing I could get one. I have had a couple and was way underwhelmed and sold them. My predicament, and why I won't ever get one again is the variableness in whether the action is good or not and unless I can see it in person first I will never buy one. So I must move on and check them off my list I think.
 
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I had the 3.5" XM18 in my pocket already...but as long as we're showing pictures, I grabbed the MP-1.
These are very different animals when it comes to flipping; but, as I said, I have no problem flipping my XM18.
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As far as the lockbar cutouts:
XM18
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MP-1
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Not the one I'm thinking of (at least I don't remember the thumb stud & shaking part)...
Thought it was you; but it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong (don't tell my coworkers!)
 
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