What Tasks is the XM-18 Designed To Do?

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me2

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Hinderer knives are intended as hard use folders for professional users. What types of things are they intended to do? Are cutting seat belts, fabrics, wood, plastic, light metal, wire, foam, cardboard, etc. all on the table? How about "chopping"? (or at least as much as a 3-3.5 inch blade folder will do) Any lateral prying, like heavy staples, or prying open cans (food or otherwise)?
 
Designed by a Fire Fighter for First Responders, Military and LE. By chopping are you referring to batoning?
Just do so with the blade not in locked position.
Certainly the duties you mentioned are uses among others.

Edit for clarification: I was not saying I think you should or even that I think ANY folder should be used for splitting (or chopping) wood.
They make hatchets, axes and machetes for that. All I was seeking was clarification as to what your question was.
As for "reporting back" how do I say this without sounding rude.
Most (If not All) on RHK, own and use Hinderer knives. Many have been for years and are quite happy with the design as well as the functionality.
If you want honest input - ask. There is more knowlege here about the tool than 3 years worth of your (or anyones that I have seen on youtube) "Testing".
If your interest is genuine and the minions that chimed in on the "other" thread can behave - we can have a discussion, If not......
This thread won't get moved this time - It'll just get locked.
If someone does not want or like an XM - don't get one. Really don't want to hear about it - HERE.
Let me be clear by providing an analogy....
This is a Big picnic (like at the town park) it's Sunday afternoon in Summer (nice huh) Lots of Family and Friends hanging out doing what folks do on a nice summer day.
NOBODY cares to hear from an uninvited guest that the hotdogs suck or the bean salad isn't worth the asking price. They will be asked to leave because nobody that wants to be at the party wants to hear about it.

So, enjoy your "Loaner" - If you decide you want info or you want to hang out or...... whatever. Cool, We just ain't starting up another stink fest again.
Rubi
 
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me2 said:
Hinderer knives are intended as hard use folders for professional users. What types of things are they intended to do? Are cutting seat belts, fabrics, wood, plastic, light metal, wire, foam, cardboard, etc. all on the table? How about "chopping"? (or at least as much as a 3-3.5 inch blade folder will do) Any lateral prying, like heavy staples, or prying open cans (food or otherwise)?
Click to expand...

RubiconSS already covered most, I'd add that the signature spanto is more robust than the slicer, therefore the spanto is better equipped for prying and a bit more abuse compared to the slicer. Also, the 3" model is the lightest duty of the three, the 3.5" XM-18 is beefier and the XM-24 beefier still.

Here you can see XMs put through their paces:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oIQvN8Ot9M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdySnMwLLJk

I wouldn't recommend doing that with a Delica.
 
No, I wasn't referring to batoning, though some light batoning might be in order. I can't see a reason to baton a 3" blade folder. I was thinking snap cutting/chopping small limbs, say 1/2" and smaller. The tire cutting is pretty good. I might have a source for old tires, and I have a very old, well used Delica that I'd be willing to subject to that. Some cardboard and webbing are in order first though.
 
me2 said:
No, I wasn't referring to batoning, though some light batoning might be in order. I can't see a reason to baton a 3" blade folder. I was thinking snap cutting/chopping small limbs, say 1/2" and smaller. The tire cutting is pretty good. I might have a source for old tires, and I have a very old, well used Delica that I'd be willing to subject to that. Some cardboard and webbing are in order first though.
Click to expand...

The general rule is that folders are not designed for batoning, leave those tasks to fixed blades.

As for chopping, a larger and heavier blade would be better suited, again fixed blade preferred.
My opinion is that chopping with an XM would greatly accelerate wear and likely damage the knife, there are limitations due to it being a folder.

I have seen a YouTube clip of someone chopping with an XM and it took it but did make the lock difficult to disengage which is quite understandable.

Best use the correct tools for the task.
 
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me2 said:
Hinderer knives are intended as hard use folders for professional users. What types of things are they intended to do? Are cutting seat belts, fabrics, wood, plastic, light metal, wire, foam, cardboard, etc. all on the table? How about "chopping"? (or at least as much as a 3-3.5 inch blade folder will do) Any lateral prying, like heavy staples, or prying open cans (food or otherwise)?
Click to expand...

Yes Hinderer knives can do all of the above and more.

DSC_1075.jpg
 
Ok, looks like a split decision on chopping and batoning. Will sharpen and report soon.
 
Just trying to see what uses are appropriate for a high end hard use folder. Reporting will be limited to the thread in reviews and testing.

Is there a maker recommended sharpening angle? Many here go from 18 to 22 degrees per side. I'm going with 20 for this one.
 
me2 said:
Just trying to see what uses are appropriate for a high end hard use folder. Reporting will be limited to the thread in reviews and testing.

Is there a maker recommended sharpening angle? Many here go from 18 to 22 degrees per side. I'm going with 20 for this one.
Click to expand...

22*- 24* per/side is more like it. As far as "appropriate uses" for a Hard Use folder - that is a topic as wide as can be imagined by the owner of that particular hard use folder.
Again, I just wanted to be clear on the position of this Forum. What happened last time ain't happening again.

As for your "testing and reporting" elsewhere - that is your business.
 
franzdom said:
What split decision are you talking about, perhaps you did not notice the picture has a fixed blade?
Click to expand...

Rubicon responded that batoning and chopping could be considered appropriate, as long as proper methods were used. Jaytaylor felt these things were not appropriate and would cause shorter life of the knife. In any case, either one would be limited by the size of the knife.

How about scraping? Things like paint, rust, caulk, etc. Perhaps cutting insulation? 20cv is pretty high wear, and only a handful of steels stand a chance against insulation.
 
Knives - Cut Stuff
Axes - Chop
Machetes - Cut/Chop
Paint Scrapers - Scrape Paint
Mauls - Split Wood
Knives - Cut Stuff
Wire Cutters - Cut Wire
Box Cutters - Cut Boxes
Knives - Cut Stuff

Ummm - ANY use bordering on Abuse will shorten the functional life of the tool being used to do something other than what it was designed for. (See above list)
"Can" an XM do those things? Sure. Should it be? I suppose that is up to the owner (to a degree)
Is this discussion anything new? Is it particularly useful or enlightening.........?:rolleyes:
 
I'd like to see a video of the XM cutting through a car door to get at the window mechanism and then do the same with a Delica.
 
Did someone do that with a Hinderer? If so, I'd try it with a Delica just to see what happens.
 
I should have been clearer. My understanding was that Rubicon's first response indicated the list I gave in the original post was in the designer/maker's scope of intended use for the knife. When I said "appropriate uses" in the subsequent posts, I should have said "intended uses" or "uses it's designed for".
 
me2 said:
Did someone do that with a Hinderer? If so, I'd try it with a Delica just to see what happens.
Click to expand...

I don't know, but I'd like to see it tried in a video! Maybe a junkyard would let you try it? XMs are made for first responders so try to be creative in thinking about how it might be used in critical situations. How about cutting up blood slicked denim?
 
Are you going to perform the tasks listed above using an XM belonging to someone else?

I'm not sure what your intentions are here, the XM is a folding knife and thats it, you keep mentioning high end so I guess you are refering to the price and trying to establish more knife for the $$???

It is a tough knife, most importantly it is high quality in terms of manufacturing and materials...not to mention one of the most iconic folder designs of recent years from a highly regarded knife maker.

Are you going to call Rick H. and request that you test him also?
 
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