What's with all the Hinderer XM-18s for sale?

[hhmoore]

There are only a couple of places that I've seen selling Hinderer's without at least a $50 markup. I was going to buy a second one when the last batch of 3.5" spearpoints came in; but managed to hold off until the ones I would have taken were sold. I might not be so strong when the XM24 spearpoints arrive.
Anyway, a lot of people buy knives to try them, then turn them over and buy something else. With Hinderer prices dropping, that's happening a lot more frequently now...plus, there are the people that are buying them from the less expensive dealers, and trying to profit from the demand. I would guess that some of the sales are because people decide that the Hinderer isn't what they were expecting - they don't flip like a dedicated flipper, and there's a bit of technique to it. Simple once you've got it; but frustrating until you sort it out (and easy to blame the knife rather than one's technique).

 

[colubrid]

A factory cannot make a knife as good as a small team can. A Hinderer is made with more care and attention to detail by people that are better skilled. The production volume is therefore much lower so the price must be much higher. Take the knives apart and you will see the difference. To dis- and re-assemble a Hinderer is a joy and can be done a million times under rough conditions. The screws you have on your PM2 won't like that too much. Go ahead and pull the knives apart and look at the parts critically. Look at how things fit together. Look at the thicknesses. Look at sizes of screws and pivots. In doing this you will learn to dicern.

Yeah but you need a special tool that costs a lot of $ just to dissasemble. Which by the way Hinderer will happily sell you.

And I was dissapointed to find a plastic washer in this knife. With a knife like this you don't expect to find plastic washers.

 

[colubrid]

There are only a couple of places that I've seen selling Hinderer's without at least a $50 markup. I was going to buy a second one when the last batch of 3.5" spearpoints came in; but managed to hold off until the ones I would have taken were sold. I might not be so strong when the XM24 spearpoints arrive.
Anyway, a lot of people buy knives to try them, then turn them over and buy something else. With Hinderer prices dropping, that's happening a lot more frequently now...plus, there are the people that are buying them from the less expensive dealers, and trying to profit from the demand. I would guess that some of the sales are because people decide that the Hinderer isn't what they were expecting - they don't flip like a dedicated flipper, and there's a bit of technique to it. Simple once you've got it; but frustrating until you sort it out (and easy to blame the knife rather than one's technique).

What is the "technique"? Because after owning multiple Hinderers for years my finger still hurts and I need a wrist flick to open.

 

[jill jackson]

Push on the jimping downward, the jimping is on the front of course. I couldn't flip mine at first very well, but I was used to bearing flippers. After a day or so, I found I could roll the blade out with a follow through motion just fine. I bought a XM-18 and a 24 and both have wonderful flipping action.

[video=youtube;L6DQcv7KpmA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6DQcv7KpmA[/video]

 

[netguy1999]

My new Hinderer arrived today and IT IS SWEET! It flips like a dream! Butter smooth! It fits in my pocket perfectly! All I have done so far is changed it to tip up carry.

 

[pjandyho]

By the way all you Hinderer owners, do you see the pivot screw working itself loose after a few flips? I have to keep tightening mine up and yet I can't tighten it fully or I won't be able to flip it at all.

 

[hhmoore]

Yeah but you need a special tool that costs a lot of $ just to dissasemble. Which by the way Hinderer will happily sell you

Mine cost me a penny, and about a minute with my Dremel. The initial disassembly was the worst, as the screw turned hard right until it fully cleared the threads; but I've done it a couple times since then & was able to remove the pivot assembly with just my thumbs (no tools of any kind). That seems unusual, to me, but it works; and the knife is well adjusted, with no blade play.

By the way all you Hinderer owners, do you see the pivot screw working itself loose after a few flips? I have to keep tightening mine up and yet I can't tighten it fully or I won't be able to flip it at all.

With mine adjusted as stated above, and removable with only thumb pressure, I've never had an issue with the pivot loosening. Do you do a lot of idle flipping? Or is it subject to "hard use"? (Admittedly, mine has not been)

 

[pjandyho]

I have yet to really put the XM-18 through its paces. Since receiving the knife last week all I did was practice on flipping it. I tried writing to Hinderer asking if this is normal but got no reply.

 

[Nellem]

I have yet to really put the XM-18 through its paces. Since receiving the knife last week all I did was practice on flipping it. I tried writing to Hinderer asking if this is normal but got no reply.

You have to apply Blue Loctite to the pivot. (1) Remove pivot screw. (2) Apply Loctite to screw thread. (3) Return screw and fasten to where the action is just right for you. Let the Loctite set for 24 hours before flipping again. I do this with all my knives and it works great.

 

[Nellem]

What is the "technique"? Because after owning multiple Hinderers for years my finger still hurts and I need a wrist flick to open.

My solution:

Regarding special tools: I grinded a coin to fit the Hinderer and Strider pivots. I did this with a Dremmel tool.

The washers are Teflon. Teflon has the third lowest friction resistance of any material known to man. It's not just cheap plastic.

 

[Nellem]

Don't compromise. Improvise.

 

[pjandyho]

You have to apply Blue Loctite to the pivot. (1) Remove pivot screw. (2) Apply Loctite to screw thread. (3) Return screw and fasten to where the action is just right for you. Let the Loctite set for 24 hours before flipping again. I do this with all my knives and it works great.

Thanks for the tip. I discussed this with my friends and they too suggested using Loctite. I just wasn't convinced a $475 knife would be such a hassle. To be honest, I am still not convinced why it's even worth the money at all. I hear some sort of a rattle too whenever the blade snaps shut. Kind of feeling disappointed.

 

[jill jackson]

If you aren't happy with it you should sell it and move on. When I first started buying higher priced knives I returned the 1st one. It's not easy to see putting 2 or 3 times the money in them at first. Now I do get it and like my higher dollar knives. And no both of my Hinderers are not coming loose from flipping, nor do they rattle. I don't know if you can return yours, but if you don't get why it's worth what you paid and it has problems, I'd either return it or send it back to Hinderer and then sell/trade it.

 

[pjandyho]

If you aren't happy with it you should sell it and move on. When I first started buying higher priced knives I returned the 1st one. It's not easy to see putting 2 or 3 times the money in them at first. Now I do get it and like my higher dollar knives. And no both of my Hinderers are not coming loose from flipping, nor do they rattle. I don't know if you can return yours, but if you don't get why it's worth what you paid and it has problems, I'd either return it or send it back to Hinderer and then sell/trade it.

I thought of selling it but just last night I was trying to flip it open with the thumb stud and it slipped out of my hand because the lock is too tight. The blade suffered a slight chip when it hit concrete but other than that everything looks unharmed. I guess I will keep it and reprofile the blade when my Gatco diamond sharpener arrives. Just an FYI, the rattle I was talking about existed prior to me dropping the knife. I guess I am married to my XM-18 because of the drop. It is not a lousy knife. It's just that I expected much better workmanship for that money. I am sure a Sebenza would be much better made for that money.

 

[jill jackson]

If your knife isn't right send it back. Hinderers are well made, they haven't got where they are by being junk. Everything is different, a Sebenza is a fine knife, but it's not a flipper by any means. In fact it's not even a fast opener. If something is wrong with your knife Hinderer will fix it. I have the 18 and 24 and they have no problems with the pivot, or any rattles. If yours is substandard Hinderer would for sure rather you ship it back than be unhappy. http://www.rickhindererknives.com/warranty-form/

 

[Acadian]

Here is another cheap makeshift tool you can use on your Hinderers. Most of us have fingernail clippers at home...

 

[Nellem]

The blade suffered a slight chip when it hit concrete but other than that everything looks unharmed. I guess I will keep it ...

Now it is what a Hinderer is supposed to be. Use it. Enjoy doing so without worries. Hinderers like ours (unlike the custom ones) are not collectors pieces and were designed and made to take punishment. You paid more for it because it will take a hammering better than cheaper knives. A Hinderer knife treated like a safe queen is a total waste of a good knife and good money.

 

[jill jackson]

I've used my 18 for everything and I can't even tell it.

 

[pjandyho]

If your knife isn't right send it back. Hinderers are well made, they haven't got where they are by being junk. Everything is different, a Sebenza is a fine knife, but it's not a flipper by any means. In fact it's not even a fast opener. If something is wrong with your knife Hinderer will fix it. I have the 18 and 24 and they have no problems with the pivot, or any rattles. If yours is substandard Hinderer would for sure rather you ship it back than be unhappy. http://www.rickhindererknives.com/warranty-form/

Thank you. I would like to believe their warranty claims if they replied but so far it's been days and I have yet to receive a reply. It's alright. This will be my first and probably last Hinderer.

 

[Acadian]

yeah I love my Hinderers and wouldn't hesitate to buy others ones in the future.

I currently own two great examples.

A 3" slicer non flipper that has a weaker detent - which is perfect for this opening method!

I also have newer gen 3.5 Skinner that flips open effortlessly.