Why don't people keep their Hinderer knives?

I bought two...a 3" slicer and a 3.5" spanto blade. Both were excellent. However, the grip length of the 3" is too small for my large hand (as is a small Sebbie), whereas the 3.5" Spanto had a disturbingly weak detent. I sold both quickly for about what I paid. In retrospect, I would prefer a 3.5" Slicer grind, although this knife is heavily-built for a purpose, and my EDC needs are quite casual.
 
I bought 2 at secondary prices. Although they where nice knives I didn't feel they where worth the money I paid for them and sold them. I have a feeling other people feel the same way and that may be why you see a lot of them for sale. There are so many quality production knife on the market for a fraction of the price of a Hinderer that I don't see myself buying another one in the foreseeable future.
 
I see all kinds of knives up for resale on here all the time. For example, you see various types of Sebenzas listed each week. People seem to buy knives, keep them for a while, and then sell them when they don't use them, or see something else they want and they want to free up cash to purchase. I haven't noticed anything that makes me think there's something unique about Hinderers that cause them to come up for sale a lot. And FWIW, I own two XM-18s that I love and have no intention of selling...ever. If I can ever find a FDE DLC coated Slicer grind I would buy that in a heartbeat also.
 
If you can buy it from the maker it's a $385 knife. The catch is, only certain "qualified" people can do that based on their occupation. And the knives sell for almost double that amount, usually, on the secondary market.

So...buy two, sell one = free knife!*

*But only for people with qualifying jobs. The rest of us can go kick rocks.

Yeah it sucks. But don't talk about it on you get in trouble.
 
MrPocketsOfSteel said:
Great Post. I made the awful mistake in sharing my take on my knives and what I carry with an *acquaintance*.

He works in that "Special Rick Knife Group". I should've never uttered a peep. What I shared with these two fellas (in my mind) was in the hope that it may either save their life or one of their friends.

I also hoped that I may at least get to handle one seeings how they carried *Absolute Junk*. To make a long story short I opened up a Cash Cow Firefighter and 2 EMT Pipeline.

Six knives from two different stations and an EMT " clubhouse" for lack of a better word. Not one of those guys owns a Hinderer knife as of three months ago. I was also told from a Very Reliable Source that my Stupidly Shared Information was then shared with other buddies in "the Kewl Kids Klub" in another state and another station etc. Now.....I know I am not the only one that did that. What Life Lesson did I learn from that? To Never Tell ANYONE that does Any Type of Work that helps people <---- isn't that sad?!?! about a tool that could maybe help them out or save their life or a loved one.

That is terrible what I typed. But It Is The Truth and I would more than likely feel sick if I knew the actual amount of money that was pilfered because of what I shared. Would I carry me a Kewl Kids Klub Knife? Never in a million years and it isn't sour grapes though one may think that. To actually see and know how that all went down gives me a bad bad feeling when it comes to "those knives". I am done. :-) Now I'll receive that " special notification thingey". Ha!
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I read this twice and I am so confused. I am one of the ones that has no idea what it means. I have never owned a Hinderer.
 
I often look at the pushback on Hinderer knives and wonder whether the company, or the knife are even the issue. If I am not mistaken these knives retail at like $365 I wonder if they were compared to other knives that sold at the same price Hinderer sells them for if they would get so much slack....I can think of a lot of knives at that price point that are not as nice as an xm-18. So my question is it the knife or the marketplace that is the issue. I hear about zt vs hinderer....from hinderer it is not as big of a price difference.... I guess the issue could be eliminated if hinderer would sell to everyone, but as someone who is not able to purchase one i see why he only sells to vets and law enforcement. On a day like today, Memorial Day I say good for all the vets who can make an extra buck on the knives. Thanks for putting your life on the line for my freedom.
 
As everyone is saying it's about money. It's about the American way, buy low, sell high. While I don't begrudge anyone making money from me, what disturbs me the most is to see someone take advantage of the buy direct offer that RHK has for the specialized field of service folks who could care less about the kindness and honor RHK has shown. This forum has a kindred spirit and when folks here see a lack of love for the passion of this hobby, it's disturbing and everyone will speak up. I think right now the reason there seems to be a lot of Hinderers on the exchange is, it's a cycle that happens. A few months ago, I picked up several CRK's here and it seemed like everyone was dumping them. Now, there's not so many. I currently have four Hinderers and don't plan on moving them. I'm a collector and not a flipper, I don't catch and release as some flippers say. Can't say I've made money on the knives I've sold. For me, it's about passing something on for someone else to enjoy.
There are some quality's about the Hinderer I don't care for, but that's just me. When I see any knife going for a stupidly high price, I've taken the advice from the folks here and pass it up and go to the next one
 
mctrinket said:
If you can buy it from the maker it's a $385 knife. The catch is, only certain "qualified" people can do that based on their occupation. And the knives sell for almost double that amount, usually, on the secondary market.

So...buy two, sell one = free knife!*

*But only for people with qualifying jobs. The rest of us can go kick rocks.

Yeah it sucks. But don't talk about it or you get in trouble.
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Not if you keep it civil and you keep it in the General Knife Discussion area, you don't.

For me it's a simple question of opportunity cost. My experience of Hinderers tells me that they're worth the manufacturer's asking price, but no more than that. To pay the premium Hinderers command on the secondary market, I would have to develop amnesia concerning the kinds of knives that are available at those premium prices. And I simply can't do that. But if I'm ever in a position to pay leo/military pricing for a Hinderer, I will buy one and I will keep it.

In the meantime, the rest of us don't have to kick rocks. Rick's collaboration with Kai has made that pretty much a non-issue.
 
1SHOT1KILL said:
What I'd like to know is why he only sells to FD/EMT/LEO etc only...
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Partly because of the limited production numbers and partly to support the marketing hype that their use is actually common among first responders/military etc. Many other companies have purchase programs for similarly qualified customers, they just aren't as big about advertising them. Some Spydercos even carry a NSN (meaning they have actually been bought in significant quantities by US Gov entities through GSA).
 
I have a couple of them, including a Spanto and a Wharncliffe. They are very nice. I was trying to sell the Spanto a couple of weeks ago because I needed the $, but was able to keep it. IMHO, Hinderers are some of the nicest production knives: extremely close tolerances, premium steels, and a reputation to match.
 
Absolutely. I put Hinderers on the same level as CRKs, and that's a compliment to Rick Hinderer. The real difference is that I can buy CRKs for what Chris says they're worth but I can't buy Hinderers for what Rick says they're worth. If I could, I would. That's why I own several CRKs and no Hinderers. Having said that, I'm looking forward with eager anticipation to ZT's rendering of the 3" XM-18 . . . if ZT ever builds it, that is.
 
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mctrinket said:
So...buy two, sell one = free knife!*

Yeah it sucks. But don't talk about it on you get in trouble.
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Shhhhhhhh! ;)

Some Mil/LEO/EMS lack ethics, and take advantage of Hinderer's good will, as word spreads the issue is only getting worse I'd wager. He could open sales up to the pubic at a higher retail and possibly make more $, though exclusivity breeds hype and drives price. The concept of selling direct to Mil/LEO/EMS and have his knives serve admirably in the line of duty, is commendable.

That said, authorized dealers selling Hinderer knives at 200% of retail that's unethical in my mind. Secondary market prices are one thing, gouging by authorized dealers is another, and it appears to be done across the board with the companies full blessing.

My solution to this would be to open up direct orders to the public. Still give Mil/LEO/EMS orders priority. First time Mil/LEO/EMS orders get priority, then first time public orders, then repeat Mil/LEO/EMS orders, and repeat public orders, heck even allow 2 knives per order. Authorized dealers if they want to carry the line, sell for no more than retail price. There are plenty of manufacturers in various industries that will step in if a dealer is selling over retail.

I see no downside to that policy, Mil/LEO/EMS are ALWAYS going to get their knives first (at least their first 1-2), but it allows the public at least a chance to get them without 200% dealer markup and it stops Mil/LEO/EMS guys insulting Hinderer's good will reselling for their own profit. However, that assumes that either issue actually bothers Hinderer, since it appears both have been and still are rampant for some time now, one has to wonder.
 
I agree with you completely, Todd. The fact that Rick doesn't exert pressure on his channel to keep retail prices in line with his suggested list prices isn't just unethical, it could be interpreted as disrespectful to those of us who pay the wages of the Mil/LEO/EMS. Without the ordinary, hard-working, American taxpayer, those folks wouldn't even exist. As I said before, however, a lot of the unfairness has been ameliorated by Rick's association with Kai. At least there's a way for ordinary American citizens like you and me to gain access to Rick's designs without having to be taken to the cleaners by his retail channel and the secondary market.
 
Here's a question to ask yourself..... Do own things and have bought things that were more than $500 dollars knowing that you would only get half the price or even less once used or taken out of the package/wrapping, and it's something that you don't even necessarily use everyday and carry with you, or you do use and carry everyday.... Shoes, clothes, cars, guns, furniture, electronics, ect.... Well you can do that with a Hinderer, that says a lot about his products, even if you don't agree, the market and user/collectors show this is true. So he's doing something right....
 
Keeping demand/interest up by keeping them scarce is one way of keeping your product hot and coveted. You may have people disappointed along the way but he's in business to make money. The majority of people interested in his knives are plain ol users and collectors like you and me, not the Superheroes he only sells them to. He'll readily sell you all the pretty embellishments like anodized screws on his site though no problem. Ultimate hard use tactical duty knives with fancy screws and fairy dust... Why not strive to sell to everyone an entire knife instead. Anyone still buying the nearly decade old "can't keep up with demand" story? CRK is small also...
 
bld522 said:
I agree with you completely, Todd. The fact that Rick doesn't exert pressure on his channel to keep retail prices in line with his suggested list prices isn't just unethical, it could be interpreted as disrespectful to those of us who pay the wages of the Mil/LEO/EMS. Without the ordinary, hard-working, American taxpayer, those folks wouldn't even exist. As I said before, however, a lot of the unfairness has been ameliorated by Rick's association with Kai. At least there's a way for ordinary American citizens like you and me to gain access to Rick's designs without having to be taken to the cleaners by his retail channel and the secondary market.
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So you are the guy who gets belligerent with the cop when he pulls you over about how you pay his salary...
 
Well... We all could speculate more about it.... And come up with ideas and plots about what's going on. But I think he designed his knives with his grand plan, to have a well built knife that you can trust and use, change the scales, screws, pivots, add steel flame goodies, that not only users can enjoy but collectors too.
I use and carry each one of my Hinderers. And If I decide I want to change things up I can without buying another knife. You can customize it to your liking with all the different variations. You don't have to send it to a pimper/customizer.
He makes all that stuff in house, besides a few things like the steel flame bling.... That's commendable! He makes these things in small batches before retooling. He has been buying more machines and expanding his shop to accommodate his vision/plan.
I think CRK still has more employees and doesn't do as much stuff in house, so that needs to be put into consideration as well.
 
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