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Foundation please. What is, "far too many"? As opposed to thousands of satisfied customers? You play fast and loose with your generalities. Because your nose was tweaked? You need to get over yourself....
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Why don't people keep their Hinderer knives?
- Thread starter Voodew
- Start date
Foundation please. What is, "far too many"? As opposed to thousands of satisfied customers? You play fast and loose with your generalities. Because your nose was tweaked? You need to get over yourself....
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I got my hinderer from Rick and Rob last year. Rob was nice and got back to emails right away (sometimes within an hour or so). I like it very much, but I would never pay the insane secondary market prices people ask for them. Its the same with just about all "exclusive" knives. I want a direware, but I don't want to spend insane cash on a knife like that.
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Interesting thread which I started reading on a 7" tablet at 3:00 a.m. last night, now that it's the next day and I'm at the PC I can comfortably impart my own personal experience.
I owned a $550 XM-24 slicer which I purchased at a Hinderer lotto over a year ago.
I also recently owned a $385 XM-18 slicer again purchased at a Hinderer lotto (show) three months ago.
I found both knives to be absolutely superb in quality, tolerances, finish, materiel/s, sharpness.
I have since sold both knives.
Re: the $550 XM-24 slicer, I had no experience owning/handling/using any Hinderer made knife, until I purchased the XM-24 as I wanted to experience owning a 'Hinderer'.
It was the only orange scaled knife with a 'tumbled' blade/'sandblasted' frame and the only 'non flipper' slicer on the table and I chose it to purchase.
As many of you know, at lotto's you can only hold/open/fondle/inspect a knife for a few minutes at the most before you either purchase or you don't.
I purchased the XM-24 slicer, knowing that Hinderer himself had just announced (then) that he was no longer going to be producing 'non flippers' in the near future, that together with the two different contrasting finishes of the blade and frame appeared to be a good investment (for re-sale) in case the knife didn't work out for me.
Got the XM-24 home, a beauty which I enjoyed looking at and fondling for a few days.... until I concluded that I have a size small hand (S not XS) and I felt like I was holding a tactical baton in my hand, it was just way too big and rather unwieldy for me, plus the realization that if it were to ever be either lost/stolen/robbed what I would feel like.
I put it up for auction, took just under a year before my asking price was met.
Nice knife, too big, too unwieldy and bulky for me.
(photos of both knifes below)
Re: the $385 XM-18, again at a lotto three months ago my name was called, only XM-18's on the table.. all flippers.
I thought an 18 may be a better 'fit' for me and again chose the only orange scaled slicer on the table.
Again, got it home... and again a beauty which I enjoyed looking at and fondling for a few days.... until I discovered that the detente on the 18 caused the blade to come out with the slightest bump of the flipper against anything, also no matter how firmly I deployed the blade using the flipper, it came out less than half way, adjusting the piviot and lubrication made no difference, I concluded these knives are just not for me, I put it up for auction and sold it within a month.
Both knives yielded excellent monetary returns on my investment/s and I make no apologies for the prices I sold them for .
My philosophy over the last several years is "pack light, travel light", I've realized some years ago I don't enjoy (carrying) large folders, even the Para 2 which I own is too big for me.
The two Hinderer's were no doubt both superbly made, just not my personal style, not a good fit (for me) as far as a 'folder' goes.
I make no judgement/s re: the company's marketing or business practices.
The two contributors to this thread that I could relate to what was said were:
'Silvanus' #40
>>I interact with police on the job regularly as well. And wile I've never had a knife specific discussion with any of them, I can say I've never seen a Hinderer in any of their pockets.<<
And 'bpeezer' #47
>>For starters, people actually pay that price to get the knife "worth" is relative to the individual consumer, so if knives are selling for $1200 then they must be worth that much to enough people to keep makers in business.<<
My former Hinderer's:
XM-24 slicer, non flipper, bead blast frame, tumbled blade:
XM-18 slicer, flipper, tumbled frame, tumbled blade:
I owned a $550 XM-24 slicer which I purchased at a Hinderer lotto over a year ago.
I also recently owned a $385 XM-18 slicer again purchased at a Hinderer lotto (show) three months ago.
I found both knives to be absolutely superb in quality, tolerances, finish, materiel/s, sharpness.
I have since sold both knives.
Re: the $550 XM-24 slicer, I had no experience owning/handling/using any Hinderer made knife, until I purchased the XM-24 as I wanted to experience owning a 'Hinderer'.
It was the only orange scaled knife with a 'tumbled' blade/'sandblasted' frame and the only 'non flipper' slicer on the table and I chose it to purchase.
As many of you know, at lotto's you can only hold/open/fondle/inspect a knife for a few minutes at the most before you either purchase or you don't.
I purchased the XM-24 slicer, knowing that Hinderer himself had just announced (then) that he was no longer going to be producing 'non flippers' in the near future, that together with the two different contrasting finishes of the blade and frame appeared to be a good investment (for re-sale) in case the knife didn't work out for me.
Got the XM-24 home, a beauty which I enjoyed looking at and fondling for a few days.... until I concluded that I have a size small hand (S not XS) and I felt like I was holding a tactical baton in my hand, it was just way too big and rather unwieldy for me, plus the realization that if it were to ever be either lost/stolen/robbed what I would feel like.
I put it up for auction, took just under a year before my asking price was met.
Nice knife, too big, too unwieldy and bulky for me.
(photos of both knifes below)
Re: the $385 XM-18, again at a lotto three months ago my name was called, only XM-18's on the table.. all flippers.
I thought an 18 may be a better 'fit' for me and again chose the only orange scaled slicer on the table.
Again, got it home... and again a beauty which I enjoyed looking at and fondling for a few days.... until I discovered that the detente on the 18 caused the blade to come out with the slightest bump of the flipper against anything, also no matter how firmly I deployed the blade using the flipper, it came out less than half way, adjusting the piviot and lubrication made no difference, I concluded these knives are just not for me, I put it up for auction and sold it within a month.
Both knives yielded excellent monetary returns on my investment/s and I make no apologies for the prices I sold them for .
My philosophy over the last several years is "pack light, travel light", I've realized some years ago I don't enjoy (carrying) large folders, even the Para 2 which I own is too big for me.
The two Hinderer's were no doubt both superbly made, just not my personal style, not a good fit (for me) as far as a 'folder' goes.
I make no judgement/s re: the company's marketing or business practices.
The two contributors to this thread that I could relate to what was said were:
'Silvanus' #40
>>I interact with police on the job regularly as well. And wile I've never had a knife specific discussion with any of them, I can say I've never seen a Hinderer in any of their pockets.<<
And 'bpeezer' #47
>>For starters, people actually pay that price to get the knife "worth" is relative to the individual consumer, so if knives are selling for $1200 then they must be worth that much to enough people to keep makers in business.<<
My former Hinderer's:
XM-24 slicer, non flipper, bead blast frame, tumbled blade:
XM-18 slicer, flipper, tumbled frame, tumbled blade:
Last edited:
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Dknight16
Gold Member
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Tastes and desires change over time. I can't count the number of times I thought I had found my perfect EDC knife only to have it surpassed at some point. Currently a 3" XM-18 will not leave my pocket despite a half dozen other great knives I bought specifically for EDC. I'll rotate the others in and out at different points in time, but I think the XM is going to be a favorite for a long time. Even if one day it is surpassed, I'll likely never sell it. But given the price premium it commands in the market I can understand why others do.
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Nothing but first class customer service from them.
BlackKnight86
Say my name, cheesers!
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I was at Blade standing five feet away from Rick Hinderer, getting ready to pay for the knife I won the chance to buy. Someone standing right next to the table told me to buy one of the custom slicers, and he would pay me $500 more for it, right there. I declined, because I wanted my regular Spanto; and I do keep my Hinderers.
I don't think it's "that they are not all that they are talked up to be"........
This is my experience as well. We're not exchanging Christmas cards or anything but I have always felt my business was appreciated and that he and the rest of the people at Hinderer wanted to keep me as a happy customer.
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- Dec 4, 2010
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My foundation is that I've received several private emails and more than a few public comments posted on my own site from people that have had negative experiences with the company in general and Rob in particular.
As a business owner and manager, if I had more than 10 legitimate complaints about an employee who deals with the public...legitimate reports of the employee belittling, berating, and using profanity in their communications with my customers, I'd make a change. I know I've seen more than 10 such reports - heck there are at least two in this thread. Rick Hinderer is WELL aware of how Rob communicates with customers and is fine with it. I blame Rick far more than I blame Rob for the issue - whatever Rob's talents are (and I'm sure he has many), he shouldn't be a front line communicator with the public IMHO.
A few questions here:
-Firstly, why are you taking things so personally? I'm not sure I'm the one who needs to get over themselves...
-Secondly, how do you know there are "thousands" of satisfied customers? I'm not sure sure I'm the only one playing "fast and loose" with generalities or unsubstantiated data....
-Whether there's 100, 1000, or 100,000 satisfied customers, satisfied customers are pretty easy to deal with. Most truly satisfied customers never call the company for one thing. I'd speculate that most Hinderer sales are "fire and forget" - the product is purchased, and the customer has no further need for interaction with the company. It's the communication with customers who are less than satisfied that seems to be an issue from what I can see. Satisfied customers are fairly irrelevant to the discussion at hand.
The consensus seems to be that the secondary-market price for Hinderer knives -- as well as the market demand for XMs purchased directly from Hinderer -- are mostly a function of Rick's business model.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if Rick switched to a more conventional marketing plan and sold directly to the public at the current secondary-market prices.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if Rick switched to a more conventional marketing plan and sold directly to the public at the current secondary-market prices.
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I'm sure some folks would buy them, Twindog, but I wouldn't be among them. And that's not because I don't think XMs are well made. It's because I'm an educated buyer and I know what's out there for the kind of money XMs go for on the secondary market . . . especially from custom makers with last names like Laconico and Gedraitis and Davis, to name just a few.
This much I will say. XMs are worth every penny Rick says they are and not a penny more. If people want to pay more for XMs than the guy who makes them says they're worth, that's up to them.
This much I will say. XMs are worth every penny Rick says they are and not a penny more. If people want to pay more for XMs than the guy who makes them says they're worth, that's up to them.
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- Aug 12, 2012
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I find your claims dubious at best. Several? That claim by its very nature is so vague and ambiguous as to find it at its face value without merit. I would surmise you still have an ax to grind. Simply having "several" emails from dissatisfied customers proves nothing other than there are, "several" dissatisfied customers. Hardly a indictment on their business practices. And I would dare say you keep beating a dead horse to hear your opinions voiced all over again. Echo chambers work real well for that. Try it sometime.
Your issues with Rob have been fairly well documented. Not only on this forum but on the USN. I hardly find your position one based on intellectual honesty but an obvious personal issue. So spare me the, "detached observer" status and your painfully weak critique of their business practices. You hide behind a thin reed.
In so much as the #'s of satisfied customers if you don't think it's in the thousands then what number would satisfy your ego? If your really think it needs verification then I can call RHK to get their position. Would that settle that matter? Probably not for that would not fit your narrative.
And as a" business owner" your argument about it's not how you treat the good customers. (The ,"fire and forget" ones?) How would you know how many dissatisfied ones were made satisfied or not? A borderline straw man argument because your again making assumptions based on your narrative. If you would have spent even a little time in the Hinderer section on the USN you would have discovered how often they go out of their way to make things right. Sometimes though, no matter what you do some will remain unsatisfied. That is true of any business.
Personal for me? Not really. The Hinderers are and will do just fine. They don't need me defending them because I'm sure they really don't care one way or the other. But as a casual observer you sure don't like being called out on your positions. Your the one who needs to let things go and move on.
Your issues with Rob have been fairly well documented. Not only on this forum but on the USN. I hardly find your position one based on intellectual honesty but an obvious personal issue. So spare me the, "detached observer" status and your painfully weak critique of their business practices. You hide behind a thin reed.
In so much as the #'s of satisfied customers if you don't think it's in the thousands then what number would satisfy your ego? If your really think it needs verification then I can call RHK to get their position. Would that settle that matter? Probably not for that would not fit your narrative.
And as a" business owner" your argument about it's not how you treat the good customers. (The ,"fire and forget" ones?) How would you know how many dissatisfied ones were made satisfied or not? A borderline straw man argument because your again making assumptions based on your narrative. If you would have spent even a little time in the Hinderer section on the USN you would have discovered how often they go out of their way to make things right. Sometimes though, no matter what you do some will remain unsatisfied. That is true of any business.
Personal for me? Not really. The Hinderers are and will do just fine. They don't need me defending them because I'm sure they really don't care one way or the other. But as a casual observer you sure don't like being called out on your positions. Your the one who needs to let things go and move on.
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I disagree. The xm18 had been the same price for 8 years. Eight! Everything is more expensive now than it was 8 years ago. I think Rick could charge at least 450 and still sell every one he makes. They are a steal at 385 considering what else is in the price point.
Ajack60
Platinum Member
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- Apr 21, 2013
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So, what does this have to do with the topic????? I'm sure everyone remembers what the topic is and where it was posted.....I don't see where any of the last few reply's has anything to do with the topic at hand which is "Why don't people keep their Hinderer knives"