Why so little Firetac love?

7east

7east

Joined
Oct 20, 2017
Messages
380
I’ve been looking for months for either a Hinderer XM-18 3.5” Skinny Slicer or a non-flipper slicer, but to no avail (those I’ve seen in the for sale area just haven’t been exactly what I wanted). The Firetac seemed like a reasonable compromise due to its thinness and blade profile, as well as lack of Hinderer’s pointy flipper tab, of which I’m not really a fan. So, I ordered one from DLT on Wednesday and it arrived today. I must say, I am very pleased with the overall fit and finish, design, comfort, and sharpness (compared to my previous XM) of the Firetac I received.

There are very few decent reviews of this knife on video sites, and using the search function here generally provides for-sale ads. Makes me wonder, why the lack of love for the Firetac? This is an instant classic in my book. I’ve only had it for an evening, but I’ve been truly happy with it since the second I opened it (which I can’t say for some other knives I’ve had at the same price point). Thoughts, opinions, anything?

https://imgur.com/a/Zo9R3j1
 
I kind of fall into the same area that T.L.E. mentioned ... I have heard a lot of good things ... people seem to like them ... but they just haven't called to me enough to warrant buying one.
 
I agree with both of you gentlemen above. It did take a few rounds of me searching for and buying knives before I finally went for it. Glad I did though. The action is absolutely superior to my previous XM, which still had a good action. The G10 is grippier than it appears. And it’s just been kind of a fun knife so far. I must say it looks more ‘ho hum’ in pictures than in person.
 
7east said:
I agree with both of you gentlemen above. It did take a few rounds of me searching for and buying knives before I finally went for it. Glad I did though. The action is absolutely superior to my previous XM, which still had a good action. The G10 is grippier than it appears. And it’s just been kind of a fun knife so far. I must say it looks more ‘ho hum’ in pictures than in person.
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I'm sure I'd love it. I prefer a thumb disk to flippers and teflon washers to bearings. I just wish it had a bit more flair.

If there were more aftermarket support and I thought I could get a scale in some insane peacock acrylic mix I might buy one.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
I just wish it had a bit more flair.
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37 pieces?
T.L.E. Sharp said:
If there were more aftermarket support and I thought I could get a scale in some insane peacock acrylic mix I might buy one.
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Are you needing a that scale to come from the ranch? I’ve never known them to work in insane peacock acrylic. I know it gets Rick’s panties in a bunch, but I bet you could commission a scale from a third party.
 
BigKurtHaze said:
37 pieces?

Are you needing a that scale to come from the ranch? I’ve never known them to work in insane peacock acrylic. I know it gets Rick’s panties in a bunch, but I bet you could commission a scale from a third party.
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It's actually rather difficult to get a reputable scale maker to take on a new model. Particularly on a less popular one. They're generally busy enough keeping up with orders on patterns that they already have.

If I stumble across a maker, whomever it may be, that makes a good looking Firetac scale then I might consider picking one up.
 
Lance Leon said:
How's the detent? I've heard that detents on the Firetac were quite weak.
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The detent is perfect IMO for a knife with a thumb disk. Seems like they put some effort into tuning these. Of course, preferred detent strength can be a personal thing as well.
 
There was one for $300 like new last week I should have bought but the plain look of the overall knife had me hesitant. Now, if they had milled into the Ti side the same pattern that is on the g10 side I would probably already have one. Or even that wavy fishscale thing they used to do on the half tracks. Love that look. As it stands I probably won’t buy one new.
 
I’ve got a bunch of Hinderers but no Firetac.
Here’s my reasons:

Not a fan of thumbdiscs
No tri-way
Kinda boring
 
7east said:
I’ve been looking for months for either a Hinderer XM-18 3.5” Skinny Slicer or a non-flipper slicer, but to no avail (those I’ve seen in the for sale area just haven’t been exactly what I wanted). The Firetac seemed like a reasonable compromise due to its thinness and blade profile, as well as lack of Hinderer’s pointy flipper tab, of which I’m not really a fan. So, I ordered one from DLT on Wednesday and it arrived today. I must say, I am very pleased with the overall fit and finish, design, comfort, and sharpness (compared to my previous XM) of the Firetac I received.

There are very few decent reviews of this knife on video sites, and using the search function here generally provides for-sale ads. Makes me wonder, why the lack of love for the Firetac? This is an instant classic in my book. I’ve only had it for an evening, but I’ve been truly happy with it since the second I opened it (which I can’t say for some other knives I’ve had at the same price point). Thoughts, opinions, anything?

https://imgur.com/a/Zo9R3j1
Click to expand...

Probably because it's a classic in terms of 'tactical' folders. The Firetac was new hotness about fifteen years ago.
 
I like the design. But I lost interest in Hinderer when they started doing steel lock bar inserts and the gimmicky tri-way.
 
The knife itself is very nicely done. Where I think it lacks zest is in the scale. If you have ever seen the original customs they has some beautiful scales. He needs to give us some more offerings in that area.
Functionally the present scale is fine, but it looks cheap to me.
 
I had a firetac awhile ago and regret selling it. Super nice to carry and comfortable to use.
 
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