XM-18 3.5 vs large CRK insigno

The others have answered well. I would add that if you disassemble a CRK, the blade will be perfectly centered when you reassemble. With the Hinderer, you'll have to do a little dance. Some people aren't concerned about this, but I value the simplicity of CRKs.
 
The CRK will slice better, carry better, and has a better fit and finish. Hinderer is no slouch, but CRK is a legend. You're unlikely to break a CRK, but the one selling point of the Hinderers is that they're a little beefier and have the G-10 grip. Personally, I sold off my Hinderer because I figured if I ever want a tough knife to thrash, I'd rather do it with something less expensive like a Cold Steel or Zero Tolerance. Also, we only assume that Hinderers are tougher because they're thicker; CRK's don't break often and have more tangible advantages. But if you really like the Hinderer design or ergos, they're much nicer than the other high-end clunky tactical knives out there.
 
Neither lol
I like the Eklipse myself. It’s been my most carried knife lately, probably this entire year. Never owned a CRK, but I like the Hinderer for EDC. The flipper isn’t as pokey as the XMs, and it just feels a little more ergonomic in general.
They don’t cut the best with the factory edge, but lay it back to 20° and you’re good to go. Looks dirty AF because it is, these things can take whatever you throw at em. Lockup, the action, etc is perfect, just like it was when I got it ~2 years ago
ETA : no big choil on the Eklipse either, if that matters to you. You get the full 3.5” cutting edge vs 3.2” on the XM-18
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Therom said:
IMO the large Inkosi is a better knife and a better slicer

BUT the XM18 3.5 is way more playful and the fact you can custom it is very cool.
You can choose to run it on washers or bearings according to what you prefer

If I can have only one I would pick the Inkosi but really both are excellent
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Good point.

For those who like to "accessorize" and make their knife their own, Hinderer wins easily. OEM hardware, clips, scales, etc; you can really gussy a Hinderer up to your suit your own taste. The newer Tri-way is also a point for Hinderer; as mentioned you can run them on bearings, or bronze or teflon washers.

Hinderer also kind of loses a point here as well; they come standard with a G10 scale, so add money (and weight) to bring them up to full titanium scales.
 
I’ll mention it because I don’t think anyone else has. The Sebenza is my favorite but if you can find a XM-18 Skinny slicer grind it will make an awesome knife. I have one in Magnacut and it’s just awesome.

The Skinny version fixed the brick in my pocket feel I got from the regular XM-18 and Eklipses.
 
I have both CRK and Hinderers in multiple versions. I'm surprised the Skinny Hinderer Slicer Grind has only been mentioned twice so far for they are the most directly comparable to the CRKs. IMO a Standard Hinderer (in any blade shape) is in a different class and use case, and the Fatty Hinderer even more different.

You need to compare a Hinderer Skinny Slicer Grind to a CRK Sebenza. Now you're comparing closer blade stock thickness of approx 0.14" for both (correction - thank you M Modernflame ) 0.14" for the Hinderer Skinny and 0.12" for the CRK Sebenza. The other primary differences are the steel and grind (flat slicer grind vs hollow grind).

Hinderers come in a variety of steels (M390/20CV/S45VN/Magnacut), a variety of scale options from their standard G10 options to micarta to titanium, an assortment or hardware finishes, your choice of bearings or washers (interchangeable) and your choice of flipper or non-flipper. The trick is waiting for the drops to buy what you want.

CRK is typically offered in only one steel type which today is s45VN (though on rare occasions you may be able to find other types of steel but good luck in acquiring one). Titanium scales with the options of inlays and no other real options.

My Hinderer Skinny Slicers are fabulous EDC knives, slice like a beast (I sharpened them to 18 dps) and fun to fidget with either on bearings or washers and I love customizing them. I have an Inkosi and Unum (gifted my Sebie), both also sharpened by me and are wonderful slicers. Which is better🤷‍♂️ I have both:)
 
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Mako109 said:
I have both CRK and Hinderers in multiple versions. I'm surprised the Skinny Hinderer Slicer Grind has only been mentioned twice so far for they are the most directly comparable to the CRKs. IMO a Standard Hinderer (in any blade shape) is in a different class and use case, and the Fatty Hinderer even more different.

You need to compare a Hinderer Skinny Slicer Grind to a CRK Sebenza. Now you're comparing the same blade stock thickness of approx 0.14" for both. The primary difference is the steel and grind (flat slicer grind vs hollow grind).

Hinderers come in a variety of steels (M390/20CV/S45VN/Magnacut), a variety of scale options from their standard G10 options to micarta to titanium, an assortment or hardware finishes, your choice of bearings or washers (interchangeable) and your choice of flipper or non-flipper. The trick is waiting for the drops to buy what you want.

CRK is typically offered in only one steel type which today is s45VN (though on rare occasions you may be able to find other types of steel but good luck in acquiring one). Titanium scales with the options of inlays and no other real options.

My Hinderer Skinny Slicers are fabulous EDC knives, slice like a beast (I sharpened them to 18 dps) and fun to fidget with either on bearings or washers and I love customizing them. I have an Inkosi and Unum (gifted my Sebie), both also sharpened by me and are wonderful slicers. Which is better🤷‍♂️ I have both:)
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Sebenzas are 0.12" in stock thickness. Inkosis are 0.14"

The real difference is behind the edge, where the Sebenza is significantly thinner than the slicer XM 18. Hinderers, even skinny ones, are sharpened around 23 or 24 dps, whereas Sebenzas are more like 19 or 20 with a similar bevel height. I don't have bte measurements, but I know the Hinderers are thicker. That's either a pro or a con, depending on perspective.

Also, CRKs are in Magnacut, although s45vn is fairly easy to find on the secondary.
 
Modernflame said:
Sebenzas are 0.12" in stock thickness. Inkosis are 0.14"

The real difference is behind the edge, where the Sebenza is significantly thinner than the slicer XM 18. Hinderers, even skinny ones, are sharpened around 23 or 24 dps, whereas Sebenzas are more like 19 or 20 with a similar bevel height. I don't have bte measurements, but I know the Hinderers are thicker. That's either a pro or a con, depending on perspective.

Also, CRKs are in Magnacut, although s45vn is fairly easy to find on the secondary.
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Yes, i stand corrected. Sebenzas are 0.12"
 
Between the two mentioned, I like the CRK better.

But you could split the difference between the two, OP, and get a Spartan Blades Harsey Folder... great knife with a horrible plunge grind (it's like trying to enjoy my favourite meal with a toothache.) Overall, though, it's an excellent folder.

Good luck, OP! :cool::thumbsup:

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Modernflame said:
The others have answered well. I would add that if you disassemble a CRK, the blade will be perfectly centered when you reassemble. With the Hinderer, you'll have to do a little dance. Some people aren't concerned about this, but I value the simplicity of CRKs.
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Well said
 
Not all Hinderers are the same. Pictures say more than thousand words and all that ..... Skinny Skinner (don't have a sheepsfoot, sorry), Large Insigno, normal thickness Sheepsfoot:

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ferider said:
Depends. Because of the hollow grind, the Insigno is as good a cutter as it gets.

However, Hinderer Wharncliffe and Sheepsfoot cut really well. And then there are Skinnies. So you need to specify which one.

The Hinderer is more robust than for instance the Sebenza, but Zaan and Inkosi come close in robustness.
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This^. I would also like to add that Hinderers are far more fun to play with and customize than Sebenzas. By the way, my Skinny XM-18 3.5" slices better than my DLC Spyderco PM2 (so it is not that Spyderco always slices better than RHK).
 
timberweasel said:
Between the two mentioned, I like the CRK better.

But you could split the difference between the two, OP, and get a Spartan Blades Harsey Folder... great knife with a horrible plunge grind (it's like trying to enjoy my favourite meal with a toothache.) Overall, though, it's an excellent folder.

Good luck, OP! :cool::thumbsup:

View attachment 2331396
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Completely agree with the highlighted portion, and it is the very thing that has kept me from buying one (and I will not until it is fixed).
 
Something else to consider. The difference in design philosophy also touches heat treatment. Hinderer emphasizes toughness and therefore targets a slightly lower hrc , although still within the ideal range. Crk is treating magnacut a bit higher for strength.

Of course, you could get an older crk, which may have softer steel, depending on which you get.
 
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