XM-18 and Hinderer designed ZT Series

MostMenAreRuthless

MostMenAreRuthless

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Sep 27, 2011
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I am aware of the "spec" differences between the XM-18's and the ZT 05 series, but I am interested to hear from owners/users and their observations of similarities and differences in fit, finish, design, performance, etc.
 
Ok, very generically...if the ZT collaborations are considered very good, then Hinderer XMs would qualify as great.

The ZTs excell at being a excellent folder at a good value. You definitely get what you pay for. The 0560/0561 are slightly larger than the XM 3.5 and just a touch smaller than the XM 24. The blade shape makes for a good user and appeals to those who are not fans of the finger choil on the XMs. The additional length of the 0560/0561 over an XM is found mostly in the handle.
0550/0551 compliment the XM 3.5 Slicer grind in many ways. Overall size, blade length and so on.

Personally, it is not easy or even fair to compare the XMs to the ZTs head to head. The ZTs are nice, but in hand and in use the XMs excell. The two knives feel dramatically different. The texture of G10 on the Hinderer is less aggressive than on the 0560/0561. And to be honest, the scale that ships on the 0550/0551 is astetically unpleasing.
The textured Ti on the 0560/0561 is not too aggressive and reminds me of dual gunner grip Strider texturing in its feel.

The ZTs use a skeletonized stainless steel liner inside the G10 that is a contrasting color to the Ti of the lockside on all the ZT collaboration models. Why they didn't just make that piece Ti is baffling. XMs are Ti on the liners, and the materials used to create all the XMs are obviously high quality.

What would you specifically like to know?
 
The steels are different on both models and there are varients on both makes, also the standoffs on Ricks knives are stainless steel and ZT's standoffs are of different material. I have the 0550, 0551, XM 18 and 24 and the quality on all are supurb. NEed2know did an outstanding job covering the rest.
On a side note in my younger years I rode an imported motorcycle and people would ask is that a Harley and I would say no but it is just as good,about 20 yrs ago I bought my first Harley and have had several since. There is just something about riding a Harley, there is just something about carring a Hinderer.
 
I have an 0550, 0560 and XM-18 3.5". Need2Know did a thorough job with his explanation. I really like all three knives a whole lot. But all three of them have significant differences that definitely distance each of them from the others. The pivots are all distinctly different. The XM-18 is so ergonomic, it fits into the recesses of your hand so perfectly, more than any other knife I've ever seen. I do wish the frame and scales on the 0550 were just a little more contoured. In some ways I like the 0550 more than the 0560, and I would carry it a lot more if it just had a little more contour in its shape for my fingers, instead of being so brick-like. It still fits in the hand extremely well for being so chunky. The 0550 and 0560 both have very good ergonomics (even the brick-like 0550), but Rick obviously wanted the XM to be a step above the others in this regard. I plan on getting an XM-24 at some point this year as well. These three knives are my all-around favorites that I own.

As great as the XM is, the 0560 is the one I normally carry with me every day. I have a couple of 0560s now, actually. It is an amazingly well-made knife for $260. Once your detent goes through the break-in period, it becomes much more enjoyable to use. I don't mind its size and carry it in some khakis or cargo shorts with me everywhere.
 
If you exercise a little Google-Fu,you'll find I've written some photo reviews on the ZT/Hinderer collaboration models and discuss them relative to their XM counterparts.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the ZT 0560/61 but have come to really like the 0550/0551. The XM models however are on a different level entirely.
 
Thanks Gents--all very helpful descriptions and explanations. It sounds to me that if I am going to get an 05 series ZT that I should NOT expect it to satiate my XM-18 desire. Kinda like eating a hamburger when you wanted a steak?
 
I think that's a good analogy. Even though the ZTs are excellent knives for the money, the XMs are on a completely different level of refinement and ability.
 
MostMenAreRuthless said:
Thanks Gents--all very helpful descriptions and explanations. It sounds to me that if I am going to get an 05 series ZT that I should NOT expect it to satiate my XM-18 desire. Kinda like eating a hamburger when you wanted a steak?
Click to expand...

Yes...

The ZTs are worthy pocket tools, but they are not XMs.

I have had both a delicious burger and a mouthwatering steak. But you and I both know steak trumps burger, even one as ridiculous as exotic steaks ground up and served at a three digit price.
 
My biggest problem with the 0561 is that since I am used to the choil on the XM18 (my finger fits perfectly in it) I find myself almost slicing open my finger going for the non existant choil on the ZT all the time. Hinderer for the win!
 
pepemrtnz said:
My biggest problem with the 0561 is that since I am used to the choil on the XM18 (my finger fits perfectly in it) I find myself almost slicing open my finger going for the non existant choil on the ZT all the time. Hinderer for the win!
Click to expand...

I e seriously thought about having somebody put a choil on my 560.
 
I wouldn't expect the 0560/0561 to be anywhere near the equal of a XM-18 or 24, but when I read that the 560 is just a tad smaller than the 24 & the difference in size between the 560 & 18 is the handle, I get confused.

My 560 measures 5 1/16" closed & the blade's 3 3/4". Isn't a XM-18 4 3/4" closed with a 3 1/2" blade (Making for a difference of a 1/4" on the blade & 5/16" on the handle)? And isn't the XM-24 5 5/8" closed with a 4" blade? That's over a 1/2" difference in handle length between the 560 & XM-24, isn't it?

Or am I all screwed up on the sizes. While I've handled some Hinderers, I don't have one, yet (Should be getting one around the end of this month, if they're done by then), but I have or have had the 0551 & 0560.
 
The 0560/0561 is slightly larger in both blade length and handle length than the XM 18 3.5". It just feels and seems longer in the handle. The 24 is a little larger than 0560/0561 and the overhead photo shows this best. I tried to line up the thumb studs on the 3 to give a visual of overall sizes.



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Need2Know, thank you for the pictures. That illustrates very well the size differences. However, did you mean that the XM-18 is slightly smaller than the ZT 0560/0561, not slightly larger?

From the pics, the ZT's right in the middle of the 2 Hinderers, size-wise. While I'm glad I'm getting a 3" model, I'd love to get a 3.5" XM-18 or a XM-24 in the future.

Thanks again.
 
CL01 said:
Need2Know, thank you for the pictures. That illustrates very well the size differences. However, did you mean that the XM-18 is slightly smaller than the ZT 0560/0561, not slightly larger?

From the pics, the ZT's right in the middle of the 2 Hinderers, size-wise. While I'm glad I'm getting a 3" model, I'd love to get a 3.5" XM-18 or a XM-24 in the future.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...


Yes, the ZT is in the middle sizewise. Yes, I mistyped that from my bed at somewhere between 2:30-3 am CST USA to help this community. Edited above post.
Nice catch on that simple mistake. Photos speak larger than words. Enjoy.
 
ZT 0550/0551/0560/0561 are easily one of the better values around and if money is your main concern (unless you can buy direct) they trump the XM's. Money aside or if you can buy direct they are not the equal of an XM. Every time I put a 0560 in someones hand they are impressed but when I then hand them an XM they usually make a comment like wow or holy $#$% and lose interest in the ZT. The 0560/0561 thanks to KVT does flip better than an XM so if you are all about the flipper you won't be disappointed. My 0560 initially felt like I was holding a shard of glass because of how thin the handle is compared to an XM but mainly because mine had many burred edges...disassembled, sanded and filed and it feels much better but a little extra beef like the 0550/0551 would have made it much more comparable to an XM. If I squeeze the handle I can make it flex too which is a bit of a turn off but that's the price you pay when you hollow everything out. I'm sure it's strong but it just doesn't feel that way in my hand. Never had any detent issues with a ZT or any knife for that matter but 29yrs of weight training may have more to do with it than anything else. I really love the ZT blade shapes, very XM like, but obviously thinner grinds vs a spanto and a more acute at the tip. They could also be more visually appealing...full Ti handles with a polished and stonewashed blade and scales would of made them stunners and added very little to the price. Either way they are a great value so there is no wrong decision if you are in the market.
 
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