XM-18 Flipper Delete?

[BDdaWinner]

Cannot find a 3in non flipper xm-18 to save my life, so thinking about about just doing a flipper delete on a regular 3in.

Anyone done this? Experience with the detent for thumb opening? Will this void the warranty? language on his website is vague. It says that a re-grind won't void the warranty unless it directly effects the problem. I wouldn't call the flipper part of the lock-face but just looking for opinions.

"User modifications to folding knives that are not covered under warranty: Modifying or altering the detent in the blade or lockside, the lockface itself, the blade tang, thumbstud, and lockbar cutout. If modifications like these are performed on your knife they can ruin the lock up and or action of your folding knife. These modifications could render the knife unsafe."

 

[Mistman68]

I've been considering the same, let us know what you decided to do and how it turns out. Detents can be tuned so I wouldn't worry too much about that. All of mine fire well with the thumb stud, detent is probably fine as is.

 

[WValtakis]

Did a Bowie a few months ago for @bikerector ...came out great No idea on the warranty though

 

[Ajack60]

If you look through the folding knife for sale forum, you might be able to find one. Granted, you may have to scroll back several pages, here's one that doesn't look like it's sold yet. It's not a non flipper.

https://bladeforums.com/threads/crk-hinderer-hoback-apurvis-spyderco-priced-to-sell.1708550/

 

[BDdaWinner]

If you look through the folding knife for sale forum, you might be able to find one. Granted, you may have to scroll back several pages, here's one that doesn't look like it's sold yet. It's not a non flipper.

Thanks! Yea. The non-flipper is what I'm really after. I've found a few 3 inch XM-18's and occasionally see a non-flipper 3.5" but the 3's seem to be elusive.

https://bladeforums.com/threads/crk-hinderer-hoback-apurvis-spyderco-priced-to-sell.1708550/

 

[BDdaWinner]

Did a Bowie a few months ago for @bikerector ...came out great No idea on the warranty though

View attachment 1273139

that looks great, and makes me feel a little better about attempting it. I've got my eye on a 3in slicer to do this to.

 

[lieferung]

I don't see how a flipper delete could possibly affect lock up, other than maybe not firing the blade with the same force for sufficient lockup (or maybe too much force?). Why not ask RHK if it voids warranty?

 

[sharp_edge]

Would be surprised if it does not void the warranty but I agree Rick is the person to ask. Personally I absolutely prefer to have the flipper tab, though.

EDIT: a strong detent is fine (and preferred by some people) for openning with the flipper tab but may not be so for openning with the thumbstud. Therefore, it is possible that the owner could have altered the detent strength after the flipper tab deletion, which means the lockup has been modified.

 

[BellaBlades]

Been there, done that with a gen 6 SP a year or two ago.

Still didn't like it enough to keep it. Cant remember if I adjusted the detent or not. It was certainly not pleasant on the thumb from the get go.

A hollow ground , no flip gen 4 would be the ultimate XM. But that ship has sailed.

Here it was

 

[WValtakis]

Now that you mention it BellaBlades ,the bowie I did was a gen 4 as I recall.

 

[Silent H]

I'm pretty sure Rick has specifically stated that a flipper delete voids the warranty, since the work takes place so close to the tang and can overheat the lock contact surface if done wrong.

 

[grownstar]

Yeah, but are the washers hand-fitted??

 

[BDdaWinner]

Thanks guys. Sounds like IF i was to do it a Gen 4 is what I'd be after. I may just have to go up to a 3.5 in. 3.5 Non-flippers come around every so often. At least from the factory its dialed to operate that way. Ive just found that my small sebenza is the ideal size for me in the office and opening boxes/packages at work. the 3 in non-flipper is the dream lol.