XM-18 or SmF?

[avidknifeusersf]

I couldnt help myself on the title... sorry!

Yesterday I got in my XM-18. Its my first, and boy is it pretty...

I haven't put it through any real tough testing yet, but I think its clear it could stand up to anything I could put it through.

It joins the ranks of my emerson mini commander and commrade, my SmF and my mini seb for hard use folders.

My first impression is that if Emerson and Strider had collaberated on a piece, and Chris Reeve had been responsible for the manufacture and finishing and detail work, this is what it may have looked like.

The XM-18 has the thickest frame lock out of all of them.

Its blade is slightly thinner at the spine then the SmF, but retains more of its width all the way through. I would guess, though wouldnt ever want to prove, that the SmF blade would snap first.

The XM-18 is heavier than my GG SmF too. (It has Ti on both sides and the G-10 is bolted to the thinner piece, giving it the added flexability of being able change out the color.)

The pocket clip is thicker and more secure on the XM-18, it has two nuts, and is reversable.

My overal impression is that the XM-18 is heaviest duty out of all those listed above, while being less 'tactical looking' than the Emerson and Strider. (I cant tell which pivot is toughest, and we all know that will probably fail before the lock or blade.)

Until I went through feature to feature, I didnt realize how overbuilt the XM18 was and how much heavier duty it was to the Strider. You cant really tell just looking at the pictures. The fit and tolerences are also much better.

I dont know what else to add in this review, I wont have time to test them out in the wild, head to head, anytime soon and may not ever, as I can't imagine needing them both in my collection for too much longer.

I'll check back periodically if anyone had an other questions I didnt think to answer!

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Out of all of them, the XM-18 is a true custom, and Rick Hinderer takes infinite pains to get it right. In my opinion, you just got the finest folder on the market today.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Out of all of them, the XM-18 is a true custom, and Rick Hinderer takes infinite pains to get it right. In my opinion, you just got the finest folder on the market today.

Well said! I may add that the XM-18 is also one of the finest bargains in all of custom knives!:thumbup:

 

[avidknifeusersf]

Out of all of them, the XM-18 is a true custom, and Rick Hinderer takes infinite pains to get it right. In my opinion, you just got the finest folder on the market today.

I do believe your right, my brown color not withstanding... somehow you have to hold it to fully appreciate it... Its a shame he's not making them full time so everyone could own one.

I think its a steal at even $500.00.

 

[Seporith]

I own several Gen-II XM-18s with the hand ground blades and can tell you that if you get the chance grab them as they are going to get rarer than hen's teeth and are also finished very well. Anthony

 

[rookie4real]

I am on a wait list for one at bluelinegear, hope to get it sometime soon.

 

[b.c.molin]

Thank you for your impressions upon the XM-18. :thumbup:

I learnt of their existence less than 3 weeks ago but now they dominate my intentions for my next purchase.

Getting over the initial asking price is the hardest aspect of deciding to buy one of these fine knives.

I can rationalise spending the same total amount on two or three 'lesser' knives but making the decision to pull the trigger on spending the same amount on just one blade is hard.

Finding the 'right' one will be the final test.

 

[akadave2]

I have 2 SNG's and one XM-18. Yes the XM-18 is, by comparison, overbuilt compared to the Strider. I still think build quality is comparable though. I also think that for my hand at least, the ergos go to the SNG. I wont part with the XM-18 though. I will give it a good testing in the near future.

 

[giant1]

Thank you for the review and comparison.

I have a sebbie but not the XM-18, so I'd love to see a comparison with the sebbie.

Has such a review been done by anybody?

 

[MORIMOTOM]

i have the "production" version xm18 with the duratech 20v blade, and have handled a custom version during a passaround.

honestly, i dont see any differences in fit/finish between the two, though it may exist.

i overpaid, but couldn't be happier with the knife. slightly obtuse edge, and considered reprofiling. but with the blade thickness and multiple grinds, i didn't want to have to take off so much metal.

like a sebbie, anyone who doesn't own one needs to give one a try.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

Thank you for the review and comparison.

I have a sebbie but not the XM-18, so I'd love to see a comparison with the sebbie.

Has such a review been done by anybody?

i have both. what would you like to know?

 

[avidknifeusersf]

i have the "production" version with the duratech 20v blade, and have handled a custom version during a passaround.

honestly, i dont see any differences in fit/finish between the two, though it may exist.

I dont know if I have a production version or not, but I bought my Strider when every problem was ok, because 'we test it to make sure it works, not looks pretty.'

It had some scuffs, LA Police Gear talked to me about it ahead of time and said thats how they come, did I still want it... it was also not so smooth on the open. But its more of an intangable thing...

But it might be soley because the xm is beefier so feels better. Like closing a 98 civic door vs closing a 08 beemer door. Its more of a tactile sensation.

Also the fact my Smf has the GG makes a difference I think, its thinner, has just G-10 on one side and thinner connecting bolts. I have no doubts that if I ever managed to break my smf, that would be the least of my problems...

 

[MORIMOTOM]

i was comparing my xm18 to a custom 18.

i also have a gg smf. great knife as well, mine has a krein regrind. haven't carried it much, just seems to be too large for most of my pockets.

 

[Kaizen1]

I dont know if I have a production version or not, but I bought my Strider when every problem was ok, because 'we test it to make sure it works, not looks pretty.'

It had some scuffs, LA Police Gear talked to me about it ahead of time and said thats how they come, did I still want it... it was also not so smooth on the open. But its more of an intangable thing...

But it might be soley because the xm is beefier so feels better. Like closing a 98 civic door vs closing a 08 beemer door. Its more of a tactile sensation.

Also the fact my Smf has the GG makes a difference I think, its thinner, has just G-10 on one side and thinner connecting bolts. I have no doubts that if I ever managed to break my smf, that would be the least of my problems...

You have the 3rd Generation of the XM-18s with the outsourced grind. For those knives, Rick does everything 100% custom except for the grind on the blade (IIRC, the primary grind is outsourced, he puts the edge on them). He has some Gen 3 XM-18s that have been ground by him, making them full customs. You can tell the difference between them because outsourced grinds are the only ones that have the saber-flat/ spanto tips. The gen 2s are saber-hollow/ spanto tips.

Whether or not the Gen 3s with the outsourced grinds should still be considered "custom" has been through some debate, but as far as I'm concerned, they definitely ARE customs. BTW, the only XM-18s that are not using Duratech 20CV are 1st Generation models (S30V).

Having owned the 3rd Gen and owning a 2nd Gen, I think the difference is negligible. Personally I enjoy the aesthetics of the 2nd Gen grind slightly more than the 3rd Gen, but there's no doubt that regardless or which version you get you're getting a helluva knife.

Here's a picture of my Gen 2 XM-18 with the saber-hollow grind:

 

[giant1]

i have both. what would you like to know?

I guess I was interested in how these two compare (Sebbie and XM-18) to each other. If you had to choose which way would you go?

My apologies to the OP, not looking to hijack this thread

 

[MORIMOTOM]

I guess I was interested in how these two compare (Sebbie and XM-18) to each other. If you had to choose which way would you go?

My apologies to the OP, not looking to hijack this thread

ill get some pics and comparisons up tomorrow in a new thread.

 

[So-Lo]

I guess I was interested in how these two compare (Sebbie and XM-18) to each other. If you had to choose which way would you go?

My apologies to the OP, not looking to hijack this thread

In the gallery I have a TON of pics with XM next to sebbies, SNGs ...

Go take a look