Xm-18 or smf

having owned both...


xm18 is "nicer" in terms of fit and finish, quality control, and ergonomics. it is also more expensive and more difficult to find, and you don't get quite the same warranty as you would with the SMF "production" knife.

the xm18 is also heavier, and that's really the aspect that turned me away. i like my knives light, and the SMF or SNG seem to give me the most knife for the least weight.

also the xm18 uses nylon washers instead of phosphor bronze like the SMF. on one hand, nylon probably adds to the smoothness, but may lead to longer term degradation. i don't actually have experience with this either, as i've never "worn out" a nylon-washered folder. but something to consider if you're hardcore or something.


anyhow, for the weight, i went with an sng/smf. overall, it felt to me like a more utilitarian knife. and there are a million sng/smf's around, you can find one for cheaper, and there's the warranty, and if i lost it i wouldn't cry (too hard) to replace it. xm-18 you have to work/wait to acquire. if it were a more production piece that would be a different story.

xm18 = nice to have. sng = nice to use.
 
stabman said:
I disagree.
With the factory price you are getting your money's worth with the XM-18.
The SmF is about $150 overpriced.
Click to expand...


then what folder would be worth $500 +? many are in that price range. ive had many, and i would not say they were any better than the xm.

(not including those using exotic materials)
 
I feel the XM18 is more refined and much smoother than an SMF, but the SMF is the closest thing to a fixed blade (in a folder) that I have ever owned.
xm18smf0022copy.jpg
 
Midget said:
having owned both...


xm18 is "nicer" in terms of fit and finish, quality control, and ergonomics. it is also more expensive and more difficult to find, and you don't get quite the same warranty as you would with the SMF "production" knife.

the xm18 is also heavier, and that's really the aspect that turned me away. i like my knives light, and the SMF or SNG seem to give me the most knife for the least weight.

also the xm18 uses nylon washers instead of phosphor bronze like the SMF. on one hand, nylon probably adds to the smoothness, but may lead to longer term degradation. i don't actually have experience with this either, as i've never "worn out" a nylon-washered folder. but something to consider if you're hardcore or something.


anyhow, for the weight, i went with an sng/smf. overall, it felt to me like a more utilitarian knife. and there are a million sng/smf's around, you can find one for cheaper, and there's the warranty, and if i lost it i wouldn't cry (too hard) to replace it. xm-18 you have to work/wait to acquire. if it were a more production piece that would be a different story.

xm18 = nice to have. sng = nice to use.
Click to expand...

Very well said and thought out explanation, Thanks, :thumbup:
 
Either or you'll be fine. I have both a 3.5" XM-18 and a SnG. I like them both about the same. I switch off between the two every day or so.

Just get both!
 
MORIMOTOM said:
then what folder would be worth $500 +? many are in that price range. ive had many, and i would not say they were any better than the xm.

(not including those using exotic materials)
Click to expand...

It would have to be full custom, no outsourced anything at all.
Hand-finished goodness would help justify the giant price tag as well.
Plus top-notch fit and finish of course(should be getting that for even $200-$250).
 
The smf is a big knife, I have a dgg and it fits in my pocket about as well as an xm-18. My XM is very smooth and locks up tight with an easy release. Overall quality seems better, but I really like the SMF. The smf is usually much cheaper on the aftermarket and can be attained for less than 400. If you need it fixed it will probably take less time than getting an xm fixed but they have similar warranties. The blade on the smf is a good edc like people have mentioned. What I like about a dgg smf and the xm is they stay in your pocket much better than a dual titanium sided knife with the stronger clip going to the smf in my limited experience.
 
I prefer SMF to midtech XM18 due to higher grinds. Custom xm's... now thats not obvious.
On the other hand, action on xm, even 3rd gen, is generally better than strider's.
F/F is comparable.
 
Thanks guys I think eventually though I'll end up with both. I'm sure there are pros and cons between the two. I guess i'll have to find out with hands on experience.
I think this may get expensive. :eek:
 
d762nato said:
Thanks guys I think eventually though I'll end up with both. I'm sure there are pros and cons between the two. I guess i'll have to find out with hands on experience.
I think this may get expensive. :eek:
Click to expand...

Here's the most sensible thing you've said all day.:D
 
stabman said:
It would have to be full custom, no outsourced anything at all.Hand-finished goodness would help justify the giant price tag as well.
Plus top-notch fit and finish of course(should be getting that for even $200-$250).
Click to expand...


this does not, in and of itself, guarantee a better product.

so, a gen 2 xm is worth $500+, since the blades are all hand ground, correct? those currently sell for $900+ typically.

and rick makes all his parts in house, including hardware, iirc.

while i like the look of the satin blades, i found nothing else about the hand ground knives that were any better regarding fit/finish.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
so, a gen 2 xm is worth $500+, since the blades are all hand ground, correct? those currently sell for $900+ typically.

and rick makes all his parts in house, including hardware, iirc.
Click to expand...

Yep, a generation 2 would be worth about $500.
$900 for a folder is dumb, unless it has precious metals or gems as embellishment.
I still wouldn't pay $900 even then.
 
Hands down its Hinderers XMs for me. The two things I like about the XM are the spanto blade and the massive standoffs/spacers. Neither of these could be found on Striders.
 
stabman said:
Yep, a generation 2 would be worth about $500.
$900 for a folder is dumb, unless it has precious metals or gems as embellishment.
I still wouldn't pay $900 even then.
Click to expand...


It would be cool if the hobby subscribed to your personal pricing structure and assessment of value, but it doesn't.
 
Ankerson said:
I like the SmF CC vers better personally.
Click to expand...

As do I. Compared to the SMF the XM-18 just didn't fill my hand like I thought it would. The grind also did nothing for cutting ability. If all I did was pry it would probably be fine. But if all I did was pry I would have a prybar.

Seven1Niner said:
Hands down its Hinderers XMs for me. The two things I like about the XM are the spanto blade and the massive standoffs/spacers. Neither of these could be found on Striders.
Click to expand...


As mentioned a worse (cutting ability wise) blade with the additional complication of standoffs / spacers. Try to crush the SMF's handle. I'm betting neither will budge but the SMF is less complicated and weighs less.
 
The SnG will be more comparable from the standpoint of overall length. The SMF will have a closer edge length to the XM-18. Though I agree the XM-18 is generally smoother and may have a (slightly) better overall quality, the difference isn't so much that it bothers me. XM-18 will arguably be stronger overall. The XM-18 handle appears to be stronger, but as mentioned above, we'll likely never see a failed SnG/SMF handle. The XM-18's blade will arguably be able to more lateral stress due to the opening hole in the SnG/SMF. The full flat grinds on the SnGs/SMFs will slice better, so that might be a factor to consider.

The finger choil on the SnG is better IMO because it's large enough to use comfortably. The XM-18 has a semi-small finger choil which makes me a little cautious about using the choil hard. The flipper version of the XM-18s will have a even smaller choil. Regarding finger choils, they should either be large enough to use comfortably or small enough to not get in the way of the blade. The XM-18's choil sits in between those two ideals I think. However, I don't see the purpose of adding the extra choil on the SnGs/SMFs, the small one after the finger choil. That just takes away from the edge.

Regarding the ergonomics of the handle, they're both pretty comfortable. I think the CC handles on the SnGs/SMFs are more comfortable than the regular lego versions. I'd give a slight edge to the XM-18 handle because of the corner that sticks out on the SnGs/SMFs. It kind of digs into my palm. Overall it's really difficult to tell which is more comfortable.

If getting the XM-18 and the SMF at the exact same price, I would opt for the XM-18. I've been carrying an XM-18 for the past couple of years and have grown accustomed to them. I recently bought an SnG and I'm liking it more everyday. As of this post, the XM-18 is still my favorite knife, but the SnG is a great knife:

SSPX0498.jpg
 
Last edited:
Size-wise XM-18 is closer to SnG. I have both.
2d4551c1e7192b86e069c76dde414f48.jpg


The lock is very solid on both
cc9e3a783aef5c5883227a87efc6792d.jpg


You can't go wrong with either. Just go with the one you like better.
If I needed to have just one I'd go with xm-18.
 
I have two XM-18s, one with the new Carpenter steel blade, and a Strider SNG. After carrying both Strider and Hinderer for about a year, I have to admit I reach for the Strider more. Not because its higher quality, its not. The ergos are better to my hand and its ligther. I have no plans of getting rid of the XM's though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top