XM-18 steel question

pialia

pialia

Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
494
Hi folks,

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I'm still a newbie when it comes to sharp, pointy things, but I'm trying to soak up all the information I can. Anyhoo, I've pretty much fallen in love with the XM-18 3.5", specifically the Gen 4 Slicer, and I have a thread up in the WTB section looking for a seller(not entirely hopeful as it requires international shipping.) If I find a buyer here that would be amazing, but I've spoken to Rob at Rick Hinderer Knives about the next batch of XM-18's, and he said they're expecting them sometime in Sep/Oct(The 3.5" and 4" being in S35VN.) I don't have any personal experience of S35VN but from what I've read the impression given to me is not entirely positive.

So my question to you - Should I keep trying to find a seller of the Gen 4 or will I be entirely satisfied with the S35VN version that is expected sometime this fall? All I really have to go on is what I read, and I seldomly hear anything negative about the steels Hinderer has used in the past. Also, from what I understand there can be significant differences in steel entirely depending on the heat treat, does this mean that the S35VN used will most likely be on par with say 20CV and CTS XHP?

I'd appreciate any and all info I can get!

Thanks,
Pia
 
I think it is just an upgrade from s30v to have slightly better edge retention and a little bit tougher... I have a native in s30v and while i havnt used to much it takes a great edge.

Ask those Chris Reeve fans, they may have used the stuff now and then haha
 
pialia said:
Hi folks,

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I'm still a newbie when it comes to sharp, pointy things, but I'm trying to soak up all the information I can. Anyhoo, I've pretty much fallen in love with the XM-18 3.5", specifically the Gen 4 Slicer, and I have a thread up in the WTB section looking for a seller(not entirely hopeful as it requires international shipping.) If I find a buyer here that would be amazing, but I've spoken to Rob at Rick Hinderer Knives about the next batch of XM-18's, and he said they're expecting them sometime in Sep/Oct(The 3.5" and 4" being in S35VN.) I don't have any personal experience of S35VN but from what I've read the impression given to me is not entirely positive.

So my question to you - Should I keep trying to find a seller of the Gen 4 or will I be entirely satisfied with the S35VN version that is expected sometime this fall? All I really have to go on is what I read, and I seldomly hear anything negative about the steels Hinderer has used in the past. Also, from what I understand there can be significant differences in steel entirely depending on the heat treat, does this mean that the S35VN used will most likely be on par with say 20CV and CTS XHP?

I'd appreciate any and all info I can get!

Thanks,
Pia
Click to expand...

Welcome. You have good taste. Yes,the heat treat process is to knife steel as cams and tuning is to building a "muscle car" vs something that could be better described as a noise maker.
If the Guys make it and it has Rick's name on it - rest assured your Love will not die.
 
My S35VN 24 serves me well. It only needs light touch ups from time to time, just like all my other EDC knives. I didn't touch the edge on her before this pic, just plucked from my pocket and tried to take a pic while cutting. Nope, had to set it all down. Last touch up on this edge was a couple weeks ago.

photo-80.jpg
 
Last edited:
I like to use my bigger 24 on thicker stuff. So here's a bit heavier gauge "paper".

photo-81.jpg
 
It's the beginning of a weekend of a short week and just prior to Blade. A couple beers to calm the excitement of the upcoming events in Atlanta sounds like a great idea.:D
 
Hmmmm. I hope I find a Gen 4 Slicer to tide me over until fall when I'll be picking up the Spanto in S35VN :D ... or would it be better to have the 20CV steel in the Spanto version? I don't really know which steel has properties better suited for which blade geometry. The Spanto version would obviously handle a bit more rugged tasks. What do you guys say? :rolleyes:
 
My opinion, concentrate on what you want based on expected usage, aesthetics, etc and rest assured the anticipated relationships were already taken into consideration by Rick .
When it comes to edge geometry I might have a tendency to leave a spanto at a more obtuse angle than a slicer but in both I still hover around 22*.
 
If they are also switching to S35VN for all the XM-18 's, what I personally find highly doubtful, I am going to really start stocking up on 20CV or CTS-XHP XM-18's.....

On a big "field" knife like the XM-24 I can imagine they use a easier to sharpen steel, but on the mainstream knife like the XM-18 I see no reason to do this,
that would mean the Elmax ZT 0560 has even better edge retention..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top