What is the Hinderer XM 18 Knife?
The Hinderer XM-18 is a high-end folding knife designed by custom knife maker Rick Hinderer. It has become known for its rugged build quality, reliability, and versatility, making it a popular choice among knife enthusiasts and collectors.
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Hinderer XM 18 Review
The Hinderer XM 18 series is well known as one of the toughest tactical knives all around the world. The XM 18 features a flat ground Spanto blade which is considered the best blade for maximum cutting potential. The XM-18 also has a very sharp and durable tip for the prying jobs you might encounter. The Hinderer XM-18 blade has a thickness of 3.5″ and is a full .165″ which means it retains its thickness all the way out to the tip.
The Hinderer XM-18 is highly regarded for its build quality, customizable features, and solid performance, making it a standout choice for knife enthusiasts.
It offers a wide array of features, including various finishes, scales, blade shapes, and the Tri-Way pivot system, allowing for a high degree of customization. The knife is praised for its excellent fit and finish, comparable to other high-end knives in its price range. The seamless integration of components, even with customization, and the smooth machining and stonewashing contribute to its aesthetic and functional appeal. However, it’s noted for its extensive use of jimping, which some may find excessive.
The XM-18’s handle is well-crafted, featuring a G10 scale over a titanium liner on one side and a full titanium frame lock on the other, all held together with custom hardware. Its design is both overbuilt and beautifully finished, offering a substantial feel in hand, suitable for various grips, including use with gloves. The knife is equipped with a reversible pocket clip, though it’s not a deep carry clip, focusing on ease of access over concealment. Despite its heft, it carries reasonably well for its size. However, the XM-18’s flipping action may not meet the expectations set by modern standards, especially when compared to newer models in the market. It uses teflon washers and might require a bit more effort to deploy the blade compared to other flippers known for their snappy action. Nonetheless, the knife provides a smooth and reliable deployment with its thumb studs and features an exceptionally sturdy lockup, making it a reliable tool for heavy use.
While the Hinderer XM-18 sets a high standard for titanium framelock knives, its high price point and flipping action might not appeal to everyone. The knife exudes quality and is built to very high tolerances, offering a great option for high-end everyday carry if one can justify the cost. Its 3″ version, in particular, is seen as practical for everyday carry due to its size and cutting efficiency, despite the less-than-ideal flipping action. The knife’s robust build and quality materials make it a durable tool likely to serve its owner for many years, making it recommended for those looking for a rugged, no-nonsense knife.
The handle of the XM-18 is made from either titanium or G-10, depending on the model, and is available in a range of colors and finishes. The knife features a frame lock mechanism for secure blade lockup, and comes with a variety of deployment options, including a flipper tab or thumb stud.
All XM folding knives feature a handle shape designed to be very ergonomic and comfortable. In all varieties of user positions. Since not all hands are the same, the handle is a great fit for all hands. For the lock – it is a precision CNC made from 6AL4V titanium and is known for their Hinderer Lockbar Stabilizer. You can set up the Hinderer XM-18 for either tip down or tip up carry. The carbon fiber handles can also be changed if you want another color at some point in time.
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The XM-18 features a variety of blade options, including tanto, spear point, and drop point, and comes in a range of sizes, from small to extra-large. The blade is made from premium steel, such as CPM-S35VN or CPM-20CV, and is available with a variety of finishes, such as stonewash, satin, or DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon).
Overall, the Hinderer XM-18 is a high-quality, well-built knife that is designed to handle a variety of tasks and conditions. Its popularity among knife enthusiasts is a testament to its quality and performance.
What is the difference between XM18 and XM24?
The primary difference between the Hinderer XM-18 and XM-24 knives lies in their size and intended use, which influences their design and specifications. Both models share many features, such as the frame lock system, liner lock thickness, lock bar stabilizer, blade materials, and a reversible clip for tip-up or tip-down carry. They can come in various blade shapes and G-10 scale colors, with each blade being stonewashed.
The XM-18 is available in two sizes, with either a 3-inch or 3.5-inch blade. It is designed to be more compact, making it suitable for everyday carry. The 3-inch version has a blade thickness of 0.140 inches and an overall handle thickness of .425 inches, weighing 3.6 ounces. The 3.5-inch version is slightly larger and heavier, with a blade thickness of 0.165 inches, an overall handle thickness of 0.540 inches, and a weight of 5.6 ounces.
On the other hand, the XM-24 is a full-sized knife with a 4-inch blade that is 0.185 inches thick, designed for tactical carry. It has a thicker handle at 0.59 inches and a longer handle length of 5.625 inches, with a total weight of 7.8 ounces. This makes the XM-24 more suited for field work or recreational activities such as camping, hunting, and fishing, where a larger blade might be needed.
In summary, the XM-18 is favored for daily tasks due to its smaller size and ease of carry, while the XM-24 is better suited for tactical and field use due to its larger size and heftier build. The choice between the two would depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user
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Last Updated on February 9, 2024