I think as far as an all around general EDC knife, this is the best Hinderer. It performs better than the XM series in most tasks, as far as my use goes. I think one reason this knife is not looked on as favorably as the XM by the knife community, is that it’s not a flipper and not as much of a fidget toy. The community has shifted to fall “shutty” fidget toy pocket jewelry.

A Hinderer was missing from my extensive collection. This was my first and I have since added a couple more. This one appealed to me because it wasn't a flipper. It's slightly larger than what I normally carry. The orange color was so hard to find, I bought it as soon as it came back into stock. After spending some time fidgeting it, I figured out the manual of arms to roll it open. Any finger pressure on the lock bar makes it difficult to open. I grip it with my little finger in the lockbar cutout and roll it open with my thumb, keeping my fingertips loosely on the frame. I'm happy will all my Hinderers and I admire their quality workmanship. I am enjoying them a lot and did add a couple XM18 Skinny's.

As an XM-18 & 24 fanman, I find this Firetac utterly respectable ... but flat and flavorless. Thanks for the great vids!

Hinder needs to give the option to get a hollow grind blade. Cold steels Code 4 spear point has the xm18 shape with chris reeves hollow grind s35vn light then the large Sebenza. Its almost a perfect knife, just need grippier handles than the aliminum and the tri lock is solid. Only 167 on amazon. My next buy it a Hinderer Xm-18 but i wish i could get a hollow grind version. Hollow grind is the bed for pocket knives.

Saw the fix blade version on Tac. Knives magazine years back. In many ways its form closely resembles my ideal, practical EDC. I like it so much more than the well-known XM's.

Not a knife maker but I wouldn’t build a knife with a super pointed thumb stud or a knife with sharp jimping so when you flip it , it tears your finger up what happen to comfortable .

They are not available with the tri way pivot and they are not being produced currently at Ricks shop. What the retailers already have is all that’s available.

I’m not a fan of the The XM18. Its too big. But this is the first Hinderer that I’ve ever liked. Funny enough I’m a metric user normally, but when it comes to knives I think in imperial, I’m an Aussie

Reminds me of a kershaw blur.

This is a pretty good looking knife. I wouldn’t mind getting one.

Thanks Kevin.

Respectfully, I don't think you're looking at the Firetac the right way. My opinion isn't worth any more than yours, but for argument's sake let me sit on my high horse for a second 🤣 The Firetac is an inherently worse design than the XM18. Rick knows that. That's why he stopped making them and the XM has carried on for 6 generations. Like with anything else in life, however, old fans want it, and for a long time the only way to get one has been to find a full custom firetac on the secondary for multiple thousands of dollars. If people have already proven that they're going to pay the money for the damn thing, and you're Rick freaking Hinderer, why not cash in on the obvious market? Honestly it's crazy to think that he wouldn't. For all that I can nitpick about hinderer knives, his knowledge of the market is impeccable. The research and development was basically nothing because it was already done, I'm assuming a lot of the tooling is redundant with the XM series or still exists from the old firetac days, and he already has the materials. TL;DR, the firetac is not for new hinderer fans or people looking for an XM alternative. It's for people that havent been able to afford a firetac for the last decade because of the insane secondary markup. Thanks for the review Kevin! God bless!

What angle did you sharpen this bad boy at?

Why is the firetac pivot sticking up off the g10? It looks sloppy. The xm-18 pivot is flush. Not worth the price imo

Always wanted a hinderer but $300 is the most I will pay for a knife.I sharpen my knife to a razors edge if razors were sharper but I basically just cut stuff and ounce in awhile very light prying.Just bought a Dashi 1.5 inch blade A2 steel little neck knife that won’t get used much probably mostly because of knife laws $59 for a cool tuff light neck knife in case I want to wear one some day .

It's 600.69 (425 US) at Warriors so I'll pass . If I want something similar but more affordable the Steel Will Resident comes to mind.

I prefer the looks of the Firetac over the XM-18, but that's just me. To each their own. I love the classic shape of the blade profile. Not that I dislike the XM models, I just find the Firetac design to be more sleek and sexy looking..the XM-18 is still a great design, and a real work horse. I like the thumb disk too..and I like the way they milled out the blade so it sits flush, instead of just screwing it to the top of the blade like so many manufacturers do. That is more aesthetic than function, but it just adds a touch of class, and shows they go that extra mile in their designs and manufacturing. Over all, the Firetac is just more of a classy looking knife than a hard use knife like the XM-18. It just depends on what you plan to use it for when deciding which one to buy.

I will stay to my esee avispa; I would end up never really useing expensive knives.

I guarantee the Hinderer frame lock is stronger. My Inkosi I used to have would easily close with light spine whacks. I think it has to do with the lock cutout being on the inside instead of the outside and also the ceramic ball interface which makes it slip easily. My sebenza 21 wouldn’t fail with light spine whacks and we all know that frame lock can only hold 45 pounds lol. I’m tired of hearing that the Inkosi is a beefier sebenza 21 when the lock fails so easily. Don’t fix what ain’t broken

Is it worth $425 tho

I don't think it brings anything new to the table, and at its price point its lacking...............

Never liked a thumb disk but I only own one and it’s probably the knife it opens and closes like shit and the titanium frame lock is super dangerous made in China nemesis knives thought $100 for titanium vg10 steel and carbon fiber was a deal worst knife I’ve ever bought thanx China I do own 3 kizers on the other hand great knives maybe one day I’ll get a W.E but I’m on a China ban as much as u can be great vid kid 😘.

$425? Not a consideration.

I feel like you are talking to mr shabazz. 😂 as far as finding things to complain about that are not real life things to complain about.