Holy... what on earth do you do for a job? Rob banks? I'm kidding... epic collection there.

I understand the purpose of lock bar inserts but the sound a knife makes with a titanium lockbar is magic. I need a text tone of that sound. Hold your hand around it when it locks and it has that deep knuckle crack sound. Damn, rum and coke.

Hinderer and Reeve are my favorite right now.

This is a guy who knows his stuff and what he is talking about! Subscribed!

I think for long time I wanted spend 1000s and 1000s of dollars to get hand full pocket knives then it came that the law of diminishing returns apply to expensive knives as well other things. I know the addiction for knives and believe you me you can get same enjoyment with ganzo and other high value knives as much as all the expensive knives you show at your channel. FYI I speak from long experience (since late 80s) the getting the next knife is what gets our kick from so why not save lots mony and collect high value knives I am sure the girlfriends and wives will give less hard time on the hobby.

Great video as usual, thank you for your time and work that goes into each video. Praying for you and your family, dominus vobiscum! 🙏🙏🙏

Love my XM-18, flips fine, buttery smooth, free falling closed, and zero blade play. Plus I got my battle bronze spear point for $318. This was the right time to get into these.

The first major production locking folder, the Buck 110 lock-back is a stronger lock than a titanium frame lock. I'm glad you pulled a Cold Steel triad lock knife out toward the end. I don't want to take anything away from these excellent high end knife builders, but maybe some of them should start building knives around an improved lock-back design. That is the day I start buying more "high end" folding knives.

I love almost everything about the XM, especially in non-flipper configuration. I do wish Rick hadn't bowed to pressure to go to that super abrupt detent. It almost locks the knife closed if you're grip isn't right. But other than that and his thick grinds, they're awesome knives. I just wish he would offer a blade style that's really made to cut rather than be a pry bar. I mean I REALLY wish he would do that ... REALLY!!! LOL!

I totally agree about your statement regarding knives having washers rather than bearings for hard use knives. I use my knifes in hard use on a regular basis (logging, hunting, fishing, camping back country hiking, etc.), and I have found that bearings tend to gather sand, bark, and other debris, etc much easier than washers, which is why I try to stick with knives made with washers.

Totally agree with you about the washers. A much better choice than bearings for what this knife is designed for. The new ones flip great as it seems the detent is a bit stronger. The best part is they have become more available in the market and now more people have the opportunity to own one without paying the inflated prices. Great review of a great knife!

I want one so bad. They are my dream knife. The first time I saw one I was just like wow that is the perfect knife. Spearpoint with the blue handle would make me a happy guy.

That was a shit ton of money on one table

Love the Hinderers, especially the newest ones. I think very highly of CRK also. I like Striders SNG profile but my strider experience was negative. More or less my Hinderers and CRKs have been perfect and striders have been lock rockin stop pin cappin $50 shipping for warranty work on brand new $500 knives

Fucking finally. A guy who knows his shit and realises that bearings are for toy couch knives and washers are for well built tools. Good job.

Iv been seeing used 3.5 going for $325-$350 a few times during the past couple weeks. Its made me want to pick one up again. My only dislike about them is the edge is alittle thick for my preference.

All the ones I've had flipped fine, and what lock rock , I'm calling bs on that

Love that flipper-less wharncliff. Great scale too.

I was just watching your old videos waiting for a new one to come out and here you are with a 30 minute video. sweet.

Very thorough analysis, RJ. Thank you! I overlooked Hinderer's knives for a long time because my narrow understanding was that they were overpriced relative to the competition. This video has done a great service to his knives and to my consideration of his options. Well done!

I don't think I could ever justify the cost of a True Hinderer but they really look awesome, even more now after your in depth video. I do really like the Kershaw Cryo design and feel. I got the G10 Cryo after getting a Thermite that had to go back due to lack of a safe lock up issue. I had always thought Id want a Mini Grip but after seeing it and the Hinderer ZTs side by side I'm going to try and save up for a ZT.

Let’s be honest, once you go past about $150 for a pocket knife, you’re not really making it any more functional in any appreciable way that really matters. At that price point you can get excellent steel, fitment, durability, reliability of opening , and a good lock. I’d also posit that maintenance is WAY overblown by knife nerds. Most guys that actually hard use knives aren’t taking them apart to maintain them. My old Benchmade has been in 10+ years of constant service as an appliance repair tech’s knife doing all sorts of prying, scraping on metal, scoring copper tubing, cutting wires, chipping ice, getting wet, opening boxes, using the point to pop open spring steel clips, etc. It doesn’t even have G10 scales as they were replaced with wood way back when so it’s weaker than the stock configuration. It’s still kicking to this day and has never been taken apart for any kind of maintenance. I like expensive, nice knives but I’m not of the illusion that I’m gaining anything functional from them. Rant over.

Just a quick update. NEW XM-18 version with better steel. Its the M390 with Harpoon Spanto blade. Cutting edge side is like the spanto and top swedge harpoon part looks like an CRK Umnumzaan

Nice review/critique.. The edges on the Hinderer are thick and chunky and they come with a so-so sharp edge...To get them to cut better you usually have to re-profile the edge and tin it down. I have owned 2 of them Gen 3's. Now they are easier to get now and they are still cool...the 3.5 inch had some hot spots if you don't wear gloved hands...The smaller 3" was more ergonomic...YMMV. I just wish with such a good steel they thin the edge down a bit...you can still use them hard if they are skinnier!

Great video, thanks! I have to agree with you regarding the sharp hooked flipper.

I use my try way hinderer a lot. I have the eklipse harpoon tanto. Love it. I keep switching between the phosphorus bronze washers and bearings. I’m kind of too impatient to let the washers break in but I get the bearings dirty fast and it gets annoying taking it apart once a week to clean.

Nice collection there would love to have a sebenza!!

Didn't mention the stop pin being floater to help with centering when closed. I like that

awesome looking knifes. can't wait to get one

Got my Spanto 3.5 Flipper for $350 basically new. The secondary market is a wondrous thing.

Holy shit are those all your knives?!?!?! Fucking nice collection.

Hey Randy, I've watched some 3 or 4 vids of yours about XM18s and you seem to know your stuff. I've asked 4 reviewers more info about the xms but really haven't gotten good clear answers. For instance where is the best place to buy one? I've been after a gen6 3.5 spear flipper or without flipper preferably without in washed steel and just nothing? So I've been chasing a ghost for almost a year and nothing. Also I love spear points but the spanto and sheepsfoot seem interesting, which one should I go for and why? Advantages and disadvantages of each one and anything else you can tell me ... please

Beautiful construction to be sure but why would you use such an expensive knife for 'hard use'? I would have thought that the most important decision to make for that application would be lock strength. The Andrew Demko destruction test series shows beyond doubt that the Tri-Ad locks are far stronger than any framelock. High end EDC definately, but hard use? I wouldn't bet my fingers on it.....

Awesome information, very well run down on what I wanted to know. Subscribed

great review of a exceptional knife, you've convinced me to buy another one, as i seem to have misplaced the last two i bought...........

It would amazing to see a head-to-head hard use (torture test) between Strider, Hindered and ____________. Great Video!

Thought i had found a 3" xm-18,but the store seemed confused about Vat & import charges so i'll never own one it seems 🥺

I'll second the sharp flipper tab. I flip my knives a lot regardless of what's in my pocket. The flipper tab on my XM-18 will grate cheese, or skin, after a few flips.

I really like your chanel. You do so great videos on alot of good subjects. Thumbs up!

also in my opinion Hinderer has not kept up with the times. just like Strider they have been plagued with issues of lock rock and lock slip yet they still have not upgraded to a hardened steel lock insert. I am glad that he is at least addressed his detent issue on his new models but I still believe he has a long way to come to catch up with the rest of the game right now. yes he did reign supreme (kinda) in the past but now he is old school and old news

Fan of the teflon, no oil needed, excellent EDC.

True that, working around sawdust getting inside my xm-24 is a real pain in the ass to clean later.

Got one the other day, will be my first hinderer x-18 for $425

My Kizer 4401A knockoff from China ($94 including tax and shipping) looks just like these knives, has a VG10 steel blade that is 3 3/4", has a flipper stud as well as double thumb studs, and is precision built and sharp as fuckall. I carry it every day and am completely confident. Cannot imagine how anyone could prefer the Hinderer original, which is 3-4 times the cost. Unless they are patriotic, snobbish, or have a man crush on Rick Hinderer!

love that black duratech you have there. keep up the great videos

Wow what finish did you do on that wharnie's pocket clip?? Looks amazing

Was that a $300 allen wrench as well? Great collection of pig stickers brotha!

I think it's a given that washers are better if you're using the knife for anything other than opening and closing in your living room, but is there any particular reason to use teflon over pb? Seems like I'm missing something, because I'm sure he has to have a reason to not switch after all these years

Love these style vids brother

Do u think a zt 566cf and super freek with 2 knives is a good trade for a hinderer

Of course he was purposefully locking up the market in order to increase demand which ultimately increased the price. It just so happened the demand no longer exceeds the supply & other makers have been able to fill that niche.

The quality of the Hinderers is great, but just like the Striders, the design is lacking. There is no reason for the finger choil on folder length blades. The edges are ground thick, yeah "hard use", but they could stand to be thinned out some. Also, I refuse to buy a framelock without a steel insert these days, it's the future. Hinderers hardware is likely some of the best in the biz, I agree there.

Where did you get the green pocket clip and filler tab? That looks really nice with the translucent green scale.

Just got my first one. XM-18 3" wharncliffe flipper in ghost green for $275. I'm addicted already

Very informative video.

Does anyone know why hinderer doesn't cover the lock on his knives? Emerson, strider, Chris reeve, etc cover the lockup under warranty, why not hinderer? For knives made for "LEO, Military, EMT, Firefighters" isn't the lockup one of the key features of the "folding locking pocket knife etc etc"? I'd love an aanswer. Thanks folks!

ZT does offer some hard use folders like the 200/300/560, not that cute little 450. :-)

Hi Randy, I just purchased a used XM that looks identical to the camo slicer in this video, with the exception that the one I purchased is a flipper. What generation is the model in your video? Looking for any info. Thanks

I have a skinner and use the hell out of it every day. Hard use yes.

Compare a cold steel 4 max and an XM18, tell me which is a hard use folder????

rick hinderer and Chris reeve need to get to get together and make a XM-benza. chris reeve pivot bushing and his perforated phosphor bronze washers and his incredible ceramic ball lockup, and hinderers blade and handle. i don't care how much it would cost id buy one.

that wharnie is perfect

Reminds me of the story of King Midas.

I understand that they have good tolerances but many of the things that you point out to show how good the tolerances are on a Hinderer are not exclusive to a Hinderer. You can find the same thing on many of the other high and knives that are in my opinion at a better price and give you more bang for your buck. I also have never ever ever had any problem whatsoever with bearings and dirt or dust getting caught in the bearings and not being able to get it out. Literally just blowing with the power of my lungs gets the debris out up which I cannot say 4 washers. A Hinderer is still a great knife and many of the knives that are here today probably would not be here without the inspiration and standards set by Hinderer.

These are nice but I've literally never heard of anyone who had a lock failure on any $100 linerlock. I would be interested to know if this lock failure issue is real or are people paying $400 to solve a non-existent problem. There's a point when something works fine. Nobody goes and upgrade their car seat belts to be extra safe.

At 2:22 when you flip out the tonto CR.21 I'm saying to myself " son of a bitch there goes next week's check" I am left handed so I am already going to have to special order one but I didn't know I could get the tonto blade. Thanks man now how am I going to eat next week. Lol just kidding but I really do like that knife.

Is the camo scale 3.5" a non flipper production or was that modded? What scale grind is that? Looks like a slicer?

where did you get the lanyard and bead for the ghost green one on the left? I've been looking for one to go with that scale and that one goes nicely.

Don't mean to be rude, but you need to tighten up these presentations. You clearly have a lot of knowledge, but you could have said everything you had to say succinctly in 5-10 minutes. I can't always spend a half hour to watch speeches such as these.

The teflon washers have sadly been a deal breaker for me and always has. I KNOW how fast they wear out. Why he didn't just use bronze washers like everyone else and solve the problem once and for all I just don't understand. The knives might even flip then.

What clip is that on the 0450? Looks quite a lot better than stock.

You’d think hinderer would use bigger washers like CRK knives. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Holy cow? Money is knifes much? I need to work where you work? #jealous.

whats your thoughts on the epic seb lock fail on cold steels channel?? i mean a non locking Victorinox sak would have probably held up better

I feel like Mid techs just make so much sense. Especially in a hard use knife. Why would I hard use something that someone took time to make only it. Did everything themselves. Mid techs can be cheaper and you aren't apprehensive to actually use it.

I received my XM -18 3.5" recurve 3-2-2022. Not even remotely impressed with it.The workmanship is adequate the cutting, slicing, sawing and all that is poor. I've been carrying a knife since the age of seven in one form or another.I own around 100-125 of all brands and styles. The same day the Hinderer arrived l also received my Axial Shift OTF. The Axial cuts better, feels better, and looks better. I'm carrying it now and used it several times this a.m., great knife.I never sell knives or guns,but considering getting off the Hinderer. Just not enough going on there for the price.OhioBoy!

How big of a deal is removing that flipper? Love my Xm-18... the flipper not so much. I could live without it.

Mine does not flip very well...bummer

Saw a spanto 3'' for $275, yeah thats right 2 7 5!

I just got my first xm18 yesterday and honestly I'm not impressed I know the flippers have a break-in period but it really is to painful to push button it.

please comment on cold steel vs sebenza

watch spec operator channel. he got brand new hinderer from bladehq and when he open box and pull out it had no detent.not flip at all. not work

Nonchalantly pulls out 8k in knives and stacks them on top of each other...

I agree with you. I don't like KVT baring.

Damn dude...I'm broke....how bout a gift knife lol. Holy shit that's a collection....when I do get the money I want a xm18 or a umnumzaan....thoughts??

I still kick myself for selling that XM18 I had. I know I could have gotten more for it :(

nothing tough about framelocks

Dude, what are you talking about? Standoffs? Screws? FFS, titanium frame lock is one of the weakest forms of lock, right after no lock at all. I understand if you were trying to sell this toughness argument to an individual who never heard of KZfaq or internet. There's a wealth of information out there that makes inherent weakness of frame/liner locks pretty much a fact. No amount of brand worship will rectify that. Hinderer, Strider, are archaic designs, and as much as I dislike Cold Steel arrogance, their strength claims are substantiated with documented tests. You want to show how tough Hinderers are? Put them up against CS or Benchmade offerings in a destruction test. Everything else is just fanboy fluff.

A $25 cold steel folder is stronger than every single one of those knives. The sebenzas are elegant however. Strength is not why I would buy one of these.

Bs. Rob Orlando proved that wrong on every front.

Hindered with hindere's

Bench made 580 barrage is better

Folders are not hard use tools. That's what fixed blades are for. That's $400 man jewelry.

Meh.. blah.. bleh..

You fell off topic. Lost me at 5 minutes .

Buy a good Chinese clone for $50. It is a better knife. Better yet, go buy a couple of decent knives for $50 at the local knife store.

Sorry, but 2 or 3 $40 knives are superior to to the xm and the like. A lost million dollar knive is useless. These are items that get lost!

It kills me how people just like to show off their knives it’s not about reviewing it’s about showing off bottom line what a joke!!! I’ve got my share of knives from entry-level EDC’s all the way up to the high end like Hinderer, CRK, and I haven’t posted anything on social media or KZfaq, get a life or maybe this is your like😜🤣😅😂🤪🤯🔪🔪🔪🕷🕷

Hey, Randy. I’m wanting to buy my first higher priced knife and wanting some direction for good choices. Chris Reeve, Stider, XM-18 . . . ???? Around $500 is a good price point.