Hinderer XM Slippy Sheepsfoot 18

The build quality is very poor; the screws are soft as shit, there's gaps all along the backspring, the blade isn't centred, there's more gaps between the handle slabs and liners (though that might be because I'm using custom scales - the original ones are going back on after I've dyed them), the thumbstud is completely useless, etc. The only thing good about it is the 20CV blade. For half the price you can pick up something else with top-end blade steel and far better fit and finish. I won't be buying another Hinderer.

I had plenty of problems with this knife: the choil was not thick enough and was almost cutting my finger. I had to dremel it. Then there was a lot of play once open even with the screw tightened. So I changed the washers for ticker and larger ones as the original are far too small. Now, it is a good knife, usable like my Liong Mah Traveller Carbon, Fox Suru or Kizer Zipslip. But for this price, I would expect it to be right out of the box like the areforementioned slipjoints. BTW, I also changed the clip to a deep-carry benchmade but this is a matter of preferences.

This knife surprised me, it got things right that I didn't even know were wrong, the half stop for instance, is only noticeable upon closing the knife, opening is a single smooth motion. The back spring strength is spot on for me, not compensating for a lack of locking mechanism, simply embraces that it's a slip joint. The ergonomics lend themselves well to the finger choil which also acts as a finger protect should the blade close on you. The removable thumb stud is a nice feature which,through my own stupidity, I lost, however Hinderer knives agreed to sell me a replacement at an extraordinarily reasonable price which speaks to their great customer service. The design is non-aggressive and lends itself well to use around the otherwise fearful, that said, I'm so happy with this I look forward to trying the slicer which I'll be saving for now.

Superbly made UK friendly, every part of it is exquisitely machined and finished off. great size and great grip (not a fan of no choil UKs) even opens easy with out the adjutable stud slick! waited a long time for a Hinderer and I am not disapointed. get one whilst you can.