Knife Care: Setting Up a Brand New Hinderer XM-18 to Flip Well

This is a painfully loooong (sorry) and, frankly, not very well filmed video of me taking a brand new Hinderer XM-18 that has so-so flipping action and giving it AWESOME flipping action and supreme smoooooothness! I promised this video to my subscriber Prana120 who has a new Hinderer himself and whose having trouble getting it to flip well. Prana, I hope you can sit through its length and poor camera work... the end result is worth it I think. :) (I would have just re-shot the whole vid, but you only really get once chance at the knife being new with the factory pivot setting and lubrication... so this was a "one take to rule them all" kind of thing.)
Thanks for watching... PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!!!
Check out my written blog at: 1allspub.wordpress.com/
And follow me on Instagram at: / 1allspub
Sláinte!!!

[@caseyb9526]

Just replaced the scale on my fatty harpoon with a full titanium one and was having a tough time getting it centered... Watched your video and now not only is it centered, but it flips even better than before. Thanks!

[@1allspub]

Casey B Glad to be of help! :)

[@stonyack]

thank you for making this video, it helped alot. i just got my first hinderer today and was trying to break it in all day but after taking it apart and getting it cleaned and lubed it is so much better

[@1allspub]

Glad it helped. Sorry it wasn't better filmed. :) Thanks for watching. I appreciate the support!

[@themasterswordlink]

I have 5 Hinderers and have done this 100 times.. but I always come back to this video just to make sure I'm doing it right... thanks for the best tutorial on centering up and "sweet spotting" a Hinderer

[@1allspub]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad it's been helpful. :)

[@05generic]

Yeah..... to the end, but the cowboy took a nap. Haha.

[@jpaul4595]

Thank you for the Video, it's very helpful. I am looking to purchase a Hinderer knife for everyday use. I live about 20 minutes from Shreve, OH where they are made. I don't think they sell direct to consumers. Which blade do you recommend for everyday use in a XM-18 3.5"? Do you have any suggestions where to buy one?

[@lee33htzdiscotech]

Hello mate, Well that's my first "Hinderer Class" under my belt! Thank you for the great video and conveying your knowledge! All the best brother! Grace and Peace, Lee.

[@tatjones5503]

Awesome advice 1all's. bit tough trying to find the daiwa reel oil in the UK but worth it. She flips like your now. thanks for the tip sir.

[@1allspub]

Glad you liked it... and glad it worked for you. And yes, Daiwa takes a bit of effort to track down...even here in the US. :) Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@05generic]

Good info, Thanks. Por favor, what brand is your driver and how has it held up? No bit twisting?

[@1allspub]

jpaul4595 Glad it was of help. You are correct, the don't sell direct unless you are LEO/MIL/EMT, etc. The best place to pick one up is on the BladeForums Exchange or The Cove on the Usual Suspect Network. As for blade type... really a personal choice... right now I am kinda partial to the Skinners. :) But they are all good. The Spanto is probably the least suited for everyday cutting just because it is so wedgy... but it's still fine for daily tasks as long as your daily tasks aren't slicing super thin tomato slices. :) Thanks for watching and commenting... I appreciate the support.

[@MrGtopper]

When I did my strider I held the top of my knife in boiling water to loosen up lock tight because it was real hard to get apart. I have a 3.5 Hinderer coming today may try boiling water on it .

[@1allspub]

MrGtopper Thx for the tip. I've had many Hinderers and this was the only one I've ever had give me fits taking it apart... figures it's the one I tried to film. HA! Murphy's Law!!

[@blanex1]

hi, john i was told i could order a custom pocket clip for my spyderco brad southard,from you! as its the best looking after market clip i have seen to date,could you tell me how to get one,thank you.

[@1allspub]

+Blane Biondolillo Hi Blane... no, I don't make or sell custom pocket clips. I got mine from a guy named Steve Rice (STR Backyard KnifeWorks).

[@1allspub]

Sure... sounds like a good idea. I will put on together. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@LarsLondian]

I do not have a Hinderer at this time, but maybe some day. Thanks for the Demonstration.

[@oxyrisin]

They have this awesome, new tool called a 'screwdriver' btw. Works way better than fumbling around w a damn penny!

[@1allspub]

Oxyrisen Yeah, except the pivot screw on an XM-18 is actually made of a fairly soft metal and it's easy to mar the screw head with a typical flathead screwdriver. Hence the use of a softer metal metal object like a penny.

[@oxyrisin]

1all's Pub Thanks. Didn't know this. Haven't taken my 3" apart yet but will keep this in mind. Love your vids btw.

[@IDriveAnAudi]

Just got my 3" slicer today. I must say that this breakdown and rebuild procedure looks a bit intimidating to me. Guess I will order some Daiwa oil and try it when I'm feeling brave. Thanks for the video.

[@1allspub]

It's not as hard as it looks. Typically I can break one down and re-assemble it in 10-15min (which is what I planned on when I filmed this... but the dang pivot was Loctited like crazy and took me forever to get loose). Anyway, it's not that bad... fear not. :) Any questions, just ask. Enjoy your 3" Slicer.

[@IDriveAnAudi]

1all's Pub So I got some of the Daiwa oil, copper standoffs and a titanium pivot screw. The disassembly/assembly took around 20 minutes. I played with the pivot screw tension a bit, and now it flips great and is very smooth. Thanks again!

[@1allspub]

Steve Mace Sweet! Well done... glad it all worked out. :)

[@tacratt6091]

If you like the reel oil you would love the Quantum reel oil called Hot Sauce, It's red and slick. I fished bass tourney's for years and the Hot Sauce is the slickest longest lasting reel oil I ever used..

[@thesbguy]

Also for anyone else considering a different lube, the Daiwa reel oil used in this video worked the best in my case as well. I tried this first with nano-lube and no comparison. Daiwa is less viscous and it makes a big difference.

[@1allspub]

Another Daiwa disciple! :) Daiwa really is impressive stuff. I need to order some more (in bulk, ha!).

[@thesbguy]

I lucked out, they sell it here at a local fishing store for like $5.00.

[@1allspub]

Jarrett Gorin Cool. Wish I had a local supply. I buy it online.

[@randyparker8009]

Enjoyed my friend And may the blessings of the Lord be upon you.

[@Lulueh]

I probably did something wrong but my knife flips more sluggish after doing this. Still flips but not as fast and no longer closes from gravity

[@Lulueh]

its flipping better now idk what changed i stopped flipping it last night and didn't flip it again until like an hour ago.

[@krudeddie]

should not have to do this on a 400+ knife sad

[@jpaul4595]

I appreciate your taking the time to make this video. You may want to edit out the dead time getting the pivot out. Also, keeping everything in the camera view would help. I know it’s not easy to get it all in.

[@1allspub]

jpaul4595 Thx for watching. Glad it helped even in its flawed form. I filmed this almost 6 years ago on an old iPhone. Editing back then was a major pain...it was just a turn it on and go “one take” kinda thing. Were I to shoot it today I’m sure it’d be better. Ah well... ;-)

[@Shortround766]

finally I have a blade centered without having my pivot so tight that it doesn't flip well. thanks!

[@1allspub]

+dude Glad this vid helped! :)

[@USA2ndAmendment]

Awesome vid...good information...I do not have a Hinderer yet, but want one. From what I can tell my best bet is at a knife show and the lottery...otherwise my wife would kill me for paying the 2nd hand/street price, but she said the lottery price would be ok :)

[@1allspub]

Thanks... glad you found it useful. You married a good women! :)

[@USA2ndAmendment]

1all's Pub Yes I did...One question for you...do you know how to find out where there are going to be Hinderer lotteries/or the public can buy his knives?

[@1allspub]

USA2ndAmendment Usually at shows like Blade and Shot and the various USN GTGs. Also Rick has brought a nice selection to the first two Monkey Muster shows in Mesa, AZ. Otherwise keep an eye out on the subforums on the USN and BF... sometimes they announce impromptu lotteries on those forums and/or when they have the occasional specials on the Hinderer website. They all go fast, so you just have to be lucky. Good luck! :)

[@1allspub]

Its a brand new set I just got from Harbor Freight...so far no bit twisting, but I haven't used it much. My Husky though does have some bit twisting on the T6.

[@Chonkasaurus]

what did you say the lube was for the pivot?

[@1allspub]

I use Daiwa reel oil.

[@thesbguy]

Great video. Yeah it's long but it takes a while to do this work and it's informative to see all the steps. Here's a tip: to avoid brain damage trying to keep those retention nuts in on reassembly, use a piece of scotch tape to keep them from falling out. Works awesome.

[@1allspub]

BRILLIANT!!! Holy cow I can't believe I didn't think of the tape idea! :) You sir, are a genius!!!

[@05generic]

Thanks!

[@Widespread_love]

wouldn't it be nice if Hinderer did this for us during final production.

[@1allspub]

They set them tighter at The Ranch for whatever reason. I don't so much mind having to tweak 'em a bit to get them how I like... and I really like the fact that the knife is so tune-able to individual preferences.

[@Widespread_love]

I actually got my hinder in today and did the exact same thing you did and it worked like a charm! Thanks for the great video man!

[@1allspub]

eric schneider That's awesome! Congrats man! :) Glad it helped.

[@chrislavine]

Great vid man, thanks! I just this second picked up my first Hinderer. I've wanted one forever but was always hesitant due to the talk I heard about the flippability of them. After watching your vid, I decided to move forward. Odd question...I think I read somewhere in your comments that you have the black/blue scale on your Gen 3 in the vid that seems to be your favorite. Is this correct? That is the scale color I picked up.

[@1allspub]

Glad I could be of help. :) Yes, I did have a blue-black scale on my gen3... but I recently sold that knife to pick up my new Skinner (see my recently posted vid on it)... but yeah, the blue-black is nice. Mine was the older style scale that favored the blue (which I preferred)... the newer ones tend to favor the black more I think though. Either way, it's cool though (I've had both kinds). And welcome to the Hinderer Herd! :)

[@chrislavine]

1all's Pub Nice!! I'm a bit sad to hear the new scales favor the black...I would like that blue to show through. Either way, I've wanted one forever and am stoked. Scored a bowie. Love that blade profile. I will check out your new vid. Also...do you think Hopp's no9 lube oil would work as well as Daiwa?? When I search for Daiwa, Hopps always comes up with it. I have tons of Hopps...no Daiwa.

[@1allspub]

Christopher Lavine I've never tried Hoppe's No9... so I couldn't say for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was similar. Congrats on the Bowie though... I'm sure you'll love it! :)

[@DeathBecomesHerDeathBecomesHer]

Ordering my XM 24 this week. I've never actually disassembled a knife and for my first time to be with $500+ beast of a knife is intimidating. I might actually send mine out to have a spa treatment and a sharpen and ask the sharpener to go ahead and dial it in for me. If that means having my new knife away from me for two weeks, so be it, I guess. Would you be willing to dial it in for me if I sent along a money order? Let me know and name your price. Thanks

[@1allspub]

Death.Becomes.Her.07 Death.Becomes.Her.07 Hi, email me at [e-mail] and let’s discuss.

[@FredPrana]

Thank you for the video, I appreciate that a lot! :) Probably I should go and take it apart to oil it. Hope that helps... After 10 hours playing with it, I still can't flip it. :/ Btw. what happend with your purple 3" Hinderer? I loved that color. ;)

[@1allspub]

Hi Prana120... yes, take it part and clean the old lube out and oil it with a light oil (I use that Daiwa Reel Oil in the vid, but probably any light oil would work). Then set the pivot & the centering. Frankly after I did this one anyone could flip it... it's that smooth... that easy. :) Regarding the purple scale. I still have. It usually rides on that gen3 in this vid (the blue-black one). Just like to switch them out every now and then. The purple will return, trust me. I dig it too much!

[@1allspub]

That's no cowboy... that's the Bandit (ie, Burt Reynolds!) :)

[@onpointedc4744]

Why can't you use a flat head screwdriver instead of a penny? I've never had a hinderer

[@1allspub]

+The Knife Life You could. The pivot screw Hinderer uses is made of softer steel than the typical steel of screwdriver and thus a screwdriver can mar the pivot screw if you slip That's why the penny... it's softer than the pivot.

[@1allspub]

HAHA!!!! Yeah, I suppose you're right... though if you only count actual useful minutes then it was only a 12min video! LOL!!! Great idea about the clip... duh... I'm a dolt! :)

[@citizen1435]

Your video is good. Thank you. BUT a new knife that is $600 should not have to be taken apart to flip properly. I just got a new one today and it is extremely tight for flipping. Other than that the knife is very good. Hinderer should check the flipping feature before it leaves the factory.

[@1allspub]

For whatever reason, they do tend to set the pivot's quite a bit tighter than necessary from the factory (maybe it's got something to do with making the knife more stable for shipping??? IDK). But just backing the pivot screw off a bit takes care of that easily. The rest of this little process I got through is really just to optimize the action and make them "exceptional", IMO. The grease RHK uses in their pivots is not my favorite stuff for sure. It's heavier and more viscous and because of that they don't put much of it in there, so I feel they are under lubed when new. The Daiwa Reel Oil I use is the *perfect* match to Teflon washers IMO... it's light, low friction and just makes the pivot "glide". RHK obviously likes them they way they build them, but I do think they can be improved upon (hence this vid). That said... regardless, they typically do need some time to break in when totally brand new... just they way it is. Thanks for watching... much appreciated.

[@vinnier6]

Why wouldn't you use a proper sized screw driver, the penny offers you np leverage

[@1allspub]

On my very first XM-18 I tried using a screwdriver and the steel of the screwdriver was harder than the steel of the pivot screw and it marked up the pivot... which is why I now use a softer metal (like a penny). And generally a penny works just fine, the XM in this vid was just exceptionally difficult to get loose (Locitited IIRC). Thanks for watching and commenting... I appreciate the support.

[@joepass9141]

It makes me cringe when I watch you use a penny to remove,replace,or adjust the pivot on an XM knife. It looks like you have a workable tool for the backside of the pivot, why not use a screwdriver that matches the slot on the show side of the knife. Much easier for tight pivots, and gives more control for very small adjustments. Plus, you don't run the risk of dinging up the pivot. I do appreciate the info on centering. I guess I have been lucky. I have 2 XM-18's and a XM-24. I have taken them apart several times and they always came back to dead center.

[@TheApostleP]

Ha! You have now officially lost your license to make fun of my 37-minute videos, Mr. 38 Minute Man :). Here's my helpful hint for the day: Remove the pocket clip prior to reassembly and let the table hold the standoff posts in for you :). Thanks for the instruction though... It'll come in handy for lots of us.

[@bblando65]

$600 retail price and no phosphor bronze washers? O_o

[@BrothersCinco]

Hey next time can you make the video a little longer??? 30+ minutes just wasn’t long enough to demonstrate a 5 minute adjustment.

[@reecenamina]

How to make a terrible knife almost flip decently.