Dan Jackson

Dan is the creator of BladeReviews.com. He founded the site in 2010, and for the first 5 years Dan wrote all of the reviews and recorded all of the video reviews. He grew up using pocket knives, and the decision to start the website stemmed from his fascination of all things sharp combined with a deep passion for writing. At this point he has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is widely recognized as an authority on daily carry knives and has consulted with knife companies on product design and has been featured on national media outlets including the WireCutter. In 2016 Dan decided to branch out and experiment with the website by reviewing watches, flashlights, and multi-tools. Today BladeReviews.com features a number of expert authors reviewing a wide range of daily carry gear. He is proud to write detailed long format reviews with original photography. The website remains largely independent with the vast majority of the products reviewed being purchased by Dan personally. When he isn't writing knife reviews from his home in Southwest Florida, or talking about himself in third person, he enjoys practicing law, reading, fishing, cigars, and weight lifting.

At this point he has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is widely recognized as an authority on daily carry knives. He has consulted with knife companies on product design and his opinions on pocket knives have been featured on national media outlets including the WireCutter. In 2016 Dan decided to branch out and experiment with the website by reviewing watches, flashlights, and multi-tools. Today BladeReviews.com features a number of expert authors reviewing a wide range of daily carry gear. He is proud to write detailed long format reviews with original photography. The website remains largely independent with the vast majority of the products reviewed being purchased by Dan personally.

When he isn't writing knife reviews from his home in Southwest Florida, or talking about himself in third person, he enjoys practicing law, reading, fishing, cigars, and weight lifting.

Buck Marksman Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: December 2, 2019
You may have noticed a lack of reviews of Buck knives. I have nothing against Buck. I reviewed the Vantage a couple years back, and haven’t gotten around to reviewing anything else because nothing else in their lineup interested me that much. That is, until I saw the Marksman.

Buy the Buck Marksman at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The Marksman is a collaboration with Grant and Gavin Hawk. Grant and Gavin are known for pushing the envelope with unique designs and locking mechanisms. They have done a number of collaborations with Kershaw, Chris Reeve, and Zero Tolerance. I think it was especially cool that they teamed up with Buck, because Buck is so well known as a traditional brand, and Grant and Gavin are so well known for re-imagining the folding knife. It is an interesting juxtaposition, and it definitely got my attention. Toss in a 154CM blade, bearings, “made in the USA” quality, and a retail price of under $100, and I’m thinking there might be room for another Buck review on this website.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Marksman has an overall length of 8.25″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs 4.3 ounces. This full size knife feels surprisingly lightweight thanks to the aluminum handle. I have mostly been using the Marksman for yard work and weekend chores, and it has made a great carry for those heavier duty applications. I have cut down bamboo, busted open zip ties, broken down boxes, and performed mild food prep. The Marksman cuts well and is lightweight and functional.

It’s the kind of user knife like the Benchmade Volli, Hogue EX04, and Cold Steel American Lawman, that manages to remain in my collection. For whatever reason, most of my fancier knives end up getting sold, but I have a hell of a time parting ways with a good user.

The blade shape of the Marksman is classic Buck drop point. It has the oval thumb hole that they seem to favor, and the design is mild mannered when compared to the handle. It’s also a functional blade shape with a sturdy tip and high hollow grind. The blade has been left with a matte finish which isn’t anything too spectacular. You can still see some rough grind lines and the finish will pick up scuffs and scratches. The laser etched logos on the blade also has shown signs of wear and have faded after the occasional application of Bar Keepers Friend (a metal cleaner). I photographed the knife after using it regularly for a couple months and you can see how the black laser etching has been scrubbed away. I consider this a “happy accident” as I’m a big fan of sterile blades.

Buck went with good ole 154 CM stainless steel heat treated by Paul Bos. The edge has held up well and the Marksman is a fantastic cutter. I have mentioned earlier how I have been using this knife pretty hard (for me at least) and I have been pleased with the performance. It keeps a good edge yet remains easy to sharpen. I have always been a fan of 154CM so I am not particularly surprised by my experience. I will say that I have had 154CM rust on me a little on more than one occasion, so you need to keep an eye on it, especially if you are going to use the knife for food prep and not clean it like I have on several occasions. If you don’t let the knife get too crusty, a little of that Bar Keepers Friend will bring it back to new.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Marksman has a black anodized aluminum handle with a steel backspacer. This makes for a lightweight and strong handle. The anodization on the aluminum has held up well and there are grooves milled into the handle for a little texture and visual interest. The backspacer integrates with the strap lock (more on that below) so you have something of a “closed construction” design. While aluminum isn’t the most sexy of handle materials, it is very practical. I think it suits the design of this knife. Although it first appears as if there is a lot going on with this knife, at the end of the day construction is simple and sturdy. All the pieces have been nicely finished and the handle has been well executed.

The Marksman is a full size knife. Ergonomically it is straightforward and performs like you would expect. What impresses me most when I use the Marksman is how nice and light it feels in hand. I will say that the strap lock is uncomfortable to use repeatedly – at least until you build some callouses up on your hands. The serrations on the lock are no joke, and they tore up my thumb at first. Having used the knife for months now I don’t feel anything uncomfortable, but it took some getting used to.

Buck went with a deep carry reversible pocket clip mounted on the butt of the handle. This is a lot like the clip found on the LionSteel SR-1. The clip itself is simple and sturdy. It buries the knife discretely into the pocket. I like the clip and the way the Marksman carries. It’s worth mentioning that the knife is fully ambidextrous.

Here is your pocket clip shot:

Deployment and Lockup

Grant and Gavin really know how to shake things up in the deployment and lockup section. Sometimes I find myself starting to yawn when I put this part of the review together, but the Marksman really gives me something to talk about.

So you are probably already aware that the Marksman uses a “strap lock” to lock the blade in place. Chances are you have never encountered a strap lock on a knife before. It’s a big strip of stainless steel that runs the length of the back of the handle and snaps into place over a protrusion on the back of the blade. What makes it cool is that in the closed position, it serves as a big spring, and when you hit the flipper the knife launches open effortlessly.

Here is a size comparison with a Spyderco Delica and Spyderco Endura:

I have never been a huge fan of assisted openers, but the action on the Marksman is really cool and satisfying. It’s unlike any other spring assisted knife I have handled, to the point where I am reluctant to even identify it as an assisted opening knife. Closing the blade is kind of like setting a bear trap, and the trigger takes only a very light touch. It makes a very distinct tinny sound when you deploy it. Even my girlfriend could pick up on the fact that something was different with this knife. If the novel deployment system wasn’t enough, Buck also included a caged bearing system. The bearings work great and the action is so smooth that the blade just falls shut. This is a knife that you can easily open with the flipper or the thumb hole.

To disengage the blade you have to pull up on the strap with the serrations on the side of it. The serrations are rough and your thumb will get chewed up when you first start using the knife – especially if you obsessively open and close it like I did. The initial pain is definitely a negative, but overall I found the strap lock mechanism endearing, and like it more than I thought I would. With some practice you can learn how to open and close the knife one handed. It takes some tough thumbs and a little finesse but even this southpaw has managed to figure it out.

Another interesting aspect about the lock is that it is fully adjustable with a set screw on the pommel. I have used the knife for months and have opened it thousands of times. I have yet to notice any blade play, but if some were to develop you could tune it out with the set screw and pivot.

Here is a parting shot with my Spyderco Para 2:

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Buck Marksman Review – Final Thoughts

The novelty of the Marksman is what made me buy it. The thoughtful design, solid build quality, and excellent performance are what made me keep it. I would have never guessed that I would like the Marksman as much as I do. I wrote this review back in 2014, and as I update it in 2019, the Marksman is still part of my rotation. It’s a truly excellent knife. Perfect for those looking for a workhorse EDC that’s different.

The knife definitely has some novel features to it, and it doesn’t disappoint in that respect. But at the end of the day what impresses me most about the Marksman is that it’s actually a really good knife. The strap lock is unique, and I love how the blade deploys. The knife is also lightweight, tough, and functional. The materials are all high quality and it’s nicely put together – especially at the price point and considering that it is USA made. It carries well, cuts cleanly, and is a lot of fun to open and close. The Marksman has really grown on me. I would go so far as to say this is one of my favorite designs in 2014. I am glad I gave it a chance.

With all of that said I realize that this knife isn’t for everyone. The futuristic design is bound to polarize people, and the strap lock and it’s sharp edges could be a deal killer as well. But if you are in the market for something different and like a good user blade, then the Buck Marksman should definitely be on your radar. I liked it so much it earned a spot on my recommended EDC knives page.

Buck Knives 830 Marksman Folding Knife with One Hand Opening Action

RAZOR SHARP BLADE- 3-1/2" Drop Point 154CM Steel Blade delivers excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and is suitable for heavy cutting applications. Closed Length 4-3/4" Weight 4.0 oz.
AMBIDEXTROUS ONE HAND OPEN - Opens with the flick of a finger. The unique SLS Strong Lock System is one of the strongest locking mechanisms on the market. Once deployed, it offers the strength of a fixed blade knife
SAFE AND SECURE GRIP - The Black anodized aluminum handle provides a comfortable and secure grip while you work. This tactical knife will hold up in the most demanding situations
CONVENIENT CARRY - Includes a removable, reversible, tip-up discreet deep pocket carry clip for easy attachment to your belt, pocket, or in your bag
MADE IN THE USA - FOREVER WARRANTY - Since 1902 Buck Knives has offered a lifetime warranty on our knives because we believe in the integrity of our products. This knife is proudly made in the USA.

I recommend purchasing the Marksman at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Spyderco Sharpmaker Review

by Dan Jackson 29 Comments

Last Updated: July 13, 2019
I occasionally get questions from readers about sharpening: what my “system” is, what products I recommend for sharpening, how I sharpen my knives, etc.

While I wouldn’t call myself a knife sharpening professional, I can certainly keep a blade sharp, and I have tried a number of different sharpening kits over the years.

Buy the Spyderco Sharpmaker at BladeHQ

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Whenever I hand out recommendations for a sharpener, I always come back to the Spyderco Sharpmaker. It may not be the sexiest system, but it works. Some might be surprised to learn that before Spyderco sold knives, they sold knife sharpeners. The Sharpmaker is actually the first product Spyderco ever produced.

I’m not sure what these sold for back in the day, but today the Sharpmaker can be had for around $50. For $50 you really can’t beat it. It allows you to go from knowing nothing about sharpening knives to getting hair shaving, paper slicing edges in minutes. It almost sounds too good to be true, but I have experienced it first hand when I bought the Sharpmaker years ago. It was one of the first sharpening products I purchased, and I still have and use it to this day.

What You Get

The Sharpmaker is a very simple tool. Once you pry it free of its blister pack you are left with 4 ceramic sharpening rods (2 fine and 2 coarse), 2 brass guide rods, and a 2 part plastic base / case. I believe it also includes written instructions and a DVD, although these days everything is available online. All the components are well made and sturdy. I like how the entire package tucks into itself and forms its own little case. Very cool and easy to store.

Use

Using the Sharpmaker is pretty simple. If you can hold a knife perpendicular to the floor, then you can use the Sharpmaker. Basically, you put the base on a sturdy flat surface, put the rods into the base, hold your knife perpendicular to the floor, and run the edge of the knife up and down the rods. That’s all there is to it.

Once you get the basics down, you can play around with the nuances of the Sharpmaker. The rods come in 2 grits and you can place them in 2 settings: a 40 degree setting (20 degrees per side), which Spyderco advises for normal sharpening, and a 30 degree back bevel setting, which you can use to “relieve” the shoulders of the edge and make the edge a little more durable. You also don’t want to forget the brass guide rods. I’m sure general counsel for Spyderco wants me to mention that.

The rods themselves are ceramic. The main things to watch out for with ceramic sharpening stones is to be careful not to drop them as they are brittle and can shatter, and that you will need periodically clean them with Ajax or a similar powdered abrasive cleaner. Ceramic is porous and you will see the rods fill up with tiny metal shavings. Once they fill up they must be cleaned out or the rods won’t work as efficiently. The good news is that the rods are triangular so you can rotate them around and get plenty of use in between cleanings. The other nice thing about triangular rods is that you can even sharpen recurved edges if you use the corners of the stones.

Generally I have been pretty happy with these ceramic stones. The only thing I noticed is that over time they seem to have developed little bumps or chips. Apparently they don’t do anything to mess up your edge, but I find it a little unnerving when I use the system and the blade catches one of the bumps.

If you want to get really fancy you can order diamond and ultra fine rods for the Sharpmaker. The diamond rods are used to re-profile and aggressively remove steel. These diamond rods are good if you are trying to remove a chip or fix a really crummy edge, or maybe if you are working with a very difficult steel. The ultra fine rods can refine your edges even further for an even sharper knife. Personally, if the knife can cleanly cut paper and shave the hair off my arm, that’s as sharp as I need it. I can usually get that level of sharpness with just the regular stones that come with the Sharpmaker.

In addition to using the stones in the jigs, you can also use them as bench stones, and apparently you can use them to sharpen scissors. I free hand sharpen with the Sharpmaker stones all the time. I just hold the rod in one hand and sharpen with the other. That is the nice thing about the Sharpmaker system, you can use the guides to get a feel for how to sharpen, and then use it to learn how to freehand sharpen.

Spyderco Sharpmaker Review – Final Thoughts

If you are new to the world of sharpening or are just looking for a simple kit that can take you from dull to sharp in minutes, I can safely recommend the Sharpmaker. It was one piece of equipment I purchased early on in my knife collecting career that I still use to this day. The system is near fool proof, the components are all high quality, and the price is right. For $50 you really can’t go wrong.

These also make great gifts, and are not just for hardcore knife enthusiasts. They are handy in the kitchen and are designed to be used by almost anyone. In our fast-paced single serve world maintaining what we have sometimes falls to the wayside – especially when we can just buy new cheap stuff. Learning how to keep your edged tools sharp is fun and empowering, and for that reason I think the Sharpmaker can be a very thoughtful gift.

In closing I cannot recommend the Sharpmaker more highly. It’s a versatile no-nonsense sharpening system that almost anyone can learn how to use.

Sale

Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker, Complete Knife Sharpening System with Medium Grit and Fine Ceramic Stones for Professional-Grade Finishing - Compact, Easy-to-Use Design - 204MF

Complete Sharpening System - Includes medium and fine grit ceramic stones for both edge maintenance and precision sharpening of knives and tools.
Versatile Performance - Perfect for sharpening knives, awls, scissors, and and many other tools, making it an all-in-one solution for your sharpening needs.
Effortless Sharpening - The Tri-Angle Sharpmaker makes sharpening easy, removing steel at the edge while maintaining consistent angles for precise results every time.
Two Grit Options - Comes with medium-grit (brown) ceramic stones for aggressive sharpening and fine-grit (white) stones for a professional-grade, polished finish.
Safe & Compact Design - Includes aluminum safety rods to protect your hands during use, and all components snap into the durable ABS plastic base for convenient storage. Complete with an instructional book and DVD for guided sharpening.

I recommend purchasing the Sharpmaker at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Boker Kwaiken Flipper Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

Last Updated: January 10, 20198
Back when the original Boker Kwaiken came onto the scene I was pretty excited. Modeled after knifemaker Lucas Burnley’s custom offering, this sleek design looked too cool to resist. That is, until, reviews started to pour in. People stated that the knife was difficult to open and the tip of the blade protruded out from the handle to the point where it would inadvertently cut you. No bueno. My excitement instantly turned to disappointment. Rather than buy the knife, and then slog through writing a review of something that I knew I wasn’t going to be happy with, I just decided to skip the Kwaiken entirely.

Buy the Boker Kwaiken at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Despite the poor reviews, the Kwaiken developed its own cult following. This is thanks in great part to those in the knife customization crowd. Knifemaker / knife modder Alexander Dietz developed his own cottage industry around the “Dietz modded Kwaiken”. Clever dremel work converted the clunky Kwaiken into a nice little flipper. Whether Boker listened to customer feedback, or was planning on doing this anyway, they eventually offered their own flipper version of the Kwaiken.

This knife was hotly anticipated by many collectors, including myself, partially because it appeared to address some of the issues that plagued the original Kwaiken: the inability to open the knife easily, and the renegade tip. If that wasn’t enough, this time Boker decided to slather the knife in titanium. Bearings, flipper, titanium, and a fresh design from a hot custom knifemaker – yup, this one follows the formula that many enthusiasts are looking for these days.

I am going to see if this updated model is worthy of the hype, or is more of the same.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Kwaiken Flipper has an overall length of 8.375″, a 3.5″ blade, and it weighs 5.4 ounces. I hate to sound like a weight weenie but the first thing I noticed was how heavy this thing felt. It is a chunky knife and feels like a little metal brick. You would think that the relatively thin titanium scales would actually shave weight off the Kwaiken, but it’s over an ounce heavier than it’s non-flipper counterpart. Personally, that relegates the Kwaiken Flipper more towards the collectible category, and away from being a true EDC. Regardless, I am sure plenty of guys will enjoy carrying this knife, and there is nothing wrong with that.

The blade shape is a modified drop point. It is a sleek and dramatic blade shape that tucks perfectly into the thin handle. The tip is very fine and the knife is well suited for stabbing things. It has a hollow grind and the blade finish is very nice. The lustrous stonewash hides wear well and is more resistent to corrosion than a beadblast. For what it is, I like this blade shape.

Steel on my particular knife is Aus8. Given that this knife sells for more than $100, I heard quite a few grumblings about the choice of steel on both this and the original Kwaiken. Given that this knife was made in China, I don’t think Boker had a ton of options to choose from. Still, 154CM, S35VN, or some other higher end steel would have been nice given the price point. Personally I don’t have a problem with AUS8. It’s a hearty steel that sharpens easily and is fine to see on user knives. I can totally understand if some folks take issue with the AUS8.

Since purchasing the knife months ago, it looks like Boker now offers the Kwaiken flipper in an “upgraded” steel: V10. I wouldn’t call VG10 a huge upgrade over AUS8. In fact, I prefer Aus8 because I find it a little tougher than V10. Neither are fantastic edge holders but for EDC work they will get the job done.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The compact handle of the Kwaiken flipper is built like a little titanium tank. Thick full steel liners are under generous 3-d machined pieces of titanium, all supported by a solid titanium backspacer. Construction is simple and solid.

I really like the minimalist look of this handle. The way the liners shadowbox the titanium scales, and how the closed blade hides completely within the handle make for a very attractive design. The handle has a monochromatic appearance, although upon close examination the steel and titanium are slightly different colors. I am sure many knife modders view this piece as something of a blank canvas. I hate to spoil the party, but I enjoyed the look of the original Kwaiken with its micarta handles, and would prefer the contrast and lighter weight of micarta over the heavy titanium version. Still, the build is very good and the added weight does make the knife feel very substantial.

The Kwaiken Flipper feels good in hand. The simple design means this knife will work for a lot of people with different size hands. There is no jimping or really texture to speak of, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your preference. The only ergonomic “feature” is that the flipper doubles as a forward finger choil, allowing you to choke up on the blade a bit for more controlled cuts. All said I don’t have a problem with the way this knife handles and didn’t notice any hot spots or other ergonomic issues.

The pocket clip is a right side tip-up only affair that mirrors the design of the handle shape. It is simple and unobtrusive, and I like the way it looks. It holds the knife in your pocket pretty well, although I think the spring could be a hair stiffer. This is a heavy knife and the handle is smooth. While it has never fallen out of my pocket it doesn’t take a ton of effort to pull it out. I think a little more clip strength would be valuable here.

Deployment and Lockup

Obviously this knife uses a flipper for deployment. I am somewhat puzzled by the design of the flipper tab as it actually bows out where the index finger goes for deployment and is sort of slippery. It works but I think it could been designed to be a little easier to open. Still, the knife opens with a snap and flips well, thanks in part to the IKBS bearing pivot system. The detent is OK. It’s not going to flip like one of the new ZTs or anything, but the detent is adequate and the knife flips open with a snap.

For lockup you have a stainless steel liner lock. Mine engages around 90%. The steel is thick and the lockup feels very reassuring. There is no blade play or lock stick. This is a well implemented liner lock. The blade on my knife is pretty much centered.

Boker Kwaiken Flipper Review – Final Thoughts

The Kwaiken Flipper is a cool design and has been well implemented. I know it has been a good seller for Boker, and when you look at it on paper it is easy to see why. That said, I’d love to see Boker continue to refine this one as it is such a nice design. They have already moved in that direction by upgrading the blade steel, but I think they should also explore offering a lighter weight version of the flipper with a different handle material. I think the inclusion of both stainless steel liners and full titanium handle scales is a bit overkill and adds unnecessary weight.

I haven’t mentioned this yet in the review, but this is part of Boker’s “Plus” line, and is manufactured in China. Fit, finish, and general quality is very high on this knife despite being manufactured in China.

Also, I’m almost glad they didn’t go with a framelock here given Boker’s history of issues with titanium framelocks. I’d rather see a well implemented liner lock, than a messed up frame lock.

In closing, this is a cool little design and a memorable offering from Boker. I recommend it if you are into the design and are OK with the weight.

BOKER Plus 01BO296 Kwaiken VG-10 Pocket Knife, Titanium

VG-10 steel blade with flipper
Titanium handle scales
Liner lock mechanism

I recommend purchasing the Boker Kwaiken Flipper at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Rick Hinderer Knives XM-18 3.5 Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: June 23, 2019
In the past I have compared knife collecting to mountain climbing. Certainly there isn’t the element of physical accomplishment, as the only thing that really gets a workout is your wallet, but there is that spirit of pursuit and of course the ascent up a pile of incrementally more expensive knives. When considering the “summit” in the realm of production knives three big players in the US market come to mind: Chris Reeve, Strider, and Hinderer.

Buy the Hinderer XM-18 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I have been tooling away at this website for the better part of 4 years now, and have already covered multiple Chris Reeve and Strider products, but I’ve yet to review a Hinderer. That is because I had yet to purchase a Hinderer until 6 months ago.

The reason it has taken me so long to review a Hinderer is the same reason why many people get so hung up on Hinderer knives in general. They are difficult to purchase unless you win a lottery at one of the knife shows Hinderer goes to, happen to qualify for Hinder’s active military / first responder program and buy directly from Hinder, or want to pay a substantial mark up for a Hinderer on the secondary market. With a retail price from Hinderer of $385, these knives were selling for $700, $800, $900+ on the forums. We could get into a huge debate as to whether they are “worth” the money. At the end of the day, they are worth what you will pay for them.

Over the past few years I have seen the secondary prices creep down a little, and was able to snag this new XM-18 3.5″ for $550. At that price I was comfortable buying the knife knowing that I could eventually sell it and recover most if not all of my money. Your mileage will vary.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 3.5″ XM-18 has an overall length of 8.25″, weighs 5.6 ounces, and of course it sports a 3.5″ blade. This is a very substantial tool. It is over half an inch thick, and was definitely not designed for desk jockeys like myself. Rick comes from a firefighting background, and built the XM with first responders in mind.

It’s a big and heavy knife designed to perform under the hugely demanding situations first responders run into. I run a small law office on the coast of Florida. The closest thing I come to being a first responder is responding to the office manager’s announcement that someone dropped off a dozen donuts in the break room. On weekends I mow the lawn, go to the beach, and occasionally write articles about pocket knives. Some might suggest the 3″ XM for someone like myself, but I have always wanted to check out a 3.5″ flipper slicer. So here we are.

The blade of the XM is Rick’s classic drop point shape. We have seen something similar to it in the myriad of KAI/Hinderer collabs that I have covered over the years. My particular XM has been given Rick’s “slicer” grind, which is his leaner more cutting oriented grind. Contrast this with his thicker reinforced “Spanto” grind. Even though this is the slicier of the two grinds, it’s still quite thick behind the edge and favors durability over raw slicing performance. I’m okay with that as it seems to suit the beefy, reinforced nature of the rest of the knife.

Hinderer offers their knives in a number of different blade finishes, and even a wharncliffe version now. Mine has been given a nice tumbled finish although you can also get them beadblasted, coated, or even hand ground by the man himself if you have the cash.

Over the years Hinderer has offered the XM in a proverbial cornucopia of different steels. The blade steel of this particular XM is S35VN which is probably what most of them are being made out of these days. S35VN is a good steel and has been adopted by Chris Reeve and Spyderco. The blade is heat treated to 60-61 HRc. This is a touch harder than what Chris Reeve has been heat treating his S35VN to, and the result is better edge retention, but it’s theoretically a little harder to sharpen. In use I have found that the edge stays keen, and I have only had to strop it to maintain sharpness. I haven’t had issues with rust, chipping, or anything else. No complaints here.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the XM is very well done. You have a G10 scale over titanium liner on one side, and then a full titanium frame lock on the other. Holding everything together is a bunch of custom hardware. This handle is beautifully made and you can really get to understand the quality of the XM by closely examining it. The parts are all overbuilt, but wonderfully finished. My titanium locking side has been completely stonewashed and this nice hard wearing finish compliments the blade nicely. It really is a beautifully made handle.

In hand the XM 18 is all business. Again, Rick designed this knife with firefighters and military in mind, and it’s a no-nonsense tool that works in a variety of grips. I have always been a fan of forward finger choils, and even without the choil there is plenty of room on this handle for large gloved hands. This is also a thick knife, and it really fills the hand. I can only imagine what the XM-24 is like. It’s probably akin to driving around in an S-Class Mercedes all day – solid and roomy. There is jimping on the spine, lock release, and pommel, but it’s wide soft jimping and doesn’t tear up your skin. I’d say the ergonomics are pretty solid with this one.

Hinderer equips the XM 18 with a reversible pocket clip. It’s not a deep carry clip and favors ease of access over concealment. It’s a big heavy knife, so you will feel the XM-18 in your pocket, but it carries alright for what it is. The clip sets into a recess in the handle so it’s a very sturdy design. I think it’s interesting that they include a “filler tab” for the clip mounting position you don’t use.

Deployment and Lockup

Hinderer offers these knives in flipper and non-flipper variants. Here of course I have the flipper version. Many view this as the knife that got the titanium frame lock flipper craze going, and the ZT0560 collab really brought that front and center to the masses.

What is sort of ironic about the XM-18 is that it’s not a particularly good flipper. Back when these first came out I am sure the flipping action was considered to be fine, but these days even my $30 Swindle out flips this knife. There are teflon washers inside and while I can pushbutton the blade open it isn’t a rocket launcher flipper by any stretch of the imagination. But that isn’t necessarily a kiss of death. This is still a very nice smooth knife with good action, and reliable deployment. You just need to decide whether you are looking for a really fast flipper or not. I will say the thumb studs work fine on this XM.

Lockup on this knife is the stuff of legends. The thick titanium lockbar engages early against the tang of the blade and there isn’t even a hint of play. The thumb studs double as blade stops and the stop pin is sleeved to avoid peening. There is zero stickiness to the lock despite not having a stainless steel lockbar insert. Also, lets not forget the inclusion of the Hinderer lockbar stabilizer. I’ve mentioned it in scores of other reviews, but this is where it all began. Lockup is just super duper good.

Hinderer XM-18 Review – Final Thoughts

Politics and price points aside, this is an impressive knife. I feel that there is a substantial bump up in beefiness and build quality when compared with a Strider or Chris Reeve offering, and it’s a big jump from Spydercos, Benchmades, and even new ZTs.

When I compare the XM to everything else I have reviewed before, I have to say that the XM is a different knife. It’s difficult to put into words, but it feels like every piece of this knife was first carefully contemplated, and then overbuilt and meticulously finished to a fanatical degree. This is an extremely solid knife and I am glad that I have finally been able to acquire one for long term testing.

That said, the 3.5″ XM-18 does have its potential draw backs. The fact that it’s heavy, and doesn’t flip very well are the biggest draw backs that come to mind.

This XM has been in my collection for several months now, and I’ve tried my best to approach the review cautiously given the enormous amount of hype built into these knives. While I can’t say I would spend $800 for one of these, I do think they are easily worth the $385 MSRP. At $550 I am less enthused, but still respect the knife for what it is. Like any other luxury good, some will love it while others will blast it as a ridiculous extravagance. Those that don’t like it can simply vote with their dollars and spend their money elsewhere.

Personally I view this as either a dedicated tool or a collectible. It’s not a daily carry item for me. But again, I don’t work as a first responder. I “need” this knife for work much like I “need” a Hummer to accomplish my 20 minute suburban commute every day. That said, I realize there are plenty of people who may actually need, or want, an over built knife like this. And if that’s the kind of knife you are looking for, Hinderer delivers in spades.

I can say without hesitation that the XM-18 is a beautiful knife, and I recommend checking one out if you are at all interested in it. I am glad I did.

Rick Hinderer Knives XM-18 3.5 – $550.00
From: BladeHQ

RICK HINDERER XM-18 3.0 SPANTO-WORKING FINISH

KnifeArt has a great selection of Hinderer XM-18s, and they pop up on BladeHQ as well. And lately Amazon has been stocking them as well. I recommend purchasing them at these retailers. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

LionSteel TiSpine Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
Especially astute readers may note that I debuted a review of the LionSteel SR-1 a while back, and then published the world’s first review of the TM-1 not so long ago, but I conveniently skipped over the other folder in their SOLID lineup – the Ti-Spine. Rest assured it wasn’t because I wasn’t interested in the TiSpine. It was one of those instances of too many knives, too little time (or money… or both time and money). I am pleased to report that I have finally scrounged up both the time and the money to pen a review of this blade, and I am very excited to be able to do it.

Buy the LionSteel TiSpine at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Oddly enough this almost delicate looking knife was designed by globe trotting gonzo reporter Robert Young Pelton, who is perhaps best known in the cutlery world for designing the hard wearing DPx HEST. Thankfully the bottle opener and wire strippers were left out of this model, allowing us to revel in the 4-axis machined goodness of this titanium beauty.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Ti-Spine has an overall length of 7.68″, a 3.35″ blade, and weighs 3.5 ounces. Out of the SR-1, TM-1, and TiSpine, the TiSpine is the most EDC friendly of the group. Although the blade is well shy of 3.5″, this knife still feels full sized, and I like how it doesn’t feel overweight. By way of comparison, I found the SR-1 a little ponderous in hand and pocket. The TiSpine is much more of a true EDC option for me. It would also make for a great special occasion / gent’s folder.

The drop point blade on the TiSpine is long and pointy, with a curving belly and potent tip. This classic blade shape has been treated to a high flat grind and swedge. The high flat grind will certainly cut stuff, although I have seen thinner grinds on other folders. My blade has been given a satin finish. It looks nice, although I do wish the transitions between the grinds were a little crisper.

LionSteel went with Elmax stainless steel for their blade material, and it’s a choice that I have seen pop up a few times on their blades. I have found Elmax to be a reliable choice for knife steel. It isn’t too difficult to sharpen, but it still has high hardness (here 59-60HRc) and holds an edge well. No problems with rust or corrosion either. A knife this pretty won’t get a lot of use in my collection, but it’s nice to know that they went with a quality steel.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Lets be real: most people will buy this knife for the handle. And what a handle it is. The 4-axis machined handle is so slick that it looks like it was cast from molten titanium. The way the handle catches the light and shimmers along its hundreds of grooves is tough for me to describe. It’s a gem of a handle. In this case, it has been further accentuated by a high polish and brilliant violet anodization.

Compared with the SR-1 it looks like LionSteel has further refined their manufacturing process. Being a monolithic handle, there isn’t much else in the way of hardware, but the pivot and stop pin are custom made and beautifully polished. The only downside to this pretty handle is that it picks up finger prints and scratches very easily. If you are looking for a “user” variant, I might suggest going with one of their less flashy matte finished options.

The handle of the TiSpine doesn’t just look good. This is also a comfortable knife. I doubt many will select the TiSpine for a month long trip to the amazon, or use it on a construction site, but this little knife feels good in hand and is capable of getting work done. I broke down boxes and opened mail without any issues. There is a short run of jimping which my thumb tended to pass over, and I found that I put most of my pressure directly on the rounded spine of the blade. Still, I was able to get a comfortable and secure grip on this knife.

The TiSpine features a long curving deep carry pocket clip. Mine has been given a bright polished finish to match the hardware and accentuate the almost jewelry like quality of the knife. This clip, while large, carries the knife discretely and I am not sure if many people would think you are carrying a pocket knife by looking at the clip alone. It is right side tip up only, but is completely removable if you want to and even more discrete option for carry. In pocket the TiSpine feels nice. It’s slim, flat, and relatively light weight. I had no problem carrying it.

Deployment and Lockup

The TiSpine makes use of an angular thumb hole for deployment. This low profile thumb hole looks great, and matches the sleek styling of the knife, but it is not particularly friendly for lefties. I had some trouble easily opening the blade with one hand, but I know that most people won’t have an issue. Inside there are teflon washers. The action is smooth and the tolerances are tight.

For lock up we have a sturdy titanium framelock. This is a nice titanium frame lock. My knife locks up early, and there is no blade play in any direction or lock stick. The monolithic construction makes for a super solid knife. Blade centering is a little off, but is no where near rubbing. I understand that is a common issue on both the TiSpine and the SR-1.

LionSteel TiSpine Review – Final Thoughts

I am sure many have fallen in love with the TiSpine at first sight. I know I did. I am pleased to report that the knife is even more impressive in person. This is a knife you need to handle to truly appreciate. The design is seductive and the craftsmanship is exceptional. I can find few faults with the TiSpine. I will say it’s not the most lefty-friendly knife. I’d prefer phosphor bronze washers and slightly crisper grinds. Beyond that it’s a beautiful knife and I wouldn’t change a thing. LionSteel has once again shown us that they are a company to be respected, and the sleek look of the TiSpine adds character and depth to their lineup of monolithic knives.

When contemplating the purchase of a TiSpine the real question is whether you are in the market for a high end collectible like this. It wont be to everyone’s taste, but if the TiSpine does appeal to you I definitely recommend it.

LionSteel TiSpine – From $385.00
From: BladeHQ

Lion Steel TiSpine Folder with Violet Handles

Violet color Titanium Integral handles
Elmax Steel with Satin Finish
Made in Italy

Lion Steel TiSpine Folder with Bronze Handles

Bronze color Titanium Integral handles
Elmax Steel with Satin Finish
Made in Italy

I recommend purchasing the TiSpine at BladeHQ or Amazon. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Review

by Dan Jackson 47 Comments

Last Updated: July 14, 2019
By this point we have seen quite a few of Hinderer / KAI collabs hit the market, and I have covered them extensively on the blog. We started with the heavily built 0550, moved to the critically acclaimed 0560, a knife that raised the standard for high end production pieces, spent some time with the controversial Kershaw Cryo, and recently the EDC-friendly Zero Tolerance 0566.

Buy the ZT 0562 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The KAI/Hinderer collaborations on go back a couple years, and surely by now everyone has had their fill of folders that resemble the XM-18. But still Zero Tolerance has insisted and recently released the 0562cf and the 0562.

“So what?” You might say, pointing to a drawer full of ZT boxes. You may be sick of hearing about ZT and Rick Hinderer pairing up. Well, the problem with the 0562 is that it may very be the best Zero Tolerance / Hinderer collaboration yet.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0562 has an overall length of 8.25″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs right around 5.5 ounces. The knife is smaller than the 0560, and bigger than the 0566. I know that a 3.5″ blade is a sweet spot for a lot of people’s daily carrys and it also happens to be the same footprint of the 3.5″ XM-18, which I consider the flagship XM for some reason. The 0562 carries discretely in blue jeans, but is big enough to be used as a work or self defense knife.

This is a good point in the review from me to distinguish the 0562 from the 0562CF. The 0562CF (pictured in this review) is the upgraded version of the knife with a carbon fiber handle scale and satin finished M390 blade. The 0560 is more of a working man’s version with a G10 handle scale and stonewashed Elmax blade.

For a detailed comparison of the two with beautiful photographs I invite you to check out my friend John Holbrook’s article and review of both knives here. Of course I’m only reviewing the 0562CF here, and went for the 0562CF because it was only $50 more and I was feeling fancy, but I think 95% of this review will apply to both models.

The blade on the 0562 is classic Hinderer drop point, modeled closely after his XM series of knives. The interesting thing about this particular model is that it has been given Rick’s “slicer” grind. The slicer grind is a slanting high flat grind that shaves quite a bit of material from his standard “spanto” grind. The slicer grind on this 0562 is actually pretty slicey, easily cleaving cardboard and rope. I find that Rick’s slicer grind on the regular XM is still pretty thick. This 0562 is the best slicing Hinderer collab I have handled.

The 0562 comes in either M390 or CTS-204P steel. My 0562 came in M390. M390 is a powered super steel by Bohler, and is capable of both being heat treated to 60-62 HRc and taking a beautiful polish. I have found edge retention to be excellent on M390. M390 is also relatively easy to sharpen for a super steel, making it a practical choice for someone that wants to regularly use the knife.

I am less familiar with CTS-204P, having only experienced it with my Spyderco Southard. In my experience CTS-204P also holds a nice edge and is reasonable to sharpen. I have had no problems with rust or corrosion. The jury is still out in terms of my long term opinion on 204P, but my gut reaction is that you will be fine with CTS-204P.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Just like a real XM, the handle of the 0560 is slab carbon fiber/g10 over a full stainless steel liner and then a titanium frame lock. You don’t have the extreme 3-d machining found on the 0560, which is fine by me because I think it’s part of the reason why they were able to keep the price down on these, but the edges are all chamfered.

Handle construction is very good. Zero Tolerance is no stranger to the world of high end production pieces, and they have struck a nice balance here of providing us with a sturdy knife with simple high end finishes like blackened barrel spacers, an oversized decorative pivot, and very good fit and finish. Compared with a real XM-18 3.5″, the 0562 is a much slimmer knife.

I really like the way the 0562 feels in hand. Gone is the terrible overly sharp jimping on the 0560. In its place you have a short row of tasteful and practical thumb jimping on the spine and a little recessed jimping by the pommel. The rest of the knife is smooth as a baby’s butt, although you do have a couple finger choils in the handle. I think they struck a great balance here and the 0562 feels very good.

For lovers of deep carry pocket clips, the clip on the 0562 is a triumph. It’s a very deep and discrete stainless steel clip that mates to a standoff at the very back of the knife. The end result is a fully ambidextrous clip that doesn’t leave a lot of holes in the handle. I am impressed ZT went this more stayed route rather than a flashy “ZT” branded clip. This level of restraint and classiness isn’t always found on their models so I gotta give credit where its due.

The spring action on the pocket clip is nice and strong and it holds the knife in place in your pocket. The 0562 is over 5.5 ounces, but it’s still a relatively thin knife and carries well for its size. All said I’m very pleased.

Deployment and Lockup

I am also pleased to report that the action on the 0562 is very good. Once again ZT has dialed in their detent and the blade explodes from the handle with the push of a finger. It doesn’t hurt that the blade rides on their proprietary “KVT” caged bearing system. Deployment is fast, reliable, and fun, and the blade falls back into place upon disengagement. The “thumb studs” are actually blade stops and I was not able to use them to open the knife.

For lockup we have a titanium framelock with a stainless steel lockbar insert. This is just like the lockbar insert found on the recently reviewed ZT 0808. It has been very well done. Lockup is early and confident, and there is no blade stick, lock rock, or any other malady that sometimes effects a framelock knife. Blade centering is dead on too. Rounding things out is a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Review – Final Thoughts

I have handled all of the Zero Tolerance / Hinder collaborations prior to the 0560 and I also recently broke down and finally picked up a Hinderer XM-18, so I thought that I have pretty much seen it all. The 0562 is still a very impressive knife. They have done a great job combining fixing the things that I didn’t particularly care for about the original 0560 (the oversize knife, sharp jimping) and added some nice subtle refinements and upgrades. I think they also did a good job not bringing over some aspects of the XM-18 that I could avoid (the 3.5″ XM-18 is very heavy and the action isn’t particularly impressive). The end result is a practical and well made knife at a competitive price point.

I know that some will want to know if the 0562 is as good as an XM-18, or whether will replace an XM-18. I’m here to say that those are still two very different knives. My 3.5″ XM-18 is an absolute tank. It’s over the top in many ways. I prefer the 0562 because it’s slimmer, more pocketable, cuts better, and flips better, and can be had for a fraction of the price of the XM, but I still appreciate the XM-18 for what it is: a finely tuned overbuilt hunk of G10, steel, and titanium.

I realize that I’m somewhat jaded by running this website, but I thought $250 for the Zero Tolerance 0562CF was very reasonable for what you are getting, and the G10 version retails for right at $200. I know a $200+ folding knife isn’t for everyone, but if you can justify buying a $200+ pocket knife then I’m here to say the ZT 0562 is awesome.

Zero Tolerance 0562CF Hinderer Slicer Folding Knife; 3.5” CPM-20CV Stonewashed and Satin Steel Blade, Carbon Fiber Front Handle, KVT Ball-Bearing Opening, Frame Lock and Reversible Pocketclip; 5.5 OZ, Black

Ultra-premium, durable CPM 20 CV stainless steel blade with stonewash and satin finishes offer outstanding edge holding capability and corrosion resistance
Hinderer flat-ground “slicer” grind provides both slicing efficiency and a tough point; handle has carbon fiber front scale and stonewashed titanium back
Reversible deep-carry pocketclip for left or right-handed, tip-up carry
Ideal EDC essential for everyday tasks—slicing, survival tool, cutting boxes, self-defense, tactical use or as the perfect gift
High quality, general all-purpose knife great for EDC or use when camping, fishing, hunting, working, utility or outdoor activities.Handle Length:4.75 inch

I recommend purchasing the ZT 0562CF at Amazon or BladeHQ . Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.