I've owned several Hinderer's, including this exact Skinner XM.18 and I own several CRK's, including a large Inlaid Inkosi - I would pick the CRK every day of the week. Don't get me wrong, I love the Hinderer (especially when having to use your knife with gloves) - but I personally don't like the agressive jimping right behind the flipper tab. I did love my MP-1 tho.....hope they make a new version of that soon with updated blade steel and tri-way. But if I had to sell all my knives and only keep one, it would be one of my CRKs
I own several of both companies (as well), and I, too, would choose a CRK over a Hinderer if I had to choose one. Machining tolerances are better on the CRK. The bushing pivot on the Sebenza is hard to beat in terms of serviceability. That said, I think the Gen 4 Hinderer XM-18 3.5" has tighter tolerances than the Gen 6s with the TriWay.
I have both and I enjoy carrying and using both of them. The inkosi built quality is just perfect! Simple, elegant and durable. The hinderer (gen 6 with triway pivot) is just a tank and a joy to carry, I like how you can customize your knife and I also appreciate the 20cv steel. Taking it apart and putting it back together is also a breeze (just like a crk).
How blessed you are to have two of my grails on one table! I am currently saving my pennies for a 0562, so yes, I'm biased towards Hinderer. I particularly gravitate towards the slicer grind, yet, the grind on this xm18 is quite handsome. Thanks for sharing these beauties.
Glad you liked the video and I totally get a biased toward Hinderers they are very well designed I think you will really enjoy the 0562 it's a great knife one of the best ZT's for sure
I like crk and hinderer both, but I personally choose crk every time. I love how weathered they look after time, and I love that you can essentially reset the whole thing to new if you want. To me, a sebenza fills exactly what I want from a knife to the T. For me, it's perfect. Hinderers are frigging sweet though.
Ive owned both, and I like my Hinderer 6 gen Spear Point. i like the flipper tab n finger choil. And the ergonomics are perfect for my hand. And being able to customize your knife is awesome. I like CRK"s best next to Hinderer Knives. I put a 30 degree angle on my Xm18 then I put a 40 degree on the 30 and then its slicy.
I’ve had 4-5 Hinderers all were awesome and perfect except one that had almost no detent that I got secondary. I miss my skinner it looks so good and had a perfect action like yours. I don’t remember what I sold it to buy. Love the CRK always wanted one with the canvas micarta or bog oak. I’d really love to get a Damascus but the price tag hurts me
love CRKs but last two years I mostly pack my hinderer xm-18 gen 6 slicer grind, but your right the Inkosi fits in pocket a little bit better! both are amazing though.
Nice video regarding the aesthetics of these knives. I wonder though, being as they're both labelled as 'hard use', has this ever been put to the test? Or perhaps to compare them to other similarly purposed folders? Thanks for posting Kevin - I'll keep dreaming of winning the Lottery although as a Christian I really shouldn't be coveting my neighbour's Hinderer..!!
I think the Inkosi is the best hard use "slicer" available. The XM18's are among the best hard use folders made but they don't slice like the CRK's. I think they are both beautiful folders.
Have you tried the XM-18 Skinny version? That has a much thinner blade stock and therefore has better cutting ability than standard XM-18s. It is also available in several blade shapes.
If 10% of the public is underserved, that creates a pent-up demand. People who serve them might do well… The Hinderer (though I won’t be selling my Reeve’s any time soon).
Hard question.I am crk fan and like hinderer knives.I think hinderer knives design for hard use tasks.Crk is nice for both tasks.Sebenza 21 is much more daily carry but inkosi and umnumzaan are much more hard use. As a result If i need hard use flipper i will take hinderer but daily carry i choose crk because of weigt.
I agree that for heaviest use, I'd choose my xm-18 gen 6, slicer grind. My first crk is a large sebenza 21 with unique graphics and tiger's eye inlay I bought from a youtuber. 2015 model that is in mint condition, $400. But it's so beautiful that it's a safe queen. I subsequently bought a new umnumzaan and an inkosi with tanto blade and natural micarta inlays. Love all of them, but the inkosi is the most comfortable in hand for me. The inlays really add a lot to the grip, surprisingly so. The tanto grind is done very well. Weight isn't an issue for me. But generally, I'd pick my inkosi over the hinderer. One additional factor that's a plus for crk is the ease of disassembly/reassembly. When I first disassembled the sebenza is when I really got the hype over them. The term "tight tolerances" always comes up when discussing crk, and if you've never owned one you might think it's overused. But it couldn't be more true. Their knives are precision made tools, unmatched by any other production manufacturer I've found, (100+ knives and counting).
I will pick Hinderer any day over CRK. I'm still bitter about spending a bunch on the latest Sebenza and the thumb stubs are so bad. Yes I no I can fix easily but for that price those thumbs studs are just aggressive. I no thats off topic
I just cant bring my self to pick Hinderer because the knife is a conundrum far as i am concerned. I mean the knife is build like a tank, thick blade, thick titanium handle, thick spacers, so one instantly assumes the knife is build for extreme use. But no, all that extra material to over build the knife is totally wasted, when you realize the front side of the handle is in G10, unlike Chris Reeves Sebenza that offers full handle both sides in relatively thick slabs of titanium. So what was the point of over building the knife if you going to jeopardize the knife by making a part of it out of inferior material that couldnt stand toe to toe with titanium or steel when put to real abuse. As far as im concerned its like manufacturing a tank entirely out of 12 inch thick steel slabs, but making the roof out of 5mm of plywood. It doesnt matter that 90% of your tank or knife or what ever you are making is over build, if the 10% has serious weakness. Cause every one knows that you are only as strong as your weakest link or weakest part in this case. So Chris Reeves Sebenza gets my vote and pick all day long.
Kevin cleary he declared it a tie. But... he said he preferred the XM18 just like you, mostly just because he likes it better. He had a rubric to grade them on, to come up with the tie.
Hinderer is right hand only making it a non-starter for me at that price. I don't settle or make due with a cutting tool north of say $300. That alone makes Chris Reeve superior to Hinderer: respecting the handedness of the entire market.
I can imagine it's really frustrating and if I was left handed I would not buy any right handed knives (I've purposely bought some left handed knives just to see how it feels and I hate it) that said I get it from a business standpoint you make stuff for the majority because that's who your most interested in selling to.
@@Kevinclearysharpstuff true, I get it for larger production companies. But for a smaller mid Tech or custom company, when you're putting that much hand work into making the tool to begin with it doesn't seem like a bridge too far to customize some for left-handed carry. This is from a position of experience having handmade knives myself. How truly difficult is it to Mill a lock bar to bend the opposite direction? Or to drill and tap the other side of the handle? The answer to that is not very. Not difficult at all.
The fact that CRK has been offering sebenzas etc in LH flavour for years suggests that it does work from a business standpoint. You don't have to make them 50/50- even limited drops would be something.
Fritz you’re definitely talking out of your ass or you’re simply blind. The CRK is plain and boring, not to mention the Hinderer has better steel and superior machining. Gtfoh fan boy. I bet you’re an android and Xbox fanboy too. 😂 btw don’t take this personally I’m just an asshole.
Ok so....I bought a xm-18, and it turns out I ACTUALLY LOVE this knife more then my CRKs! I even bought a titanium scale for the showside. I bought the knife 1 month ago, and I carry it 6 days a week. I WAS SO VERY WRONG
I agree with the CRK custom "engravings" they make the knives look like a gas station knife.
I dont know why they use computer generated graphics they look tacky
I've owned several Hinderer's, including this exact Skinner XM.18 and I own several CRK's, including a large Inlaid Inkosi - I would pick the CRK every day of the week. Don't get me wrong, I love the Hinderer (especially when having to use your knife with gloves) - but I personally don't like the agressive jimping right behind the flipper tab. I did love my MP-1 tho.....hope they make a new version of that soon with updated blade steel and tri-way. But if I had to sell all my knives and only keep one, it would be one of my CRKs
I agree the CRK is the more well rounded knife and the one I most commonly recommend when people ask
I own several of both companies (as well), and I, too, would choose a CRK over a Hinderer if I had to choose one.
Machining tolerances are better on the CRK. The bushing pivot on the Sebenza is hard to beat in terms of serviceability.
That said, I think the Gen 4 Hinderer XM-18 3.5" has tighter tolerances than the Gen 6s with the TriWay.
I have both and I enjoy carrying and using both of them.
The inkosi built quality is just perfect! Simple, elegant and durable. The hinderer (gen 6 with triway pivot) is just a tank and a joy to carry, I like how you can customize your knife and I also appreciate the 20cv steel. Taking it apart and putting it back together is also a breeze (just like a crk).
How blessed you are to have two of my grails on one table! I am currently saving my pennies for a 0562, so yes, I'm biased towards Hinderer. I particularly gravitate towards the slicer grind, yet, the grind on this xm18 is quite handsome. Thanks for sharing these beauties.
Glad you liked the video and I totally get a biased toward Hinderers they are very well designed I think you will really enjoy the 0562 it's a great knife one of the best ZT's for sure
Inkosi, Umnumzaan or Senenza for me, Hinderer right behind and I own them all.
I like crk and hinderer both, but I personally choose crk every time. I love how weathered they look after time, and I love that you can essentially reset the whole thing to new if you want. To me, a sebenza fills exactly what I want from a knife to the T. For me, it's perfect. Hinderers are frigging sweet though.
Ive owned both, and I like my Hinderer 6 gen Spear Point. i like the flipper tab n finger choil. And the ergonomics are perfect for my hand. And being able to customize your knife is awesome. I like CRK"s best next to Hinderer Knives. I put a 30 degree angle on my Xm18 then I put a 40 degree on the 30 and then its slicy.
I’ve had 4-5 Hinderers all were awesome and perfect except one that had almost no detent that I got secondary. I miss my skinner it looks so good and had a perfect action like yours. I don’t remember what I sold it to buy. Love the CRK always wanted one with the canvas micarta or bog oak. I’d really love to get a Damascus but the price tag hurts me
love CRKs but last two years I mostly pack my hinderer xm-18 gen 6 slicer grind, but your right the Inkosi fits in pocket a little bit better! both are amazing though.
Nice video regarding the aesthetics of these knives. I wonder though, being as they're both labelled as 'hard use', has this ever been put to the test? Or perhaps to compare them to other similarly purposed folders? Thanks for posting Kevin - I'll keep dreaming of winning the Lottery although as a Christian I really shouldn't be coveting my neighbour's Hinderer..!!
I think the Inkosi is the best hard use "slicer" available. The XM18's are among the best hard use folders made but they don't slice like the CRK's. I think they are both beautiful folders.
Like the Hinderer’s more...I like blades that drop shut, and a little more fidget factor. CRK’s are very nice as well...
Damen0530 🙌🏻 not to mention better steel and better looking.
Have you tried the XM-18 Skinny version? That has a much thinner blade stock and therefore has better cutting ability than standard XM-18s. It is also available in several blade shapes.
If 10% of the public is underserved, that creates a pent-up demand. People who serve them might do well… The Hinderer (though I won’t be selling my Reeve’s any time soon).
Ive had both. Ill stick with my Gen 6 Xm18 3.5 slicer grind all the way. But CRK makes great knifes n super smooth.
Awesome knives! Doing some flexing.
Dibs on 1st comment ! Great vid Kevin!
Hard question.I am crk fan and like hinderer knives.I think hinderer knives design for hard use tasks.Crk is nice for both tasks.Sebenza 21 is much more daily carry but inkosi and umnumzaan are much more hard use.
As a result
If i need hard use flipper i will take hinderer but daily carry i choose crk because of weigt.
I agree that for heaviest use, I'd choose my xm-18 gen 6, slicer grind. My first crk is a large sebenza 21 with unique graphics and tiger's eye inlay I bought from a youtuber. 2015 model that is in mint condition, $400. But it's so beautiful that it's a safe queen. I subsequently bought a new umnumzaan and an inkosi with tanto blade and natural micarta inlays. Love all of them, but the inkosi is the most comfortable in hand for me. The inlays really add a lot to the grip, surprisingly so. The tanto grind is done very well. Weight isn't an issue for me. But generally, I'd pick my inkosi over the hinderer. One additional factor that's a plus for crk is the ease of disassembly/reassembly. When I first disassembled the sebenza is when I really got the hype over them. The term "tight tolerances" always comes up when discussing crk, and if you've never owned one you might think it's overused. But it couldn't be more true. Their knives are precision made tools, unmatched by any other production manufacturer I've found, (100+ knives and counting).
I rotate between 3 diff sebenzas and a xm18, deff my 2 fav knives
Left handed option on hinderer and I think they would have won
I own both and each are fantastic!
I gotta say the Inkosi overall.
Chris Reeve Knives all day long!...
I would choose the Inkosi every time. However I agree with you about the custom handles from Chris Reeves. They look like ass
Own both,Inkosi all the way,lighter and easier carry, hard hard work maybe Hinderer
the Inkosi very day as a work knife .
I will pick Hinderer any day over CRK. I'm still bitter about spending a bunch on the latest Sebenza and the thumb stubs are so bad. Yes I no I can fix easily but for that price those thumbs studs are just aggressive. I no thats off topic
What about demko knives
both are liner locks that I would never bet my fingers on !
Framelocks dude!
I don't bet my fingers on anything that folds and use folding knives within the realms of what they are designed to do. problem solved
@@FarrYaweh Yeah, if you like your fingers, choose a fixed blade. Fingers are overrated.
What happened to your custom AD15
It's gone, I couldn't get comfortable owning a $675 knife I loved it but just too far out of my comfort zone
CARRY THE HINDERER TIP DOWN, IT'LL RIDE ALOT BETTER
I just cant bring my self to pick Hinderer because the knife is a conundrum far as i am concerned. I mean the knife is build like a tank, thick blade, thick titanium handle, thick spacers, so one instantly assumes the knife is build for extreme use. But no, all that extra material to over build the knife is totally wasted, when you realize the front side of the handle is in G10, unlike Chris Reeves Sebenza that offers full handle both sides in relatively thick slabs of titanium. So what was the point of over building the knife if you going to jeopardize the knife by making a part of it out of inferior material that couldnt stand toe to toe with titanium or steel when put to real abuse. As far as im concerned its like manufacturing a tank entirely out of 12 inch thick steel slabs, but making the roof out of 5mm of plywood. It doesnt matter that 90% of your tank or knife or what ever you are making is over build, if the 10% has serious weakness. Cause every one knows that you are only as strong as your weakest link or weakest part in this case. So Chris Reeves Sebenza gets my vote and pick all day long.
Full ti gets a lot hotter in the hand than G10, G10 is super strong, lowers the new price ...
Metal complex just did the same video. How ironic...
did he pick the same winner?
Kevin cleary he declared it a tie. But... he said he preferred the XM18 just like you, mostly just because he likes it better. He had a rubric to grade them on, to come up with the tie.
Hinderer is right hand only making it a non-starter for me at that price. I don't settle or make due with a cutting tool north of say $300. That alone makes Chris Reeve superior to Hinderer: respecting the handedness of the entire market.
I can imagine it's really frustrating and if I was left handed I would not buy any right handed knives (I've purposely bought some left handed knives just to see how it feels and I hate it) that said I get it from a business standpoint you make stuff for the majority because that's who your most interested in selling to.
@@Kevinclearysharpstuff true, I get it for larger production companies. But for a smaller mid Tech or custom company, when you're putting that much hand work into making the tool to begin with it doesn't seem like a bridge too far to customize some for left-handed carry. This is from a position of experience having handmade knives myself. How truly difficult is it to Mill a lock bar to bend the opposite direction? Or to drill and tap the other side of the handle? The answer to that is not very. Not difficult at all.
Having true left-handed options opens up the market. If I was a lefty, I'd choose a CRK over a Hinderer any day.
The fact that CRK has been offering sebenzas etc in LH flavour for years suggests that it does work from a business standpoint. You don't have to make them 50/50- even limited drops would be something.
Pronunciation lesson for Americans. Inkosi is pronounced ‘Inc’ ‘whore’ ‘si’. Sorry Chris. It’s just driving me nuts! Lol
I dislike how the hinderer looks. It is FUGLY. Sorry...but when I'm paying 500 bucks for a knife, it best look nice too
Fritz you’re definitely talking out of your ass or you’re simply blind. The CRK is plain and boring, not to mention the Hinderer has better steel and superior machining. Gtfoh fan boy. I bet you’re an android and Xbox fanboy too. 😂 btw don’t take this personally I’m just an asshole.
Ok so....I bought a xm-18, and it turns out I ACTUALLY LOVE this knife more then my CRKs! I even bought a titanium scale for the showside.
I bought the knife 1 month ago, and I carry it 6 days a week. I WAS SO VERY WRONG