Hinderer XM-18 vs XM-24

At first look, the Hinderer XM-18 vs XM-24 knives look the same, except for their size. Both are folding knives designed by Rick Hinderer in his XM series, with the XM-18 first released in 2006 and the XM-24 released in 2008. But given their same profile, there are a few elements to each model that can make help you decide between the XM-18 and the XM-24.

First off, the XM-18 and XM-24 share some of the same features. Both knives use a frame lock system for security and have the same liner lock thickness of 0.05 inches, which provides strong lock up, strength, and durability for each knife, no matter its size. In addition, they each have Hinderer's famous lock bar stabilizer to prevent over travel. The knives can also come in different blade shapes and different G-10 scale colors. Finally, each blade is stonewashed and made with Duratech 20CV (59-60 HRC), Carpenter CTS-XHP (60-61 HRC), or CPM-S35VN (60-61 HRC) steel. Each handle also comes with a reversible clip for tip-up or tip-down carry.

The differences come down to the size of the knives. The XM-18 is smaller and comes with either a 3-inch or 3.5-inch blade. The XM-18 3-inch blade has a blade thickness of 0.140-inches and the XM-18 3.5-inch has a thickness of 0.165 inches. Their handles are .425-inches and .540 inches thick. The knives also weigh 3.6 and 5.6 ounces respectively. Overall, the smaller size of the XM-18 makes it a better everyday carry for day-to-day tasks.

In contrast, the XM-24 is a full-sized knife with a 4-inch blade that is .185 inches thick, made for tactical carry. The handle is thicker at .59 inches thick and measures 5.625 inches long. It's also heftier with a weight of 7 .8 ounces. It's especially useful for those who anticipate field work or recreational activities such as camping, hunting, and fishing/boating. Its fuller size can be used for a wide range of tasks, especially jobs that anticipate greater strength or a bigger blade.

When deciding between the two, it will all depend on the activity you'll be using the knife for. The size of the XM-18 is great for everyday carry, whereas the XM-24 is a better option for tactical and field use. In addition, you'll want the XM-24 if you have large hands--the XM-18's smaller handle can feel less comfortable. To get a feel for both knives, visit our catalog.