Today I just packaged up the last of my Hinderer knives, scales, pens, and other accessories which I had previously purchased and sent them off to the individuals who purchased them from me.Ā In short, while there’s no doubt Rick Hinderer makes a great knife, I can no longer recommendĀ Hinderer products, nor do I wish to do business with the company.Ā The reasons why is a rather long story, but an important one I think to share with my readers.
Last month, I did a comparative review with the Umnumzaan, XM-18, and SnG.Ā I received largely positive comments even from those who didn’t particularly agree with some of my stated opinions in that review.Ā That is except for members The Usual Suspect Network forum where I shared the article in the Hinderer sponsored forum and the Strider sponsored forums.
Now, as anyone who’s read this review can see, I didn’t say anythingĀ particularly negative about any of the knives in this review or the manufacturers who produce them. IĀ simply stated my opinion about the competitive advantages each held over the other.Ā I’ve also done stand alone reviews of each of the knives compared, and gave each high praise.Ā In the interests of full disclosure, it should be noted that none of the knives reviewed were provided by the manufacturer for review purposes – they all were purchased by me.Ā Neither did I receive any sort of compensation directly or indirectly from these manufacturers.
Again, community response to my comparative review was largely positive. Ā However, the response received on the Usual Suspect Network or USN was quite atypical.Ā In particular, the response from both the “Strider Hardcore” forum and the Rick Hinderer forum was…eye opening to say the least.Ā In the case of the Strider Hardcore forum, my post was met with a stream of insults, profanity, and other unseemly behavior which went on for over 20 pages until the thread was actually moved out of the Strider Hardcore forum …the worst of online forum mentality (and as someone who owned and ran a large forum for almost 10 years, I’ve seen my share of bad).
In every online forum I’ve ever participated in, the discussions are governed by moderators who try to maintain some semblance of civility and decorum.Ā From what I can gather, brand sponsored forums on USN are only moderated by the sponsors themselves.Ā Ā In the case of the Strider Hardcore forum, Mick Strider was one of the most profane responders to the thread, which honestly came as little surprise.Ā It was only after I purchased the Strider SnG that I actually learned of Mick Stider’s checkered past and I’ve since sold that knife too. Ā Ā In the case of the Hinderer forum, the review discussion thread was almost immediately moved out of the forum, and a company representative Rob Orlando posted rudely in the thread which was moved.Ā This reaction was quite a bit more surprising to me.
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John B. Holbrook, II is a freelance writer, photographer, and author of ThruMyLens.org, as well as LuxuryTyme.com and TheSeamasterReferencePage.com.
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I like this article. But I dont know anyone who can afford a 400+ dollar knife and not be a “Collector” I am not saying there are not people out there carrying them on a belt, but, I prefer my Buck 110 (25 dollars), or my Kabar (30 dollars) or even my benchmade LFK (100) over a 400+ dollar knife because sh*t happens and id rather loose/break a cheaper knife then a highly priced one.
I think your point is well made. Few military/LEO/1st Responders can afford this price level much less would risk using one in the line of duty.
Thanks for posting this; while I’ve always tried to distance a company’s products from their policies, one thing that I cannot stand for is rude customer service. In light of this article, I do not believe I shall be purchasing any products from Hinderer or Strider in the future.
Thanks James – when enough people stand up, then companies will change.
John,
This is jonconsiglio from the same forums you’re on. There’s a lot more to the story about Mick Strider. Sure, he may have done some stupid shit, but others took it and ran with it, two I know of very well and their pasts and reasons for this.
PM me if you’re interested. I just don’t want you to base your opinion on the word of those that only know part of the story or those that embellish it.
Cant help you on Hinderer though!
I sent you an email. FYI, my opinion of Mick Strider is also based on my direct albeit limited interaction with him on USN. That interaction alone was sufficient to make me sell my Strider knife and to never again own a Strider product.
I feel you. My experience with strider was there so called warranty was a hoax, they left me high and dry when my sng developed provlems. No email after the dozens i sent. Hinderer is looking no better. Every question i ask rob is met with a rude response. For rick being such a stand up guy i dont see how he could associate with an ignorant, rude, individual such as rob orlando. I think ill stick to crks. Every time i call i get a very nice lady. Kind of associates i would employ if i wished to build a respectable business. Not no mick strider or rob orlando
Mick Strider is a total fake, fraud! He lied about his service… **** Mick Strider Burger boy. **** Hinderer too!! All these **** knife makers throwing US Army around trying to act like they support us. None of my airborn brothers have knives that cost what a strider or hinderer does. What a ****ing joke! Overpriced bullshit!
Great post. It seems as though even though they claim to be the “adults”, they both come off as immature children. At least you were able to conduct yourself professionally..which is sad, considering you’re the customer.
Sooner or later this sort of behavior will catch up to them I’m sure.
I’ve met VERY few active LEOs or military personnel who carry expensive knives. It’s all marketing hype.
I just read this now, although you wrote it a long time ago. I am a small businessman in the Bronx, NY and I have to say that, aside from the use of profanity and the unprofessional manner that Rick used, his points seem to be fine with me. If he wants to have integrity with his marketing strategy (i.e. focussed on first responders) then he cannot consider collectors when he designs and manufactures his products. It is not an insult to collectors — it is just being true to his strategy. He doesn’t need to answer to perceptions other than his targeted demographic: first responders. Also, you really don’t know whether he is manipulating the market or not — you are not in communication with the production management at his company, are you? And finally, as far as his sponsored forum, that is a marketing effort on his part and just because he doesn’t allow comparison reviews to be posted there, you don’t have to go and say he is too sensitive to hear them. He may be sensitive, but it is impossible to tell in with regard to that forum because it is a business decision that he has that policy, not a personal one. The right business decision, in most cases, would be to not allow comparisons unless you know you are going to win all of them hands down. Who needs anything negative to come out in your own sponsored forum? It’s not like there is nowhere else for this information to spread. If I were to compare my product to another, I would like to control that comparison as best I can. You are asking too much by attacking him for being sensitive and not allowing the comparisons, etc. As I see it, the only issue you should have is with the way they spoke to you. It is a real issue, but everything else is predictable if you view him as a small businessman as I do. By the way, I have no affiliation to him or his knives — I don’t even own one, although I am a collector of high-end knives.
Jim – you’ll have to forgive me if I disagree with most of your points.
Firstly, I too am a small businessman. And for anyone small businessman to not see that the way the Hinderer team communicates with customers is a HUGE problem shows me that person doesn’t understand business.
Secondly, Rick has every right to market his knives to whomever he wants. But you’re ignoring common sense. Do you know how much money first responders make? Firefighters, EMTs, and duty officers? How about enlisted military personnel? Most simply aren’t going to have it in their budget to afford a Hinderer knife. And if they do, it’s doubtful they’d use one on duty and in the field. Ask anyone who has been deployed – stuff gets lost and stolen very easily. You wouldn’t a Hinderer knife to the sandbox. If you follow the logical, common sense trail here, you come to the conclusion that while Hinderer knives are marketed to “first responders” they are not, in all likelihood, the primary buyer of his knives. Well heeled collectors and enthusiasts are more likely who puts the most money in Hinderer’s back pocket. The perception that Hinderer likes to maintain of his knives being used first responder ninja warriors only serves to perpetuate and fuel interest by the wannabe enthusiast market. Do I know this to be true? Obviously not. But common sense has to prevail here.
With regard to his forum, you’re correct that it’s his playground. It’s his rules. But I think most consumers are going to see such totalitarian spin control as a red flag. Why is Hinderer so afraid of having his knife compared? It’s happening on a regular basis in other venues on the Internet, and will continue to whether Hinderer likes it or not. I owned a discussion forum for many years (WATCH TALK FORUMS) and had many brand sponsored forums. Did those sponsors want some reasonable control over content in their forum? Yes, absolutely. But all the sponsors I dealt with were big boys and girls, and understood that a certain amount of constructive criticism was going to happen, and was healthy. They understood that one of the primary reasons people partake in forums is to discuss products competing for their dollars in an effort to determine which products were most deserving of those dollars. Comparisons are perfectly natural and to be expected. To stifle such open discussion extremely short sighted, and yes Hinderer is being overly sensitive.
First off, I am a law enforcement officer. I have used a kershaw blur tanto with sandvik, a protech t4, and benchmade hk blitz with 154cm. The benchmade handles could not compete. The sandvik steel doesn’t hold up. Whatever steel protech uses and slick handles kept the protech from even stepping up to the plate. I am looking for a good knife that can stand abuse, one that I don’t have to sharpen every week, and one with handles that won’t break, slip, or feel cheap. I am not rich, but I need a knife that can stand up to what I give. It needs to be a folder as I can’t carry a fixed. I carry a pistol that costs over a grand. I have a rifle that costs easily over a grand. I carry the cheapest knife possible? Not likely, considering I’ve used my knives ALOT more than I’ve used my firearms. You guys that don’t walk the walk, shouldn’t try to walk the walk. I am in the process of getting a Hinderer knife, not just because MY life may depend on it, but yours and your children’s too.
Russell – what exactly does “You guys that donāt walk the walk, shouldnāt try to walk the walk” mean? Sorry to break this to you, but knives have to be sharpened. The more you use them, the more they have to be sharpened. Yes, certain blade steel formulations will more resistant to wear and require less sharpening than others. But I can think of several knives I can recommend which will serve you well before a Hinderer. A Zero Tolerance 0550 or 0560 should fit the bill at a fraction of the price.
Happened upon this while searching for Hinderer knives. Interesting. I read your review and thought it was balanced. But it all he said he said at this point so….
I will say this. I’m a professional firefighter of 28 years and while I do have the means to own a Hinderer (the whole point of searching Hinderer knives) I would in no way carry one on me at work. I have a cheap Chinese knockoff Leatherman tool I found on the street. Serves me well. As I said I have the means to own a Hinderer I know I’d cry if I lost it or broke it on a fire. So I’m pretty much a collector as well.
Hey John:
I read your review, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, however, I disagree with your “common sense” approach that a police officer or military member wouldn’t carry an expensive knife.
I’m a police officer, and before that I was in the Marines. I’ve always had a good knife on me. I have carried a Strider, CRK, and XM-18 at work with no guilt or fear of losing it… not because it can’t happen, but because the likelihood of me having to use my knife is higher than the likelihood that I’ll lose it. And, so what if I do? Stuff gets broken/lost all the time. It’s life.
Most of my co-workers don’t carry a knife at all, but those that do carry everything from Benchmade to Strider. It’s fairly uncommon in my area to see a police officer with cheap “flea market” knife.
Although I agree with you that there probably aren’t enough police officers and military members nationwide who will spend $400 on a XM-18, it does happen, and just because *you* wouldn’t take a Strider or Hinderer to “the sandbox” doesn’t mean no one else would.
I did, and I still take them to “the grind” every day.
Thanks for the review, I did find it informative. I’ve owned a CRK before, but never an Umnumzaan… it’s on my short list, though.
Best regards,
Lee
Lee – I guess I’m not understanding what point it is you’re making. You disagree with my “common sense approach” and you go out of your way to illustrate that you and your co-workers to carry higher end knives. But then you acknowledge and agree with my main point – that while there are undoubtedly SOME LEOs, military, and first responders that do carry a Hinderer, the number that do pales in comparison to the number of “collectors” who buy Hinderer knives.
Thanks for the kind words…but I’m confused. š
Hi Joel – You’re perfectly illustrating Hinderer’s hypocrisy. Even the military/LEO/first responders that can afford a Hinderer don’t always choose to use them “in the field” because for many it just doesn’t make sense to do so due to the price point. It’s ridiculous for Hinderer to even suggest that he builds his knives first and foremost for military/LEO/first responders.
Wow…. The market IS FLOODED with high quality and interesting knives, and the gear industry in general usually has great customer service. I fully understand your decision to get rid of your hinderers. No reason to deal with a company that doesn’t treat you with respect when there are so many high quality alternatives. I also find ricks comments on “collectors” pretentious and short-sighted. He won’t be getting my business either.
I think the knife industry will see the pendulum swing the other way, and guys like Rick will be begging for customers.
I TO JUST HAD AN AWEFUL SITUATIOTION WITH HINDER. I AM A LEO/FIRST RESPONDER AND KNIFE ENTHUSIST. I PURCHED A HINDER NEW FROM THEM AND EMAIL THEM RIGHT AWAY THAT THE LOCK UP HAD ISSUES. I EVEN POSTED A QUICK 1 MIN YOU TUBE VIDEO IN WHICH ROB SAID HE HAD NO TIME TO VIEW SEND THE KNIFE BACK IF THERE EAS A ISSUE. I DID A COUPLE WEEKS LATER. I DIDN’T THINK THERE WAS A RUSH LIFETIME WARNTEE RIGHT? WRONG…. THEY GROUND THE LOCK UP DOWN MORE AND SENT IT BACK WITH THE SAME FLARE ON THE LOCK UP BAR. I EMAIL ROB AND THEY STATED IT WAS FROM ABUSE! I HAD NOT EVEN USED THE KNIFE I AM A 41 YEAR OLD GUY THAT WORKS ON WALLSTREET AND CAN’T EVEN CARRY IT TO WORK. IT CAME THAT WAY. IT ALSO HAS A ODD DING ON IT. DIDN’T BOTHER ME. BUT HINDER (ROB) STANDS BEHIND THE POSITION THAT THE KNIFE WAS ABUSED AND WILL NOT REPAIR THE KNIFE! I THEN POSTED ON BLADE FORUM ASKING FOR A NUMBER SINCE I COULDN’T GET PAST ROB AND GOT HIT WITH RESISTANCE. I ELARABATED A BIT MORE IN THE THREAD IN A POSITIVE WAY HOPING SOMEONE BESIDES ROB I COULD COMMUNICATE WITH SINCE HE IS BASICALLY CALLING ME A LIER! THE THREAD GOT LOCKED. REALLY! TALKS ABOUT SENSORSHIP YOU SAY ANYTHING BAD AND THEY LOCK IT UP OR DELETE IT. NO WONDER I COULD NOT FIND BAD COMMENTS ABOUT THERE KINVES THEY OWN AND SENSOR THE BOARDS. THE COMMUNICATION S CAN BE RUDE AND AS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WARNTEE THERE IS NONE THEY HIDE BEHIND EMAIL THERE IS NOT EVEN A WAY TO CALL AND TALK TO A REAL PERSON NOT BECOMING OF WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER A COMPANY TRYING TO BE HIGH END. ANYHOW I AM STUCK WITH THIS CRAPPY KNIFE NOW THEY DIDNāT EVEN GIVE ME A PRICE TO FIX IT ALTHOUGH IT IS REMARKABOE THAT A KNIFE THAT IS SUPPOSIBLY MADE FOR COMBAT COULD EVEN DAMAGE THIS WAY IN THE FIRST PLACE. I GOT DRAWN IN BY THE HYPE AND TRYTHFULLY THERE ARE MUCH PRETTYER KNIVES OUT THERE AND BETTER MADE THERE IS A REASON THEY SAY THEY DONāT MAKE COLLECTORS KNIVES THEY ARE NOT GREAT AT FIT AND FINISH JUST LOOK AT ONE CLOSE. THE ONLY EXPLENTION I CAN THINK OF IS I GOT A REFIRBUSHED OR USED KNIFE OFF OF THEM. THERE IS NO OTHER EXPLATION HOW THIS KNIFE COULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS.
Do me a favor and drop the “all caps.” š Very sorry to hear of your trouble. Not surprised at all regarding the BF censorship – Hinderer pays for his forum there.
I’d like to see your YT video if you care to post a link.
Unfortinally I made the video after having the knife for
about a week I didn’t notice the warped lock bar right away which gave them an excuse to blame me. I also have many Chris reeves, Bench made, William henrys, my daily carrier is a William Henry Love them great workmen ship I paid over 1K for that. All my knives I have had for years this is the only one I have ever had a issue with or sent in for repair. I got it back all they did was put a big scratch in the lock bar and ground it down more. Now I have a dam scratch on the lock bar also sticking out like a sore thumb to remind me of the defect they couldn’t even buff or stone wash it out. Truthfully if they just ground the flare off and stone washed it, it would of been fine but it looks worse now. The only thing I can think if is it was a refurb or it got caught a little in the cutting machine who knows anyhow it is not right on any level. The censorship on the forums really was the icing on the cake. Love how you have this section on your site.
As the days go on and I look at my knives Robs response piss me off more and more below was his last response after which I emailed him and he now doesn’t respond to my emails which is even more immature.
“You are correct, we did what we could for the knife. The peened area you are referring to was caused by abuse, it did not come from us that way, it appeared to have been batoned or abused in some other manner. You are correct, if sold it will have to be disclosed.”
“You are correct, we did what we could for the knife.”
so basically you sent me back a bad knife? isn’t that a liability? No offer to repair it or repair costs? Yes I see a lawsuite coming if it ever folds on me.
“it appeared to have been batoned” I didn’t even know what that was I had to go look it up. How the heck could it of been hit with a hammer used to split wood the knife has no other marks on it of any type surely anything strong enough to bend your ti lock bar would of left another mark or chip on the knife. UInless your ti lock up bad is absolute crap. Yes I bought a bran new knife for 100’s of dollars and spent another $200 on a smooth carbon grip and more on your copper spaces and decided to take a hammer to it to split wood. I have a axe for that, idiot. I can’t believe how they handle things and how the forms support them, I guess anyone will sell anything to you, I am just a sucker. But it is how they handle there issues that makes the real company’s stand out. Hopefully more people will come to relies how poor there company is I will do my best to make the community aware it is a small community.
I hope my article here does exactly what you’re hoping to accomplish – get the word out. It’s one of the most popular articles (by hit traffic) on my site. š
So, John, I have to make another comment. I really don’t intend to defend Hinderer, but I have a couple of data points with regard to the Hinderer customer service. I own a Hinderer Kubaton pen that I bought second hand off of eBay and I am very happy with it. Here it is in a recent pocket dump:
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx203/uptheorg/PAM%20Homage/2013-12-23140123_zps196926ea.jpg
It requires a very small set screw to hold the refill in and when I got the pen, I needed the extremely small Allen wrench for this because there was none in any of my usual Allen wrench sets (I have three) and I couldn’t find it at Home Depot (it is that small). I emailed them and, in three days I had one (with an extra set screw) in the mail. No charge and fast. Six months have passed and I managed to drop the set screw and lose it on my shop floor when replacing the refill. I emailed the company again, and yesterday, there were three set screws and another Allen wrench in the mail! I just thought you and your readers would like to know — maybe they are responding to some of the bad press they have been getting (like your blog)?
Jim – certainly they do some things right…but from what I can see they certainly aren’t to change the business practices which lead to my issues…which are quite different from yours. As the old saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day… š
So, just to clarify, you posted your comparison review in violation of the rules of the forums that are posted in stickies at the top of the forums. Then also in violation of forum rules, you attempted to talk about the business practices of Rick and Rob.
Then you got offended by the way Rob talked to you, and ever more offended when Rick stated that he’d back his employees over some random guy that had already shown that he couldn’t follow the rules of the forum?
I don’t know if rules prohibiting comparative reviews have been posted since my article, but I can tell you at the time of my reviews no such rules were posted. I guess you made the assumption it was based on your little rant…but we all know what happens when you assume… š
Interesting read – I came across this article as I was looking at some Hinderer knives. What I found most interesting about this article was the response from the owner that his products are catered to “first responders”. Really?!?! Since the age of 19, I have been blessed in the fact that I have gotten to be a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and police officer, currently a full time patrolman.
At no time have I ever seen any first responders with a 500 dollar knife, in fact at my current department I have been ridiculed for the fact that I carry a Benchmade AFO II that cost me 130.00 dollars, more than what any of my brothers and sisters spent for a duty knife. To say that a majority of us would carry a 500 dollar knife is laughable. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure there are a few who do, but most first responders don’t spend that kind of money on a blade. Most don’t have the means given our salaries. Then to ascertain that the military uses your knife, please, most solders I’ve spoken with are carrying SOG’s, Ka Bars, multitools and maybe some BM’s.
And to the my brother who stated his sidearm was 1000.00 dollars and his rifle was 1000.00 dollars and therefore only a 500.00 knife will suffice, you really need to remember that just because something costs more doesn’t mean its better. You can keep your 1000.00 dollar sidearm, Ill stick with my 400.00 blue label glock and BM in my front pocket. Why, because I love there customer service and dependable product.
Thanks for your comment Thomas. I too think it’s laughable that Hinderer believes his knives are made for the Military/LEO/First responder community first and foremost. If his business relied on those in that community and no other customers, there wouldn’t be enough buyers that could pay (or would be willing to pay) the Hinderer retail price to keep his doors open.
I’m a little perplexed by programmergeek’s original comment. He states that he’s LEO/ first responder but then he states that he works on Wallstreet where he can’t carry or use his knife. So are you or are you not a first responder? I suspect the latter. I’ve owned several Hinderer knives and only once did I have to warranty one due to lock rock issues because it was an older model The overall process was smooth to say the least. I suspect that you purchased the knife second hand and the previous owner batoned with it…. which voids almost all folding knife warranties.
Mark – many, many people volunteer in a first responder role. Or the commenter could work part-time as a first responder, or have had a career change. There’s no need to cast dispersions on his comments. Your question is a legitimate one, but could be asked in more polite manner. And just because he had lock issues doesn’t mean someone batoned with the knife.
John, I don’t know you or Rick. But I don’t doubt your story. I also was in the Marine Corps and currently a police officer. If what you say is true about Rick’s comments on not catering to collectors and his product being geared towards LE or military personnel then he has seriously lost his mind. I did not know one Marine that owned a HInderer and as of now I don’t know of any of my fellow officers that have a Hinderer. And we talk knives on a regular, just not high end collectables. And don’t get me wrong, I would love to own a Hinderer but just can’t see myself paying that much for an everyday knife when there are excellent products out there that do the job at a fraction of the price.
Thanks for posting your thoughts Mike, and thanks for you past service to our country and your current service to your community.
TO respond to some of the comments. I have been a Firefigher and EMT since I was 17 and 20 I am now 42 all on a volunteer basis. I have been on 4 different Squads and president of one for a long time. I also use to teach at the local police academy, however getting older I now have an IT job in the city that pays the bills so I can continue to help others. I can’t support my family on a EMT salary here in NJ and buy $500 knives, I like nice things like watches, cars and knives.
I did not break any form rules I merely asked how I could get in touch with Rick besides email since I thought the one guy that answers the emails Rob was stone walling me and he was kind of nasty. Several people asked why and I simply said I would like to talk with Rick then the thread got locked, I said nothing about the business I didn’t want that to happen I only wanted to talk to the owner because for $500 I could not believe the lack of service and the answers I was getting. Heck even if it was $50 it shouldn’t matter.
Bench made and ZT have had no issues warn teeing my stuff and I carry them every day even when I wanted to pay for repairs like a broken clip they sent them free.
My issue is this was bad out of box not a normal defect and certainly not one I could of done with out making some sort of other mark on the knife, however it happened I don’t care probably lifted a little in the milling machine. Or worse yet it was used and refurbed. In any case it doesn’t matter the issue was reported right away and the knife sent back with out a mark on it.
What really pissed me off is message board. I read these things and contribute assume feedback from the community is uncensored. Not in this case every piece of bad feedback or anything close has been taken down, it is not really fare because I bought this product on reputation based on what I though was a open forum. Turns out it is really a forum to promote his brand. That is what we in the US call censorship and not legal for a reason but I guess these boards can get away with it because they are personally owned.
It’s to bad I hate to post anything negative and I think with some modifications this could be a great knife but he is basing his sales pitch on ruggedness and durability and this is not if it can get a unrepairable damage. This is why every other manufacture reinforces there lock up bar I relies that costs a bit more to machine also his early lock up feels nice and is fast but does nothing for strength or keeping that blade locked under stress. In playing around with them more (I have more if his knives) I can get the lock up to fail because it releases so easy.
Thanks for sharing that John. I imagine these makers say they make there knives specifically for Law, military, Fire dept. Probably because they are looking for those government/local law/state agency contracts. Big $ in that. That doesn’t bother me. But what does, is not acknowledging that until they get those contracts. It’s civilians and collectors that mainly keep there business funded. Sounds like ego is getting in the way of making a better knife because one cannot put constructive criticism back on the drawing board.
I will not be purchasing a hinderer or strider knife.
Best regards
Shawn
Good to see what some people behind these companies are really like.
Got to love all the spelling and grammar mistakes from Rick and Rob too.
I’m in the same boat as you as far as opinions regarding the attitudes of Hinderer and their crew. A few months ago, I bought a knife from them (indirectly, of course) and it came with blade play. I’ve sent a few emails into them regarding the problem. It’s been three months, and I haven’t gotten a response. I’ve watched their posts on Facebook, and they’re just sitting there, posting pictures of their knives and of course, people are just drooling over them. I believe the reason they run the company the way they do is purely because they know they don’t have to be appealing. The knives sell themselves. Think about it! As far as my interactions with them, I’m done now too. Screw them! If they want to run a real company, they need to know how to deal with customers, not act like their customers are getting in their way. If it wasn’t for said customers, there would be no company!
You’ve hit the nail on the head Evan. If market conditions change, maybe they’ll start being nicer to folks.
He bought the knife second hand. Why would they be obligated to fix the bladeplay? Who knows what’s been done to it.
It was new. I said I didn’t buy directly from Rick. I bought from a dealer and I believe that the knives should be of a higher tolerance for the cost. This is another problem I have with Hinderer knives. They have kamakaze fans who’d kill you for badmouthing their knives.
Yes, because someone who disagrees with you is the same as someone “who’d kill you for badmouthing their knives”. Good job.
Not you in particular (although you’re not really helping your case by arguing with me.) I’ve had run-ins with other people who made some pretty ridiculous threats for minuscule notes I’ve made in the past. I’ve gotten yelled at and ridiculed for making an honest mistake, (thought a gen 3 was a gen 2.) quite frankly, I’m sick of these grown men acting like children when it comes to handling issues correctly and maturely.
“helping my case.” Sure dude. You’re so put upon.
Well, I am glad I came across this article and its comments. I was considering both a SMF and XM 3.5 but I think I will hold off on both now. I am on USN as well as other edc forums and it is mostly positive reviews. Blade play on a new $500 hinderer is absurd.