Hinderer’s XM-18 out the side autos each pack a punch.

Rick Hinderer Knives offers two of its latest iterations of what industry observers say will continue to be a hot knife style for the foreseeable future—the automatic—in the XM-18 3.5 Bowie Auto and XM-18 3.5 Spearpoint Auto.

The knives come in different handle colors and inlays and are basically the same design with the same dependable out-the-side automatic opening mechanism, but each offers its own different blade pattern and material.

The 3.5 Bowie has a clip-point bowie blade of CPM S45VN stainless steel, while the 3.5 Spearpoint sports a spear-point blade of CPM 20CV stainless. In addition to each knife being a style to continue to watch in 2025, the steels bear serious eyeballing in the coming year as well as each makes the list of steels that will thrive in 2025 (see page 74).

Each knife features traction ridges on the base of the blade spine and handles with single, traction-ridged finger grooves, ridges on the bottom of the handle toward the butt, an integral guard and a hole for a lanyard. Each also has Hinderer’s patent-pending titanium half liners reinforcing the aluminum handles.

XM-18 3.5 Bowie Auto Specs
Knife Type: Automatic
Blade Length: 3.5”
Blade Steel: CPM S45VN stainless
Blade @Thickest: .165”
Blade Pattern: Bowie
Blade Finish: Stonewash
Liners: Patent-pending titanium half liners
Handle @Thickest: .54”
Handle Materials: Aluminum Razzberry w/White Storm FCF inlay
Pocket Clip: Yes
Weight: 5.12 ozs.
Closed Length: 4.75”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $450

XM-18 3.5 Spearpoint Auto Specs
Knife Type: Automatic
Blade Length: 3.5”
Blade Steel: CPM 20CV stainless
Blade @Thickest: .165”
Blade Pattern: Spear point
Blade Finish: Stonewash
Liners: Patent-pending titanium half liners
Handle @Thickest: .54”
Handle Material Options: Aluminum copper w/Arctic Storm FCF or White Storm FCF inlay or red w/Arctic Storm FCF inlay
Pocket Clip: Yes
Weight: 5.12 ozs.
Closed Length: 4.75”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $450