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Hinderer XM-18 3.25"
The Hinderer XM-18 3.25 is the first new XM size in years, launched in January 2026 as Rick Hinderer's New Year drop. For years the lineup ran on three sizes, the 3 inch, the 3.5 inch, and the 4 inch XM-24, and Rick built the 3.25 after years of carrying all of them to fill the middle ground. It is the same titanium frame lock that made Rick Hinderer knives famous, sized for everyday carry.
XM-18 3.25 vs the 3 and 3.5 Inch
The 3.25 runs a 3.25 inch blade on a 4.5 inch handle, 7.5 inches open, at 4.8 ounces. That puts it a quarter inch under the XM-18 3.5 and its 4.75 inch handle, while giving a full four finger grip that the 4.125 inch closed XM-18 3 inch can't. If the 3.5 feels like a lot of knife in a work pants pocket and the 3 feels a touch short in the hand, the 3.25 is the one.
XM-18 3.25 Spearpoint and Spanto Blades
The 3.25 launched as a spearpoint in CPM S45VN, a tough, easy to maintain stainless, and Hinderer's signature spanto followed in CPM MagnaCut, the steel now leading high end folders for its toughness and corrosion resistance. Spantos come as flippers with dual thumb studs or as cleaner non flipper builds. Every blade runs full 0.165 inch stock, the same as the 3.5, and our comparison of every major knife steel shows how S45VN and MagnaCut differ.
Titanium Frame Lock and Tri-Way Pivot
The 3.25 carries the full Gen 6 build: a titanium frame lock with a steel lockbar insert and Hinderer's Lockbar Stabilizer, G-10 or cocobolo scales, and the Tri-Way Pivot, which runs on ball bearings or swaps to phosphor bronze or Teflon washers for a slower, classic action. The titanium clip mounts right hand for tip up or tip down carry, and every knife is made in the USA.
Do XM-18 3.5 Parts Fit the 3.25?
Partly. Hinderer confirms the 3.5 handle screws, handle nuts, and pivot screw all fit the 3.25, so our 3.5 inch XM-18 hardware covers those upgrades. Scales are not interchangeable because the handle is shorter, and 3.5 standoffs work but sit slightly proud of the butt. The Hinderer Hardware Finder matches parts to your knife.