The design that would become Hinderer’s most recognized work appeared in early 2006. The first-generation XM-18, released that February, combined heavy-duty construction with thoughtful ergonomics. Its name is tied directly to Hinderer’s roots, with “XM” denoting “experimental model” and “18” standing for his fire department unit number. The knife carried thick titanium slabs, a sturdy framelock, and a blade grind suited to both utility and harder tasks. By December of the same year, a second generation was already in production, improving small but important details in machining and lock geometry. Owners who handled both versions noticed the refinements immediately, proof that the design was evolving through use and feedback rather than sitting still.

Momentum continued in May 2008 with the release of the third generation. This version marked a turning point because it introduced blade variety, most famously the Spanto and the Slicer. The Spanto blended the strength of a tanto-style tip with the broader cutting belly of a drop point, while the Slicer emphasized sweeping lines for efficiency. Collectors also saw titanium scales enter the lineup, expanding options for customization. That autumn, another addition arrived with the XM-24, a larger four-inch version that scaled up the same concept. It gave the series a broader footprint and made it clear that the XM was a growing series.

The fourth generation appeared in 2011 and brought subtle but meaningful improvements in tolerances and lock strength. These changes were not dramatic enough to alter the knife’s appearance, but users found them noticeable while operating the knife. Action was smoother, machining more precise, and fit and finish showed that the operation had grown well beyond its early small-batch roots. Around the same period, another Hinderer innovation had already begun shaping the wider knife industry. In 2007, he patented the Lockbar Stabilizer, a small disc that prevented frame locks from being pushed past their limits. Incorporated into the XM-18 and widely licensed afterward, the stabilizer became one of the most recognizable mechanical solutions of modern knife making.

- The Hinderer XM-18 Gen 1 (pictured above) was released in February 2006

- Hinderer released the XM-18 Gen 2 in December 2006

- In May 2008, Hinderer released the XM-18 Gen 3 (pictured above)

- The XM-18 Gen 3 introduced the Spanto and Slicer blade shapes

- In 2011, Hinderer released the XM-18 Gen 4

The story of the XM-18 carried forward into 2017, when the fifth generation was introduced. This update tackled one of the long-standing issues of titanium frame locks by adding a replaceable steel lockbar insert. It meant that wear on the lock face could be corrected without replacing the entire lock side of the knife. At the same time, Hinderer Knives marked its thirtieth anniversary, and the Gen 5 stood as proof of how far the company had come from that turkey coop shop three decades earlier.

One year later, the knife took its most significant leap yet. At Blade Show 2018, the sixth generation was unveiled with the Tri-Way Pivot system. For the first time, users could choose whether their XM-18 ran on ball bearings, phosphor bronze washers, or Teflon. The parts were interchangeable, allowing the owner to tune the pivot to personal preference or mission requirements. This solved years of debate among enthusiasts over what system was best, since the knife could now be all three at once. The Tri-Way Pivot became the defining hallmark of the Gen 6, and today it remains a central feature of the design.

- The Hinderer XM-18 Gen 5 was released in 2017

- At Blade Show 2018, Hinderer unveiled the XM-18 Gen 6 (pictured above)

- The XM-18 Gen 6 featured Hinderer's Tri-Way Pivot system