XM-18 3.25”: A New Size in the XM Lineup
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The XM-18 3.25”: Right Where It Should Be
Every once in a while, a new model doesn’t start with a grand plan. It starts with a thought that won’t go away. For years, the XM-18 lineup has been simple: 3”, 3.5”, and the 4” XM-24. That structure worked. It made sense. And it covered most situations.
But after carrying all three — and really using them — Rick kept coming back to the same realization:
Sometimes the 3.5” feels just a little big.
Sometimes the 3” feels just a little small.
And that “little” matters.
Warming Up to the Idea
When the idea of a XM-18 3.25” first came up, it wasn’t an automatic yes. Rick has always been careful about adding sizes. At some point, you have to ask — where do you stop?
But once a prototype was made and put into rotation, it became obvious. It didn’t feel like a compromise. It felt right.
Rick has said it plainly — he’s used the heck out of all of them, and this one just kept landing in his pocket. Not dramatically different when you look at it. Not something that jumps out in photos. But in hand and in pocket, the proportions just make sense.
That’s when it stopped being an idea — and became a model.
Real Carry, Real Situations
One of the biggest factors behind the 3.25” was everyday life.
A XM-18 3.5" is a serious working knife. It carries that presence. But if you’re heading to a university function, wearing slacks, or spending the day in an office environment, that size can feel noticeable.
On the other hand, the 3” is compact and capable — but depending on what you’re used to, it can feel just a touch shorter than you’d prefer.
The 3.25” splits that difference in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
It gives you:
- Enough blade to feel confident
- Enough compactness to carry comfortably
- Enough presence to still feel like an XM
It doesn’t replace either size. It just fits between them.
Why It Matters
From the outside, a quarter inch doesn’t sound like much.
But in a tool you carry every day, small adjustments change how something feels, how it rides in your pocket, and how often you reach for it.
The XM-18 3.25” exists because that middle ground deserved attention.
Not because it looked good on paper.
But because once it was built and carried, it made sense.
And sometimes, that’s the best reason to make something new.
Read full video script ▾
Hello, everybody. Rick here. And have I got some really cool, exciting news for you. It's been a while since we've done a new model. And that's what I want to talk about today—this new model that we came out with. Now you'll notice when you see it, you'll be like, "Well, that doesn't look like a new model to me." But it is—and I'll explain what we did. These will be what we're going to be leading into 2026 with. And believe me, that's just the start. We have got a lot of really cool stuff planned for 2026—bringing back a lot of things that you guys may not have seen in a while. And accessories—we're going to really be ramping up accessories in '26. So just a lot of fun stuff. But anyway, enough for keeping you waiting. So the new model—I'll just go ahead and show you. That looks like an XM-18, doesn't it? Yes, it does. Of course, you know, we have the XM-18 with a 3.5-inch blade. We have an XM-18 with a 3-inch blade. And of course, the XM-24, which is that same model but with a 4-inch blade. For quite a while, I was thinking about the 3.5-inch and the 3-inch blade. And of course, I've used the crap out of all of them. But you know something—sometimes a 3.5 might feel a little bit large, and a 3-inch is a little bit small. So I thought, how about taking and making a 3.25-inch XM-18? Now at first, it's taken me a while to really kind of warm up to the idea because I thought, "You know what? Where do we stop with blade lengths?" But I tell you what—when I made the prototype, I thought, "This is going to be one heck of a popular knife." So for those of you who had the same issue that I had—3.5 might be a little bit big, but a 3-inch is a little bit small—the 3.25 really fits perfect. This is a 3.25. Now, I know it doesn't look a whole lot different—probably in the video. And maybe in the hand you can see a little bit of difference. But I tell you what, it fits perfectly. It really fits a certain area that I think is going to be extremely popular. And of course, we started out—the very first batch is going to be with a Spearpoint blade. And as you know, if you're familiar with the XM-18 series, there's going to be all of the blade styles that are going to be put into the 3.25. Think about it—you’re going to have the Spanto, you’re going to have the Slicer, you’re going to have the Aggressor. All of those are going to end up going in this 3.25-inch package, which is really a cool everyday carry package. Especially when I was thinking about it—I'd go to some of my university functions, you have to wear nicer clothes and stuff like that. A 3.5-inch is a little bit big in a pair of slacks. And a 3-inch, for what I want to carry that knife for, might be a little bit small. So again, for you guys that are in the office, you might not want to carry a 3.5-inch—especially an XM-24—if you're in an office that may or may not allow that as much. This is going to be the one that you guys are going to like, if the 3-inch doesn't fit your bill. I'm super excited about this project. It's going to grow throughout 2026. The cool thing too is—we are going to offer the first batch of these January 1st. That's the new drop, the New Year. I think you guys are going to agree with me that—wow—after the Christmas knife, after the Black Friday knife, after the Rampant Lion knife, all of these, the Halloween knife—it's like you guys are doing it again. You're darn right we're doing it again. We're going to keep coming at you with really cool stuff, and we look forward to hearing your feedback. Anyway, I'll leave that off for now. I want to wish everybody out there a happy and prosperous New Year from everybody here at Rick Hinderer Knives. And again, we'll see you here pretty soon.
XM-18 3.25 FAQ
What is the XM-18 3.25"?
The XM-18 3.25" is a dedicated XM-18 size that sits between the 3" and 3.5" models. It was created for users who want a more balanced middle ground—where a 3.5" can feel a bit large and a 3" can feel a bit small.
Why did Rick create a 3.25" blade length?
Rick developed the 3.25" after years of carrying and using the XM-18 sizes. The goal was simple: create a knife that feels “just right” for everyday carry—especially for people who felt caught between the 3" and 3.5" options.
Is the XM-18 3.25" good for everyday carry?
Yes. The XM-18 3.25" was designed as a comfortable everyday carry package—offering confident cutting capability without the pocket presence of a larger knife. It’s a great option for office carry or situations where you want a slightly more compact footprint.
Is XM-18 3.25" hardware compatible with XM-18 3.5" hardware?
Mostly, yes. The XM-18 3.5" handle screws, handle nuts, and pivot screw are compatible with the XM-18 3.25".
The only difference is the standoffs. The XM-18 3.25" uses its own dedicated standoffs. Standard XM-18 3.5" standoffs will work, but they extend slightly past the back of the handle.
Do XM-18 3.5" scales fit the XM-18 3.25"?
No. The XM-18 3.25" uses its own dedicated scale because the handle length is different.
XM-18 3.25" handle length: 4.5"
XM-18 3.5" handle length: 4.75"