The Spanto: Our Flagship Grind

At Rick Hinderer Knives, we don’t just craft knives—we create tools you can depend on when it matters most. The Spanto grind, our flagship blade design, represents the very core of what we stand for. Born from real-world experience and engineered for the ultimate blend of durability and cutting performance, the Spanto grind is more than just a blade—it’s a cornerstone of our legacy.

A Grind Born in the Firehouse

Every great design starts with a need. For us, the Spanto grind’s story began during Rick’s time as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Working in high-pressure, unpredictable environments, Rick often relied on his knife to perform tasks far beyond its intended purpose. In those moments, tools were pushed to their limits, and knives were no exception.

He noticed a consistent issue: the tips of conventional blade designs failed when used for prying or other demanding tasks. While we always advocate using the right tool—like a pry bar or screwdriver—he knew that in emergencies, improvisation is sometimes unavoidable. That realization planted the seed for what would become the Spanto grind.

His goal was to create a blade capable of handling the toughest tasks while maintaining excellent cutting performance. The result was the Spanto grind—a blend of the cutting efficiency of a spear point and the robustness of a tanto tip. It’s a knife that excels in both slicing and prying, making it indispensable for everyday carry (EDC) and challenging environments.

The Anatomy of a Spanto

The Spanto grind is a compound grind that brings together two key features:

• Reinforced Tip Strength: Unlike traditional spear points, the Spanto retains additional steel at the tip. This added strength ensures exceptional durability, even under lateral pressure or when used for prying.

• Precision Cutting Edge: The curved belly of the blade delivers outstanding slicing performance, making it just as effective for precise tasks as it is for heavy-duty work.

The name “Spanto” perfectly encapsulates its dual nature, combining the best qualities of both the spearpoint and tanto styles. It’s a hallmark of our lineup and a design we’re proud to call our own.

Why the Spanto Stands Out

The Spanto grind isn’t just another blade shape—it’s a solution. Its reinforced tip is ideal for tasks other blades simply can’t handle, like prying open frozen equipment or cutting through dense materials. Meanwhile, its curved edge ensures clean, efficient slicing, making it versatile enough for both everyday tasks and demanding fieldwork.

One winter, Rick used a Spanto to pry free a frozen clip on a piece of equipment. Thanks to the reinforced tip, the blade handled the job with ease. This kind of real-world functionality is why the Spanto grind has become so iconic—it’s designed to perform under pressure, where failure isn’t an option.

A Legacy of Innovation

The Spanto grind made its debut on the XM-18, our most popular model, in the early 2000s. This wasn’t just a milestone for us—it redefined what folding knives could do. The XM-18, paired with the Spanto grind, set a new standard for strength, reliability, and usability.

Rick remembers completing the very first XM-18 with a Spanto grind on Christmas Eve in 2004, late into the night. It was a gift for the son of a close friend—a moment that remains deeply meaningful to him. That knife marked the beginning of a design legacy that continues to define our work to this day.

Over the years, we’ve featured the Spanto grind across various models. Its popularity reflects the trust users place in its performance and versatility.

A Blade for Every Collector

We call the Spanto grind our flagship grind for good reason—it’s the blade that started it all and continues to set the standard for what a knife should be. The Spanto embodies everything we strive for at Rick Hinderer Knives: innovation, durability, and uncompromising utility.

For collectors, the Spanto represents a piece of knife-making history. It’s not just a tool; it’s a story—a design born from necessity and refined through real-world experience. Adding a Spanto-equipped knife to your collection means owning a blade with a legacy of excellence and purpose-driven design.

For first responders, military personnel, and other professionals who work in demanding environments, the Spanto is a trusted companion. Its reinforced tip and versatile cutting edge make it a reliable choice for situations where failure isn’t an option. Whether it’s prying open a stuck mechanism or slicing through tough materials, the Spanto is built to handle the unexpected.

For those who carry a knife every day, the Spanto offers the perfect blend of strength and precision. It’s the blade you reach for when you need a cutting edge you can trust, whether you’re opening packages, working on a project, or facing a tough outdoor task. The Spanto doesn’t just meet your needs—it exceeds them, time and time again.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to innovate, we remain committed to creating tools that blend functionality, durability, and style.

In the meantime, take a moment to appreciate the grind that started it all. The Spanto isn’t just a blade—it’s a legacy. Explore our lineup of Spanto-equipped knives at Rick Hinderer Knives, and see for yourself why it’s a must-have for any collection.