I was a Spyderco FREAK (only blade I'd carry/buy) from Jan. 31 2004 (the day I got my first Spyderco, a Dragonfly w/ pe AUS-8 blade, which still sees use) -Feb. 2010 (the day I got my first Hinderer, the 3.5" XM-18 Flipper). 
The XM-18 replaced my ZDP Endura right away. In the four months I have carried and used it I have found several benefits to the "flipper knob" itself. I don't know what I'd do without it now.  The CTS-XHP spanto ground blade is amazing!  The tumbled finish really hides the signs of use and it stays "looking new" for a long time.  I love my XM!!!  
These pictures were taken a month or so ago.  My G-10 scale looks a bit different now, as I have opened several cold brews with it recently.  <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
![[Linked Image from img709.imageshack.us]](http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/2852/s6308464.jpg)
![[Linked Image from img138.imageshack.us]](http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7144/s6308465.jpg)
The knife with the green scale was shipped from Rick in February and is the CTS-XHP steel, but unmarked.  Not many made it out that way, so I decided to make it a safe queen.  <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />  Plus I prefer a stonewashed blade/frame over sand/bead blasted.  <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
![[Linked Image from img94.imageshack.us]](http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/918/s6308486.jpg)
![[Linked Image from img706.imageshack.us]](http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8132/s6308479.jpg)
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