Hinderer Eklipse 3.5 handle scales

Hinderer Eklipse 3.5 handle scales

In 2014, Rick Hinderer—founded his eponymous brand in 1996—introduced the Eklipse 3.5 as a bold evolution beyond his flagship XM-18. Debuting around mid-2014 (with early batches circulating late 2014 and full recognition by 2015), it marked Hinderer's shift toward more linear, aggressive tactical aesthetics while retaining his patented Lockbar Stabilizer for unbreakable reliability

The Hinderer Eklipse 3.5 features a 3.5-inch blade (often Tanto, Spanto, or Harpoon variants) in premium steels like CPM-S35VN, S45VN, or MagnaCut (later upgrades) for superior edge retention and toughness. Weighing ~5.6–6 oz, it boasts titanium frame-lock construction, ergonomic finger grooves, thumb ramp jimping, Tri-Way pivot (customizable washers/bearings), and deep-carry clip—ideal for tactical EDC knives and hard-use scenarios

Designed with a centered blade-to-handle alignment for perfect balance and confident grip, the Eklipse quickly earned cult status for its aggressive lines, overbuilt durability, and premium American craftsmanship. It spawned variants (Skinny Slicer, Hollow Grind, Auto ~2024 for 10th anniversary), limited finishes, and collaborations—solidifying its place as a benchmark in premium tactical folders and Hinderer's legacy of innovation