XiKAR question

[Master Gates]

Chinese blades and German blades.....

My question is this: Is XiKAR still making cutters with the german blades, or have they all gone to the chinese ones? Do certain models have certain blades, or is it just the luck of the draw?

TIA

[cubano67]

Japanese, not Chinese. I haven't seen German blades in a while. They were still using them on the Xi2 until recently, but all the ones in my shop are Japanese. My Xi1 is about 2 years old and has Jap. blades, my Xi2 is newer and had German steel. You might still find some German ones, but you'll have to look around.

[MountChuck]

How can you tell which version you have?

[cubano67]

The German blades say "Solingen, Germany" just above the patent #. The Japanese blades don't have any markings there.

[jaybo41]

As an FYI for those that want the German blades, I have seen them on the Cohiba 3 pack of the cameroon lonsdales with the Xi2 with Cohiba logo. No guarantees when buying over the net, but the ones I've seen in B&M's seem to be with the German blades. Find one of those and you may get lucky

[cubano67]

To be perfectly honest, I can't tell any difference. And - if you have to return it for any reason, you're going to get back a newer (Japanese steel) one anyway.

[Smokey Joe]

Are there any functional differences between the Xi, Xi2 and Xi3? From what i have read on thier website it seems like only the "handle" materials are different between the 3.

Thanks

[jaybo41]

Originally Posted by cubano67

To be perfectly honest, I can't tell any difference. And - if you have to return it for any reason, you're going to get back a newer (Japanese steel) one anyway.

Very good point. Some of the brothers who have sent theirs back have reported getting a brand new cutter anyway. I have an Xi and all I know is it works and very well at that Going on almost 2 years now too

Originally Posted by Smokey Joe

Are there any functional differences between the Xi, Xi2 and Xi3? From what i have read on thier website it seems like only the "handle" materials are different between the 3.

Thanks

I haven't cut with an Xi2 or and Xi3, so I can't be certain as to if any differences exist. I can tell you though that the materials on the handles and price are two of the differences

[cubano67]

Originally Posted by jaybo41

Very good point. Some of the brothers who have sent theirs back have reported getting a brand new cutter anyway. I have an Xi and all I know is it works and very well at that Going on almost 2 years now too

I have NEVER heard of them actually returning the same cutter. AFAIK they always send a new one.

..... and, yes, the only difference is the handle materials. The blades and mechanisms are identical.

[MountChuck]

Originally Posted by Smokey Joe

Are there any functional differences between the Xi, Xi2 and Xi3? From what i have read on thier website it seems like only the "handle" materials are different between the 3.

Thanks

None than I can tell. I have heard the argument that the heavier handle material makes for any easier cut, but I think that's getting a little nitpicky. From experience and basic observation, performance is the same.