I recently sent my ESEE 6 in for repair or replacement. A friend threw it and one scale split. It was still usable, so I continued to use it. However, when I attempted to use it in batoning a 2x4 both scales popped off. Since I don't really have the tools, skill, or supplies to fix flared tubes (the screw stripped, and were unusable) I sent it in to have the scales repaired or replaced, or the knife replaced. It seems to me that much of ESEE's success is based on their heavy marketing and reputation of a "No Questions Asked Warranty". Here is the actual text of the warranty:
"If you break it, we will replace it. Warranty is lifetime and transferable. In other words, we warranty the knife no matter how many times it's been traded, sold or given away - no sales receipt or proof of purchase required.
A lot of folks have asked us how we can stay in business offering such great customer service and warranty protection. The answer is simple; we believe that American consumers, as a whole, are honest people. The occasional customers who are dishonest are few and far between, so even if we lose every once in a while due to dishonesty, our reputation of great customer service, regardless of the situation, brings us more good customers.
ESEE KNIVES ARE NOT THROWING KNIVES! They are hardened to a higher Rockwell than throwing knives and will most likely break if thrown, possibly harming the user. So, do yourself and your ESEE knife a favor and DO NOT throw it. Using any knife not meant to be thrown as a throwing knife is idiotic! We would rather idiots not buy our knives.
Note: We do not warranty our 440C Stainless Steel knives from abuse. It should be noted that 440C is not as flexible as our carbon steels. Any excessive flexing will cause the knife to break.
We do not warranty against rust or normal wear and tear. Our carbon steel knives are made from 1095 High Carbon Steel. And while 1095 is a top choice for professional field knives, it will rust and stain if not properly cared for - especially on the cutting edge and around the laser engraving. It is the user's responsibility to keep the blades properly lubricated and cleaned. We suggest a dry film inhibitor such as TUF-GLIDE or TUF-CLOTH. We use a baked on powder coat on all of our coated knives. It is normal for the coating to wear with use.
NOTE: The warranty does not apply to the Lite Machete since the blade of the machete is made by Imacasa in El Salvador. With that said, if you have any issues with the Lite machete, contact us and we will do our best to make it right."
Obviously, it sounds great. They warrant that if you break the knife, they will replace it. To me "the knife" means the whole knife. When you buy an ESEE knife you don't just get the blade and have to supply handle scales yourself. Therefore I think it should be expressed clearly in the warranty that they do not warrant the whole knife, but rather only the blade (the sheath is more understandable, as it isn't attached to the knife). ESEE knives have great designs and superb heat treat but I think, at least for me, much of their business comes from people feeling comfortable thinking that if their ESEE knife fails it will be repaired or replaced. I understand not warranting the handles and sheath, but if they do not warrant a key component of the knife then they should express that clearly in their warranty. This is especially true, and becomes an issue in my mind, when they use an image of a knife that was shot by several different calibers to advertise that their warranty covers any form of damage.
I am not trying to bash ESEE's warranty department, Mr. Perrin was generally courteous despite my messages likely sounding agitated due to disagreeing with his messages. I just know that if I had known that the handles and sheath were not warranted I would have been far less likely to purchase an ESEE 6 over the other knives I was considering for its respective role, and I believe other consumers have the right to know the full details of the warranty for which they are paying.
Again, I emphasize that I am not saying that ESEE knives are not extremely high quality and that their warranty is less than adequate, I just think prospective customers should be aware of the details that are not stated in the espoused text of the warranty.
"If you break it, we will replace it. Warranty is lifetime and transferable. In other words, we warranty the knife no matter how many times it's been traded, sold or given away - no sales receipt or proof of purchase required.
A lot of folks have asked us how we can stay in business offering such great customer service and warranty protection. The answer is simple; we believe that American consumers, as a whole, are honest people. The occasional customers who are dishonest are few and far between, so even if we lose every once in a while due to dishonesty, our reputation of great customer service, regardless of the situation, brings us more good customers.
ESEE KNIVES ARE NOT THROWING KNIVES! They are hardened to a higher Rockwell than throwing knives and will most likely break if thrown, possibly harming the user. So, do yourself and your ESEE knife a favor and DO NOT throw it. Using any knife not meant to be thrown as a throwing knife is idiotic! We would rather idiots not buy our knives.
Note: We do not warranty our 440C Stainless Steel knives from abuse. It should be noted that 440C is not as flexible as our carbon steels. Any excessive flexing will cause the knife to break.
We do not warranty against rust or normal wear and tear. Our carbon steel knives are made from 1095 High Carbon Steel. And while 1095 is a top choice for professional field knives, it will rust and stain if not properly cared for - especially on the cutting edge and around the laser engraving. It is the user's responsibility to keep the blades properly lubricated and cleaned. We suggest a dry film inhibitor such as TUF-GLIDE or TUF-CLOTH. We use a baked on powder coat on all of our coated knives. It is normal for the coating to wear with use.
NOTE: The warranty does not apply to the Lite Machete since the blade of the machete is made by Imacasa in El Salvador. With that said, if you have any issues with the Lite machete, contact us and we will do our best to make it right."
Obviously, it sounds great. They warrant that if you break the knife, they will replace it. To me "the knife" means the whole knife. When you buy an ESEE knife you don't just get the blade and have to supply handle scales yourself. Therefore I think it should be expressed clearly in the warranty that they do not warrant the whole knife, but rather only the blade (the sheath is more understandable, as it isn't attached to the knife). ESEE knives have great designs and superb heat treat but I think, at least for me, much of their business comes from people feeling comfortable thinking that if their ESEE knife fails it will be repaired or replaced. I understand not warranting the handles and sheath, but if they do not warrant a key component of the knife then they should express that clearly in their warranty. This is especially true, and becomes an issue in my mind, when they use an image of a knife that was shot by several different calibers to advertise that their warranty covers any form of damage.
I am not trying to bash ESEE's warranty department, Mr. Perrin was generally courteous despite my messages likely sounding agitated due to disagreeing with his messages. I just know that if I had known that the handles and sheath were not warranted I would have been far less likely to purchase an ESEE 6 over the other knives I was considering for its respective role, and I believe other consumers have the right to know the full details of the warranty for which they are paying.
Again, I emphasize that I am not saying that ESEE knives are not extremely high quality and that their warranty is less than adequate, I just think prospective customers should be aware of the details that are not stated in the espoused text of the warranty.
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