501 disappointment

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
Got a 501 Squire, liked it a lot.
Then noticed a dull spot on the cutting edge(1/32" long). Sharpened it, short time later, same dull spot on the cutting edge. Checked the insides and found the blades cutting edge was striking the spring(could see a scar on the spring).

Sent it in to factory.

Got it back yesterday. They "fixed" it by grinding away the blade's belly. I know this because I have a very good picture of the knife before I sent it in.
Now I have (in effect) a several year old knife blade.

Well, it is fixed, it no longer strikes the spring.:thumbdn:

Disappointed!:(
 
I don't think I'd be satisfied with that fix. I'd call them, or perhaps email Mr. Houser.
 
Yep, call them and ask for a replacement knife. Also, ask for the new knife to be hand inspected prior to shipment.

JB
 
Good call John. That was the fast way to fix it. Otherwise it would have had to been taken apart. DM
 
Don't let this pass. That is not up to their normal good work, as far as I am concerned.
 
How deep does the tip of the knife sit in the frame when closed? I wonder if they ground to much off the kick (assuming they do this) which might allow it to hit the spring.

My 501 appears to have less belly than others in the 500 series. Do you have a before/after picture?

Mine is second from the top.

 
Before



After: This is the same knife, I see the "mark" on the spring from the blade striking it.


Can you see it?
 
UPDATE:
Just got off phone w/Buck.
They say the blade was too wide and striking spring, so grinding blade was necessary to clear.
I accept that, but the blade looks wimpy.

A 503 perhaps? They look to have more belly.
 
Maybe. I think the kick was ground too short. That is what is normally the case. A too wide blade when they cut them out seems far fetched. Send it back and make them replace it.
 
The edge at the front of #2 is playing tricks on my eyes a little, but I do see the difference. I would say my blade looks more like #1 or somewhere between the two. It is a lovely knife, but I agree with the others and would call if not satisfied.

Oh, I see you called... I type slow. I hope you grow to like it, I think it's a fine knife.
 
:)Like it! Oh no!
Not sending back, they had two chances.
I've put it in a drawer where it will stay for a while, till I can forget it and become a lesson learned.
 
It is possible the kick is too short. But gull, the manner your 501 was returned is the normal way that model looked thru the 70's & 80's. As that model never had much belly.
And Buckshack's photo shows this. The one in this series which has more belly is the 500 Duke. I'm sad it turned out like this and I understand as I like blades with belly. DM
 
I wouldn't have been happy with such a so called fix either. Definitely not a good advertisement for Buck's "forever warranty" or their QC.
 
While I still like the looks of it, it does appear like they took a substantial amount off. It would be interesting to have a direct comparison with the "after" version and one straight from the box. One that isn't also exhibiting the same problem of course.
 
Yes, David is right, of course. The 70's model I have has a blade profile more similar, but not exactly, to the "fix" you received and I assume they think it is within spec. Still, it looks as if they took a bit too much off and I still think the kick was more likely the problem. The issue there is that they have to grind the blade as you cannot add more metal to the kick. Or, they have to give you a new blade altogether. I'd ask for a new blade, personally.
 
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