A week ago I sent the following knives back to the manufacturers via USPS, for failure-prone liner locks:
Kershaw Scallion
Emerson CQC7 Karambit (this knife had vertical blade play)
S&W Border Guard Plain Edge (aka Liong Ma's "Juggernaut")
KA-BAR Warthog Folder (#2 with G-10 scales)
Gerber Air Ranger with Serrations
Taylor Cutlery (S&W) and KA-BAR had open-ended instructions on their websites complete with addresses. Gerber apparently requires correspondance and approval before giving out the info. I also corresponded with the always helpful Dawn Riggen at Kershaw and also with the folks at Emerson knives.
Emerson requires that a $12 money order be included for return shipping, Taylor required a $4.95 money order.
Just today I received a brand new Kershaw Scallion H3 (three little holes, aluminum scales, black coating) in the mail. The lock functioned perfectly, withstanding spine whacks, but for whatever reason, perhaps a mild Assisted Opening or due to friction of the pivot, the knife was so stiff it didn't open fully without the screws being loosened & the pivot point being lubricated. Overall, very satisfied as usual.
Also checked the mail to see a S&W Border Guard. Opened it up to find that it was not a "First production run" as my other one was, but was actually made in Taiwan. Overall quality looks to be roughly on par with the first one i had, lock failure aside. (I have noted to myself that the border guard is probably the nicest smith and wesson knife i've seen to date, for what it's worth) The new knife's lock engages onto the first third of the tang of the blade (good, i guess, as it will take a while to wear across,) and it withstood several vigorous spine whack tests without budging. however it was sent with 60% Serrated edge which i :barf: hate but i'm not really willing to spend another $8 (shipping) +$5 (return shipping) replacing a beater knife that i'm not fond of anyway.
I'll report the rest of the warranty anecdotes as the knives come back.
Kershaw Scallion
Emerson CQC7 Karambit (this knife had vertical blade play)
S&W Border Guard Plain Edge (aka Liong Ma's "Juggernaut")
KA-BAR Warthog Folder (#2 with G-10 scales)
Gerber Air Ranger with Serrations
Taylor Cutlery (S&W) and KA-BAR had open-ended instructions on their websites complete with addresses. Gerber apparently requires correspondance and approval before giving out the info. I also corresponded with the always helpful Dawn Riggen at Kershaw and also with the folks at Emerson knives.
Emerson requires that a $12 money order be included for return shipping, Taylor required a $4.95 money order.
Just today I received a brand new Kershaw Scallion H3 (three little holes, aluminum scales, black coating) in the mail. The lock functioned perfectly, withstanding spine whacks, but for whatever reason, perhaps a mild Assisted Opening or due to friction of the pivot, the knife was so stiff it didn't open fully without the screws being loosened & the pivot point being lubricated. Overall, very satisfied as usual.
Also checked the mail to see a S&W Border Guard. Opened it up to find that it was not a "First production run" as my other one was, but was actually made in Taiwan. Overall quality looks to be roughly on par with the first one i had, lock failure aside. (I have noted to myself that the border guard is probably the nicest smith and wesson knife i've seen to date, for what it's worth) The new knife's lock engages onto the first third of the tang of the blade (good, i guess, as it will take a while to wear across,) and it withstood several vigorous spine whack tests without budging. however it was sent with 60% Serrated edge which i :barf: hate but i'm not really willing to spend another $8 (shipping) +$5 (return shipping) replacing a beater knife that i'm not fond of anyway.
I'll report the rest of the warranty anecdotes as the knives come back.
