A major oversight.

Severance

Severance

Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
261
I have been collecting for years now, and have a little bit of everything from a wide variety of production companies and custom makers. I just wanted to share a little gripe with you guys and see what you thought. Over the past year or so, I have added quite a few fixed blade knives to my collection. These knives come from several different makers, including some very reputable companies/individuals that have a following on these forums(I won't use any names out of respect). I have picked out seven of these knives that share the same problem; they all have curved blades. If you take the knife and sight down the blade from the butt to the tip, you can see a noticeable curve to one side, which can be observed edge down or edge up. I understand that a blade will sometimes warp during the heat treatment, but I can't understand why these knives made it to market. I think it is easier to swallow when it comes from a production company, as they are mass produced, but from a custom maker this is unacceptable. I think it is strange to receive a knife that has incredible fit and finish, but a curved or "bent" blade. If I were a knifemaker, I would like to think that I would FIRST inspect my blades to make sure they were "true" before I even considered moving forward with handles/finishing/sharpening etc. I do have a good eye for these things, but in these particular examples it does not require a trained eye to spot. Two of said knives are in the process of being returned, and I don't want anyone to tell me that I am "being too picky", or "it won't really affect cutting performance". If I look down a blade and it obviously favors one side, I consider that to be a flaw.
 
Wow, that's the first I've heard of this. I'd be the same way. I wouldn't want a bent knife either, let a lone a custom bent knife.

"It's so custom...it's bent." <---nah, that doesn't sit well with me at all. I wouldn't be paying for a bent piece of steel. If I wanted a bent piece of steel I'd bend a piece of steel for a lot less money.
 
I have been making knives for over 10 years now and have never nor will I ever let a knife out of my shop with a bent, curved, bowed, or otherwise not straight blade. It is difficult at best to produce a perfect knife but that is one flaw I find unacceptable.
 
I have received knives like that before, and they were either swiftly returned or resold on the secondary market.

Whether or not it affects the cutting performance can be argued by someone else, I don't want anything to do with a warped or unevenly ground blade.
 
I have owned well over 200 folders, and the only "curved" blade I have ever seen is a Spyderco Caly (original, I think -- I still have it). It doesn't affect the performance, but it's still annoying because it rubs on the scales in the closed position.
 
A bladesmith friend of mine taught me to look for this when examining knives, and I agree - now that I am looking for it, this flaw is not uncommon on production and custom fixed blades.
 
I'm used to "sighting down" guitar necks before I buy them (of course, they can be adjusted), but I always figured that a curved blade - which isn't "fixable" - would be caught by Quality Control. Guess not always, eh?
 
I'm surprised to hear about curved blades - never gave any thought that any reputable knife would be that way. It would drive me nuts. I guess I'll check new blades carefully when I start purchasing.
 
i'd happily accept a bent blade as a second from a mate who's new to knifemaking.

but i wouldn't pay $$$ for one. such a blade would be returned, unused.
 
Next someone will tell me folders are not good for self defense!


OMG
 
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