Am I expecting too much from a $20 Vantage Select? Brand new defects - lots of pics!

[d0nut]

Got my first Buck in a loooong time today, the small Vantage Select. I know there have been some QC issues in the past, but this is just shameful.

The pictures are straight out of the box, it has been open literally 2 minutes and hasn't cut ANYTHING.

Blade is filthy, already has some kind of corrosion or rust on the bottom, blade came scratched up, plastic already gouged up by the tang and missing a chunk of the handle, uneven grind, off-center, etc.

Am I expecting too much from a $21 dollar knife? How can Buck be in business for so long but cant get basic quality control right?

Am I supposed to ship it off for servicing and "let Buck have the chance to make it right?"

These pictures are straight from the packaging.

Look at the uneven grind below.

 

[brooksknives]

Me thinks that knife is not new where did you buy it from could they have sent you a used or second stock

 

[300Bucks]

I won't swear that all of them are perfect, but I agree that looks like it went thru Hurricane Sandy... Buck is not marking their Factory Blemish knives (seconds) on the blade anymore. Was there a FB sticker on package. ??? 300

 

[oregon]

This is a "BLEM" label from a Buck Box from an internet vendor that sells blems.

Vendor ID for your P of C?

 

[d0nut]

Me thinks that knife is not new where did you buy it from could they have sent you a used or second stock

I bought it from an ebay seller (don't know if we are allowed to list the seller name?) with 228,965 sales and 99.7 rating. I've purchased from this ebay store before with no problems before. The knife was listed as "Brand New in Original Packaging."

I won't swear that all of them are perfect, but I agree that looks like it went thru Hurricane Sandy... Buck is not marking their Factory Blemish knives (seconds) on the blade anymore. Was there a FB sticker on package. ??? 300

No sticker, and no visible indicators on the packaging below.

This is a "BLEM" label from a Buck Box from an internet vendor that sells blems.

Vendor ID for your P of C?

No blem markings, nothing unusual on the package.

Pretty bummed, Im going to send it back and request a refund and buy a Vantage Pro from an actual store this time around.

 

[st8yd]

Am I supposed to ship it off for servicing and "let Buck have the chance to make it right?"

If you had made the mistake wouldn't you want the oppertunity to fix it?

Since it's in a blister pack it wasn't likely mishandleing after it left the factory unless the package was in bad shape.

Yes I would expect the grind to be the same, but it's done by hand as I understand, so it's understandable that it may not be perfect.

 

[d0nut]

If you had made the mistake wouldn't you want the oppertunity to fix it?

Since it's in a blister pack it wasn't likely mishandleing after it left the factory unless the package was in bad shape.

Yes I would expect the grind to be the same, but it's done by hand as I understand, so it's understandable that it may not be perfect.

If I was in the business of producing knives for a hundred years, I would have probably gotten it right by now.

I'm probably making much ado about nothing, it's a $21 knife for crying out loud. I realize sometimes mistakes happen, but there are multiple mistakes on this one alone. If I get the Vantage Pro and it comes messed up like this one, I'll feel more justified complaining.

 

[st8yd]

If I was in the business of producing knives for a hundred years, I would have probably gotten it right by now.

Yes you would and if Hoyt was still there he would to. But the fella that sharpened yours may have been green yet.
I started to post this quarndry previously, but I wonder if the less experienced sharpeners do the lower end knives and the ole pros do the high end knives. On the same token I imagine they have a jig and its not hard to get it real close with one shot.

Ya you paid $20 but there's probably a lot of mark up by the time it gets to you so your probably talking about a $10 knife cost, so just how long can you pay someone to stand there and sharpen it, he's got to do it in two strokes and be done.

Much ado, no short of the grind I would say the rest is carelessness in handling prior to packaging.

 

[oregon]

Blems, IMHO, are usually sold as being brand new and in original packaging. You know that they are a blem by being told so by the vendor, verbage on the packaging and/or by the item's hallmarks of blemish. Your visit to the wailing wall, aka buck forum, comes with the responsibility to out the vendor. If you believe that you can't post the item number in this thread please visit the good, bad and ugly forum and do it there for the sake of the rest of us so we can learn by your misfortune. I am interested in knowing the reaction of the vendor to your request for refund and ask you to post that. It is entirely up to you whether or not you want to earn your own keep.

 

[J Hubbard]

Got my first Buck in a loooong time today, the small Vantage Select. I know there have been some QC issues in the past, but this is just shameful.

The pictures are straight out of the box, it has been open literally 2 minutes and hasn't cut ANYTHING.

Blade is filthy, already has some kind of corrosion or rust on the bottom, blade came scratched up, plastic already gouged up by the tang and missing a chunk of the handle, uneven grind, off-center, etc.

Am I expecting too much from a $21 dollar knife? How can Buck be in business for so long but cant get basic quality control right?

Am I supposed to ship it off for servicing and "let Buck have the chance to make it right?"

These pictures are straight from the packaging.

Look at the uneven grind below.

Donut - Send me an e-mail @Jhubbard@buckknives.com (you don't have your e-mails on here) and I'll send a new one your way. On the UPC label, what date is shown? Should be on the back of the clam package. I am forwarding this to the supervisor of the area so he can review with his crew. That clam package looks pretty beat up, but the only thing that might result in is the dings on the plastic. . The blade off center and poor edging should not be there.

Yes you would and if Hoyt was still there he would to. But the fella that sharpened yours may have been green yet.
I started to post this quarndry previously, but I wonder if the less experienced sharpeners do the lower end knives and the ole pros do the high end knives. On the same token I imagine they have a jig and its not hard to get it real close with one shot.

Ya you paid $20 but there's probably a lot of mark up by the time it gets to you so your probably talking about a $10 knife cost, so just how long can you pay someone to stand there and sharpen it, he's got to do it in two strokes and be done.

Much ado, no short of the grind I would say the rest is carelessness in handling prior to packaging.

All edging is done by hand, No jigs. Some operators can do 1500-2000 knives a day.



Jeff
QA Manager
Buck

 

[pinnah]

Blems, IMHO, are usually sold as being brand new and in original packaging. You know that they are a blem by being told so by the vendor, verbage on the packaging and/or by the item's hallmarks of blemish. Your visit to the wailing wall, aka buck forum, comes with the responsibility to out the vendor. If you believe that you can't post the item number in this thread please visit the good, bad and ugly forum and do it there for the sake of the rest of us so we can learn by your misfortune. I am interested in knowing the reaction of the vendor to your request for refund and ask you to post that. It is entirely up to you whether or not you want to earn your own keep.

Wouldn't that be in direct conflict with the forum rules against naming retailers who aren't advertisers on the site? (anti-deal spotting policy)

Could one of the mods clarify?

 

[Strix]

I'd give Buck a chance to fix it - their CS has always been good. Despite the consistency issues I've read about, I've bought 5 Vantages (Select and Pro) at different times with no problems on any of them.

 

[d0nut]

Blems, IMHO, are usually sold as being brand new and in original packaging. You know that they are a blem by being told so by the vendor, verbage on the packaging and/or by the item's hallmarks of blemish. Your visit to the wailing wall, aka buck forum, comes with the responsibility to out the vendor. If you believe that you can't post the item number in this thread please visit the good, bad and ugly forum and do it there for the sake of the rest of us so we can learn by your misfortune. I am interested in knowing the reaction of the vendor to your request for refund and ask you to post that. It is entirely up to you whether or not you want to earn your own keep.

Thanks for your input. I wasn't clear on the rules regarding mentioning specific auction site vendors or giving item #'s so I would rather not stir up any trouble. I can update with the refund status, but so far I have not heard back. (it has only been a few hours though)

Donut - Send me an e-mail @Jhubbard@buckknives.com (you don't have your e-mails on here) and I'll send a new one your way. On the UPC label, what date is shown? Should be on the back of the clam package. I am forwarding this to the supervisor of the area so he can review with his crew. That clam package looks pretty beat up, but the only thing that might result in is the dings on the plastic. . The blade off center and poor edging should not be there.



All edging is done by hand, No jigs. Some operators can do 1500-2000 knives a day.



Jeff
QA Manager
Buck

Wow. Im very new here and had no idea Buck had representatives on board. This is excellent news, I just emailed you a few minutes ago with a picture of the UPC code. Thank you for helping, my apologies for coming off so grouchy in this thread. I was just blowing off steam more or less.

I'd give Buck a chance to fix it - their CS has always been good. Despite the consistency issues I've read about, I've bought 5 Vantages (Select and Pro) at different times with no problems on any of them.

Good call. Everything about the small Vantage is great; size, weight, clip, blade shape & length... I just found a local shop selling the small Pro so hopefully I can stop in and pick one up soon.

 

[skyhorse]

An interesting video shows sharpening process by hand.
[video=youtube;45SZHgudMzE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45SZHgudMzE&NR=1&feature=endscreen[/video]

 

[d0nut]

Just got this reply from the seller, this seems fair.

I am so sorry! It sounds like you received an item with a manufacturing defect. We will send you a prepaid UPS label for you to return for a full refund or a new one if we have one in stock (it comes as an email from UPS). Please let us know which plan of action works best for you (replacement or refund), and we will take care of it. Again, sorry for the issue and thank you.

- u*************

I have been in correspondence with Jeff @ Buck and he is handling the issue internally. I will be sending it back to him for replacement. This is more than satisfactory and makes me feel good about Buck's commitment to quality.

 

[st8yd]

Impressive!

 

[st8yd]

All edging is done by hand, No jigs. Some operators can do 1500-2000 knives a day.
Jeff
QA Manager
Buck

WOW!
I wouldn't have thought one could pick up that many knives, one at a time, in a day.

 

[oregon]

Wouldn't that be in direct conflict with the forum rules against naming retailers who aren't advertisers on the site? (anti-deal spotting?

Why are you protecting the vendor pinnah? Are you part of the problem or solution? The g b & u is made for sorting out the good from the bad & the ugly & putting bad actors in the light. You might consider visiting the g b & u in order to inform yourself. If they are selling Blems w/o disclosure why would you not want that fact known?

"Forum: FEEDBACK: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly!

This is your area to tell about your experiences (Good or Bad) with dealers, sellers, and individuals you've bought, sold, and traded with."


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/699-FEEDBACK-The-Good-The-Bad-The-Ugly!

 

[pinnah]

Oregon, I'm in no way protecting anybody. Just unclear on how the well stated and often repeated guidance against naming vendors would be applied. I recall participating in a thread last year regarding the disappearance of Buck in the shelves of some brick and mortar retailers and being warned about discussing them by name.

FWIW, I'm all in favor of naming names, but it's not my forum and not my rules. The mods are always right. Just don't understand the rules on this one.

 

[pinnah]

Double post deleted