Hi Robert
I don't feel you need to worry about our QC. I'm unsure if you're expecting perfection, if that is the case certainly we're doomed to fail in your eyes. Product can leave the factory with issues, some of it with obvious issues. While we wish we could be spot on in every occasion, it unfortunately is just not going to happen.
I don't expect perfection. I do a lot of trim carpentry work, some cabinet building, and lot of different hand work including custom finishing. I understand that even as long as I have been doing this work (almost 40 years!) my next job that I turn out perfect work will be my first. As you said, it just doesn't happen. I don't turn out perfection, and don't expect others to, either.
I was simply expressing my concern, that's all. I have watched as company after company (not just knives - ALL of my tool companies) have fallen victim to the bottom line. I never said Kershaw did, and I don't believe it has. But years ago, had anyone, ever, told me that CASE would have so many QC problems I would have never believed it. Likewise, I was in Bass Pros Shops looking for a medium stockman for my BIL for Christmas. They had the "Chuck Buck Signature Serie" knives there. I looked at three, and all three had the kicks cut too far on the spey blade, and you couldn't get your finger in the nail nick to open it. The blade was buried in the folder case. Problems with three Bucks in a row; and on the Signature Series, no less. That hurt.
Again, I was just expressing concern, and I hope you don't read too much into it. To me, Kershaw is about the last bastion of great knife making where you can have for a very fair to excellent price for a really nice product. While I don't consider myself a fanboy at all, I do love the products. I have higher end knives like the Shallot in S110, the G10 Tyrade, the JYDII combo, etc., all the way down to the humble Crown. I liked those enough I bought four of them to use and a couple to give as gifts down the road.
If forum threads with Kai produced products with warranty issues are your measuring stick in judging our QC Dept., perhaps a step back and look at the big picture is in order for you here. The percentage of issues vs. production is around 1% as of today. Again, we wish it were less, but don't feel we need to be labeled poorly because of it. Try to keep from letting threads skew big picture perspective.
Haven't taken my eye off the ball. Your quality is usually so high that it is your own undoing. Everyone expects a nearly perfect Kershaw every time. Me, included. In all the Kershaws I have purchased, I have only had one that had a small issue. The JYDII had the G10 piece sticking proud of the liners by a little less than a millimeter. 10 minutes with a piece of sandpaper and it was fixed. All others came to me with all aspects of the knife in good order.
Kershaw IS the last folding knife company that I will purchase over the internet, sight unseen. It is the only knife I recommend to my construction buddies to purchase. Not only is my confidence in the product extremely high, but Kershaw's exemplary customer service speaks for itself. That being said, I have never had to use it. I am sure we both like it that way!
I think it would be disingenuous of those that frequent any product specific site (whether knives, guns, woodworking tools, etc.) to say that they aren't influenced by negative reviews or folks with concerns about their purchases. One of the reasons we frequent these sites is to get performance reviews, product reviews, suggestions, and reports back from users of certain products. As they are influenced by negative reviews, no doubt they are also influenced by great reviews. With that in mind, I don't really see that you have much to worry about with me expressing my concerns in context with the other knife company I referenced. For me, I have no concerns about purchasing or recommending Kersahw products and will keep on doing so.
I guess I'm confused, who's out what, and who got screwed?
That is out of context. It was simply hyperbole to draw attention to the fact that while some are disappointed in their purchase and have knives that need some help, there is always someone ready to jump up and say they have such and such knife and they NEVER have had any problems. In off forum conversations with other members, they have noticed these responses as well. I seems that some feel that if you have a problem, it is probably your fault. Did you expect too much? Are you using the knife correctly? Did you realize this knife isn't a safe queen, but a real manly user? After all, if
they haven't ever had any problems, how could you? Reading other subforums on this site where the fanboys rule will give you plenty of examples of that behavior.
I don't understand it, probably just a personal shortcoming.
That notwithstanding, I am still 100% on Kershaw.
Robert
