Best knife warranties

C

Corny9

Joined
Jul 26, 2013
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Which knife companies have the best warranties specifically on folding knives? For example if the tip breaks or the lock gives out.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Buck's warranty service is outstanding, one of the best in the business.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. A "forever" warranty that means what it says. I used the warranty when a Buck 501 that I bought back in the late '70s, early '80s (can't remember exactly) needed some work. I had used it extensively as one of only two EDCs that I had back then and it saw real work. I retired it and then "re-found" it again a few months ago. Noticed some blade wobble and sent it in. They not only fixed the wobble but sharpened it [Edit: actually, they replaced the blade] and gave it a free Spa treatment at no cost to me except for one-way shipping.

There are other good warranty programs around, but none better IMHO.
 
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All the customer service / warranty departments I've dealt with have all seemed very accommodating. I've yet to encounter one that didn't make things right, and some even go above and beyond on non-warranty issues.

KAI - had minor lock rock on a knife, and they fixed it up, re-sharpened the blade, and did a general tune-up (wiped down the liners/pivot and lubed everything back up). They'll also send small parts (pocket clips, torsion bars, etc.) at no charge, even if they aren't part of a warranty claim (eg. I've mentioned I just wanted a couple spare clips to attempt mods).

Benchmade - haven't made a warranty claim, but I've requested almost half a dozen pocket clips (replacing the default painted ones with parkerized ones), and they've just sent those along without question.

Spyderco - had a knife where the pocket clip screws were a tad too long and tore up the washers. I had taken the knife apart (voiding the warranty) to see the damage. I contacted Spyderco, informed them I had disassembled the knife, and they still sent me new washers at no charge.

Leatherman - I've sent two back to them, both broken by my own fault (broke the blade tip on a Wave, and broke the pliers on a Squirt). In both cases, they just sent me a brand new replacement tool, no questions asked.

Gerber - had an old, heavily used and abused knife that had developed significant blade play. Sent it in to see if they could tighten it back up, and they sent me a brand new knife.
 
US Customer Services that I have dealt with from Thailand

Benchmade (790BK): Bought a replacement blade, came with a slight scratch on the spine, Benchmade sent a new blade free of charge. Also requested handle screws for 581 because I took it apart and stripped one of them, got a full set of all the screws sent to me free of charge.

Brous Blades (Reloader): Sent knife back when detention ball fell off and a pitted blade, got a new knife, but took almost two months to send it back to me

KAI (ZT0561): Found a blemish on the blade (small deep machine mark), was told not covered under their warranty

DPx Gear (Hest/f Milspec): Found a blemish on the back spacer, they are sending a prepaid box, (still ongoing claim)
 
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AG Russell. Where he Let's YOU decide what the warranty should cover.

Isn't owner transferable though But the original owner is covered for anything and everything they feel should be covered.
 
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+1 for KAI, they even offer to replace the blade for a very minimal fee, always willing to ship out little parts like screws and pocket clips free. Just a great company.
 
If esee comes out with a folder their no questions asked policy will in instantly. You could paint the knife pink and strap C4 to it and still get a warranty cover
 
Benchmade!!!!! I called asking for a replacement screw yesterday and the lady asked how my pocket clip was doing. So she threw that and a catalog in with the screws!! Simple but the small things like that make it good CS.
 
Benchmade.

Lifetime warranty with no charge for repair work. $25 blade replacement option. $5 sharpening fee usually waived. Ten-day turn around. Replacement mailed for free without issue, and parts mailed on a showing of good cause. Instant communication by phone and emails returned within the hour.

I sent in four knives for relatively minor repair work [275: vertical blade play; 940: horizontal play; 710: install steel barrel spacers; 950: reprofile blade to correct blunted tip]. I received all knives nine days later, with no charge for labor or shipping, in perfect condition. Impressed me so much that I intend to do a youtube video about it, haha.

Thoughts about others:

CRK: Excellent customer service, but higher fees than normal.
KAI: Excellent customer service, but terrible customer relations [see response to forum community and other critical commentary]
Spyderco: Solid customer service, but speed of repairs and scope limited due to smaller facility and family-owned business structure.
 
Opinel.


"But Opinel doesn't have a warranty program on their web site.", you say.

Correct.

But then I've never needed or wanted to make a warranty claim with their knives. I've worked my Opinels harder than any other knife I've owned. I actually wanted to not like them and wanted a reason to not use them. But I've yet to be able to get the joint to loosen. The round inner collar, and the comparatively thin, flexible blades that avoid concentrating stress at the join and finally, the camming action of the lock ring that takes out any slack, seem to make them nearly impervious to the problems that plague my other folders.

The carbon steel is insanely tough and nearly impossible to break out of the gate. A buddy of mine uses his to open paint cans regularly. Stupid but there you have it.

I've had great response with Buck's warranty department. Just stellar. Flip side is that I've had to call that in several time. I've switched to Opinels since.

Leatherman was responsive enough, but didn't correct the problem I sent them.


If anybody is insterested in trying an Opinel, I have one on a pass around. Try it from free. Post pics. Try to break it.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1097460-Opinel-Pass-Around-amp-Walk-About
 
benchmade just sent me some screws and a pocket clip no questions asked free of charge in less than a week. kai is also very good.
 
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Victorinox. The best warrantee in the business. If it has the Victorinox name on it, and something goes wrong, they replace it, if it can't be fixed. Not just knives either. Watches, luggage, whatever. My better half is from Texas, and she goes home often to see relatives, plus we have been traveling in our retirement. She had a Victorinox rolling suitcase for over ten years, and this thing had 100,000 miles on it form rolling through airports all over. One day, a wheel broke. She shipped it back to the Victorinox facility in Shelton Connecticut, and it was repaired and shipped back by Victorinox.

Can't beat that with a stick.
 
Strider. For the LIFE of the KNIFE. NO COST. FOREVER. I bought a broken tip (reground by some nut who sold it) and I finally ended up with it, due to bad sale photos. I sent it to Strider. They completely reground the blade to like new; tried to get out the old "epoxied" pivot with heat and finally drilled it out and replaced it with their new design of pivot. Knife is as new or better. Sent it back to me. NO COST. I've never seen a manufacturer that would come close to that.
Sonnydaze
 
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