Buck Custom Shop -- not impressed

Badhammer said:
I've not seen anything regarding the Buck Custom Shoppe that would suggest the knives are intentionally assembled with a higher degree of attention to detail. Take the 110 Hunter for example. What you are getting (at least with regard to the brass frame version) is a standard Buck 110 with a none standard set of scales and a different blade. I would wager that the only reason they are made in the Custom Shoppe is because making a customer spec knife on the main assembly line would just slow things down.

Do you get better fit and finish? Maybe however I would again wager that it's just like in the main assembly line in that the person building the knife works to a general set of standards and any special attention is based more on how much they have on their plate that day rather than a higher standard because it's being built off the main line. In fact if you were to buy standard 110 and a Custom Shoppe 110 with just oak or walnut scales off the Buck website you'd pay a few bucks less for the Custom Shoppe models, $78.50 versus $80.00. What the CS really offers in a "made to order" knife rather than a true custom.
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Well, that seems consistent with my experience.
 
I would send it back... That's just me... If it came from a Big Box store, I wouldn't care...

:)
 
My experience with machine made vs hand made things is that machine made is more consistent. That might mean consistently good or consistenly bad, depending a lot on design and materials used. For example, Victorinox consistenly produces knives with soft steel and flimsy, easily broken plastic scales. They are, at least, consistent.

Handmade stuff can vary wildly. It may mean Boye-like perfection or it could mean junk. The problem facing handmade producers is sunk costs and talented labor. If they mess up something, it's costly in terms of labor to fix. We've seen this struggle with Queen and Canal Street, no?

My hope for Buck is that they can fully integrate their "custom" offerings with their standard production process. Ideally, a custom 110/112 should be able to produced using the same exact machines using the same processes achieving the same exact consistency. This may require an investment in process and manufacturing engineering.

If they stick with more manual processes out of the custom shop, they face stiff competition from GEC at that price point. In the traditional forum, I suspect that most GEC fans would find those bolsters to be sub-par and would return the knife.
 
I agree,if you are not happy ,send it back with detailed information on what you would like fixed,and Buck will take care of it no questions asked,give it a try ,no need keeping a knife you are not happy with because it won't make you happy my friend.
 
There is about a 50/50 response on this thread, Blee, to your question. Some have waffled, but all agree that you should return the knife if it's going to be a looker/handler and not a user and you will not be satisfied with its current condition. The famed Buck guarantee includes situations like yours and Buck will be able to sell this knife at some point down the road. They may be happy to get your feedback.

Write them a note, cite the two or three blemishes you don't like, ship it, and get the knife you want. Buck won't bat an eye and you'll be happy. And Buck will be happy that you're happy. Go for it!

Zieg
 
Thanks for your input, everyone. On the suggestions of Razorblades and Zieg (and others), I've decided to contact Buck about this. I sent them an email describing the issue and pointed them to this thread, and I'll report back if anything develops.
 
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I can give opinion but let me say first I have never ordered a knife from the Custom Shop. But, I have seen several hundred, both in photos and in hand. I think the supervisor of the Custom Shop would say for you to send it in with descriptions of your problems or dislikes and they will check it out. That's the definition of Custom, a level close to perfect if not perfect.
If you are unhappy you have to let them know and let them see, then there response will give indications to you and to readers here what they might expect if they ordered a Custom in Oak. I will bet money that Buck will make you happy in the end. Sure you could 'get by with it' but you should tell them if the Oak scales don't appear in hand as they do in the CS ordering photos. It's a Buck *Custom* after all...... 300

PS. And don't feel guilty about sending it back, if you get a new one they will probably put this one in the factory store and one of the guys that live up there will sneak in and buy it.
 
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I purchased a Custom 110 with Buffalo Horn (pinned handles). It arrived with one side of the Buffalo Horn pulling up from the back at one end and also away from the bolster a little. Natural material, I get it. I tried to live with it, but in the end I couldn't. I set it aside, thought about it often and pulled it out to look at it once in a while. I guess I thought it would fix itself. Well, it took my lazy butt about 9 months, but I finally packed it up and shipped it off. It came back fixed and I absolutely love it.

I guess the moral to the story is never horse around, if it bothers you send it back. They will make it right!
 
I'm glad things turned out well for you, BuckShack. :thumbup:

Thanks for your comments, 300Bucks.
 
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Send it back, there's no reason for a knife in the GEC price range, and from Buck's custom shop to arrive anything less than perfect. I know it's subjective, but when a company like GEC can put together a production slipjoint in the manner that they do, Buck's QC department should certainly do a better job on the customs that they put together.

I like to carry my knives so it would bug me to order a knife...wait 4-6 weeks, receive it, and then realize that it has to go back and wait yet another 4-6 weeks for them to make it right.
 
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Can someone explain to me what a "dished bolster" is? It's hard to see what is going on in the pics that were posted.
 
blee said:
The face of the bolster is not flat, but concave.
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Ah yes I could see how that could bother some of us. I have picked up a few 110's over the years and have two standard models from 2014 (50th Anniversary ed.) That was the first year I noticed an off bolster, or dished bolster as has been explained. My first 2014 110 was perfect. The 2nd one had a dished bolster on both sides and the emblem on the scale was set too deep. You can feel it when you run your finger or thumb over it. I still have it and it does bother me a little but I live with it. Now from the custom shop I would find it unacceptable. Some of those custom 110's can run over $200+ and I would think that you are not just paying for premium materials but also attention to detail.
 
I noticed Christiantrvor posted pics of his new custom shop 110 and and his knife also has the same dishing, but not one of the people commenting mentioned it. It seems to be not something that bothers most people, and is probably how it comes from the custom shop.

Thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1411365-Custom-Shop-NS-110-Drop-Point-G10

I haven't received any reply from Buck to the warranty inquiry I emailed on July 3. I followed up on July 7 with a phone call to customer service. Robert took my call, and he was a very nice guy and pleasant to deal with. I forwarded the email to him and he checked out this thread. He said he would send the info to the quality control manager, as he would be the person to decide. It's been 5 days now, and no one has contacted me.
 





Blee,

These are my G10 and Buffalo Custom Shop 110's. They are not perfectly flat as you pointed out but I think it's because they were hand polished. I hope you are contacted soon and the issue on your Custom Shop knife is resolved for you quickly.
 
They are short one service person. You may have to get back to them. These guys are great but also human. If you want send it to me and I can get to Joe houser. I live 5 miles away from factory. It would be no problem.
 
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