Got told day before that we were going to a b-day party for a nephew.
He works in the (light) trades and fishes. We discussed just getting him a gift card for a big box fishing/hunting store but I suggested I get him a knife. My wife agreed as it was more "personal".
I didn't have any of my own modified preferred traditional knives laying around (not Buck) and I figured that being a young guy, he would prefer something more modern looking.
So I trotted down to my local *Mart store and got him a Slimline.
He was very happy with the gift and he's not a knife knut so as far as the gift thing went, it went well enough I guess. He's happy and I suspect the knife will be serviceable for a long enough period that he won't think less of me for it.
But towards the end of party, I asked him if I could see it (since it's sold in bubble pack it's impossible to inspect ahead of time).
WOW is all I can say. I've handled a good number of lock backs in my day but never, ever have I seen a sloppier one. The blade had a ton and I mean a ton of vertical play. The lock bar bounced up and down like a trampoline and the even the nice big pivot rivet/pin thing moved up and down visibly in the frame.
Yes, I know I theoretically "could" inspect the knife before buying it but a) the *Mart store could barely find the time to unlock the case for me, much less let me cut open and inspect the items before buying them and b) I'm busy and was rushed and really have an expectation that I can buy an item like this uninspected.
And yes, I know I could return it to the vendor but a) my nephew won't be disappointed too much and I certainly wasn't going to be a bummer to him by telling him the knife I just gave him was junk and b) I have no expectation that any of the others at *Mart were going to be any better.
And yes, I suppose I could take back the gift from my nephew and send it to Buck but at this point, it's just not worth the time or postage. There are other brands that offer better modern folders in this price point.
You know, I told myself I would steer clear of Buck and for the sake of old memories, I gave them another try. Will be a very, very, very long time before I try another.
Seriously Buck, your stuff is weak.
He works in the (light) trades and fishes. We discussed just getting him a gift card for a big box fishing/hunting store but I suggested I get him a knife. My wife agreed as it was more "personal".
I didn't have any of my own modified preferred traditional knives laying around (not Buck) and I figured that being a young guy, he would prefer something more modern looking.
So I trotted down to my local *Mart store and got him a Slimline.
He was very happy with the gift and he's not a knife knut so as far as the gift thing went, it went well enough I guess. He's happy and I suspect the knife will be serviceable for a long enough period that he won't think less of me for it.
But towards the end of party, I asked him if I could see it (since it's sold in bubble pack it's impossible to inspect ahead of time).
WOW is all I can say. I've handled a good number of lock backs in my day but never, ever have I seen a sloppier one. The blade had a ton and I mean a ton of vertical play. The lock bar bounced up and down like a trampoline and the even the nice big pivot rivet/pin thing moved up and down visibly in the frame.
Yes, I know I theoretically "could" inspect the knife before buying it but a) the *Mart store could barely find the time to unlock the case for me, much less let me cut open and inspect the items before buying them and b) I'm busy and was rushed and really have an expectation that I can buy an item like this uninspected.
And yes, I know I could return it to the vendor but a) my nephew won't be disappointed too much and I certainly wasn't going to be a bummer to him by telling him the knife I just gave him was junk and b) I have no expectation that any of the others at *Mart were going to be any better.
And yes, I suppose I could take back the gift from my nephew and send it to Buck but at this point, it's just not worth the time or postage. There are other brands that offer better modern folders in this price point.
You know, I told myself I would steer clear of Buck and for the sake of old memories, I gave them another try. Will be a very, very, very long time before I try another.
Seriously Buck, your stuff is weak.
