Chris has left.....quality is down a bit.

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I could understand a generic statement of "quality is slipping", and if it was backed up by fact.... but it does not site personal experience with issues, or any specific issues, and then tying it to Chris not being involved.... hmmm. Feels like it could live under a bridge.

Would think you could go into almost any makers forum on BF and make a generic statement of seems quality is slipping because "Sal is not as involved as be used to be...", or "since Chuck Buck passed" or "Jerry is partying too much"....etc.
 
Personally I didn't noticed any difference in quality or f&f between the knives produced before and after Chris has left the company. Now I've got an Inkosi and everything is just perfect as always.
I saw a couple more and it was the same... but it's just me ;)
 
I think threads like this get started out of boredom. They definitely don't get started due to perspective and keen observation. As has already been stated, the company is producing more knives than ever. That means more opportunities for mistakes. It also means more owners than ever. In 2017, we all have more information at our fingertips than we have ever had before and we also have the ability to communicate with anywhere from tens to thousands of people instantly. It also seems like people are more willing to gripe on the internet than actually consider that companies are made up of human employees and humans will make mistakes. So, instead of calling a company and resolving an issue privately, they jump on the forums or facebook or wherever and start a thread. Sometimes these threads can be good at educating other members about problems, causes and solutions, but often times these threads reveal someone who is happy to hide behind a keyboard and gripe, rather than work with the manufacturer to resolve the problem.
So now Chris is gone. Big damn deal. He was gone for a few years before the customers ever knew. I can't recall seeing a SINGLE thread, before we all knew, from somebody saying, "Hey, it seems like there are a lot of problem lately, I wonder if Chris is still with the company." Not one. Ever. But now everyone knows that he's isn't with the company, so we get crap threads like this. Blade Magazine awarded Anne and her team at CRK the manufacturing quality award at Blade Show in 2016. Remember that? It was less than a year ago.
There isn't a manufacturer out there than produces a perfect product every single time. There will be problems with products, even on high end products from the best of manufacturers. Also, CEO's and owners retire all the time and companies continue to make quality products. I'd almost be willing to bet that CRK gets less warranty work now than they did 10 years, as a percentage based on knives produced.
From my own experience in buying knives direct from CRK or their dealers, they are as good as it gets when it comes to producing a quality product. I've had small issues before, but I always just address those issues with the staff at CRK, and they are always taken care of.
 
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I think in general, we have seen a great level of improvement at CRK recently. That speaks to me of a company still innovating and striving to be better and pursue customer satisfaction. A few things that come to mind:

-We have seen a long asked-for hardness increase on the folders
-We have seen the launch of the Inkosi. A fantastic, beautiful, and well-received design that improves upon the 25. People have been loving this knife, including the inlay design.
-We have seen the Large inkosi washers modified to close-off the holes when the knife is in pocket.
-We have seen a reboot of the website, including web store for parts.
-We have seen the military knives offered without serrations.
-We have seen amazing new CGG graphics for the 21, including the new Lazer-etch process.
-We have seen the introduction of the annual Ti-Lock offering.
-We have seen incredible new woods offered for inlays
-The things that make CRK special (UGs, Spa Treatments, no-nonsense warranty) remain.

I think, in general, things are going in a positive direction. If a few mishaps escape the eyes of quality control, that is certainly regrettable, but I do not think it speaks to the overall direction of the company. CRK is, in my mind, stronger than ever.
 
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Sounds to me like there has only been a few reports of errors and it might seem like alot because we are used to CRKs consistent perfection.
If we could see how many knives were made just fine vs ones with errors i think you would find the percentage of errors are miniscule.

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Yes, wouldn't it be nice if we could all take a break from this nasty business of being human to be the perfectionist that everyone expects us to be?

In the end, I would hope to have people cut me some slack when I need it, because it's really really hard to be perfect.
 
I read an article a few years back about the breed of dogs that have bitten people the most. Of all the breeds, the Labrador Retriever was the one with the most recorded bites to humans.
Why, because people own labs more than any other breed of dog.

I've seen more CRK owners in the last year than in previous years, mainly here on this forum. That ought to tell you something. You know, I've read in the past that CRK isn't keeping up with the times and that they need to change the way they are doing things. Well, guess what, they're changing things for the good. As Cody pointed out some of the changes that have already been made, for the better.
If you think about the increased production verses the number of complaints, I would guess that the percentage is slightly lower.

Now, you want to talk about a CRK that is a hair width off center because it's a 400.00 knife and for that kind of money, it should be perfect. Let me tell you about a 400.00 knife I bought that sat in the safe for about a year unused and when I got it out to sell it, the blade was touching the frame. Sent it in and got it back still off center bad, but not touching the frame with a note that said, "This is the best we could do.".......... I'll take a CRK any day.
 
I have 61 CRK's currently and see no difference in quality between 2017 versions and 2012 versions of the same model. It's a small sample but just like everything else, problems will always receive more attention than the majority of those produced.
 
Not even worth the time. Maybe somebody can get Nick Shabazz to do a video about how quality is dropping in CRKs like he did for Benchmade so we will all know it's true...
 
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Here are a few tips;

If you have an opinion, someone has the polar opposite opinion.
Don't be surprised when they express that opinion in the opposition.
Don't use memes in place of intelligent conversation.

Keep on topic or I will close the thread. The topic is on page 1 for those that may have forgotten.
Discuss the topic and not each other.

The chicklet machine is warming up
 
bhyde said:
Here are a few tips;

If you have an opinion, someone has the polar opposite opinion.
Don't be surprised when they express that opinion in the opposition.
Don't use memes in place of intelligent conversation.

Keep on topic or I will close the thread. The topic is on page 1 for those that may have forgotten.
Discuss the topic and not each other.

The chicklet machine is warming up
Click to expand...

Yes, dear. :)
 
Ajack60 said:
I read an article a few years back about the breed of dogs that have bitten people the most. Of all the breeds, the Labrador Retriever was the one with the most recorded bites to humans.
Why, because people own labs more than any other breed of dog.

I've seen more CRK owners in the last year than in previous years, mainly here on this forum. That ought to tell you something. You know, I've read in the past that CRK isn't keeping up with the times and that they need to change the way they are doing things. Well, guess what, they're changing things for the good. As Cody pointed out some of the changes that have already been made, for the better.
If you think about the increased production verses the number of complaints, I would guess that the percentage is slightly lower.

Now, you want to talk about a CRK that is a hair width off center because it's a 400.00 knife and for that kind of money, it should be perfect. Let me tell you about a 400.00 knife I bought that sat in the safe for about a year unused and when I got it out to sell it, the blade was touching the frame. Sent it in and got it back still off center bad, but not touching the frame with a note that said, "This is the best we could do.".......... I'll take a CRK any day.
Click to expand...

I'm curious which knife company that was. PM me if you insist on keeping it quiet.
 
Lone_Wolfe said:
I'm still trying to figure out what the Lone Range is..... :confused:
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I think it's a couple of lone mountains standing by themselves, talking about how the quality of the weather has really declined since Jesus left.

Just to be on topic, I wonder if the guys who have been having trouble have contacted CRK to get their knives fixed up?
 
pwrdbycotn said:
I think it's a couple of lone mountains standing by themselves, talking about how the quality of the weather has really declined since Jesus left.

Just to be on topic, I wonder if the guys who have been having trouble have contacted CRK to get their knives fixed up?
Click to expand...

efcfc3b8818253068fd7d1505d81b413a5c3e2fda00b36909c0bb739781d0b61.jpg
 
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