Cleveland kydex company THE BAD

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codycash

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Bought a quick ship sheath for my Ontario SP46 and after 5 weeks It arrives. Looks like a 9yr olds first attempt at kydex. Sheath doesn't have enough length to be secure, no kydex above the blade like the little cardboard sleeve you get protecting a new knife In Its box. Zero retention, you can see that It was folded over the steel of the blade (none on the handle) and someone pinched the kydex with fingers and then put a jagged line of rivets up the side. No actual molding was done. Point knife up, slide sleeve over blade, tip knife down and voila the sheath falls on the ground. And the web site says that belt loops come standard with all sheaths but this came with absolutely no way to attach It. Not worth $5. Now they want me to ship this worthless thing back, but the shipping cost would be more than this thing Is actually worth. Unless they pay shipping. This gonna be my first custom type kydex knife sheath and I was so excited. What a waist
 
Questions:

Where did this deal take place?
Where did you first hear about this person?
Did you see any of their work prior to ordering?
Did you research them anywhere before committing to purchase?
 
Please don't let this experience sway you from wanting another kydex sheath. I've had dozens from several makers on this forum and they all have been excellent.

I would eat the shipping, return the sheath, and get your money back. Forget all about them and order from one of the respected kydex benders here on the forum. You may need to send your knife in for fitting but its worth the time and few extra bucks to have a proper sheath.

Feel free to contact me for information on some trusted sheath makers.

Rickft@bellsouth.net
 
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I joined the forum just for this purpose on this company. They have a chat service window you can ask questions to them., I verifed they say 3 day turn around and they are 12 days behind. I verified with cleveland kydex that in 15 days my sheath would be returned. They said yes. I shipped 11/06 and they received 11/08. I should be getting it back 11/24. 11/18 I recive and email my order was received 11/18. I immediately emailed and asked what was up and told them my timeline and they had verified it. They checked and agreed my timeline was right theirs was an error due to moving. 11/24 I email to verify my item is enroute, I get an email back my item was received 11/18. So I online chatted with them. LONG story their times are estimated, their times are working days, sent him where my timeline was verified by THEM 11/18. Was finally told BARRING FURTHER DELAYS my item SHOULD ship around 12/04 told them no send it back refund which they SAY they are doing. I do NOT deal with compnays who can't and won't keep thewir word and are dishonest about anything. I am now out 3 weeks looking for a sheath again.
CAUTION in dealing with cleveland kydex company and I did file a BBB complaint
 
gatorsnake said:
I joined the forum just for this purpose on this company. They have a chat service window you can ask questions to them., I verifed they say 3 day turn around and they are 12 days behind. I verified with cleveland kydex that in 15 days my sheath would be returned. They said yes. I shipped 11/06 and they received 11/08. I should be getting it back 11/24. 11/18 I recive and email my order was received 11/18. I immediately emailed and asked what was up and told them my timeline and they had verified it. They checked and agreed my timeline was right theirs was an error due to moving. 11/24 I email to verify my item is enroute, I get an email back my item was received 11/18. So I online chatted with them. LONG story their times are estimated, their times are working days, sent him where my timeline was verified by THEM 11/18. Was finally told BARRING FURTHER DELAYS my item SHOULD ship around 12/04 told them no send it back refund which they SAY they are doing. I do NOT deal with compnays who can't and won't keep thewir word and are dishonest about anything. I am now out 3 weeks looking for a sheath again.
CAUTION in dealing with cleveland kydex company and I did file a BBB complaint
Click to expand...

Well, you just did. Sorry you had this experience but you should have looked here first. There are many good kydex benders that are recommended here.
 
gatorsnake said:
I joined the forum just for this purpose on this company. They have a chat service window you can ask questions to them., I verifed they say 3 day turn around and they are 12 days behind. I verified with cleveland kydex that in 15 days my sheath would be returned. They said yes. I shipped 11/06 and they received 11/08. I should be getting it back 11/24. 11/18 I recive and email my order was received 11/18. I immediately emailed and asked what was up and told them my timeline and they had verified it. They checked and agreed my timeline was right theirs was an error due to moving. 11/24 I email to verify my item is enroute, I get an email back my item was received 11/18. So I online chatted with them. LONG story their times are estimated, their times are working days, sent him where my timeline was verified by THEM 11/18. Was finally told BARRING FURTHER DELAYS my item SHOULD ship around 12/04 told them no send it back refund which they SAY they are doing. I do NOT deal with compnays who can't and won't keep thewir word and are dishonest about anything. I am now out 3 weeks looking for a sheath again.
CAUTION in dealing with cleveland kydex company and I did file a BBB complaint
Click to expand...

No offense, but you seem like a peach to deal with. It's a kydex sheath man, it's not the end of the world. They cancelled your order, look for another maker here. Or, buy the supplies you need to make your own, it's not that hard.
 
UPDATE;
Yes I am a PEACH to deal with: when I am lied to
I am the type of person when you tell me 15 days it is 15 days, if you tell me six months no problem I will decide what to do.
It has to do with business integrity. Poor communication from a bad business.
I understand a busy business I do not understand fraudulant business practices
this is my final update as well as final post:
I hope maybe it helps someone before they decide to use this company

I asked they post this on their website as my evaluation of cleveland kydex



11/05 verified timeline with online represenative of turn around being THREE days and the shop is behind TWELVE days FIFTEEN days total

placed order 4736 paid $47.82 through paypal

11/06 shipped knife usps priority cost $6.00

11/08 knife received timline begins

11/18 received and email knife was received

I IMMEDIATELY emailed and said my knife was received 11/08 NOT 11/18 and your time line is 15 days that means ship back to me 11/23

I was emailed back

"Yes sir. It is correct that the lead time starts from when we received the item, and this was 11/08. That is correct. We are still working through some transitions in our new space. The item will not be delayed because of this."

11/25 I gave extra time and emailed wanting my confirmation number on my return. I was then told my item MAY be ready 12/04 IF there were no more delays. EVEN counting WORKDAYS 12/04 was PAST the contract of fifteen days to complete and return. No apologies, no discount no let us work with you, NOPE here is your refund through paypal and your item will be returned ASAP. which did NOT happen.

BBB complaint filed #10321435

IRS notified of business standings

this business is run from a UPS store front

11/28 email for return usps confiirmation number email response time of year is busy again no apologies

112/01 email sent asking for my knife return

12/02 email sent asking for my return

then given a usps confirmation number that was NOT shipped

12/03 emails sent, online sent a message, I am contacting postal inspector and state attorney general for fraud

AFTER email was sent THEN the return was mailed

12/05 return received my box was not even opened

incompetance and attempted fraud at the most severe level

IN MY OPINION
 
I am getting the same run around from them. Order placed 11/08/14 website said 3 day turnaround. Week passed and I inquired on their "chat" and they said "we are currently running 12 days behind" with attitude. A month passes and still shows it is in "fabrication" stage as it has been for over a week. Last time I checked, Kydex didn't take that long to cool and finish. Contacted them again on their "chat" and was RUDELY "Banned" when I told them I just wanted to be dealt with "honestly". If it is going to take 2 months just tell me that. But if you say 12 business days...then don't get mad when I ask where my product is.

How do I contact the BBB?
 
Unless you know they're a member contacting the BBB isn't worth your time or effort. They have zero enforcement capabilities. Even if they are a member, the only recourse they have at their disposal is cancelling the membership.
 
I was asked to reply with an update. BBB in Cleveland ohio DID finally get a generic response from Cleveland Kydex. Cleveland Kydex is now listed for review with the BBB. It DOES pay off to contact the BBB even when they are not BBB accredited. It gives other potential customers a heads up. The IRS was also very intrested as there was no information with them about this business. This business is also run from a UPS drop store.
I would also like to emphasize as with member Jdschooler it was NOT so much the time frame it was the hostility which I was met with. I do NOT deal with businesses who do such and I complain when I do.
I would also like to suggest to those who would like to do so: they can post reviews of Cleveland Kydex on
findthecompany.com.

On another kydex note: I emailed SIXTEEN yes SIXTEEN different kydex knife makers during this time period. NOT ONE responded. I am done with these "garage based" companys.

thanks for your interest in this matter: these unreliable businesses need to be shut down by the customers NOT being customers any longer
 
Despite this thread, I ordered a sheath from Cleveland Kydex for my Becker BK-7 ($50 shipped). Received it in just under three weeks 'quick-ship' because they have this model in stock. The material is thick enough for my needs. The ACU camo pattern is reasonably attractive, and they got the gunmetal grey rivets right. The standard belt loop attachment carries a little high, but acceptable. (I don't need a tie-down cord like with the cheap nylon Becker sheath it came with.) My biggest complaint is that the fit is TOO TIGHT! I can't get the knife out with one hand. It takes two hands and a lot of effort to get it out of the sheath. I was surprised, because a common complaint with Kydex is that it's too loose and falls out. I could sky-dive, scuba-dive, and muff-dive with this thing and it would still take two hands and five minutes to get the knife out of the sheath. Will it loosen up over time? Will mineral oil lube help? I hope so. Next time I will try Red Hill or someone with a better reputation. At least I got what I ordered.
 
DexterH2o said:
Despite this thread, I ordered a sheath from Cleveland Kydex for my Becker BK-7 ($50 shipped). Received it in just under three weeks 'quick-ship' because they have this model in stock. The material is thick enough for my needs. The ACU camo pattern is reasonably attractive, and they got the gunmetal grey rivets right. The standard belt loop attachment carries a little high, but acceptable. (I don't need a tie-down cord like with the cheap nylon Becker sheath it came with.) My biggest complaint is that the fit is TOO TIGHT! I can't get the knife out with one hand. It takes two hands and a lot of effort to get it out of the sheath. I was surprised, because a common complaint with Kydex is that it's too loose and falls out. I could sky-dive, scuba-dive, and muff-dive with this thing and it would still take two hands and five minutes to get the knife out of the sheath. Will it loosen up over time? Will mineral oil lube help? I hope so. Next time I will try Red Hill or someone with a better reputation. At least I got what I ordered.
Click to expand...

It's going to need to be refitted more than likely with some heat and someone who knows what they're doing. It shouldn't loosen over time. The mineral oil may help a little but it sounds like the kydex is too tight at the hilt. It may be too tight and rubbing on the blade and the oil may help a little but that is usually not where retention issues come up.
 
I just realized I bought the micarta handles for my BK7. Cleveland Kydex probably used the standard plastic handles to mold it. No wonder it's too tight.
 
The BK-7 sheath did loosen up. I can draw it with one hand. I hate to be contrary (Ppfftt!), but if you are willing to wait a little longer in order to spend a little less, Cleveland Kydex is at least an option: kind of the Wal-Mart of knife sheaths, not The Great Satan of internet stores.
 
DexterH2o said:
The BK-7 sheath did loosen up. I can draw it with one hand. I hate to be contrary (Ppfftt!), but if you are willing to wait a little longer in order to spend a little less, Cleveland Kydex is at least an option: kind of the Wal-Mart of knife sheaths, not The Great Satan of internet stores.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't even take the risk when there are so many excellent makers and dealers here that support our community :thumbup:
 
craytab said:
I wouldn't even take the risk when there are so many excellent makers and dealers here that support our community :thumbup:
Click to expand...

This 100%... :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Azwelke and David Brown are two that come to mind for me. :thumbup::cool:
 
I have dealt with these scammers. They will argue, lie and and do whatever they can to assume no responsibility. They will say you are confused. One thing is for sure Cleveland Kydex is a bad company!!!
 
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