Custom knife rec'd after 1.5yr. wait- NOT up to expectations! What to do??

C

creek

Joined
Apr 9, 2000
Messages
17
I recently got a custom piece from a very well known maker, after a very long wait.
The finish and fit on is fine, excellent actually, overall. But here's the rub (literally): the blade scratches against the liner near the tip when it is opened or closed ! urg. It already has a thin vertical line on the blade from just a few openings...

I have contacted the maker, but he says he canNOT adjust it...He has, however, offered to give me a full refund, and I am debating what to do. After the wait for this, one part of me says keep it...but another says paying close to 600 bucks on an imperfect knife is not worth it.

Just wondering what all of you would do...Would this rubbing against the liner turn you off?

I'd love to hear what all of you think.

Thanks!
 
I would send the knife back for the refund that was offered. I know that if I kept the knife the fact that it was not up to my expectations would start to drive me crazy. it is a shame to wait that long and be disappointed, but things like that happen. The real shame in this is that it can't just go back to the maker for an adjustment and polish. Too bad.
 
Creek, Keith is right, send it back to the maker if you are not happy for the refund he offered. It seems frustrating, but your happiness would be better for both you and the maker.
 
I don't know any maker that would not take the knife back either for repair, replacement or refund as long as the knife has not been abused. Give the maker a call and arrange to return the knife.
 
I would send it back . The blade should sit well centered on such an exspensive knife . I don't understand why the maker can't adjust the blade or is it that they just don't want to . Rest assured for my $600.00 it would be right or going home to poppa . Good luck .

Jerry
 
I rcv'd a pretty expensive folder a while back that had the very same problem. I carefully tightened the pivot pin, and the rub was gone.

AL
 
The maker has been honorable and offered a full refund. I would return it and either get a new blade (if the wait is not too long) or get your money back.

That is too expensive a knife to keep with a misaligned blade.
 
A Maker who would NOT take a knife back with his Name stamped on it? That, in and of it's self is not what I would EXPECT of someone who puts 200% of themselves into each knife he makes. He REALLY needs to reconsider his decision to NOT make you happy. Especially if the knife has not been abused and the problem is purely related to something a knife-Maker did or did not do correctly.

BUT, if he continues to REFUSE to make it Priority one to make you very happy with your new knife, I say that your only option is to return it. You will never be happy, and never be able to sell/trade it for a fair price AFTER informing a potential buyer of this problem.

The Maker really needs to MAKE this right IMHO...........wolf
 
for your input. There seems to be unanimity on this one !

I'm going to send it back. Hope the rest of the transaction goes well...

Just curious- should correct alignment be considered "par" for the course or is it something that's not as common as it should be? I ask because at the few shows that I've been to, I've seen a number with blades off or even against the liner... Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong makers.
 
In my opinion the blade should be in the center of the liners . There should be absolutely no rub at all . I mean you can by a $30.00 knife with a centered blade , surely for what a custom cost this should be at least basic minimum . Just my thoughts .


:rolleyes: :confused:
 
If you are desperate to keep it and tightening the pivot didn't work then bend the chassis slightly to accept the blade. Dodgy practice and nowhere near good enough...
 
It's in the "tactical" style, but there is no exposed pivot screw in the bolster... I'm now what this type of construction is called, but it's all contained and flush with the bolster.

I appreciate the suggestion though!
As for trying to bend the frame into shape... oooh., I don't know if I'd want to try that.
 
Yer right, it's not a great idea. BTW, is the blade double or chisel ground?
 
A $600 knife where the blade rubs the liner? And it can't be fixed? Somebody's pulling your leg. Send that knife back.
 
I've had one or two similar experiences over the years, surprisingly enough, and I've dealt with them in different ways. I think I know better now. It should go back.
If tightening the pivot didn't work, there is someting wrong and it's not up to you to fix the knife. This knife will be a neverending source of aggravation and bitterness if you aren't happy with it, and for that money a custom from a good maker should be superior to a production, at the least.If it's inferior, the maker shouldn't expect you to take it; if it isn't, he should have no trouble in reselling it.
Be polite, of course, but send it back.
 
Somebody is BSing somebody. I can't tell you what to do, but I'd call him on it. My guess would be that over the year and a half you've been waiting his prices may have gone up. If you send the knife back he makes the adjustment and sells it to the next guy for more. If I really wanted to keep the knife I'd talk to another maker about making the adjustment, since the original maker can't. Then I would post a picture of the knife, (probably For Sale) and share this story again about how the original maker couldn't adjust his own knife.

Maybe his wait wouldn't be so long after that and he'll learn how to take care of a customer.
 
I have 2 custom folders (Not quite in that price range), and both needed adjustment (AFTER a week or two - NOT the day I got them). Both makers said "Send'em back, I'll fix it"

Instead, I had one of the makers (Jeff Hall - Hi Jeff) talk me through the adjustment - it's never need to be touched since

The other maker noticed it at the NY Knife show last November, and I haven't had time to send it back - I just adjusted it myself, and it works fine - it wasn't even touching, just off center. I took it out at his table, and he was upset that it wasn't right, but didn't have tools there

Get the maker to fix it
 
The maker can and should fix your knife - to include refinishing the new scratch on the blade. Don't know why he would say he can't since he built it to begin with. While some makers Locktite their pivot screws, others do not. This way the customer can adjust the "action" to his/her liking. Charlie (Hi Back!) successfully adjusted his knife (see above), but I only suggested it after he told me he was a talented tinkerer.
 
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