Customizing my Reif Matrix

N

NCBlades

Joined
Mar 9, 2000
Messages
1,162
I got a Dale Reif Matrix like Les Robertson sells on his site a few weeks ago and was really looking forward to receiving it. First off I want to say I love the style, function and fit of this knife, Dale did a great job in the design. When I got it I noticed the carbon fiber that was inlayed in the handle looked sort of funny. It looks alot like the little neck sheath I carry my Spyderco Mouse in. Well, I took the knife apart and it is some kind of plastic that is painted like carbon fiber. I couldn't believe it. Anyway, today I took some scrap carbon fiber that I bought off of Ebay and replaced them. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself. Here are some links to before and after pics:
Before
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1526731&a=11555267&p=48183012

After
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1526731&a=11555267&p=48980645

Closer pic:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1526731&a=11555267&p=48980638

Pic of the fake carbon fiber:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1526731&a=11555267&p=48980761

The knife looked great before I did this but I like the real stuff better.
michael
biggrin.gif


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"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Heb. 4:12

Usual Suspect
Its an Emerson thing. You wouldn't understand.

My Emerson collection:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1526731&a=12341786

[This message has been edited by NCBlades (edited 05-22-2001).]
 
Painted like CF or is it a plastic core witha CF overlay? Either way, it looks NASTY and you done good to replace it.
smile.gif
 
I have one of the Matrix prototypes with pearl underlay. I have already sent it back for some QC problems. The underlay rattles every time the knife is moved. It may be suffering from the same problem as yours. I will be interested in comparing notes when we meet at Blade.
David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
Putting a piece of plastic that is either fake carbon fiber, or a laminate of carbon fiber is more than a QC issue! IMHO, that is an ethical issue. Your repair looks extremely nice, by the way.
 
Hey Guys, thanks for the comments.

Dale just emailed me and told me he was sorry about what happened. He said that he ran out of carbon fiber and had to use this stuff on some of the knives. He told me he would do anything to make it right for me but I told him that I like the knife fine and was very pleased with it. I was just showing off my customizing.

I would recommend Dale as he seems like a really nice guy and the knife is so nice to hold. I hope to see him at the Blade Show.

michael
biggrin.gif

michael
biggrin.gif


------------------
"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Heb. 4:12

Usual Suspect
Its an Emerson thing. You wouldn't understand.

My Emerson collection:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1526731&a=12341786

[This message has been edited by NCBlades (edited 05-23-2001).]
 
NC
I agree that it's not a very good material to use in that application. BUT...... DONT make it sound like that CF pattern Concelex is CHEAP!!! Blade Tech is pretty PROUD of that stuff
biggrin.gif

Nice job on the retrofit. I have some colored CF I'll be using soon from a broken, custom airboat propeller(BIG$$$$). I think it will look NICE!

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Hi Michael,
The time for him to notify you that he "ran out" of carbon fiber and was using painted plastic instead, was before he sent the knife. Jbravo is right, this is an ethical question and to me sounds like he tried to put one over on you. The fact that he is now willing to do anything to make it right is after the fact. I'm not flaming him or anything but I'll spend my hard earned cash with those that are more upfront with me.
Just my .02.
Dave
 
Dave, Dale did not in anyway pull one over on me. I got the knife second hand and it didn't hurt my feelings any that it wasn't real carbon fiber. It only took me a few minutes to cut the real carbon fiber out and put it in the knife. Please don't think badly of Dale. He seems to be a really nice guy. He is willing to take care of any problems I have with the knife and that sounds great to me.

I would not hesitate buying another Reif knife (hey that rhymes). I am thinking about that Atrox (not sure of the spelling) now. They look pretty cool
biggrin.gif

michael
biggrin.gif


------------------
"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Heb. 4:12

Usual Suspect
Its an Emerson thing. You wouldn't understand.

My Emerson collection:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1526731&a=12341786
 
Well Andrew, the Blade Show is next and maybe I can talk you into taking me into your shop and showing me how to make one of these babies
wink.gif

michael


------------------
"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword."
Heb. 4:12

Usual Suspect
Its an Emerson thing. You wouldn't understand.

My Emerson collection:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1526731&a=12341786
 
Hi Michael,
Ok, I hadn't realized that you didn't buy it from him, seemed like you did because you said he did a great job on it. REALLY glad I didn't flame him,LOL.
If you're happy with it, I guess that's what counts.
Take care,
Dave
 
I wanted to mention that after I posted this thread, Dale contacted me and offered to make it right, turn it around on a dime and pay for freight both ways. I had not mentioned the rattling problem to him prior to my posting here, so it was his first chance to respond. I wanted to make sure the tone of this thread did not have a negative connotation. Dale is one of the best of a new generation. His customer service is excellent. He responded lilteally within a few hours once he heard about the problem. My philosophy is that we all make mistakes, the measure of us is how well we respond to them. Dale has passed this test with flying colors. The Atrox he made for me is stellar!
David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by davidb415:
...offered to make it right, turn it around on a dime and pay for freight both ways...Dale is one of the best of a new generation. His customer service is excellent...
</font>
Click to expand...

Ditto. I have Matrix #17/25 and it is also on its way back for a little fine tuning. Dale is a fine maker and a true gentleman. I'm sure the CF "substitution" was made with absolutely no intention to deceive.

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Holger :c{{{&lt;
AKTI Member No: A001324
CKG-F
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www.cockroachfarm.com
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by davidb415:
...offered to make it right, turn it around on a dime and pay for freight both ways...
</font>
Click to expand...

Ditto. I have Matrix #17/25 and it is going back to Dale this week for a bit of fine tuning. Dale is a fine maker and a gentleman. I'm sure the decision to use the substitute "CF" was not made with any intention to deceive.



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Holger :c{{{&lt;
AKTI Member No: A001324
CKG-F
-----------------------
www.cockroachfarm.com
 
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