DDR/Heeter Knives/Lucky 13 Knives - A Question

SeppukuSamurai

SeppukuSamurai

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Hey guys....

I just recently joined instagram and decided to follow the "ddrknivesofchina" page. I originally learned of this page via this thread - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ke-this-resolved.1573585/page-8#post-18307669

Outside of that thread and that Instagram page, I ventured on over to the DDR subforums here and read this - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/ddr-customer-service.1532069/

Given these threads/the ddrknivesofchina instagram page, what's going on here?

Are these the ramblings of some misguided trolls or are we in the midst of a "scandal?" It would seem that the thread posted in the GKD, the thread posted in the DDR subforum, and the Instagram page contain a granule of truth.

I would personally like to hear the feedback of the community. DDR is a hosted brand here, which could be a pretty serious issue if any of these claims happen to be true. I wouldn't want any fledgling knife collectors/potential purchasers led astray due to the fact that DDR has a presence here. I would also like to sort this issue out once and for all.

I urge all of you to at the very least explore the aforementioned posts here and the Instagram page as well. The author of that page asserts some pretty serious claims against DDR and the other knife companies involved. Claims that involve the misrepresentation of where the knives are produced and where the components are sourced.

As with every story....there are two sides and the truth. I want to know where we're at.
 
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DDRKnivesofchina has put out their evidence. I would say it shows a least a lot of inconsistencies regarding what is outsourced, what isnt, etc.

Coupled with the delays in sending out the balisongs, the grim customer service and past snakeoilship ( such as the IKBS bullshit where he stole it after getting his license refused due to poor quality) , you would have to be a really big fan to send him your money today.
 
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Wow. This seems crazy as hell. How do they still have a presents on here? Going on their own subform on here you can see that they don't even comment back on people that have problems with their customer service. Knowing that they constantly have people monitoring those as a business that has been around for a very long time especially on this form I don't think that's acceptable. Wayyyy to much Shady things have been going on it seems for too long.
 
SeppukuSamurai SeppukuSamurai I see a very long thread (not gonna read all of that), a short thread (read it), and a private IG account (not going to request access).

Can you sum up what the allegations are and connect the dots between the three brands? Is it that they are having stuff made in China and passing things off as all done by them here in the US? Or something else?
 
jceckrosh said:
SeppukuSamurai SeppukuSamurai I see a very long thread (not gonna read all of that), a short thread (read it), and a private IG account (not going to request access).

Can you sum up what the allegations are and connect the dots between the three brands? Is it that they are having stuff made in China and passing things off as all done by them here in the US? Or something else?
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Absolutely.

I first caught wind of the blunders through the very long thread you mentioned. Thread was started by a guy whom had ordered a 4-5k knife from DDR that was sent out with some pretty terrible jimping on the blade as well as other issues. Was returned and sent back out again with the same issues as well as a pretty horrendous detent path problem that rendered the knife more or less worthless. Thread ended up becoming a sprawling mess with multiple people chiming in with issues they've experienced as well as continued issues with DDR, in the form of customer service (were very rude to OP, despite the ridiculous situation he had been forced into.) DDR was linked in the thread and I also went directly to their subforum and linked the thread as well. Never a response. OP did end up getting a refund but that was all. It was a mess, and that's putting it lightly.

It's important to note that not only did that thread go unaswered by DDR, but the thread posted in their very own sub-forum has also gone unanswered for years despite multiple members fielding complaints within. Darrel, the owner/operator logged in two months ago. They also donated a knife to our forum giveaways this year. Very hard to believe hes totally oblivious to all of this.

Now, outside of QC/Customer service issues, I also caught wind of the Instagram page "Ddrknivesofchina" (through the one thread with the butchered 4k custom, funny enough.) While I'm not sure of how the creator of the Instagram page got his information, he certainly does have some provoking evidence/insider information. I believe that some have stated he is an ex employee. Regardless, the page claims that not only does DDR outsource builds/components/etc. to China and claim they're American made, they also produce/have produced the knives/knife components of both Lucky 13 Knives and Heeter Knives. Contained within the page are incriminating pictures of emails, shipping logs, and other miscellaneous tid bits of evidence. There's a picture of a shipping log containing multiple shipments between Heeter Knives/Lucky 13 Knives and DDR (multiple 10lb packages etc...)

There was even an instance where Lucky 13 Knives posted a picture of a new model they claimed to have produced that was accidentally posted with location....the location just so happened to be the town where DDR's shop is located.

I could just go on and on here but I'll just summarize and say that it doesn't look very good for DDR. In fact, it looks REALLY BAD. The kind of bad that causes me to question why they're allowed to have presence here.
 
Brazilian Blades said:
DDRKnivesofchina has put out their evidence. I would say it shows a least a lot of inconsistencies regarding what is outsourced, what isnt, etc.

Coupled with the delays in sending out the balisongs, the grim customer service and past snakeoilship ( such as the IKBS bullshit where he stole it after getting his license refused due to poor quality) , you would have to be a really big fan to send him your money today.
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Can you elaborate on the snakeoil statement and the IKBS situation?
 
jceckrosh said:
SeppukuSamurai SeppukuSamurai Ah. Ok, so the thing is: DDR buys stuff from China, and Lucky 13 and Heeter buy from DDR?
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So the things are (allegedly, you decide) -

DDR has basically non existent customer service.

DDR has suspect quality control at best.

DDR outsources parts and knives to China and claims they're American made.

DDR produces the knives and or parts of both Heeter Knives and Lucky 13 Knives.
 
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Ok. Got it.

I have no experience with DDR or Lucky 13, but a couple years ago I bought a knife from Todd and he did exactly what I asked and had good communication. I have long since sold it (tastes change) but I had zero issues with him. Dunno if he makes everything or not, but I think both of the other makers are getting lumped in with multiple issues as far as DDR goes.
 
SeppukuSamurai said:
Can you elaborate on the snakeoil statement and the IKBS situation?
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When IKBS had just been patented a few folks were sending samples to get the license of use. Begg and Marlowe were some of the first in the US, for example.

DDR got an authorization at first, but the ones being put out to customers had terrible tolerances and bearings were even slipping out of the frame under flipping.

It got revoked and then he invented this bullshit about a proprietary bearing system that is in fact the same one sold by Jantz.

Why is it bullshit? Well, because no patent was granted on bearings (https://patents.justia.com/inventor/darrel-ralph ). He only HAD a trademark (https://trademarks.justia.com/770/05/maxx-glide-pivot-bearing-77005943.html ) , and that is not even valid right now .

Ganzo could say theyre using Maxx Glide (Which sounds like a lube brand btw), but I see no reason why they would honestly.
 
Brazilian Blades said:
When IKBS had just been patented a few folks were sending samples to get the license of use. Begg and Marlowe were some of the first in the US, for example.

DDR got an authorization at first, but the ones being put out to customers had terrible tolerances and bearings were even slipping out of the frame under flipping.

It got revoked and then he invented this bullshit about a proprietary bearing system that is in fact the same one sold by Jantz.

Why is it bullshit? Well, because no patent was granted on bearings (https://patents.justia.com/inventor/darrel-ralph ). He only HAD a trademark (https://trademarks.justia.com/770/05/maxx-glide-pivot-bearing-77005943.html ) , and that is not even valid right now .

Ganzo could say theyre using Maxx Glide (Which sounds like a lube brand btw), but I see no reason why they would honestly.
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Wow, so he essentially stole the design? Do you have any evidence of this you could link here?
 
jceckrosh said:
Ok. Got it.

I have no experience with DDR or Lucky 13, but a couple years ago I bought a knife from Todd and he did exactly what I asked and had good communication. I have long since sold it (tastes change) but I had zero issues with him. Dunno if he makes everything or not, but I think both of the other makers are getting lumped in with multiple issues as far as DDR goes.
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With all due respect, if you haven't read through the Instagram page yourself, you're ill equipped to make that assertion. The author of the page provides hundreds of posts, many tongue in cheek, but many that illustrate very clearly that there's absolutely some level of deception at play. Heeter in particular just so happened to have multiple 10lb+ packages en route from DDR. I know that when it comes to Lucky 13, there are some very curious design similarities as well as shipping logs that draw a pretty lousy picture...Go see for yourself.
 
SeppukuSamurai said:
With all due respect, if you haven't read through the Instagram page yourself, you're ill equipped to make that assertion. The author of the page provides hundreds of posts, many tongue in cheek, but many that illustrate very clearly that there's absolutely some level of deception at play. Heeter in particular just so happened to have multiple 10lb+ packages en route from DDR. I know that when it comes to Lucky 13, there are some very curious design similarities as well as shipping logs that draw a pretty lousy picture...Go see for yourself.
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You kind of missed my point. And I said I have no idea if he makes everything in house. But Heeter and Lucky 13 buying outsourced parts is a separate issue from DDR's customer service problems. Not sure why it's all being conflated.
 
jceckrosh said:
You kind of missed my point. And I said I have no idea if he makes everything in house. But Heeter and Lucky 13 buying outsourced parts is a separate issue from DDR's customer service problems. Not sure why it's all being conflated.
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I've tried to be very deliberate and precise in the wording of my posts. The issue itself is so sprawling and multi faceted that I dont even want to try and explain my way through it, which is why I've purposefully provided only some very brief summaries and links to the evidence. At the end of the day, I dont want anyone to accept anything I say at face value. They should review the evidence snd decide accordingly.

To be sure, DDR is the overarching theme and common denominator in all of these issues. Without a doubt. Heeter and Lucky 13 are more or less complicit in misrepresenting the origin of their product and who manufactures it. As far as I'm aware, that's the extent of it. Still pretty serious in it's own right but definitely a far cry of what DDR is accused of.
 
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Also, Todd Heeter posts zero, absolutely no WIP photos or videos. He'll show a picture of him lubing the living snot out of his 'self-lubing pivot' assembly, or maybe an anodization video, but he will not post a video of him grinding a blade or even putting an edge on a blade; let alone any other part of the actual making part of knife making. Heeter blocked me simply for following the DDRknivesofChina account.

I've gathered that he refuses to show WIP pics, refuses to admit to using DDR for materials, contracted blades and CNC work, yet STILL claims his pieces are "custom". All while charging several thousands of dollars for a piece that he utilizes a lottery system to sell. Lucky 13 is just the incestuous byproduct of Heeter and DDR: straight dumpster fire.
 
SeppukuSamurai said:
I've tried to be very deliberate and precise in the wording of my posts. The issue itself is so sprawling and multi faceted that I dont even want to try and explain my way through it, which is why I've purposefully provided only some very brief summaries and links to the evidence. At the end of the day, I dont want anyone to accept anything I say at face value. They should review the evidence snd decide accordingly.

To be sure, DDR is the overarching theme and common denominator in all of these issues. Without a doubt. Heeter and Lucky 13 are more or less complicit in misrepresenting the origin of their product and who manufactures it. As far as I'm aware, that's the extent of it. Still pretty serious in it's own right but definitely a far cry of what DDR is accused of.
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Eh. That's all I was saying - that there seems to be a lot going on. You seem to have a far better handle on it than I ever will, so thanks for bringing this info to those of us who were unaware.
 
The fact that perplexes me the most is that I've yet to see any of these issues addressed in an acceptable manner by any of the accused parties.

They can all post memes of Leonardo DiCaprio, no problem, but a concise and coherent rebuttal? No chance.

This isn't reality TV guys. There should be no reason that a knife company has "haters" nor a surplus of drama. Especially not of this variety.

They should really set the record straight.
 
SeppukuSamurai said:
The fact that perplexes me the most is that I've yet to see any of these issues addressed in an acceptable manner by any of the accused parties.

They can all post memes of Leonardo DiCaprio, no problem, but a concise and coherent rebuttal? No chance.

This isn't reality TV guys. There should be no reason that a knife company has "haters" nor a surplus of drama. Especially not of this variety.

They should really set the record straight.
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The issue is that all three brands (as far as I can tell) have the bulk of their fans on Instagram, or a few Facebook pages they firmly control. Any questions or negative comments and the posters of those get banned. Fans obfuscate the situation under a smokescreen of calling everyone who questions or criticizes those guys as mere "haters".

Also, it doesn't surprise me that there is yet another company importing their products and claiming they're American made. The real surprise is that more aren't doing it, given that there seems to be zero repercussions to doing so. These people even still continue to sell knives. Quartermaster for example still has fans, and sells product. At the end of the day, you're either someone who cares about this, or someone who doesn't. The knives from all three of these brands are straight garbage as near as I can tell, both from a design standpoint, and from having held a few. I saw a guy selling a Lucky 13 tiny little fixed blade at his table at BLADE last year, and it was the dumbest little thing. Inch and a half or so of blade length, poorly fitted scales on the tiny little handle and the price was like $2,800. LOL What?

Trash like that exists because people gotta get those Insta/Faceybook likes.
 
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