DPx Gear HEST 1 - Complete Lock Failure

N

Naymit

Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
275
I've been collecting and using knives for years and have been a member of bladeforums for a few years as well. I rarely post anything, but this time around I feel like I have to.
I bough HEST 1 folder couple of years back when they just came out. For those who don't know: Hest 1 is titanium framelock with titanium and G10 on non-locking side. There were some conversations about quality control issues back then, but I examined my knife and found no apparent issues.
I liked the folder just fine, carried it a few time, did some minor cutting around the house (nothing heavier than cardboard boxes and a few pieces of rope). Then I moved on to new knives and HEST was seating in the drawer.
Yesterday I took it out of the drawer and was planning to carry it. When I opened it, it seemed to have developed a serious vertical blade play. I could not believe my eyes. The I took a closer look, the titanium lock-side slab was moving and sliding from under the blade whenever a slightest pressure was applied to the spine of the blade. I tried it to open ad close the knife hoping that is was just a bad lock engagement, but the next time I applied light pressure on the spine of the blade, the knife folded as if the lock was made out of wet paper towel, not titanium. I honestly never seen anything like that in any quality knife.

Did anyone else experience anything like this in a decent titanium framelock?
 
I've never experienced it in any of my ti frame locks including my HEST 2.0. However, I have heard similar stories of yours with other First gen hEST owners. I believe DPx offers a lifetime warranty on these. I'd definitely send it in. You may find yourself with a 2.0. Don't know for sure but it'll be taken care of.
 
That's too bad.

I have never heard of a knife developing blade play from sitting in a drawer.

Does it come unlocked if you turn the roto-block locking mechanism that locks it open?

Mine is still fine and I have used it to cut up large plastic garbage cans and miscellaneous use around the house.

As stated above, they are supposed to have a very good customer service , but I have not had to use it.

best

mqqn
 
I believe the reason there is a HEST 2.0 now was to address the lock issues with 1.0.
 
So I'm wrong about science stuff all the time, but from what I understand, pure titanium is exceptionally corrosion resistant. And titanium alloys, when corroded, get a "layer" (patina?) of corrosion that usually prevents further weakening; this is typically sufficient to protect these alloys, especially when the corrosives are airborne and not a liquid submersion.

Very curious to learn what caused the failure.
 
Anyone with a gen 1 hest can send the knife in and receive a hest 2.0 in exchange...
 
What if you wanted to keep the first version just for the collect ability? Mine is the same. I contacted them, was told to send it in for the exchange to the version 2. I replied twice because they never answered back. I pre-ordered the 1st version way back when when we had the choice of which one we wanted to collect. Why get rid of a collectable for just a regular run? They should be able to repair it.
 
PigmonkeY said:
I have a second gen HEST and it developed up down bladeplay less than a month after i bought it. Requested service multiple times, no reply. Even asked on the facebook page (nicely, might i add) and my post was deleted. DPX will never get any more of my money despite how much i like the design.

Crap company, crap service.
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That's odd because I've contacted them several times and I've always received a reply be it on their Facebook page or customer service email.
 
PigmonkeY said:
I have a second gen HEST and it developed up down bladeplay less than a month after i bought it. Requested service multiple times, no reply. Even asked on the facebook page (nicely, might i add) and my post was deleted. DPX will never get any more of my money despite how much i like the design.

Crap company, crap service.
Click to expand...

Did you contact dpx gear or lionsteel? Dpx gear isn't a real knife company, just a designer who's knives are made by lionsteel. Try them.
 
I hate to disagree, but DPx Gear is indeed a very real knife company. I have no record of any communications regarding your knife problem. Contact me today with your address and I will send a replacement out before close of business of today. ryp@dpxgear.com
 
Wow. Email sent. Thanks. Maybe the HEFT is back on my 'to buy' list now.

I also apologize if I seemed a bit nasty. I'm by no means a rich man, and a 200 dollar knife purchase is a HUGE chunk of change out of my little wallet, so I was (understandably I think) a bit miffed about it. Thanks for the quick reply.
 
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I fully respect that our knives take a number of working hours out of your paycheck and that is why our customers have a lifetime no bullshit warranty
 
i had a HEST1 that i sent in and got a new HEST2 in return. i use that HEST2 actively, and it has a bit of rock lock but don't foresee it ever "breaking lock". my response to the rock lock is; to keep using it. i expect every folder i use actively (including my strider, CR, xm18 and zt's) to wear from use; i'm not going to waste time and money on a very minor lock issue UNLESS i deem it to lead to lock failure...

...i have a strider SMF that has a lock rock issue that would make an OCD type go into convulsions LOL; but that lockup ain't gonna break anytime soon, and i use that SMF aggressively.
 
RYP said:
I hate to disagree, but DPx Gear is indeed a very real knife company. I have no record of any communications regarding your knife problem. Contact me today with your address and I will send a replacement out before close of business of today. ryp@dpxgear.com
Click to expand...

Oh man... Now I'm going to have to buy a HEST folder. :thumbup:
 
It's all in where your expectations lie. For me, 200 bucks is a lot of money, and a Strider is prohibitively expensive. I would expect some lock rock and would be FINE with it if i'd put the knife through heavy use. From my expectation, a knife over 200 bucks should not have those sorts of minor issues. Lets face it, you get a lot of diminishing returns when you spend over 120 or so bucks on a knife, and I feel like a lot of what I pay for is better QC and less chances of something like that happening. You're not getting a ton more knife in most cases spending 500 dollars over 200 dollars...mostly just tiny ocd things like F&F and quality control. Just my 2 cents.
 
Maybe you can contact a knife modifier and see if the can carbidize the lock face . It should be better than new and hardly noticeable.
Edit: I did not read far enough down the page. It seems that RYP offered to take care of it for you. Let us know how it turns out for you.
 
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pilote said:
i had a HEST1 that i sent in and got a new HEST2 in return. i use that HEST2 actively, and it has a bit of rock lock but don't foresee it ever "breaking lock". my response to the rock lock is; to keep using it. i expect every folder i use actively (including my strider, CR, xm18 and zt's) to wear from use; i'm not going to waste time and money on a very minor lock issue UNLESS i deem it to lead to lock failure...

...i have a strider SMF that has a lock rock issue that would make an OCD type go into convulsions LOL; but that lockup ain't gonna break anytime soon, and i use that SMF aggressively.
Click to expand...

This is my thoughts on it too. As long as I don't feel the lock is going to fail I'll put up with a small amount of lock rock. My beloved ZT 0550 developed a bit but the lock is as strong as new. My 0561 developed it too but it appears to have settled in and is as solid as a bank vault with zero play. I'm hoping my 0550 will do the same. What would irritate me to the point of sending it in though is if I shook the knife and could hear the lock rock.

Sorry to hear about the OPs issues with his first HEST but there was a reason for the 2.0. I stand by my suggestion of sending it in and it sounds like you will find yourself with a 2.0 which is a very solid knife. I am very pleased with it myself. Issues with knives will occur. It sucks when it happens I know. I've had ZTs and Benchmades with issues and I don't think DPx knives are anymore susceptible to issues than other knives. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another ZT or benchmade despite some issues I've had and I am of the same opinion of DPx.
 
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