factory seconds?

mrknife

mrknife

Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
10,145
Any one buy factory seconds on purpose? got pictures? I just won on an a Schatt and Morgan winterbottom bone barlow, in sheepsfoot, ATS 34, but marked as an EDC. very curious what difference, cosmetic or otherwise
 
You usually won't find any 2nds that are functionally defunct. The 2nds that are sold are usually cosmetic issues. A gap, mismatched scales, jigging might be odd, dye color might be off, etc. That said, I've bought a few 2nds and you really couldn't see the differences except for the "2" stamped on the tang.

I had a TC 2nd that I bought because I missed the regular run and it was better looking than a non 2nd TC of the same variant that I picked up later. Not sure why it was marked as such in the first place. Sorry, no pics of it anymore as I sold it off.
 
I once bought a factory second on purpose. It was a GEC #33 Conductor labelled as "EDC". The only thing I could find wrong with it was a wider than normal gap in the backspring area. The gap still wasn't very wide in my opinion but it wasn't the norm for GEC. I carried it for a while and then sold it so I don't have any pics to share. It was a good knife and I never regretted buying the EDC version since that is what I planned to do with it anyway.
 
mrknife said:
Any one buy factory seconds on purpose? got pictures? I just won on an a Schatt and Morgan winterbottom bone barlow, in sheepsfoot, ATS 34, but marked as an EDC. very curious what difference, cosmetic or otherwise
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Always cosmetic, never functional - hence the label EDC. IMO, seconds are a great way to save some $, and at times you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference visually. Many dealers' also indicate the supposed flaw in the description.
 
This is the only factory second I have. Very tiny flaw or two in the jigging on the pile side. If it had not been marked a second, I would have assumed a first. Great buy for 85 bucks, IMO.
2rzwc3k.jpg
 
I've eyed them many times but never made the plunge. This is mostly due to the fact that Queen and GEC sell these "as is", meaning no warranty work. I haven't had a need for warranty work often, but buying over the Internet is dicey enough without taking away the safety net. ;)

If I saw one that piqued my interest at a knife or gun show where I could inspect it prior to shelling out the cash I don't think I'd have any reservations at all. To me it wouldn't be much different than obtaining a used knife, all you're really doing is taking away the collectibility, which isn't of much concern to me anyways.
 
Cory Hess said:
This is mostly due to the fact that Queen and GEC sell these "as is", meaning no warranty work. I haven't had a need for warranty work often, but buying over the Internet is dicey enough without taking away the safety net. ;)
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I would be surprised if GEC would not repair a factory second under warranty, if it had something to do with the function. Had never heard that before. Did they tell you that ? :eek::confused::confused:
 
Cory, I believe the factory 2nds are not returnable to the vendor where it was purchased. KSF clearly lists this in their sale description for the knife but if the knife had a flaw in the actual function of the knife, I'm sure GEC themselves would take care of it...most likely it wouldn't have left the factory to begin with.

Cosmetic issues is what deems these 2nds however so it shouldn't be an issue.
 
Queen's Website said:
All Queen Cutlery Company product marked "EDC" Every Day Carry are not covered under warranty. All products have been inspected and properly marked and sold at a discount to the customer for its cosmetic flaws. The knife will be a great knife to carry but it will NEVER be repaired or replaced by Queen Cutlery Co.
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This was posted by rma100, who is a GEC dealer, on another forum I frequent:
rma100 said:
GEC releases to their distributors what they call EDC knives[Every Day Carry].These knives are "Cosmetic Seconds" and have a mark on the tang stamp. Now if you're familiar with GEC quality,you know that these knives would probably be First Quality at any other knife company.They sell for a little cheaper,no warranty,but you don't have to feel guilty about carrying and USING these knives. I have a 735109 in Stag that is my DRESS knife,and a 128109 in Natural Bone thats my "Kickin" knife.Both are great carry knives. I hit the 73 with my Gatco and it is SCARY!
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Bob wrote that several years ago. Two other dealers chimed in saying that they personally warrantied GEC's seconds. These three dealers saying that GEC wasn't warrantying their seconds along with KSF's not accepting returns lead me to believe that GEC seconds were being sold as-is. However, I can't seem to find anything on GEC's site that specifically mentions their factory seconds. It's possible that they have changed their policy or that I've misunderstood it. If so, I apologize for the confusion.
 
I bought a bag of Rough Rider seconds one time, amd couldn't find the flaw in any of them, except for the discolored handle scales on the work knife.
 
Never have. The GEC Tidioute line is priced so cheaply for what you get that I've never felt it necessary. I can totally see why other people do it, especially for a prize like a TC barlow.
 
Hm... I did get some amazing blems from Texas Toolcrafters.I got some amazing prices as they forgot to mention "gold" on the listing.
A Victorinox Fieldmaster BSA Gold Plated for 11 USD (only was missing a sliver of gold on the scissors)

A Victorinox Explorer Gold Plated Bead Blasted Prototype for 12 USD (the snap isn't perfect, but it looks amazing)

I also got at that order a Leatherman SkeleTool CX for 43 USD with only a spot of paint on the pliers...
 
Primble said:
I would be surprised if GEC would not repair a factory second under warranty, if it had something to do with the function. Had never heard that before. Did they tell you that ? :eek::confused::confused:
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Other knife companies do the same thing, e.g. Cold Steel and Spyderco. Factory seconds are not covered by warranty because by definition they are defective.
 
yeah, the detail on the page said, slightly weak stamp on the S of the S&M, i think i can live with that if its 20 bucks off and for once I can put a knife in my pocket and not have to worry about collector value, but that was a conversation discussed on a different thread ad nauseum
 
Once bought an AG Russell semi-traditional lockback that's marked as a factory second. I still can't find any problem with it.

I've bought a few from other companies over the years that should have been marked as Seconds. :grumpy:
 
I have a GEC 38 orchard gem SFO that was a 2nd. They claim the scales are a hair too short. Looking for it I can't spot the flaw. It's been a great knife for me.
 
GEC's EDC's are most times not easily ascertained why they made the rating; but sometimes more obvious. But, they are always cosmetic issues - which may include things like blade rub, etc. It would not be a problem at all for me to take a return on an EDC as long as I didn't have to lose money on the transaction and the customer just changed their mind about their ability to live with the flaw. Just let me break even and it is no problem sending it back. As for the factory, a valid EDC would not have a true functional issue and the factory would have no trouble correcting it. But, I must say, in 10 years I can count with fingers the number of unforced functional failures I have seen on GEC's.

On the other hand; I have seen many factory seconds, from GEC and many others, that were sold way below production costs just to move them on down the road with known issues. The factory cannot be expected to repair a knife they have already lost money on building.
 
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