First issue with Becker QC. What to do?

CoolBreeze135

CoolBreeze135

Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
429
Hey folks,
I just received my BK5 in the mail, and was excited to open it. I noticed the incredible light weight and balance of the 5 as soon as I opened it. As I looked it over with anticipation, my excitement started to wane. First of all, I noticed the primary grind was significantly uneven. Here is a comparison of the tip, which accentuates the different grind. I can't tell exactly if it's just the swedge, but it bugged me slightly. I was ready to ignore it, however, since it seemed cosmetic.

8e3855fdae913323f8efa098a7d089b1.jpg


62f24d28d874cb3352fa9eab810c8ba1.jpg


Then I noticed something worse: the blade is bent. I had heard complaints about this out of roll stamped Beckers, but every BK&T that I own has been nearly perfect to perfect out of the box. Even the "factory rejects" I've inspected don't have this significant of an issue.

Here you can notice the bend, with the tang flat against the table. It is fairly significant and noticeable without laying it on a flat surface. This is too much to overlook.

5d907cda07fe7c7cb6f20661bd50deb5.jpg


So here's my question: How should I proceed? I know Kabar/BK&T takes care of customers, but this is a discontinued model. Does that matter? Alternatively, I could try to set up an exchange with the dealer. I'm fairly confident they would supply free return shipping, which is a huge plus, since it would cost me probably $15 to mail this thing. I'm probably more confident in Kabar's ability to send a replacement that doesn't have the same issue, though. What would you do? Help me out here.

Thanks,

Beckerhead #379
 
So I had seen the post about the grind but I didnt realize that the swedge wasnt evenly ground too. Combined with the Bend I would say yeah, try to get it returned through Kabar, BUT they may not have anymore laying around to exchange. The retailer you bought it from may though.
 
If its going to be a user I would slap the scales back on it and beat the shit out of it. If its going to be a collector/safe queen contact kabar I guess.

I don't see an issue with it, mine has a slight bend in it but it does everything I ask of it without a problem. Kitchen knife, wood processor, feather sticks.... It's all good!
 
Snakedoc said:
If its going to be a user I would slap the scales back on it and beat the shit out of it. If its going to be a collector/safe queen contact kabar I guess.

I don't see an issue with it, mine has a slight bend in it but it does everything I ask of it without a problem. Kitchen knife, wood processor, feather sticks.... It's all good!
Click to expand...

I don't believe in safe queens. It's definitely going to be used. But I would like even my users to have straight blades. This one probably won't see a lot of chopping and batoning. I have a BK4 and a BK2 for that. This one will do lots of slicing and precise food prep. I would really prefer a straight blade for that.

I can understand why it wouldn't bother you, but it bothers me.

Nice username, BTW. I have a feeling it came from the same source as mine did.
 
Roger that!!

I hope you find a solution. I wish the model was not discontinued, it really is a great knife!!

Cheers
 
Wait for Gaston to chime in...he'll be sure rehash his same old story for the 1001th time...

That's enough to bug me too. If cost is minimal, I'd ask for a swap. Otherwise, it'd make a great heavy modification candidate
 
If it were me, I'd contact the retailer and see if they will swap it for a different one with shipping on their dime.
if they won't, then I would contact Kabar.
 
NCSlice said:
Wait for Gaston to chime in...he'll be sure rehash his same old story for the 1001th time...

That's enough to bug me too. If cost is minimal, I'd ask for a swap. Otherwise, it'd make a great heavy modification candidate
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've seen a couple of his rants before. I'm hoping he doesn't feel the need to go at it again. He doesn't seem to understand that manufacturers that make mistakes are a) nonexistent, and b) not a problem. Manufacturers that don't fix their mistakes are a problem. Kabar/BK&T have shown over and over again that they fix their mistakes.

Plus, they have done away with the roll stamping completely AFAIK. That eliminates the bent blade issues that have occasionally popped up.
 
I too would try whoever sold it to me first and then the factory.

That knife would not be acceptable to me UNLESS it was a factory second.

Edit: mistakes happen, but I would expect them to help me out. (Which is what I believe will ultimately happen here.)
 
Take a photo of the knife on its other side. Measure tip heights for both sides.
 
Vik nailed it - best route.

That said, other than using the living daylights out of it without care (certainly an option) it's always comforting to know that a company like KaBar and a man like Ethan Becker actually does stand behind these knives. IOW, you're cover either/both way(s).
 
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I bet the blade was bent before it was ground that is why the grind is not even. Contact the dealer for a swap then Kabar if that does not work. I may contact Kabar either way to show them the QC problem.
 
1066vik said:
If it were me, I'd contact the retailer and see if they will swap it for a different one with shipping on their dime.
if they won't, then I would contact Kabar.
Click to expand...

if that fails, do it yourself solutions exist

or sell it

or use it

or ... we can make many more options
 
I understand your concern. I don't understand why you made a thread about it before giving the dealer/ manufacture a chance to make it right.
 
he was asking for advice, not flaming, he didn't name the dealer, and he did state he knew this was definitely out of the ordinary for the company.

now, if the original retailer refuses to accept the return, I'd be interested in knowing who they are.
 
LG&M said:
I understand your concern. I don't understand why you made a thread about it before giving the dealer/ manufacture a chance to make it right.
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I was not trying to cause a stir. I was just a little bit anxious and wanted some advice. Maybe it was a mistake to post here before talking to the dealer or Kabar. If so, I apologize. I was probably just impatient since it was Sunday, and I knew I couldn't do anything right away.

1066vik said:
he was asking for advice, not flaming, he didn't name the dealer, and he did state he knew this was definitely out of the ordinary for the company.

now, if the original retailer refuses to accept the return, I'd be interested in knowing who they are.
Click to expand...

Thanks vik. Glad I wasn't completely misunderstood.

Fortunately, the dealer has sent a replacement, along with a return shipping label for the bent one. They did so quickly, with no questions asked.
 
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