First two RATs (+bonus) arrived. Thanks Knivesshipfree!!

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ulmus_fulva

Joined
Mar 1, 2009
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Just when it seemed like I couldn't wait any longer my doorbell rings signaling the arrival of my first (and second) RAT knives. I knew they were shipped immediately and any wait could likely be credited to the lovely Canadian customs officers (I'll have to remember to add them to the Christmas card list:P). They must have anticipated me forgetting to send their card later this year so they dinged me for almost forty dollars in taxes and doody (sic). I didn't care though, they were finally here! I cut open the box with my Tenacious and here's what I find (along with other smaller items ordered):



Now on the left there you'll see something very special. It's special because I didn't even order it:D. Attached to it was a little note letting me know that Derrick and Wendy are doing a giveaway with every knife order. Holy smokes! Unfortunately I placed that order in June so I'm not sure if the giveaway is still going on (I'll be ordering my RC6 and RC3 right away if so.. hehe) but this is amazing...if it weren't for one thing. I am unable to come even close to getting the snap closed on the sheath with the knife in it. It doesn't even look close.



I don't think there's any hope of stretching it and from a close examination it seems as though repairing it (replacing the snap strap) is pretty simple. Looks like it just needs the stitching taken out, replace the strap with a longer one and stitch it back up. I just don't know where to take it and being north of the border sending it away to someplace that might be suggested in the US could get cost prohibitive. In any case, it's a wonderful gesture from the Bohn's and maybe I'll just have to get used to using the leather sheath without the snap...and I wanted to say thanks!
 
Wait before you fool around with the sheath if you plan on getting an RC-3. Chances are that there was a little slip up and they sent you and RC-3 sheath instead of an RC-4. Also glad to see your RATs made it to you :thumbup:
 
I had the same thing with my RC3 and RC4.
The leather did streach out, and thay work great now.
RAT PACK #141
 
ulmus_fulva said:
Just when it seemed like I couldn't wait any longer my doorbell rings signaling the arrival of my first (and second) RAT knives. I knew they were shipped immediately and any wait could likely be credited to the lovely Canadian customs officers (I'll have to remember to add them to the Christmas card list:P). They must have anticipated me forgetting to send their card later this year so they dinged me for almost forty dollars in taxes and doody (sic). I didn't care though, they were finally here! I cut open the box with my Tenacious and here's what I find (along with other smaller items ordered):

Hey ulmus_fulva

Being a fellow Canadian, I need to ask you a question.

Why were you dinged for almost $40 in taxes and duties to receive your knives?

Did KSF ship the knives via UPS to you? If so you got ripped off by UPS for brokerage fees to bring the knives across the border.

I've bought quite a bit of goods from the US in the last 6 months worth hundreds of USD and I didn't pay one cent in taxes and duties on them.

In fact, if you check with Customs there are NO APPLICABLE TAXES AND DUTIES on anything brought in from the US or any other country with friendly ties to Canada. My purchases included 2 knives.

I never use any US business that refuses to send items via USPS...most will if you insist on it.

I got ripped once by UPS and after a little research I absolutely refuse to use them or FED-EX because of their ridiculous "brokerage fees"..often 20-50% of the packages declared value.

If you want your knives fast...via UPS, you're going to pay through the nose.

Just a little heads up info from someone who also learned the hard way:grumpy:
Click to expand...
 
Sorry, correction... no duty, but rather 12.73 in GST, 20.37 PST, and 5.00 just to touch it ('handling fee').

And knivesshipfree is very Canuck-friendly in that they ship USPS, and for only 5.00 too. I noticed on the box that the actual shipping cost to KSF is quite higher.

It was classified as sports/athletic equipment. Until I actually look that up, I'm assuming that's why they got their greedy little paws on it.

hwpaintballer said:
Wait before you fool around with the sheath if you plan on getting an RC-3. Chances are that there was a little slip up and they sent you and RC-3 sheath instead of an RC-4. Also glad to see your RATs made it to you :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Nope, I'm quite sure it's for an RC-4 since the fit is so perfect. It's clear the only thing that is awry is the snap strap.
 
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Not to worry ! I had the same issues with leather sheaths for my Bark River Bravo -1's. The strap was quite a distance from being able to snap up.

Once you are sure you have the proper sheath (which it sounds as though you do), you can wet the strap with a bit of water, and pull on it and twist it to help stretch it out. You'll be surprised how much the strap can and will stretch once wet. Once it reaches, leave it snapped for a while and you'll be GTG.
 
Congrats and welcome to the family!!!

I really like those sheaths and have been wanting to get one myself.....maybe one day. It'd be for my RC-4 also.
 
Derrick says to strain and get the strap on the knife, then let it sit for a few days and it'll be fine after that. I think they're made that way so they don't become loose, like a lot of other leather sheaths do.
 
Everyone got to this before I did....but that is the proper advice. If you can't get it, let me know and we'll pre-stretch one and get it to you.

Sometimes those fly through customs with no costs at all--but sometimes not.

We label them "camp tools" because it keeps sticky hands out while still being an accurate description.

As to the UPS/USPS deal--it makes no sense to me at all. UPS could make a ton of money delivering up there if they would drop their stupid brokerage fees. USPS always to Canada!
 
had to do the same with my sheath--wet the strap--pull tell you get it snapped--let set for awhile and you're good to go--:D
 
Yep KSF is great for us up there in Canada, plus they are great people to deal with.

I'm still waiting on my RC-4, "Oh godly powered customs agents please speed it up!"

Well anyway, might be going on a trip at the end of this month and take opportunities to take pics of the RAT family (Izula, 4, 6).
 
Wow... that was fun! Thanks for the advice guys... I had thought about trying to wet and stretch it but the gap was big enough for me to abandon any hope. After reading the advice here I gave it a shot and after a fair bit of straining and wrenching this was the result:



:D

Thanks again to Derrick and Wendy at knivesshipfree. And just to be clear, the giveaway was for the month of June, correct? ;)

Should I mention that I was planning on buying one (i.e. paying for one) of these sheaths anyway? Oh well, gives me more money for more important pointy things. :)

Now... what's all this talk I hear around here about the 'RAT pack'?
 
ulmus_fulva said:
Wow... that was fun! Thanks for the advice guys... I had thought about trying to wet and stretch it but the gap was big enough for me to abandon any hope. After reading the advice here I gave it a shot and after a fair bit of straining and wrenching this was the result:



:D

Thanks again to Derrick and Wendy at knivesshipfree. And just to be clear, the giveaway was for the month of June, correct? ;)

Should I mention that I was planning on buying one (i.e. paying for one) of these sheaths anyway? Oh well, gives me more money for more important pointy things. :)

Now... what's all this talk I hear around here about the 'RAT pack'?
Click to expand...

You know, that was the idea--to give away stuff people would actually use and enjoy. I have never been into giving away garbage. :)
 
ulmus_fulva said:
Wow... that was fun! Thanks for the advice guys... I had thought about trying to wet and stretch it but the gap was big enough for me to abandon any hope. After reading the advice here I gave it a shot and after a fair bit of straining and wrenching this was the result:



:D

Thanks again to Derrick and Wendy at knivesshipfree. And just to be clear, the giveaway was for the month of June, correct? ;)

Should I mention that I was planning on buying one (i.e. paying for one) of these sheaths anyway? Oh well, gives me more money for more important pointy things. :)

Now... what's all this talk I hear around here about the 'RAT pack'?
Click to expand...

IN the future try heating the leather with a hair dryer first....stretches way easier.....Drew
 
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