HEST #162 has landed

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kta2402

Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
454
So I finally have received my HEST, serial #162.

First impressions :
- finally an important survival item on a fixed blade : Bottle Opener, tested great BTW
- the blade itself is very nice looking, with a good belly
- the pry bar, nice feature but I'll see how I get along with it later on
- the fit and finish on this knife is really nice
- the blade feels indestructible because of its width
- the sheath is great, locks up great, very slim, perfect for pocket carry

The best of all, the handle, this knife fits my hand just PERFECT, the grip is awesome with the handle and the pry bar makes a guard also, my hand is just the right size for this knife, really love the way it handles

Now for the Bad Part :

The coating on the the handle at the bottom of the blade, just before the wire notch, FLAKED OFF. Thats right brand new knife and the coating flaked off, I find this bad but I can surely understand that perfect manufacturing is impossible.

So that's my initial impressions, will post a review in a month or so after having used it and beat it. But overall I have to say I am very pleased with this knife, its really nice design and a perfect fit.

Thank you RAT Cutlery, Robert Young Pelton and Rowen for this piece of steel, great job.
 
Well, that should not have happened. You want us to fix it?
 
Doc Holiday said:
Congrats, that's a great knife! can I ask where you got it from?
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http://dpxgear.com/ Its the serialized version sold with the book, interesting reading for those who wonder. The purchase price was 139,98 plus 22,50 for shipping to Canada with tracking number. In my opinion its a very decent price for what you get.

The book is great and the knife is really awesome.

R.A.T. said:
Well, that should not have happened. You want us to fix it?
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I don't know how you can fix it, but it was really odd to have the coating flake on me like this. I have already remove some coating from the pry bar by using it on some sheet metal, but it didn't take that much off, just a few spots

A few quick pics, if you want I can make some better during the day

2zr2lud.jpg

24y45rn.jpg

2m85t02.jpg
 
kta2402 said:
So I finally have received my HEST, serial #162.

.

So that's my initial impressions, will post a review in a month or so after having used it and beat it. But overall I have to say I am very pleased with this knife, its really nice design and a perfect fit.

Thank you RAT Cutlery, Robert Young Pelton and Rowen for this piece of steel, great job.
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If you are actually going to beat it up. I would worry about it. But if you were collecting it and buying another to beat then I would see if they can fix it?? IMHO
 
ironmike86 said:
If you are actually going to beat it up. I would worry about it. But if you were collecting it and buying another to beat then I would see if they can fix it?? IMHO
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I think you mean I wouldn't worry about it I beat up, no ?

I'm not a collector at all, I'm a user, I will mess up my knife one way or the other, but since this forum gives us the opportunity to be in direct contact with RAT Cutlery, I think it is wise of us to give them some feedback.

Mine is a serialized version, 162 means something to me so it is not just a random blade, it has a personality. Just like my planes, I give them all names because they are all different, some are a little bitchy on start up, some fly crooked. And the fact is that even my blades they have a meaning. This one does, its #162 who had premature flaking, so what its not gone kill her !

I personally just gave my crude impressions upon reception, 5 minutes after unboxing I had posted. But I post the pictures and my concern, in order to tell RC to watch out, that I had flaking on mine and that it might happen to others, so they may have a problem with their coating method, maybe a bad batch or just a single occurrence, but if it is a problem with manufacturing, they can go back fix it and make consumers happier.

If fixing it means giving away #162, than no I'm not gone fix it, but if they want pictures to study why that has happened, I will graciously do it.
 
Just wanted to note to RAT Cutlery that on the other side of the blade, the coating is smooth, not grainy at all, really looks like as if there was a bubble of air at the end of the portion, or as if the blade wasn't free of grease at this point went the coating was done.
 
Yeah I understand what your saying. Good info for Rat to know. But If I were going to beat it up I would just rather not bother shipping it.:). When I get one I'll probally strip it when the coating wears off or maybe they should sell some special Rat liner so ppl can re appy there own coating.:eek: Some ppl like coated blades???:D
 
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nay, I don't want to ship it away, plus its not got be in a glass display either.

I think I might try to recoat it once the coating will be worn out, don't know how, and don't think I'll be doing it soon.
 
All I can figure is that one small spot was contaminated before going into powder, thus the powder didn't stick there. Could have been an oily finger print or anything. Still that's not acceptable and if you want us to take it back and re-do the blade we will.
 
R.A.T. said:
All I can figure is that one small spot was contaminated before going into powder, thus the powder didn't stick there. Could have been an oily finger print or anything. Still that's not acceptable and if you want us to take it back and re-do the blade we will.
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Nice to see knifemakers stand by their products. :) I dont think I've seen this kind of quality service anywhere. :thumbup::thumbup:


That looks like a great knife btw...
 
R.A.T. said:
All I can figure is that one small spot was contaminated before going into powder, thus the powder didn't stick there. Could have been an oily finger print or anything. Still that's not acceptable and if you want us to take it back and re-do the blade we will.
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Thanks for the offer, that is costumer care, but I will be too much of a hasle, not worth it in my opinion. I am thankful for your proposition, but I'll keep like this.

Sending it from Canada to you will cost me around 20$, you to send it back to me, another 20$, add the manhours plus machine time for the recoating and altogether it will add up to the price of a good blade, I prefer you keep your service for when someone really needs it, or for a collector that had the same problem, but for me, nay, not worth it I'll wear off the coating anyway.

Its is nice to know that you have open ears toward the clients.

A big 2 thumbs up to RAT Cutlery.

RAT Pack #75 KTA
 
Furync said:
Nice to see knifemakers stand by their products. :) I dont think I've seen this kind of quality service anywhere. :thumbup::thumbup:


That looks like a great knife btw...
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Thats what makes RAT Cutlery different from the others !

It is a great knife, I really dig it.
 
Are the production versions available yet?I really want one of these.Thanks
 
2-3 weeks RYP has to sign the book and the certificate between his frequent travel. So just wait you'll get, the wait is worth it be patient thats all and don't try to push RYP he hates impatience
 
KTA 242 If you are not too worried about what serial number you get I will gladly replace #162 with another numbered knife at my own cost. For being a good sport, you can keep the current knife as a user. The only catch is I want you to use and beat the shit out of #162 and post pics :)) Go to my Black Flag Cafe and PM me with your address. Since I don't have to sign it I can have the elves at RYP's Workshop shoot it out to you. I will pay for the shipping.


RYP
 
I will certainly take that offer.

PM sent on the Black Flag Café (username : kta)
 
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