Wow!! This is why I can't miss a day around here. I come back and see this thread with over 100 responses!
I'll be honest, it would take me hours to read them all and I aint gonna.
I did read the first few and can imagine, that with over 100 responses, there is a flame war in there somewhere, maybe two?
So to address the main points of the original post.
That rivet issue does come and go. It has to do with a variety of issues such as set up and inlay thickness. Too much pressure when we form the rivet head will crack the inlay. Bottom line is that is has to be remedied in the production line. I feel the same way about any residue left on the knife, it should not be there. I often hear about how "Buck cheapened up the 110" over the years and about the only point I agree with is in regards to the residue. In the early 1990's the EPA came in and took away our time honored way of degreasing finished knives. I am sure it was for the betterment of our environment but it sure did cripple our efforts to send out a compound free knife. The last time I looked, they were cleaning them by hand with a spray can of an environmentally friendly solution and rags.
Scuffed bolsters due to being packaged in a clam...not sure how they are going to fix this one but they need to.
Missmatched inlays...Estetic calls are the hardest to adress. I have "repaired" many knife handles over the years that had nothing wrong with them. Stag is the biggest culprit and it always comes down to personal preference. I hear customers argue that "all the dark features on a stag handle should be ground off", then on the next call I hear, " you should not grind off ANY of the dark features on a stag handle", or "stag should not be bumpy" or "stag should have more bumps". I have learned not to side with anybody on this but I DO want you to be happy. Thats why we continue to "repair" those knives. Without seeing the knife that prompted this thread, I could not tell you if it was within our tolerance for match.
I will talk with the guy in charge of the 110 line this week to address the issues. In the meantime, If you are not happy with your current 110, you can send it in. If it is not completely used and abused, I can sort through what we have and find one with better inlays. I can also address the rivet issue and make sure we send the knife back to you squeaky clean. I'll even cover your shipping and if you send it to my attention, I'll turn it around in a week.
For what it is worth, the manufacturers suggessted retail price on a standard 110 is $62. Retailers often sell it as a loss to get customers in their store.
I just figure I'm too close to being under the grass to sweat the small sheet.
)
I appreciate that you appreciated reading my impression.
