If you want to play that game with Kershaw, go ahead. With a brand new, never used knife that works improperly, manufacturers want "first look" at the product by their technicians.
Read the actual LIMITED warranty that says in part:
Kershaw Knives from Kai USA Ltd. carry a limited warranty for the lifetime of the original owner, except when stated otherwise. We guarantee our knives against manufacturing defects in material and construction and to perform as advertised when properly used and maintained. The Limited Lifetime Warranty is non-transferable and does not extend to normal signs of wear, rust, damage or breakage due to improper use, improper maintenance, accidents, loss or theft. Any product we determine to be defective will be repaired or replaced solely at our discretion. To receive warranty repair or replacement, the owner must send the product to be evaluated by Kai USA Warranty Services in our Tualatin, Oregon headquarters.
They clearly state they are NOT RESPONSIBLE for improper maintenance. So the will gladly let you work on your own knife, but if you make a mistake, they don't have to cover it. Note too, the use of their sole discretion of making the determination of what is a warranty issue and what isn't.
Robert
1) I'm not playing any game with kershaw or anyone else. I was addressing your statement wherein you said taking a knife apart will void the warranty.
2) Taking a knife apart does not equal improper maintenance. Improper maintenance is what voids the warranty.
3) It appears you're not parsing the sentence correctly where you bolded the phrase "solely at our discretion." Determining whether the product is defective (and therefore covered under warranty) is their action / responsibility. Concluding whether the product is defective isn't discretionary; it either is or isn't based on standards and a process. Following that process is what enables them to make a determination whether the product is defective. The Quality Control process and determining whether something is defective isn't discretionary. What IS discretionary is whether Kershaw will repair or replace the product once they have determined it is defective and covered under warranty. That is what the sentence actually says is solely at their discretion - whether to repair or replace.
Again, there is a vast difference from what you said that taking the knife apart will void the warranty versus what will actually void the warranty - one of which is improper maintenance which may arise from taking the knife apart and putting it together. But the act of taking the knife apart does not, by itself, void the warranty.
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