I gave them a chance...

SpyKers

SpyKers

Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
476
I received my Knockout back from the warranty department today. I've heard so many good experiences which is why I find myself perplexed to not be sharing that opinion. :(

Let me start by saying that the people who answer the phones and run customer service did a wonderful job. Both Teresa (guessing on spelling) and Jeremy/Jeff (the supervisor... I'm really bad with names) were very helpful in helping me locate my knife when I thought it had been lost. I can't brag about them enough!

Unfortunately, the condition of my knife is the let down. I sent it in because the sub-frame lock was overly engaged and was trying very hard to touch the frame on the non-locking side. This issue was alleviated. Second, the knife was "creaking" and flexing on the frame and the knife was waaaaaaaay to hard to disengage. Now, the creaking/flexing could be fixed by over tightening the pivot, but that makes the knife hard to use. The sub-frame lock sticking really bad could not be resolved with mass amounts of opening, dry lubricants, or pretending I was Magneto to flex the metal :p

Those issues were not fixed. Kershaw simply over tightened the pivot, making the knife hard to use. The lock sticking is still awful. I have handled a perfectly manufactured Knockout, the action is smooth, buttery, rock solid, and a pleasure to use. I hate this. I'm not the type of customer to "swear off Kershaw" or have a mass over reaction based on a single issue. I'm just disappointed. I really looked forward to this knife and it's been a headache ever since it arrived.

As opposed to sending the knife in for service again, it's probably going to just find it's way onto the display case not to be used often. I really wanted to EDC it because of the Stonewashed 14c28n not rusting during the summer... Oh well. I'll be buying plenty more Kershaws, just wish I hadn't sunk $72 into this one... P.s. I'm glad the Cryo arrived, it has kept the frown off my face :)
 
So the knife is "creaking?" What is creaking? And the frame is flexing? How would tightening the pivot help that? In fact, how do you expect that to be fixed? Flexing of the frame sounds like a design problem, not enough metal. Unless I'm completely misunderstanding you. I think I just don't understand the third paragraph. The lock isn't going over all the way now, but it is still sticking?

Have you tried the pencil-lead trick on the tang of the blade, where the lock-bar locks up?

If it is still not fixed, and you believe it can be (which is a reasonable assumption), I'd send it back again.
 
You can feel the aluminum scales physically flexing as you grip the knife. The flexing takes place around the pivot. For example, if I put pressure on the front of the handle, the back side will have a larger gap. If I put pressure on the back side, the front side will have a larger gap. The scale "flexes". By tightening the pivot, you in essence tighten the frame eliminating any flex in the frame (while also eliminating blade play, centering the blade, etc...). When it does flex, it makes a sound. I described that sound as a "creak". It's the sound of metal grinding at a higher pitch. If you'd prefer a different verb, please let me know ;) The flexing has been eliminated but at the cost of usability. The pivot was over tightened. I can untighten the pivot, but then the situation I previously described rears its ugly head.

Yes, I tried pencil lead (graphite) on the bottom of the blade tang. That was advised to me a month ago. That falls under the "dry lubricant" I mentioned in my previous post. The sub-frame lock in my opinion has two issues (on my blade, not in general).

1. It has too much tension making it hard to disengage. Which is probably the reason it slowly worked its way towards the non-locking side. It really cuts/digs into my thumb. I have to push hard.

2. There is a machining issue either on the bottom of the blade tang or top on the sub-frame lock causing it to grab/stick.

As I posted, I've used a Knockout that is flawless. That was the feeling I expected from my own knife after the warranty department serviced it. I can USE the knife, and it DOES function. It was simply my first Kershaw to fall below my expectations. That is OK. I own many Kershaws that have met or exceeded my expectations.
 
I wasn't calling you out or anything. I really was having a difficult time understanding what was going on.
I still say send it back. It sounds like a bad case of tolerance stack.
 
That is a bummer, and that is an oddity. But I have had oddities in warranties before [not KAI related though].

I would either try contacting the CS again - via phone, or perhaps one of the mods could chime in as well.

And as rock stated, I would include a letter explaining the situation to this point in time [including you comparing it to a different knockout], and try sending it in. At least KAI is usually fairly quick on the turnaround. My Spyderco's have not come in before 3 weeks.

But I agree with ya, regardless of price, and irregardless of it "being functional" to cut etc [which can be achieved even without the handle, and just the blade, if people are being particular lol], do really bum you out. Especially when there are high expectations/hopes/anticipation; even knowing full on, that these things do happen. When I received my Spyderco Fluted Ti military, I noticed I had to adjust the pivot [now only about a 1/4-1/2 turn from full tightness] to have it feel smooth, the pivot screws would slide back and forth from the left to the right, and sometimes making a slight clink sound. I was told it was normal for this to occur, and that it is what I should have expected [not from cs from a forum]. Unfortunately all my other chicago screw type pivots don't do this, so I didn't know to expect that lol. Which in turn bummed me out for a bit. But yours seems to be a more "real" issue. So I would try again and see if there is anything else that could be done. Its a shame you had it for so long, otherwise I would have suggested to return to seller/ask for an exchange. Hope everything turns out ok.
 
Man give them a call and give them another chance. I'm sure they will get it right.
 
rockspyder said:
I wasn't calling you out or anything. I really was having a difficult time understanding what was going on.
I still say send it back. It sounds like a bad case of tolerance stack.
Click to expand...

I understand you weren't. I was trying to walk the sarcasm/humor line (which is more difficult with typed words as opposed to spoken). No offense taken. :)

Thank you for the advice fellas.
 
No worries. I just know sometimes sarcasm can be born from offense, and I wanted to make sure my post did not offend you.
 
Update: Good friend of mine liked my Knockout in its current condition. I offered him the blade for $50 (yes, I let him know what my concerns were). He still thought it was a screaming good deal. He's happy and I have a bad taste out of my mouth.

Now for the good news. I now have some extra funds to put towards a new blade. I have 3 knives in mind:

1. Kershaw Blur s30v. I've always wanted one but never pulled the trigger because I LOVE flippers when I buy Kershaws.

2. Full-Size Griptillian

3. Sage 1

Yes, I realize that this is post is probably better fit for the general forums. But I was curious if anybody here had any honest opinions between the three blades. Also, I've considered holding out for the carbon fiber Blur... But I'm thinking that one will be hard to get my hands on.

Sound off below :)
 
Griptilian gets my vote. I have two full-sized (MDP and the sheepsfoot) and one mini (sheepsfoot). My wife has two, both mini's, but the same patterns as mine, MDP and sheepsfoot. Her sheepsfoot mini-G has been put through more abuse than I bet 90% of the knives talked about on this bboard got through. Dirt, sand, potting soil, shrubs, plastic and burlap sacks, jute and synthetic twine... I mean it gets the s*** used out of it. All it gets back is rinsing out, sharpening when needed (not that often, surprisingly enough for 440C), and an occasional oiling. She loves that knife. They are good knives, with a very reliable and robust lock system.

I dislike liner-locks that don't have a flipper that doubles as a finger-guard. I have one... never had a problem with it, but I never carry it. I just can't trust it. So that rules out the Blur for me.

As far as Spyderco's, as good as I believe those knives are, I just don't like their styling. I have a few of those, too. Never carry any of them.

BTW, glad to hear you got a good resolution to your Knockout problem.
 
The Blur is an awesome knife. I have one with a Sandvik blade, not S30V, but aside from blade steel, I believe everything else is the same. It's comfortable in hand, has a great assisted-open mechanism, cuts great, carries easily for a knife of that size, and looks cool (love the Ken Onion designs). The blade does have a slight re-curve to it though, which (at least for me) is a bit trickier to sharpen.

Griptilian is a great knife too, but I'm not a fan of the hollow-sounding handles. Functionally, they are plenty tough and comfortable to handle, but when opening or closing the knife, it makes a hollow plastic clicking sound (a really loud one at that, if you flick the blade open quickly). The mini-Grip actually doesn't do this, probably on account of the liners running the full length of the handle. I like the shape of the Ritter version of the blade better than the regular as well.

Don't have a Sage 1, but it does look pretty awesome. It's on my wish list too.
 
If you've always wanted a Blur, get one. Cross it off the list or you'll just end up with it later on anyways.
 
SpyKers said:
Update: Good friend of mine liked my Knockout in its current condition. I offered him the blade for $50 (yes, I let him know what my concerns were). He still thought it was a screaming good deal. He's happy and I have a bad taste out of my mouth.

Now for the good news. I now have some extra funds to put towards a new blade. I have 3 knives in mind:

1. Kershaw Blur s30v. I've always wanted one but never pulled the trigger because I LOVE flippers when I buy Kershaws.

2. Full-Size Griptillian

3. Sage 1

Yes, I realize that this is post is probably better fit for the general forums. But I was curious if anybody here had any honest opinions between the three blades. Also, I've considered holding out for the carbon fiber Blur... But I'm thinking that one will be hard to get my hands on.

Sound off below :)
Click to expand...

All three choices are wicked "must-buys" but the Sage 1 is an amazing knife. Buy it!

Spyderco-Sage-C123CFP.jpg
 
I've got a Blur S30V that's going back for the second time tomorrow, you're not alone. I hate that I'm spending 30% of the price of the knife to get it to run right and that of the 30 days I've owned it it's only been in my possession for 4 days. But, I've got another Blur for EDC until this one gets back.
 
I was able to handle a Blur for the first time today at Bass Pro along with the Benchmade Grip. The Griptillian did not feel anywhere near as good as the Blur. That has to be the best assisted opening Kershaw I've handled to date. I doubt I'll find a Sage 1 locally to handle...

Dedrok: That picture alone almost had me pull the trigger :)

Blur s30v or Sage 1... That's where I'm at.
 
+'s for Blur:

Cost $$$
Assisted Opening
Grip (Assuming)
USA Made

+'s for Sage 1:

Carbon Fiber (looks)
Deep Carry Clip
Choke Choil
Larger Liner Lock (Strength Possibly?)
 
SpyKers said:
+'s for Blur:

Cost $$$
Assisted Opening
Grip (Assuming)
USA Made

+'s for Sage 1:

Carbon Fiber (looks)
Deep Carry Clip
Choke Choil
Larger Liner Lock (Strength Possibly?)
Click to expand...

Another vote for the Sage 1. I got one a few weeks back, and it's awesome. The F&F on the Taichung Taiwan-made spydies is always EXCELLENT! Especially since you have a sour taste in your mouth over the issues with your KO. That Sage carries well and rides discreetly in the pocket. You won't be disappointed.

Oh yeah, and I have a Knockout as well. Fortunately for me, the F&F on mine is very good. I love that knife!
 
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I think it's in pretty poor taste to recommend another manufacturer's knives in a different manufacturer's sub-forum. Why don't you take this to general?
 
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