Is this a Blem?

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benchwarmer380

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Hey yall!
My understanding with Kershaw/ZT blems is that the lack a serial number and instead have xxxx on the blade. Well I recently received a ZT 200 which has both a serial number and the xxxx on the blade and was wondering if anyone could tell me if it is in fact a blem.

I did email KAI about it but with it being Sunday I might not get a response until tomorrow. I figured some of the Order might be on today and could help a dude out. Thanks all.
 
I think they mark it a blem during final assembly and inspection so all standard marking should be there before the xxxx is marked.
 
I'm fairly sure I have seen blems without serial numbers.

Anyway, yeah, the XXXX is only on blems.
 
Cool thanks. I did find one deviation on the front of the blade that could be the root of the blem. It is right on the line where the swedge meets the main grind.
Even still it is a fantastic specimen.
Crappy photo but its evident.
 
R.c.s said:
Blem is new to me can i ask what it is ?
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KAI has very high quality standards. Knives that have imperfections, or blemishes, are sold at a heavy discount with no warranty. They used to be a great buy. Unfortunately the main supplier of blem models has increased his prices to the point it makes no sense to not buy new on many of them. Just today I noticed that source was charging more for a blemished model than a new non blem. :barf:
 
R.c.s said:
Blem is new to me can i ask what it is ?
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Just means that the dudes at the factory deem it a "Blemish" model due to the fact that there is some sort of inconsistency with the finish. Scratches on the blade, messed up paint on the pocket clip, problems with the DLC, etc. Basically the knife still functions perfectly, but there are small problems with the finish that fail final inspection. So they're sold at great discount and come with no factory warranty. Still great knives at a great deal! Kershaw still sharpens them, though.
 
o4tg said:
KAI has very high quality standards. Knives that have imperfections, or blemishes, are sold at a heavy discount with no warranty. They used to be a great buy. Unfortunately the main supplier of blem models has increased his prices to the point it makes no sense to not buy new on many of them. Just today I noticed that source was charging more for a blemished model than a new non blem. :barf:
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And who would that be???
 
daveb068 said:
And who would that be???
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KershawGuy.com unfortunately. I shouldn't have said anything because I know I'll get bad reactions, but most of his blem offerings are now with in $5-$10 of a non blem, and some of his ZT blems actually cost more than a non blem. As I type he's selling 0350SW blems for more than they cost new, from him or multiple other sources.

Maybe KAI increased blem costs? Regardless, I don't think the blem market will be popular much longer at the newer price points. It sucks since 0350's at $70 was a good deal, but at $95 I'd rather just pay an extra $10 and buy new.
 
Kershaw changed some of the rules this year regarding dealers and their warehouse sale. Maybe that has something to do with it. Just remember that it's not always the dealer when prices go up. If you were referring to the 2 350s on the site they are different models. One is a kw and one is an sw. Not meant to be a bad reaction to what you posted. Although that smiley was a little uncalled for. Sorry to stray from the topic.
 
R.c.s said:
Blem is new to me can i ask what it is ?
Click to expand...


o4tg said:
KAI has very high quality standards. Knives that have imperfections, or blemishes, are sold at a heavy discount with no warranty. They used to be a great buy. Unfortunately the main supplier of blem models has increased his prices to the point it makes no sense to not buy new on many of them. Just today I noticed that source was charging more for a blemished model than a new non blem. :barf:
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I add that the blemishes that we usually refer to a small imperfections on knives that in no way affect performance so something like a imperfect logo or no logo on the blade can make it a blem. One of my stones from my DMT Aligner would be considered to have blemishes if you use the same definition. The 4in extra fine duosharp stone has small gaps in some of the dimples, it no way affects performance of the stone but it doesn't look pretty and it's a cosmetic thing. It annoys me but in no way affects performance so I didn't return it.

Some manufacturers choose to sell these blems at a discount as they are still good products but they just don't live up their their standard. Most of the companies that do this only sell ones with cosmetic blems which make for great knives for a cheaper price if you don't care about warranty or having a pretty blade.
 
I would argue that a blemish model priced within 30% of a NIB model is a poor deal, as the warranty is no small sacrifice. Getting a blem means getting a knife that has low resale value, has cosmetic flaws from the beginning, and cannot be serviced by KAI - a service I have used three times thus far for problems that developed over time (stripped pivot slot in the handle of a zing, damaged blade on a junkyard dog CB, blade play / centering issues on an 0560CBCF)

I go for new every time - I was a little miffed when I had emailed Dave as to whether he had a JYD CB with the older non-sawtooth-pattern brazing line kicking around, he did, I bought it, and at no stage did he tell me it was a blem. I paid nearly full price for it, and it had a weak detent and blade play from the start.

I've purchased from him before and after that with no issue, but that certainly left a bad taste in my mouth.
 
grownstar said:
Just means that the dudes at the factory deem it a "Blemish" model due to the fact that there is some sort of inconsistency with the finish. Scratches on the blade, messed up paint on the pocket clip, problems with the DLC, etc. Basically the knife still functions perfectly, but there are small problems with the finish that fail final inspection. So they're sold at great discount and come with no factory warranty. Still great knives at a great deal! Kershaw still sharpens them, though.
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That's not the entire story. Back when the KAI crew was still posting here, Thomas said there have also been ones that went out with slightly warped blades and such. It's not always a finish thing.
 
kreole said:
That's not the entire story. Back when the KAI crew was still posting here, Thomas said there have also been ones that went out with slightly warped blades and such. It's not always a finish thing.
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Word, I get ya. Thanks for the insight, K.
 
o4tg said:
KershawGuy.com unfortunately. I shouldn't have said anything because I know I'll get bad reactions, but most of his blem offerings are now with in $5-$10 of a non blem, and some of his ZT blems actually cost more than a non blem. As I type he's selling 0350SW blems for more than they cost new, from him or multiple other sources.

Maybe KAI increased blem costs? Regardless, I don't think the blem market will be popular much longer at the newer price points. It sucks since 0350's at $70 was a good deal, but at $95 I'd rather just pay an extra $10 and buy new.
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Don't confuse the 0350KW with the 0350SW. I believe the SW is a lot harder to come by but not sure. That is the only thing where his pricing is a little wonky. Everything else is still a great deal.

Have you considered contacting him before calling him out in public?
 
Scurvy092 said:
Don't confuse the 0350KW with the 0350SW. I believe the SW is a lot harder to come by but not sure. That is the only thing where his pricing is a little wonky. Everything else is still a great deal.

Have you considered contacting him before calling him out in public?
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$95 for an 0350 blem is not a good deal when $15 more will get you a new one. $200 for an 0560BW blem.is not a good deal when $220 will get you a new one. A Skyline blem for $30 is not a good deal when $2 more will get you a new one. I could keep going, but what's the point.

I'm not calling him out per se, just stating that blemished KAI's are no longer the deal they used to be unless you're physically present at the factory sale. If you watch that big auction site you'll see people charging even more for blems, but usually as a borderline scam unfortunately. Like I said though, maybe KAI raised his prices, but after seeing the deals posted from the factory sales, I think it's safe to say that is where one truly finds deals on blems.

And I love my brown non blem Skyline I got from him for $35. That's $6 more than he asks for blems, though it is only fair to mention he has almost doubled his cost for the remaining run of brown Skylines since I bought mine almost a year ago.
 
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