JYD II SG2 complaint/question

fishface5

fishface5

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Feb 3, 2001
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I bought a TI JYD SG2 blem. The detent ball wore down and flattened, all of a sudden carving a groove in the blade steel that made the action unbearably gritty. I replaced the detent with a larger one but since the blade now had an uneven groove in it, that didn't fix the grittiness. So I tore it apart and made the blade into a kitchen knife.

Then I find a great deal on another blem - same exact model. I buy it, customize it to my liking (totally voiding the warranty - ok ok blems don't have a warranty) and then, in what seemed like 2 or 3 openings (after many thousands of prior opening & closing), it went from perfectly slick to nightmare-gritty. I took it apart and it's the exact same problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Has anyone else experienced that? I am very bummed b/c I had made it into a truly badass piece of work.
 
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Tat is whatis nice about th blems, the warranty is void for youready. ;)
You didn't over oil your knife did you? Have you tried washing it in soapy water at all? It takes a while to wear down a detent ball. Years and years, unless you are sitting there flipping your knife 1000 of times per day.
 
My JYd 2 is my primary work knife. I open/close it 40-50 times a day at least. I've been using mine for months and no grit, still slick as whatever you wana compare it to.
 
I had a JYD2 the detent ball fell out. Sent it and it was replaced by a new knife. I sold it but later bought a factory second and have no problem from it. My Ti JYD has been good as good as well.
 
Ive never actually had a detent ball wear a groove into the blade. Ive had the detent ball LOOK like it wore a groove because it dragged grease and dirt in its path and it left a mark there but far from what I would call a groove.
 
Thomas I understand there isn't a warranty on blems I am just confused - blems are supposed to be cosmetic not functional issues, at least that's what I was told by the dealer I bought the second one from (first was from a forumite). I have bought many blems and they have always been cosmetic issues. This is not a cosmetic issue it is a significant functional issue.


I'm not asking for compensation, or saying "Kershaw is bad." But I am complaining/venting, b/c I put a lot of work into customizing the second one to my liking and then suddenly this happens again. But mostly I am posting to see if anyone else has ever experienced or heard of this problem on this model, blem or otherwise, just for my information. I have owned hundreds of folders (incl dozens of kershaws) and never seen this happen before, or even heard of it. Even on cheapie chinese knives. Then twice with 2 different TI JYD2 SG2 blems - granted they are blems but this is supposed to be a very high-end model from Kershaw. And it's especially frustrating b/c I cannot figure out how it happened! If the steel surrounding the SG2 was hard enough to wear down a super-hard detent ball bearing, then why would the same steel suddenly be soft enough that the flattened bearing would start carving an uneven channel in the blade? And this is a significant channel we are talking about, not simply a worn-shiny spot. It renders the knife difficult (& totally unpleasant) to open or close. Twice!! Is it like lightning and I am just really unlucky?
 
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ff5, blems have problems. Those that have bought blems without problems that exceed a scratch and dent should consider themselves fortunate. I don't like blems, never will. It's a big waste of our time and energies. Having to do up an annual warehouse sale is unfortunate, and I hope it goes away some day. Having blems on the market is not ideal. Explaining issues with regards to these blems also is difficult. Having blems show up for warranty is a problem. Having dealers not disclose that knives are blems is additionally an issue. Answering what an XXXX is on a blade can be frustrating. Blems having a good reputation saddens me.

HT on the SG2 was challenging, grinding them was challenging. There were a lot of parts that were not flat with these knives (blems). Flippers don't flip well with parts that are not true. Parts can wear oddly when components are fighting with/against each other. I believe the clad was a 420/SG2 marriage. The 420 can be soft, it can also scratch very easy. It sounds as if the blems you received had issues with a soft outer, and parts not being flat. It's difficult to diagnose without seeing it.

Hope that helps.
 
^I agree 100%

To me buying a blem is like buying parts from a junkyard.. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.. But you can't complain because its cheap and you get what you pay for.
 
I would be sad to see the blems go away. Its nice getting a blem of a higher end knife for a user and although I havent gone yet, I am looking forward to going to the warehouse sell. Pick up a few bargain blades and get to see the Kershaw factory. For the informed buyer it can be a good way to show customer appreciation.
 
Thomas W said:
. I don't like blems, never will. It's a big waste of our time and energies. Having to do up an annual warehouse sale is unfortunate, and I hope it goes away some day. Having blems on the market is not ideal.
Click to expand...

I will help you out...by offering to accept all the blems you need to get rid of.:)
 
Thomas W said:
ff5, blems have problems. Those that have bought blems without problems that exceed a scratch and dent should consider themselves fortunate. I don't like blems, never will. It's a big waste of our time and energies. Having to do up an annual warehouse sale is unfortunate, and I hope it goes away some day. Having blems on the market is not ideal. Explaining issues with regards to these blems also is difficult. Having blems show up for warranty is a problem. Having dealers not disclose that knives are blems is additionally an issue. Answering what an XXXX is on a blade can be frustrating. Blems having a good reputation saddens me.

HT on the SG2 was challenging, grinding them was challenging. There were a lot of parts that were not flat with these knives (blems). Flippers don't flip well with parts that are not true. Parts can wear oddly when components are fighting with/against each other. I believe the clad was a 420/SG2 marriage. The 420 can be soft, it can also scratch very easy. It sounds as if the blems you received had issues with a soft outer, and parts not being flat. It's difficult to diagnose without seeing it.

Hope that helps.
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Thanks for this info about the SG2 Ti JYD, sorry it had to be pried out of you.
Its weird because it seems like the SG2 wasn't a great fun project for you, but the end results everybody raves about, so thanks to you and company for doing it even thought it was very difficult. In a way its as good as or better than the custom made equivalent because of the blade process, steel choice and blade grind. Q: Do you calling it a San Mai construction?

I try to tell people the legit non blems are way worth it, why would someone not want to experience your excellent customer service/warranty dept.

I do have one blem, a Volt and I will saw you made me buy it, but it was the best and only one I could find at the time, a birthday present for myself. I actually feel bad about using it because I know if something breaks, I am on my own with it.
 
Well I guess I will respond to this thread. I sold dozens of the SG2 JYD blems and never heard anyone saying anything about any problems whatsoever, so I believe that for whatever reason you have had a run of bad luck. That being said, blems have been an absolute blessing to myself and my family. They provide those of us with a knife that we are not afraid to use and we buy the firsts to store in our collections. I have seen some companies that destroy their seconds and to me that is a real waste and even though I am not an overly eco minded kind of guy, it doesn't make sense for the planet either. So I say kudos to Kershaw for not wasting product, I know they could toss them if they chose too. I have sold thousands of blems and I have only had a handful that I held back because I thought they were not good enough to go out. I believe that thousands of people have been introduced to Kershaw knives through the purchase of seconds and had thoughts like, wow if these are this cool and they are seconds, I need to buy some new ones. There is always a reason for everything and there will always be pros and cons for everything. It goes without saying that I would be very sad to see blems go away. Thomas, I know it's a pain for you guys, but I know that I speak for thousands, we like all Kershaw knives , blems included.

KG
 
I really appreciate that you guys open up your factory to the public for the yearly sale. I only wish I was closer so I could go. It's funny cause another Japanese owned performance car parts company nearby does the same thing. I think it helps let the public come out and meet the workers and see where their knives are made. The inside look alone is appealing.

At that same company a friend tells me they hammer and destroy blemished parts. How you deal with blems now is very commendable and is the sign of a stand up company. I hope you keep it up. It's a way for more rare limited knives to be available.
 
Well I am delighted to report that Thomas - a gentleman of almost superhuman awesomeness - has offered to do me a solid that he has no need or responsibility to do, and that I had no expectation of whatsoever. I will be butchering yet another blem of this model, to see if third time's the charm!

I should also add that I have bought several blems of other Kershaw models as well (including from Kershawguy), and really love that they are available, because I tend to customize/mutilate my knives and having a blem is a great way to try out my mods cheap. I work on more KErshaws than any other manufacturer because the designs are so great. And on at least one occasion I have then bought a regular model to do it up right. I have a waved ENERG2 that while uglier due to my ministrations is one of the nearest-to-perfect EDCs in terms of function that I have ever owned or played with (still working on the looks, however getting them pretty takes so much patience!).

Thanks again Thomas, Kershaw rocks!
 
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Thomas is as always generous and a stand up guy! Its guys like him and Dave(kershawguy) who make owning a kershaw/ZT that much more meaningful
 
Thomas W said:
ff5, blems have problems. Those that have bought blems without problems that exceed a scratch and dent should consider themselves fortunate.
Click to expand...

For this very reason, I've been reluctant to buy more blems, although I understand Dave's point about wastefulness. I want the security blanket of a warranty.

But I am curious about the term - "blem." Who came up with that? Doesn't it imply a cosmetic imperfection?

That's confusing. Why not use the more common term, "seconds"?
 
flash900 said:
For this very reason, I've been reluctant to buy more blems, although I understand Dave's point about wastefulness. I want the security blanket of a warranty.

But I am curious about the term - "blem." Who came up with that? Doesn't it imply a cosmetic imperfection?

That's confusing. Why not use the more common term, "seconds"?
Click to expand...
Blem probably comes from blemish.
 
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