Ka-Bar might need to tighten up a little....

Severance

Severance

Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
261
I just wanted to say that I am not here to bash Ka-Bar. I own quite a few of their products and enjoy them very much. However, I just wanted to share something that I found almost laughable. I just recently purchased a BK5, and I think it is a GREAT knife. After I fondled it for a while, I remembered that I might be able to get a set of micarta handles. I was able to find some at Newgraham.com and was stoked. When they arrived, to my dismay, I discovered that I had been sent a mismatched set(two right scales, instead of a left and right). I promptly called Newgraham and was told that this must have resulted from the handles being incorrectly packaged at the factory where they were made. Unfortunately, this was the last set that NG had in stock, and the BK77 handles were now on backorder. I send this set back for a refund. I wait a little while and I see that my other favorite online dealer, Knifecenter, has gotten some BK77 handles in stock. I eagerly call to place an order, only to find out that the batch they received had quickly been recalled due to an issue with improper sizing. I wait another week, and KC gets a new batch in. I finally have a new set in hand a couple days later. I quickly notice that this set is missing the screws all together. Now, mind you, this is not a major issue considering that the stock screws worked just fine with the new handles. However, out of curiosity, I call Knifecenter and it turns out that this entire batch was unintentionally missing the screws/mounting hardware. As Knifecenter sets out to rectify this issue, I decide to call Ka-Bar. I speak to a very helpful young lady who apologizes and offers to send out a set of screws to me right away. I get them today, and could you believe that I was sent 2 screws and 2 nuts. Thats right, 2 out of 3. Jesus.....after all this, they still can't seem to get things straight. Granted, the BK77 handles comprise a miniscule portion of Ka-Bars's production, and mistakes do occurr....but god man,...first a mismatched set, then incorrectly sized sets, followed by missing screws, then finally not being able to send the correct number of screws to a customer. It just seems that it should not be this difficult. I hope I haven't offended anyone, and I want to repeat that I have nothing against Ka-Bar. Perhaps I have been too critical....you tell me.:cool:
 
It happens. Especially when you have multiple people dealing with the product. But I understand exactly what you are saying.
 
WOW !!! sorry to hear about that, I can totally understand your frustration..

from a business standpoint:: sounds to me like someones losing money, and possibly more money when it comes to customer service..

nowadays its all about customer service, you can have a killer product with "no customer service" and eventually your product itself becomes tarnished and shelf ridden..

I'm hopeful this is an isolated incident with that particular model, and was a fluke thing that happened at the factory with the screw count..

Maybe someday you'll have your new scales.. :cool:

Take Care,
Rob
 
Severance said:
I just wanted to say that I am not here to bash Ka-Bar. I own quite a few of their products and enjoy them very much. However, I just wanted to share something that I found almost laughable. I just recently purchased a BK5, and I think it is a GREAT knife. After I fondled it for a while, I remembered that I might be able to get a set of micarta handles. I was able to find some at Newgraham.com and was stoked. When they arrived, to my dismay, I discovered that I had been sent a mismatched set(two right scales, instead of a left and right). I promptly called Newgraham and was told that this must have resulted from the handles being incorrectly packaged at the factory where they were made. Unfortunately, this was the last set that NG had in stock, and the BK77 handles were now on backorder. I send this set back for a refund. I wait a little while and I see that my other favorite online dealer, Knifecenter, has gotten some BK77 handles in stock. I eagerly call to place an order, only to find out that the batch they received had quickly been recalled due to an issue with improper sizing. I wait another week, and KC gets a new batch in. I finally have a new set in hand a couple days later. I quickly notice that this set is missing the screws all together. Now, mind you, this is not a major issue considering that the stock screws worked just fine with the new handles. However, out of curiosity, I call Knifecenter and it turns out that this entire batch was unintentionally missing the screws/mounting hardware. As Knifecenter sets out to rectify this issue, I decide to call Ka-Bar. I speak to a very helpful young lady who apologizes and offers to send out a set of screws to me right away. I get them today, and could you believe that I was sent 2 screws and 2 nuts. Thats right, 2 out of 3. Jesus.....after all this, they still can't seem to get things straight. Granted, the BK77 handles comprise a miniscule portion of Ka-Bars's production, and mistakes do occurr....but god man,...first a mismatched set, then incorrectly sized sets, followed by missing screws, then finally not being able to send the correct number of screws to a customer. It just seems that it should not be this difficult. I hope I haven't offended anyone, and I want to repeat that I have nothing against Ka-Bar. Perhaps I have been too critical....you tell me.:cool:
Click to expand...

So, you had all the hardware you needed because of the stock BK5 screws, but you called KA-BAR anyway to send you MORE screws and you are upset that they didn't send you enough?

I can understand your frustration about the problems with the scales, but drop the screw thing. You have enough.
 
I think if you pay for a product that's suppose to come with something you should get it, period..

maybe they're an upgrade screw,:confused: I've never bought scales before so I wouldn't know..
 
stuff happens. i blame the full moon and hollandaise :)


Bladite
 
Bladite,

You had to go there.. I have not had eggs-benedict in about 7 yrs or so. Use to be my favorite, that will be stuck in my head if I ever go out for breakfast again..
 
sqoon said:
So, you had all the hardware you needed because of the stock BK5 screws, but you called KA-BAR anyway to send you MORE screws and you are upset that they didn't send you enough?

I can understand your frustration about the problems with the scales, but drop the screw thing. You have enough.
Click to expand...

Please keep it cordial, some issues are bigger to others than they would be to another.

I can agree that the mismatched handles were a pain, as well as the oversized ones. I have bought 3 sets of Micarta handles, and none of them come with screws, I just simply put them on using the old hardware. I have never lost a screw or had one back out, but I did strip one once, and I called to ask about a price for a new set. I recieved 6 setups, and never paid a dime.

The reason why I would just chalk it up, is that there is a BIG product release coming next year, and everyone, and I mean everyone is jumping through hoops to help it go off smoothly. Imagine what would happen when you added 40 new products to your starting line up.

I hope this hasn't soured your view on Kabar or Becker, you did get the items you were looking for, just not as fast as you wanted. But you did get them.

Thank you for your post, and hang around, we need folks like you to keep us and them on our toes.

Moose
 
moosez45 said:
Please keep it cordial, some issues are bigger to others than they would be to another.
Moose
Click to expand...

I didn't mean to be impolite. I was just trying to put the problem of the number of screws sent into perspective. Sorry if I came off as rude. Pax?
 
sqoon said:
I didn't mean to be impolite. I was just trying to put the problem of the number of screws sent into perspective. Sorry if I came off as rude. Pax?
Click to expand...

No worries. I may have misinterpreted. Moose
 
my full-size micarta did NOT come with hardware, afaik. if they're including it now, they SHOULD include 3 sets. stainless even imho ;)


Bladite
 
DAMMIT! I want my screws, TOO!!!! :jerkit:

My micarta didn't come with screws, and i never gave it a second thought. After all, I won't be using the Grivory screws on the Grivory....

IMO, you took advantage of K-Bar's good customer service, and then are complaining about it.
 
rockspyder said:
IMO, you took advantage of K-Bar's good customer service, and then are complaining about it.
Click to expand...


I don't see any complaints regarding customer service, in fact, quite the contrary. Heck, it's not even really a complaint about quality control, moreso about attention to detail.
 
6shooter said:
I don't see any complaints regarding customer service, in fact, quite the contrary. Heck, it's not even really a complaint about quality control, moreso about attention to detail.
Click to expand...

Then we have differing opinions.
 
I think 6Shooter said it best. The first set I got from Newgraham.com, although mismatched, did come with hardware. I was recently informed by Knifecenter.com that KaBar said the handles SHOULD come with the screws. I have nothing against Kabar, it was just disappointing to encounter these inconsistencies, and lack of "attention to detail". Yes, the stock screws worked just fine, and I technically don't *need* another set.....but if the handles are supposed to come with them, then I don't think you can fault me for calling KaBar. I definitely don't feel as if I was taking advantage of anything/anyone.
 
Bladite said:
stuff happens. i blame the full moon and hollandaise :)

Bladite
Click to expand...

Actually the worlds surplus methane from increased beef production is contributing to global warming\green house gases\acid rain. This triad is oxidizing world iron ore deposits which is why we see a shortage of iron screw sets. It's all caused by cow farts !......... the little stinkers.;)

Luckily the screw sets that came with my knife were not corroded beyond use from Bovine flatulence, and it was a non issue that I didn't receive fasteners with my micarta.:)
 
Severance said:
I think 6Shooter said it best. The first set I got from Newgraham.com, although mismatched, did come with hardware. I was recently informed by Knifecenter.com that KaBar said the handles SHOULD come with the screws. I have nothing against Kabar, it was just disappointing to encounter these inconsistencies, and lack of "attention to detail". Yes, the stock screws worked just fine, and I technically don't *need* another set.....but if the handles are supposed to come with them, then I don't think you can fault me for calling KaBar. I definitely don't feel as if I was taking advantage of anything/anyone.
Click to expand...

I don't feel that you did either, in fact, Kabar took care of the issues. All the micarta I've gotten from Tomar's has not included the hardware. I don't feel gyped or like I have lost anything. One quick call by anyone on these forums to Kabar customer service, would erupt in a surplus of hardware, more screws to fill the knives you had, unless your Guyon or Bladite. You'd need a damn hardware store to cover those yahoos.

Moose
 
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Sounds like a bonafide PITA ordeal to me. I sympathize. It is dissappointing to pay for something that needs 3-4 "do overs". Hang in there though, this is one company that has a good rep in general.
 
upnorth said:
Actually the worlds surplus methane from increased beef production is contributing to global warming\green house gases\acid rain. This triad is oxidizing world iron ore deposits which is why we see a shortage of iron screw sets. It's all caused by cow farts !......... the little stinkers.;)
Click to expand...

That is hilarious, I loved it.. !@!! very well done.. thank you.. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
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