Kabar's Warranty

T

Tachead7075

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Apr 7, 2016
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How is Kabar's warranty guys? Will they replace broken knives if a failure should happen? They sell many overbuilt bushcraft style knives like the Becker series but specifically say in their warranty that improper use, including batoning will not be covered. What gives here? So you cant baton with a BK9 or risk voiding your warranty if the knife breaks? That seams pretty ridiculous because batoning is a common use for a heavy duty bushcraft knife. Other companies like Esee and Tops dont seem to put restrictions like this on their bushcraft knives. Is Kabar just covering their butt for their smaller knives but, will still replace the BK's or what? Thanks:thumbup:
 
If you aren't specifically abusing a Becker, you will have a tremendously hard time breaking one. I've only seen a couple threads about broken Beckers and each one was replaced even if it was abused. I wouldn't consider that to be law, though, and abusing a knife is abusing the trust that the company has in you as an owner, but I doubt a warranty claim on a Becker would ever be rejected unless you abused the knife beyond simple batoning.
 
KingMC said:
If you aren't specifically abusing a Becker, you will have a tremendously hard time breaking one. I've only seen a couple threads about broken Beckers and each one was replaced even if it was abused. I wouldn't consider that to be law, though, and abusing a knife is abusing the trust that the company has in you as an owner, but I doubt a warranty claim on a Becker would ever be rejected unless you abused the knife beyond simple batoning.
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Thanks. I'm considering trying my first Kabar but, videos and pictures like these had me worried and wondering if I should after reading their warranty. Especially when you see far less of these issues with Esee and Tops and they dont have any stipulations about batoning or anything at all with Esee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD41VjL1mek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=banOU1KbeEE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOrsBi9u5KM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqQPX4vOloA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZkO_4UnSL8

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3564846866_6fc21552be.jpg?v=0

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...aR_CFGUGj1_YZELjNT4eM_DpjRrxCMb4kzPhMkqhIHgSm

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...Zepa-nzo7fdxJW7h14Qxdm2NhISjUxgDhcsMQccTCLf1w

http://www.cliffstamp.com/knives/images/becker_combat_bowie_damaged.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/...6-55a5-42ad-a146-865afb54b3f5_zps399287fb.jpg

http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae84/moosez45/Marsden BK2/Photo-0036.jpg

As long as they will replace a knife if something happens and they are generally reliable I will try one. I dont intend on abusing it beyond batoning, chopping, and general camp tasks(which it is designed for) but, heat treat issues can cause failures even under light use and I would hate to get stuck with a $250 chunk of useless steel. Not to mention I would rather not have a failure and be left without one of my knives deep in the forest if these arent reliable knives.

Anymore input would appreciated guys. Thanks:thumbup:
 
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Which Becker costs $250?

You can find similar images of broken ESEE knives - none of these knives are exactly indestructible. Are you concerned about ultimate durability just because of warranty issues, or are you concerned that you might endanger yourself because your knife broke and you're 'surviving' on it?

If it is the latter, don't bother with any of these knives and get something made of Infi, S7, 3V or other super tough steel. Otherwise, the Becker's are fine and the company is reasonable. Don't try to baton an obvious knot and you'll be fine - some of those pictures looked like the point was to break something.
 
On my time on this forum I've seen 4 failures reported. Each time the knife in question has been shipped back to Ka Bar and has gotten replaced. As King mentioned, its very hard to actually break one that while preforming normal knife tasks. On each of these occasions Ethan Becker has personally spoken with the individual that had the problem knife and offered his own time to make things right. Many of the links you posted looks like improper / problems during heat treat. There are many people who can explain it better then I, but that's what causes the large circular chunks to snap or crack off of the blade. Considering the thousands of knives produced a year, seeing a few sent back ain't bad. I currently own 10 Ka Bar knives (not as many as some people), and I won't hesitate to buy another when the budget permits.

Which model are you looking to get? After you get it, you should stop by in the Ka Bar or BK&T subforums! We love pictures of them in use!
 
RX-79G said:
Which Becker costs $250?

You can find similar images of broken ESEE knives - none of these knives are exactly indestructible. Are you concerned about ultimate durability just because of warranty issues, or are you concerned that you might endanger yourself because your knife broke and you're 'surviving' on it?

If it is the latter, don't bother with any of these knives and get something made of Infi, S7, 3V or other super tough steel. Otherwise, the Becker's are fine and the company is reasonable. Don't try to baton an obvious knot and you'll be fine - some of those pictures looked like the point was to break something.
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The BK21 is the model I'm interested in, its about $250CA with tax/shipping.

There seems to be many more of Kabar's though maybe due to volume, I'm not sure. Plus, Esee has a no questions asked warranty(even if you abuse it) and has proven themselves to me where I have never tried a Kabar. Tops also has a great warranty and very little reports of issues and has also proven themselves to me. I would probably stick with them but, neither makes something similar to the BK21.

As for my concern, I am mainly concerned with having a good warranty(will replace if their is an issue) and a reliable knife. I dont plan to abuse it beyond normal batoning firewood, heavy chopping, and other camp tasks. And yes, I also will be using it in very remote locations so I dont want to be let down and down a valuable tool when far off the grid. I do carry a backup(Esee 4) but, weight is limited so it would be my only chopper.

I dont know of many large choppers/kukris like the BK21 made in any of these steels other then ones like the Busse Killa Zilla and I am not looking to spend $1000 dollars on a large chopper nor do I want to wait for a custom or source one. If you have any suggestions I am open to them. $200, maybe $225US is the price cap. Thanks:thumbup:
 
It appears to be more like $140. If you like it and don't like anything else, I'd stop worrying and buy it. This isn't a crap company you're talking about.
 
TBL said:
On my time on this forum I've seen 4 failures reported. Each time the knife in question has been shipped back to Ka Bar and has gotten replaced. As King mentioned, its very hard to actually break one that while preforming normal knife tasks. On each of these occasions Ethan Becker has personally spoken with the individual that had the problem knife and offered his own time to make things right. Many of the links you posted looks like improper / problems during heat treat. There are many people who can explain it better then I, but that's what causes the large circular chunks to snap or crack off of the blade. Considering the thousands of knives produced a year, seeing a few sent back ain't bad. I currently own 10 Ka Bar knives (not as many as some people), and I won't hesitate to buy another when the budget permits.

Which model are you looking to get? After you get it, you should stop by in the Ka Bar or BK&T subforums! We love pictures of them in use!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post. That makes me feel a bit better about the company. I understand they are likely heat treatment issues. Most Kabar's I have seen broken are likely due to them being over hardened. I was just worried Kabar's heat treatment might be hit and miss but, it seems these might be isolated issues.

The BK21. I will if I do:thumbup:

Nice to talk to a fellow Ontarian by the way. Thanks for your help:thumbup:
 
RX-79G said:
It appears to be more like $140. If you like it and don't like anything else, I'd stop worrying and buy it. This isn't a crap company you're talking about.
Click to expand...

I am in Canada and was quoting the price in Canadian dollars with tax/shipping:thumbup:. That's why I was asking these questions. I have little to no experience with Kabar so I wanted to be sure about their quality and warranty. The fact that they are owned by Cutco didnt boost my confidence either. But, I did doubt Ethan Becker would put his name on anything but a quality product. He is a very stand up guy from what I hear.
 
Tachead7075 said:
The BK21 is the model I'm interested in, its about $250CA with tax/shipping.

There seems to be many more of Kabar's though maybe due to volume, I'm not sure. Plus, Esee has a no questions asked warranty(even if you abuse it) and has proven themselves to me where I have never tried a Kabar. Tops also has a great warranty and very little reports of issues and has also proven themselves to me. I would probably stick with them but, neither makes something similar to the BK21.

As for my concern, I am mainly concerned with having a good warranty(will replace if their is an issue) and a reliable knife. I dont plan to abuse it beyond normal batoning firewood, heavy chopping, and other camp tasks. And yes, I also will be using it in very remote locations so I dont want to be let down and down a valuable tool when far off the grid. I do carry a backup(Esee 4) but, weight is limited so it would be my only chopper.
Click to expand...

I can assure you both ESEE and Ka-Bar have not only tough and durable blades but both have nearly identical warranties. You just pay more for the ESEE one because they say it covers abuse no-questions when Ka-Bar's has stipulations. Given anything but gross abuse both companies will treat you identically, and ESEE doesn't sell a chopper like the BK21. I am less familiar with TOPS' warranty but I am familiar with their prices.

For the money/value ratio I believe Ka-Bar is the best, and the warranty covers everything ESEE's covers. If you have to resort to comparing which company handles abused blades better, then you might want to reconsider how you treat your blades.

I can already tell you're biased towards ESEE, as I am biased towards Ka-Bar, but I've handled enough ESEE blades to know they are high-quality but still very similar to Ka-Bar. What you pay extra for is the Micarta handles and the brand name, not the better warranty.
 
KingMC said:
I can assure you both ESEE and Ka-Bar have not only tough and durable blades but both have nearly identical warranties. You just pay more for the ESEE one because they say it covers abuse no-questions when Ka-Bar's has stipulations. Given anything but gross abuse both companies will treat you identically, and ESEE doesn't sell a chopper like the BK21. I am less familiar with TOPS' warranty but I am familiar with their prices.

For the money/value ratio I believe Ka-Bar is the best, and the warranty covers everything ESEE's covers. If you have to resort to comparing which company handles abused blades better, then you might want to reconsider how you treat your blades.

I can already tell you're biased towards ESEE, as I am biased towards Ka-Bar, but I've handled enough ESEE blades to know they are high-quality but still very similar to Ka-Bar. What you pay extra for is the Micarta handles and the brand name, not the better warranty.
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Thanks for the further info.

I wouldnt say I am biased toward Esee necessarily, I just have used them more and they have proven themselves to me with their excellent fit and finish, their toughness, their edge retention(for 1095), and their great sheaths. Where as my only experience with Kabar let me down a bit in the fit and finish department as well as the sheath design. Also, the general consensus seems to be that Shon Rowen is the master of 1095 so I trust Esee's heat treatment, grind consistency, exc. more then Kabar. The stipulations in the warranty sheet had me worried too unlike Esee's best in industry warranty. I take pretty good care of my stuff anyway but, I just like to know that a company will replace a blade if the heat treatment is off exc. and I have an issue(especially on a purpose built chopper like this that will be beat on). But, it seems you guys are all happy with them and that they back their products so maybe I will have to give them another go.
 
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Tachead7075 said:
Thanks for the post. That makes me feel a bit better about the company. I understand they are likely heat treatment issues. Most Kabar's I have seen broken are likely due to them being over hardened. I was just worried Kabar's heat treatment might be hit and miss but, it seems these might be isolated issues.

The BK21. I will if I do:thumbup:

Nice to talk to a fellow Ontarian by the way. Thanks for your help:thumbup:
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Yep few here and there, nobody is perfect!

The 21 is a beast :D I've played with one for a bit but don't own one yet. I have a Parangatang, they preform about the same (for me) for chopping and splitting wood. If I spent more time with a kukri that may change :) I plan on getting a 21 eventually.

There are a few forumites that I have met through here. All good folk to grab a drink with. Where abouts are you?
 
TBL said:
Yep few here and there, nobody is perfect!

The 21 is a beast :D I've played with one for a bit but don't own one yet. I have a Parangatang, they preform about the same (for me) for chopping and splitting wood. If I spent more time with a kukri that may change :) I plan on getting a 21 eventually.

There are a few forumites that I have met through here. All good folk to grab a drink with. Where abouts are you?
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That is true.

It looks like a nice chopper, that's what has me interested. I have always wanted to try a kukuri too.

I'm up in North Western Ontario, you?
 
Beckers are notoriously difficult to break, due to good steel, good heat treatment, and being designed by someone who knows what they're doing in making a quality knife.

The current series of Beckers are even more durable, believe it or not, due to their information being laser engraved, rather than stamped into the blank.
 
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