Kershaw Fatback Stinks!

I contacted my vendor, they were not aware of any problem. I then shot off an email to Kershaw. I'm awaiting an answer from Kershaw before I decide what to do. Honestly, I think its kind of lousy to have to lose $4 shipping to me, and $4 shipping to return it, on a knife that costs all of $25! Doesn't leave a good taste.
 
After you've tried all these tricks and they don't work....

Buy a small bag of Kingsford Charcoal--not ReadyLight type. Regular good 'ol charcoal.

Cut the bag open evenly at the top just below the sewn seam, crush coarsely (appx. BB size) about 5 of the briquettes, setting aside the result...open the knife and lay it right in the bag, centered atop the still briq'd charcoal remaining inside. Dump the crushed charcoal on the knife, covering it about 1/4" or so deep....roll the bag down tightly a turn or two allowing an air dome to remain in the bag, and seal it. Every now and then when you walk by it gently squeeze or pat the top-dome of the bag to move a little air inside (2-3 times a day is enough).

Leave it for three days. See if the knife still stinks. If it does, dump some cheap ground coffee into the bag with the knife and charcoal, repeat the process and open it after a week....

If it still stinks research whether FRN is subject to odor absorption. If so, the knife was likely stored somewhere around bulk chlorine or similar.

If the charcoal doesn't work in either case, it's unlikely you will get the smell out without something specialized involving expense....IF you wanted to go further.
 
Last edited:
^^^^^^ OK. :) Kick that'n to diamdave then.... ^^^^^

...and let us know if they charge you a re-stocking fee if you return it.
 
Last edited:
Thanks EC...or I may just return it and pick up a OKC Dozier Arrow. I figure my knives shouldn't need that much foreplay 😀
 
Kershaw has received my knife according to USPS tracking, still waiting to hear from them, I am sure it will take a week or two.

EChoil, the charcoal is a great idea. I might have tried it before I shipped it off, but I would agree with diamdave that for such an inexpensive knife it seems like a lot of fuss and if whatever is emitting the odor is hazardous in some way it is best that the manufacturer be made aware of the issue.

Hope to have some news soon.
 
It would be interesting to hear any updates on this... took a look at the knife and that's a lot of steel for the price, plus a reversible clip, plus a nice-looking blade profile. Would be cool to get this resolved and pick one up...
 
Interested to see how this works out. I am betting they overmixed a degreasing solution.
 
I pulled a napkin out of a drawer today, has a similar smell. Wondeting if its some kind of pesticide from the Chinese warehouse that the handles absorb.
 
Thought kai owns their own Chinese factory/factories, so they could control heat treat, steel types, quality, etc.

Did i get that wrong?
 
Just thought I'd chime in and say that I have noticed the same thing! Not really a chlorine smell, more like some sort of petroleum byproduct, and the smell passes on to your hands after you use it. Figured it was just lubricant, but I rinsed the whole thing thoroughly underwater and it hasn't gone away. I hadn't thought about the fact that it could be the handles themselves. It is a shame because the design is great: compact in the pocket, fast and positive action, perfectly centered and sharp. The only downside of mine (aside from the smell), was some tooling marks on the flipper that breached the finish. I'll post again if I notice the smell diminishing.
 
Given the country of origin and their history on (lack of) environmental regulations I shudder to think what chemicals could be at play here...Try dipping it in a fish tank and see if in a few weeks a)your fish or all dead OR b) they have given birth to some mutant lifeforms...please DO NOT try this with an iguana though, we have seen how that ended before!
 
Update:

Kershaw sent me a voucher for the MSRP value of the knife. I emailed to ask if there was any updates on the issue. I was told that a voucher for the knife was sent to me and that I should receive it any day. I explained that I was asking more specifically to the cause of the odor. The problem was that the cleaning solution used was not completely removed. No further elaboration was given on the matter. A few people mentioned that it may be a chemical cleanser or degreaser, Kershaw seems to have confirmed that. I thought about pursuing the questioning, but I did not think I would get very far.

I would also encourage anybody else that has this issue to contact the manufacture so they are aware that this is a issue. If they are made aware of more occurrences then hopefully they will take steps to correct it. In the meanwhile I would steer clear from this knife, cleaner, degreaser whatever it is does not seem healthy.

This had me rolling:D
Given the country of origin and their history on (lack of) environmental regulations I shudder to think what chemicals could be at play here...Try dipping it in a fish tank and see if in a few weeks a)your fish or all dead OR b) they have given birth to some mutant lifeforms...please DO NOT try this with an iguana though, we have seen how that ended before!
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top