Knife Repair History

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brownshoe

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If you use knives and keep them for awhile, manufacturer's warranties become less important compared to the manufacturer's ability to repair the knife. Things happen and hard use sometimes requires repairs. I'd like this thread to reflect people's experience, not so much in warranty work, but in repair related to use, age, etc. Below is my experience:

Benchmade: They've repaired an auto stryker two times in about 8 years. Once to correct misalignment from use and abuse. They replaced the blade. The second time to replace the spring which broke. Offered to pay more, but work was done for the cost of dealer shipping and handling (~$25). A friend had an 8 year old spike (6 years out of production) with a broken tip. Benchmade just replaced the blade for about $30 total. Benchmade repairs and stocks parts for older knives.

Spyderco: Broke the tip of a 2 year old Harpy (current production model). Requested blade to be replaced; offered full payment. Told knife was made in Japan and spyderco did not carry replacement parts for Japanese knives, only American made and only current production. Reground tip for about $20.

Any other repair experience for things other than a warranty issue? I think CRK will repair and refurbish virtually any model for some fee. What about SOG, Case, Buck, Queen, etc.? Do they fix broken tips, cracked handles, etc. ?
 
The only repair experience that I have is with kershaw. I have a whirlwind that has been used and abused pretty hard. One day the torsion bar that opens the blade snapped. I contacted the repair department, and asked for a replacement. About a week later I got a padded envelope with the part inside, free of charge, no shipping cost. This knife was about 6-7 years old, but it is still in production, so I guess getting the part was not a problem.
 
My best experiences have always been with Emerson. Typical?

Sent them a beater Commander with a a weak liner lock. Told them I was not the original owner. Got it back two weeks later with two new liners, no charge except shipping.

So the warranty applies to anyone, even if you take it apart. Turnaround averages two weeks. No company is better.
 
Two with Spyderco. First was a Military with a lock that was starting to slip. They sent me a new knife, no questions asked. It was about a two week turnaround.

The second (about a year later) was with a Police model that was starting to develop vertical blade play. They said there was nothing they could do, retire the knife. That kinda pissed me off. I still feel they should've come good on that one. I still have the knife, but haven't carried it since.
 
I have one of the 1st run Para Military Spydercos. Blade broken and Spyderco says they can only replace the blade in 2nd run Para Militarys. I do have a back up Para but still I would like to have it repaired. Had the same thing happen with another Spyderco after the lock gave way. They could not repair since it was no longer in production and it was a Japan product. I'll stick with USA made stuff and Benchmade for now on.
 
Check my post in "The Toolshed": FINE TUNING A RECON I

I got some info on some CS warranty work.
 
From Mr. Stevetexas in the levine forum:

For over 15 years I have carried and used a Benchmade full size AFCK. The knife had been used heavily and the blade had shrunken due to reprofiling and sharpening.

Three years ago I contacted BM and was told to return the knife and a new blade would be installed for a cost of $35, bottom line. I had stated, "I have a BM old model AFCK with a worn out blade. What can I do?"

The original ATS 34 blade, with a round hole, was replaced with a new 154CM blade with an oval hole. The washers at the pivot were replaced. The blade was fitted to the original titanium lock. The pocket clip was replaced and all screws were replaced with torx screws to replace allen screws.

Just one example of what has happened.

Steve

Anything about any other firms? Case? Buck?
 
brownshoe said:
From Mr. Stevetexas in the levine forum:

all screws were replaced with torx screws to replace allen screws.

Just one example of what has happened.

Steve

Anything about any other firms? Case? Buck?
Click to expand...

You got screwed! Call them up and tell them to send you the allen screws. You paid for allen screws not torx.

I really like my allen screws on my Flash II! You can really tighten them down. I have a set of good torx wrenches but it is very easy to strip a torx head and they are hard to find replacement for.
 
Kershaw: Has sent me many torsion bars, in fact they sent me a baggy full once. They have also sent me liners for a Mini-Task when the liner lock wore down. I've offered to pay, they never accept. Great company.

CRKT: Has sent me various parts, free of cost, fast too.

Cold Steel: Never replied to a request to fix/replace a broken blade, it was a cheap neck knife, forget the model, I tossed it out later.

Besides that I've never had to request anything from other brands.
 
I stripped the threading in the G10 to my older AFCK last summer during reassembly, which technically voids the warranty. I taped the screw to the handle and send it back saying the threading stripped, I do no feel it is usuable as it is, and do no know what remedy may be required. They standardized all the old screws (previously a medley of Torxs and Hexs) and sunk in nuts into the G10 liner to take in the screws. I do note that the previous method of assembly (threading directly into G10) seems to have been discontinued and replaced by the use of sunken nuts in their production line. No fee was charged, and they threw in an [unwanted] sharpening as well.
 
God help you if you ever need work on a Microtech. They are so back-ordered with their "other contracts" that they take up to 3 months to return anything. If you own a switchblade, either OTF, or Side-opener, you need to contact them, and be prepared to show a copy of your duty papers, or something, to prove you can own it. If you can't do that, then you have to find a dealer willing to be a middle-man, adding to the time and hassle.

Now, I do hear that they make good on their warranty, so at least it will get fixed. You just have to be prepared to wait.

Fortunately, I've never had an issue personally that needed their intervention...Knock on wood...:rolleyes:

Kershaw is one that I've dealt with, and I agree with all the others. They stand by their products, 100%. My ZDP Leek came back with a brand-new blade, after the tip broke cutting a plastic ring off a water bottle.

Daniel
 
You bring up a great point, Brownshoe. I never really considered that before! I also tend to void my warranties by taking anything apart without pins :D , but it is good to know that some companies that subcontract and outsource have warranty issues (like Spyderco did for you). I guess I'll be even more careful about getting knives from the US in the future! :thumbup: Then again, you also have to consider that even a US knife manufacturer that does not contract blades or handles from foreign manufacturers can also stop carrying replacements for discontinued models. That's a big advantage to buying long-run knives (Buck 110's, some Leathermans, Victorinox stuff etc)
 
I have been somewhat suprised by the number of manufacturer's for which noone has reported. I would have thought someone would be able to give first hand accounts of repair experience with other companies. Maybe it's because too few people here really use their knives...too many safequeens? :)
 
Maybe it's because too few people here really use their knives...too many safequeens?
Click to expand...

That is one possibility but it is likely many like my circle of friends don't even own a computer and are not inclined to anytime soon.

I've had nothing but super support from Kershaw for the torsion springs in their assisted openers. I asked for one, they sent five. Stuff like that. Protech was excellent also in sending out their springs to me when I needed one for my Stinger. I asked for one from Dave, he sent me two. Otherwise I do my own repairs if something in my own line up of users gives me trouble..

STR
 
...Was replacing some tile in the kitchen and took a rest break. A young relative found an old Buck 500 Duke that I had in my desk and proceeded to "help" by using it to pry up the tiles. He walked away leaving it stuck under a tile with the rear of the handle resting on the carpeting. I never saw it when I returned and stepped on it perfectly hearing a loud SNAP...The blade was nicely broken off almost a half inch into the blade. I sent it in to Buck with all of the info as to how it got broken and mentioned that I would pay all shipping and repair costs involved. Two weeks later I received what appeared to be a brand new Buck 500 in the mail from Buck. Of course they no longer were producing the 500 Duke. They had replaced the blade...refurbished the entire knife and made it look and function as good as or better than it was when bought. No charge...A great company...:thumbup:
 
I've sent in a number of Victorinox knives for a variety of reasons. Classics falling in a fire, one with a broken backspring and a full size just so old and gritty you could hardly open the tools. All were replaced no questions asked. Also got a defective Opinel in a trade recently. Didn't try contacting Opinel, but the person who traded it to me bought it from Ragweed Forge and he offered to replace it himself. That was especially notable to me, and I ended up buying a nice Puuko from the man when I sent him the #12 Opinel.
 
I lost the thumbstud on my sogwinder 2. The response form SOG was very good but they sent the wrong part two (or three) times. I eventually gave up.

THe plastic spacer in my M2 AFCK broke when I dropped it, making the knife "bendy."

I contacted their service people by email telling them that I would like a new spacer but that I didn't want to send the knife back being based in the UK with all the customs and postage problems that could ensue. I would replace it and accept invalidation of the warranty if I caused any damage fitting it.

Initially they were reluctant but then agreed because of my location, sending me an improved FRN spacer free of charge. I also requested a replacement cilp screw to replace one that was damaged when I bought it, but it wasn't included. All in all a satisfactory experience.

Most of my users are spydercos and I have never required repair work for them (touch wood). IMHO tools have a life and at some point they need to be replaced. it is admirable that a company will provide you with a new or near new knife after x years, but do you reall have the right to expect that? If so, who pays for it? All thev other users/collectors who but overpriced knives and don't abuse them or expect everlasting newness. I have a Spyderco Calypso Jr carried and used for about 5 years with vertical blade play, the edge has beensharpened back a couple mm from use, but it is still safe, sharp and strong. I bought a new one in case it does fail in the future, and at $40 the two together are still cheaper than a similarly sized BM.
 
I am always impressed by Kershaw. Of the three Kershaw Knives I have owned my latest is a Tactical Blur. The torsion bar broke on it and when it did it slightly bent the liner it was under. I sent an email to Kershaw and received a response the same day stating the parts were on their way. I had only requested a new torsion bar but did mention the bent liner (which I planned to bend back myself...it is very thin). Two days later I got a bag from them with two torsion bars, a left and right side liner, two sets of clips with screws, two sets of spacers and screws, two sets of pivot nuts and screws. Pretty much anything that I could have potentially messed up in my self repair of the torsion bar, or could someday break (except for the blade), they sent me. Kershaw had my back :) ...and they will always have my business.

Harry J. Miktarian
 
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