knife warranties

[hardheart]

Do you expect a lifetime warranty on your production knives? Do you use your warranties, or just replace the knives with other brands/models?

I've warrantied maybe 1% of the knives I've owned. Way more than 1% have had some sort of issue, but I generally fix it myself, ignore it if it's not a functional flaw, or toss it if it is.

Question came up because my new Fallkniven U2 says it has a limited 2 year warranty on the box, and I thought about how CS gets blasted for their one year.

 

[knarfeng]

Do you expect a lifetime warranty on your production knives? Do you use your warranties, or just replace the knives with other brands/models?

I've warrantied maybe 1% of the knives I've owned. Way more than 1% have had some sort of issue, but I generally fix it myself, ignore it if it's not a functional flaw, or toss it if it is.

Question came up because my new Fallkniven U2 says it has a limited 2 year warranty on the box, and I thought about how CS gets blasted for their one year.

Haven't used a warranty yet. Tossed a couple of knives over the years, but then they weren't over $50, either.

For me, I guess if I did pay $100 or more, I'd want some kind of warranty. 1 to 2 years would be adequate. That would be enough to reveal manufacturing defects. I would expect to pay for any of my own stupid actions that cause breakage beyond that. Knives get used. Stuff happens to them.

 

[Tiny86]

I like to have lifetime warrantys. I think that most of the better production knives have them. (Sco, Kershaw, BM,) If there is not a lifetime warranty I probably won't buy the knife unless its only like 10 or 15 bucks.

 

[huugh]

Yes, I think it is good idea to have lifetime warranty.

 

[Elen]

In general, I see no reason not to use a warranty if it is there. Why not?

I do like a lifetime warranty, which is pretty obvious, considering there are few downsides to that...

Now, depending on the issue, I may not use the warranty if the issue is small and cosmetical. Otherwise, I'd have to warranty just about every knife I see. There's nearly always something, at least cosmetic flaws like uneven grinds (more typical in fixed blades) and blades that fail to center or have play in them (folders) - and a lot of manufacturers don't consider these things flaws anyway so the warranty doesn't always help any.

European manufacturers typically do not have lifetime warranty - the way things are done here is rather different. Fällkniven's warranty is short, but such is life. I wouldn't let that stop me. On the other hand, if it really bothers you, then don't get one.

 

[jasonp]

I have only needed the warranty one of my autos and two AO kershaws. Kershaw has won a loyal fan in me with the two experiences that I have had with them in their warranty dept. I had a Kershaw Boa and a Blur that both had the AO springs break. All I did was send them an email and in a couple of days, the parts were in my mailbox free of charge. What else could you ask for. I also had a protech godson in which the spring broke. I sent it into Dave and very quickly I had my knife back, good as new. Try that with an overseas maker :grumpy:
J

 

[BigE]

If you want to see a real warranty, take a look at RAT Cutlery. Mike and Jeff are super at standing behind their products. If I'm not mistaken, I've heard a guy getting his RAT run over by a Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Iraq and they replaced it. Just don't throw a RAT, they won't cover it then.

 

[Bors]

Do you expect a lifetime warranty on your production knives? Do you use your warranties, or just replace the knives with other brands/models?

I've warrantied maybe 1% of the knives I've owned. Way more than 1% have had some sort of issue, but I generally fix it myself, ignore it if it's not a functional flaw, or toss it if it is.

Question came up because my new Fallkniven U2 says it has a limited 2 year warranty on the box, and I thought about how CS gets blasted for their one year.

I don't expect it.

Part of the problem I think is that many don't make there own knives. At least some of Fallkniven's knives are made out of house and all of CS's knives are. It's much more difficult to warranty something you don't make. For example the actually maker may go out of business or may discontinue a particular line. Also companies tend to phase out models fairly quickly to react to the changing market place.

Large manufacturers tend to give quantity discounts which keeps the retail cost down. ordering one discontinued model from a large production company 5 years down the road would be cost prohibitive.

Companies like Busse for example don't suffer from this problem because they make what they sell. So they can offer a life time warranty.

 

[Jennifer_B]

It's not a deal breaker for me, and I've never used a knife's warranty.

A short warranty does make a manufacturer's claims of superior quality ring a little hollow. If Buck can give a lifetime warranty on a $15 knife, I expect a little more than a year warranty on a $300 knife from a company touting high quality as a selling point.

Part of the problem I think is that many don't make there own knives. At least some of Fallkniven's knives are made out of house and all of CS's knives are. It's much more difficult to warranty something you don't make.

A lifetime warranty will generally include the option to replace the knife with one of equal or comparable value to cover that.

 

[thombrogan]

The knives I have with lifetime warranties are from privately run companies. Two out of the three owners make lifestyle choices that make me not put much stock in the "lifetime" part, but the service while they're here has always been great.

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

ive never used the warranty
if there is a problem i try to make it go away, but usualy there isnt
when i buy a new knife, i dont care about the waranty, if i like it and afford it, i buy it

 

[Bors]

That is quite true and not trying to argue however the knife 5 years down the road may not be the same quality as the older version. From the companies stand point it's a comparable value however it reality it may not be. An example might be the old version was made in Japan and the new version is made in China. I just used that as an example I'm not country bashing....



Let me say this is not always an issue. I've never sent a knife back under warranty however, I bought a Swiss champ when they were first released and 10 years later it had well a lot of wear and tear like broken blades cracked handles and what not. I heard that you could send it in and have it repaired. I sent the knife along with a letter asking them to replace the broken and damaged blades and to bill me for the repairs since I felt I had abused it a bit. Two weeks later I received a new Champ at no charge (which had more toys ).
It's every bit as good as the old one.

 

[cabron50]

I've used the warranty on a Leatherman PST with a broken small screwdriver and a Buck Lancer with a broken back spring. Both were promptly replaced with new units. I like doing business with companies that stand behind their product.

 

[Halbie]

I believe that the U2 is made in Japan and not in-house by Fallkniven. Some vendors indicate "Handmade in Sweden" on their more expensive or signature knives. Most VG10 are made in Japan, I believe, after Fallkniven switched from ATS34. Although, I'm not sure there is anything wrong with a knife made in Japan, to begin with. The Japanese have being doing so for some time.

Even then, the warranty is to cover manufacturer defects, not normal wear and tear or obvious abuse. Such defects should be or become obvious in short time.

If you look at some of the lifetime warranties, you'll see that they exclude normal wear and tear, and if they're carbon steel, they mention something about proper blade care to avoid rust. I like the idea of being able to replace my knife for free if a HUMV rolls over it, but most of my knives are much more likely to become unserviceable due to long-term use or rust.

I'm not impressed with most warranties. What I'm buying (or want to buy) is the knife and not a warranty. Warranties are part of the marketing process - the information you receive prior to any sale. Be aware of any disclaimers or conditions. Those are what really matter. I've never had occasion to use a warranty on a knife. Then again, I don't use my knives harshly or incorrectly.

 

[svrider3]

I like the idea of being able to replace my knife for free if a HUMV rolls over it

I think if your in the line of work where a HUMV rolls over your knife, you
more then deserve another knife. :thumbup:

 

[Halbie]

I think if your in the line of work where a HUMV rolls over your knife, you
more then deserve another knife. :thumbup:

Yeah, I would agree with you there! But, the manufacturer shouldn't be on the line, the USG should ante up.

 

[smitty0331]

I'v sent Case knives in for warranty repairs.

 

[mp510]

I have had to take advantage of Leatherman and Victorinox warranties. Both sent me a replacement item. I would not have taken advantage of the warranty if the defect didn't preclude normal function.

 

[Tony_A]

.....how CS gets blasted for their one year.

Speaking only for me, the problem I have with Cold Steel's warranty is that on the back of the box it says "Limited Lifetime Warranty" in large print.

Only when you read the fine print, do you see that according to Cold Steel, a "Lifetime" means 1 year and that you have to jump through hoops (save your receipts, etc)

Would someone just glancing at the box see that it's only got a 1 year warranty?