Knives of Alaska Quality control issues

[jwwaggoner]

Does any one have any comments regarding knives of alaska products.
I recently purchased an alaskan hunter wolverine. Upon further examination, I noticed the grooving along the spine was flattened and the handle scales are poorly matched. I plan on returning the knife to the retailer where I purchased it, but I am not sure I want another one. As it seems the quality of these knives may be going down hill. Has anyone else noticed similiar quality control issues from this company. I purchased an alpha wolf knife earlier, its great, and holds an edge well.

I would appreciate anyone's comments.

 

[steve cote]

I have 2 KOA knives in D2 and both perform very well. I wanted to buy a hunter in S30v this winter but the dealer said the factory had recalled the S30v blades and although this concerned me, I got a hunter in D2. Upon first use, the scales loosened up due to a faulty rear rivet, the factory said send it in but I just fixed it myself. The KOA D2 blades are a bit more work to sharpen than some steels, and they did not hold as sharp an edge as long as my Buck's in 420HC or Buck's S30v when cutting up organ meats and in some camp kitchen chores like cutting up tomatoes etc. I compared the 3 blade types during about 10 hours of skinning/butchering buffalo over 2 days. Overall, I think the knives in D2 are very good but I would like to know more about the past recall of S30V by KOA (if the dealer was right about this). I do a good deal of skinning/butchering involving lots of blood and organ meat cutting so perhaps a more stainless type steel, that can be sharpened at steeper angles and with greater sharpness is a better choice for me? I plan to field test the KOA D2, Bucks 420HC and S30v, and some in 52100 and 1095 some more, just for fun.