Microtech: This is just preposterous!

I am pretty sure microtech will still accept knives for warranty work even if it has been sharpened--as long as it isn't a crazy hack job. I mean if the edge looks relatively clean and consistent I see no reason why microtech would not accept it. I think that their newer misleading wording is to deter those who simply suck at sharpening knives from sharpening them. The kind of individuals who buy microtechs, those who enjoy these modern "cool" tactical folders/autos, probably like playing with their knives a lot and can't sharpen knives to save their life. I've seen plenty of hack jobs many the result of a power tool. Warranties are easily abused as we live in an age of entitlement. Everyone thinks they deserve the best and a lot of franchises and multi-million dollar industries cater to this stance. While these companies can afford to offer such warranties as on a large scale having a good policy gains more business than its monetary cost. Microtech just needs to rewrite their policy with more specific wording, saying that their warranty will be applied under their discretion and that obvious signs of misuse will void the warranty.
 
Wow microtech just continues to work harder and harder to keep customers away.

I got a defective metalmark. Assembled without one of the washers. Bought from a big legitimate dealer who is a supporter here. Contacted microtech and they told me they would not send me the missing washer. If I tried to fix it I was screwed on warranty. Then had the nerve to tell me their warranty department was closed and I'd have to wait until they decided to open it and take care of their defective brand new product. Refused to exchange the knife or really do anything to fix their mess up. In the end the dealer stepped up and did me more right than I could ask for. Good thing for good dealers. I think im done with microtech. Can't sharpen the knife....just wow. Every time I think they can't step any lower they continue to shock me and step even lower.
 
jbmonkey said:
Wow microtech just continues to work harder and harder to keep customers away.

I got a defective metalmark. Assembled without one of the washers. Bought from a big legitimate dealer who is a supporter here. Contacted microtech and they told me they would not send me the missing washer. If I tried to fix it I was screwed on warranty. Then had the nerve to tell me their warranty department was closed and I'd have to wait until they decided to open it and take care of their defective brand new product. Refused to exchange the knife or really do anything to fix their mess up. In the end the dealer stepped up and did me more right than I could ask for. Good thing for good dealers. I think im done with microtech. Can't sharpen the knife....just wow. Every time I think they can't step any lower they continue to shock me and step even lower.
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This sounds like a case for "send it back to the dealer". It is what anyone should do when they buy a product new that turns out to be not working as described.
 
Yep but to keep story short I left out the part where I had flipped the knife cause one usually doesn't expect a brand new knife to be defective. So returning it was iffy since it had been used. In the end the dealer took care of it since microtech wouldnt.
 
Seems like this whole sharpening thing tirade is not based on any actual issue, just people teeing off. Keep on point and stick with facts. Like what Jbmonkey did.
 
Frequently when these knives are sharpened, the metal dust enters into the handle and clogs up the action. Then they complain that the knife doesn't work. I highly doubt that Microtech will void any warranty on a knife that has been sharpened. When I sharpen the OTF knives, I take the blade out completely (thus voiding the warranty by disassembling the knife).


The warranty can be interpreted like this:

Small parts are present inside your Microtech OTF knife. Disassembly of the knife may result in lot parts that may not be readily available for replacement. Opening the OTF knife must be done at your own risk. The warranty will cover operation of the knife and defects during the manufacture of components but will not cover lost parts due to disassembly.
Sharpening of the blade must be done carefully as metal shavings must not be allowed to enter the track of the blade inside the handle. Metal shavings will prevent proper operation of the blade action. Should metal shavings enter the handle, the internals must be thoroughly cleaned; however, this may result in lost parts if not carefully done.

There are so many exceptions and explanations that can be written; it is MUCH easier to say: "Disassembly and sharpening will void the warranty."

However, if a knife purchased from us is sharpened and the warranty is voided BECAUSE of the sharpening; we'll cover the cost of repair.
 
gte217e said:
Frequently when these knives are sharpened, the metal dust enters into the handle and clogs up the action. Then they complain that the knife doesn't work. I highly doubt that Microtech will void any warranty on a knife that has been sharpened. When I sharpen the OTF knives, I take the blade out completely (thus voiding the warranty by disassembling the knife).


The warranty can be interpreted like this:

Small parts are present inside your Microtech OTF knife. Disassembly of the knife may result in lot parts that may not be readily available for replacement. Opening the OTF knife must be done at your own risk. The warranty will cover operation of the knife and defects during the manufacture of components but will not cover lost parts due to disassembly.
Sharpening of the blade must be done carefully as metal shavings must not be allowed to enter the track of the blade inside the handle. Metal shavings will prevent proper operation of the blade action. Should metal shavings enter the handle, the internals must be thoroughly cleaned; however, this may result in lost parts if not carefully done.

There are so many exceptions and explanations that can be written; it is MUCH easier to say: "Disassembly and sharpening will void the warranty."

However, if a knife purchased from us is sharpened and the warranty is voided BECAUSE of the sharpening; we'll cover the cost of repair.
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A. Good on you, hard to ask for better service than that.

B. That makes MUCH more sense to me. The policy still somewhat turns me off, but your explanation goes a long way towards helping me understand it.
 
Dave at the Hollow Grind is one of the best for that reason. This is why I constantly tell people to shop at dealers that support your hobby, these guys deserve your business and this is exactly why.
 
gte217e said:
Frequently when these knives are sharpened, the metal dust enters into the handle and clogs up the action. Then they complain that the knife doesn't work. I highly doubt that Microtech will void any warranty on a knife that has been sharpened. When I sharpen the OTF knives, I take the blade out completely (thus voiding the warranty by disassembling the knife).


The warranty can be interpreted like this:

Small parts are present inside your Microtech OTF knife. Disassembly of the knife may result in lot parts that may not be readily available for replacement. Opening the OTF knife must be done at your own risk. The warranty will cover operation of the knife and defects during the manufacture of components but will not cover lost parts due to disassembly.
Sharpening of the blade must be done carefully as metal shavings must not be allowed to enter the track of the blade inside the handle. Metal shavings will prevent proper operation of the blade action. Should metal shavings enter the handle, the internals must be thoroughly cleaned; however, this may result in lost parts if not carefully done.

There are so many exceptions and explanations that can be written; it is MUCH easier to say: "Disassembly and sharpening will void the warranty."

However, if a knife purchased from us is sharpened and the warranty is voided BECAUSE of the sharpening; we'll cover the cost of repair.
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Thank you, for clarifying this, Dave! :thumbup:
 
RecalcitrantAmerican said:
Kind of what I said in post 26 and 30, John Man. ;)

Excuse me, I gotta get back to sharpening my Microtech. :D
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If I remember correctly, you said something like: "The sky is falling...the sky is falling!"

At least that's what I remember! :foot:

Anyway, it appears that we have a wonderful option regarding MT repairs- Hollow Grind. If MT decides to void the warranty on any of their knives, it sound's like, Dave, is the man!
 
Allow me to settle this once and for all. I emailed Microtech yesterday, and received and response in less than 24 hours. I will now quote the email word for word.

"Thank you for contacting Microtech Knives. The warranty information that is sent with all of our new production states the following:

Part of our effort to build a long-standing tradition of innovation and quality revolves around a simple mission: to make the best possible knives. The immense amount of research, testing, and precision fabrication that each product receives enables us to maintain extremely close tolerances.

In order to uphold our quality standards, each Microtech knife is backed by a limited lifetime warranty designed specifically to protect against any defects in workmanship or material. Lifetime sharpening service is also included with this warranty.

We strive to deliver personalized service with exceptional attention to detail. To uphold the warranty, the following conditions must be met:
· Microtech knives are warranted to the original purchaser.
· Microtech will not warranty products due to loss or damage caused by abuse, neglect, misuse, accident, improper blade sharpening or disassembly.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,
Laurel Scafidi"

So as you can all see, sharpening your Microtech's will not void the warranty. As was underlined in the email (note that was how I received it, I made no modifications), improper sharpening is what will void your warranty. You will also notice that the email stated they offer a "Lifetime sharpening service" is included with the warranty similar to Benchmade's lifesharp. So now that we have a response from the manufacturer in writing regarding the issue at hand, I believe this has been settled.
 
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Knifein said:
Not even close.
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Hey Knifein.

Just don't buy any more MT's and sell those you have. Then move on. Problem solved...

I've got slightly more than *several*, and have many over 15 years old. All this doesn't bother me a bit.

For one thing, I know how to sharpen them properly.

Or you can just keep railing if it makes you feel better...
 
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Rostislav said:
I am pretty sure that warranties can be changed at any time and a company can refuse to abide by their older warranty whether or not an item is purchased/produced whilst it was still in effect. Estwing is a pretty good example of this.
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The warranty is part of the contract. It cannot be unilaterally changed without some additional benefit to the consumer to, in effect, pay for the right to change ("consideration").

For 39 years, federal law has restricted limitations of warranties for any "consumer product," such as a knife for personal use, to those limitations disclosed BEFORE sale. 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2301 et seq. Purported limitations of warranty disclosed after sale - say in a package insert - are void. So why do they try? Because consumers don't know better, and the practrice benefits the seller and manufacturer.
 
Knifein said:
Son, don't try to be a hero.



Not even close.
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I do not see how this is proper or necessary. He took the time to contact Microtech and give us all information and facts directly from them. I thank him for clarifying. And facts have been communicated. If one does not like manufacturer or company fine; but attacking fellow members for helping to inform all of us is just not cool.
 
I'm just going to assume they mean improperly sharpened. My Troodon I bought recently (batch 8/14) came from Microtech with sloppy bevels, especially near the tip. I would consider this "Improper sharpening" so they are the ones to talk :D.

I decided to live with it as the knife functions flawlessly and it's going to be an EDC anyway. Plus Microtech's warranty regarding auto knives is a hassle. My plan was to use it for a while touching it up on the Sharpmaker and eventually having nice hand sharpened edge put on. If that voids my warranty I'll cross that bridge when I get there, not going to worry about it till then.

I also want to comment on the stiff action on recent Microtechs. The Ultratech I bought recently as well was so stiff it felt like I was going to pop a blood vessel in my eye with how hard I had to push my thumb down to retract the blade with one hand.

The Troodon on the other hand is like butter, literally a fraction of the force is required to operate the switch, even my GF can operate it easily. The blade still fires and retracts with a authority so I don't understand why the Ultratech manufactured during the same time period is so freaking stiff :confused:
 
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