Mini-Skirmish Blues

P

PaulW007

Joined
Jul 31, 2005
Messages
200
I got a limited edition Mini-Skirmish from my wife for V-day. Love the knife and I have 2 of the full size Skirmishes. I was playing with it and noticed what I thought was a chip in the blade. I have read all the stuff on the forums about s30v chipping and thought I may have that same problem with this knife, although I have several other knives in s30v and have never had a problem. Upon further inspection it's not a chip but a ding. Looks like when the knife is closed it's hitting one of the frame spacers and causing the ding. My other skirmishes don't come close to hitting. Has anyone else seen this on their 635?
 
That's a manufacturing defect. Send it to Benchmade, and they'll make it 100% right.
 
Yup, I got one with this problem, sent it right back to the dealer, got a new one and the new one is also chipping. >:( I haven't sent it back to Benchmade yet, just sick of dealing with the issue. I think Benchmade should pay me for all the shipping charges I'm having to deal with to get this knife right.
 
I had the same thing happen too. I haven't sent it back to benchmade but I just might.
 
BM said send it back. Just sucks. They said they have never heard of this problem, yea right!
 
Yep... I got a 635 for Christmas and it did the same thing. I sent it back for warranty the first week of Jan and got it back in three weeks.

"12/30/05
Hello,

I am very glad to hear that you are enjoying your new mini-Skirmish,
but I am sorry you are having problems with the blade hitting the spacer
and causing the edge to roll.

I realize that it is a new toy and you most likely don't want to part
with it, but we will be happy to fix it for you - it could a problem
that can be just adjusted or depending on what our techs discover the
blade may need to be replaced (along with any markings). We would
prefer to see it and have the opportunity to make sure that your knife
is just as you anticipated it to be. Please consider sending it on
into us for adjustment, we would like to remedy this for you!

For warranty service and/or repair, please send your knife to us,
postage paid, at the address below, Attn: Repair.

We ask that you include a short note letting us know what you would
like done with the knife, any problems or concerns and contact
information including your name, return address, and a phone number or
email address. We recommend that you send your knife without the
original box, as they are often damaged in transit and that you send
your knife insured, be it through the USPS, UPS or another company of
your choice.

Please feel free to contact us with any other questions or concerns.






Thank You

Warranty Dept.
Benchmade Knife Co.
300 Beavercreek Rd.
Oregon City, Or. 97045

1-800-800-7427 Ext. 190"
 
You know, I wonder when I read these if a bit of sharpening would resolve the issue.

I am cognizant it is a fault, just wondering how "hard" the contact is.
 
The fact that so many here have had this problem is disturbing. You'd think Benchmade would issue a recall on their mini-skirmishes, from their dealers, if this many people are having problems with them. I also don't care for the fact that they won't acknowledge the problem when obviously so many people have sent their skirmishes in for the same problem.
 
Well, but it's a total surprise. I personally inspected a mini skirmish last night and it was fine--I take good looks at every mini skirmish I've across over the last few months and they were all perfect too.

I believe that this is a very recent happening. I am very dissapointed, as up until this point, Benchmade had been 100% flawless in my eyes.

I plan on trading some knives soon and picking one up, but if I do, it will be in a physical store so that I can avoid this occurance.
 
Huh.... I'm packing mine today, and just checked it, and the edge is about a millimeter from both spacers. Pretty damn tight, but on mine at least, un-dinged.

As for orthogonal1's suggestion, I think he's right: sharpening would move the edge back a bit, but it if it's hitting enough to leave a chip, it'd take a LOT of sharpening!
 
Artfully Martial said:
I believe that this is a very recent happening.
Click to expand...
Heck, it could be something as simple as a worn CNC cutter leaving the edge a bit long, and kicking out a batch of oversize blades. Even a good MiniSkirm like mine has little room for error. I'm sure Benchmade is looking into it, if they haven't already.
 
In the letter to Paddling Man above, I note a "sllghtly" sarcastic tone in the letter Benchmade sent in reply to his problems. The part about it being a "toy". I do not think any manufacturer of knives refers to their product as a TOY. Very un-professional for something that can cut you bad if mis-handled. Years ago when I first started in knives big time, My first large folder, a Spyderco Police full serrated cut me bad when folding it. I just find that a very sarcastic remark as I do not consider any knife a toy. I have many Benchmade knives, including a full size Skirmish. If I got that letter, I would be replying pretty sarcastic myself!

CBXer55
Oklahoma City
 
I'm pretty sure there was nothing sarcastic intended in the letter from Benchmade and the tone could have even been solicited from the tone of my original email to BM.

The real issue that concerns me is that it wasn't an isolated incident but that LOTS of 635's were effected. Frankly, I don't feel like I or others should have even had to drop the $10 on shipping for what was obviously a manufacturer's defect.

Oh well... At least warranty service was friendly and got my knife back within two weeks.

They DID replace the scratched pocket clip with a new one! :D
 
In the end, that's what matters most.

Benchmade made it right.

And you have to admit, they do have very few problems in manufacture.
 
I just got my 635 back from the warranty dept, total time gone was about 3 weeks. They fixed it plus added Ph. Bronze washers at my request. I am totally satisfied.
 
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