More QC issues lately in knives...anyone notice this...??

From my observation and experience there has been a noticeable drop in quality control with today's knives. Not talking Frost Cutlery here, either. Four of my recent purchases have included 3 Kershaw's and a Spyderco, and nary a one could pass even the most cursory of glances without being judged unacceptable.

All of the Kershaw's had uneven grinds. From perhaps 40 degrees on one side to 30 on the other, to a complete chisel grind on one. The ZT 0300 not only had an offset grind but was as dull as a butter knife, and stripped aluminum pocket clip screws on a 200$ + product is ludicrous. Aluminum? Really? A dull as sin Rake with so offset a blade it not only rubbed the liners when closing, it wore on them until I corrected the problem. Last but not least a black tanto Groove that was so loose upon opening it rattled until the screw was tightened and don't even ask about the edge.

The Spyderco Endura had one continuous burr from tip to Spyder hole, interrupted only by the small chips that broke up the monotony.

The only winner was the 5th knife I recently acquired, and but of course it happened to be the least expensive and made in China. The Boker Plus G4 Wharncliffe was marvelously assembled, and had nearly what I'd consider to be a sharp edge. $24.95, so go figure.

I corrected all of the problems, hey what else do I have to do I'm frickin retired, and as far as the edge quality I can't recall the last factory knife I left unattended as they always arrive incredibly dull with wandering edges, so I was going to work on them anyway.

After I received my Edge Pro I went and ordered a passel, passel and a half, of cheap China-made knives to practice upon. Every last one of them arrived with sharper edges, more properly aligned blades, and even though the steel itself was mostly unfathomable junk they at least took an edge that didn't require a total re-profiling to accomplish.

Then again I've never been one of those fella's who has forever opened a knife box to discover that atom-slicer lurking inside, as so many of my edged-weapon brothers seem to be fortunate enough to find all the livelong day.

None of the above mentioned Kershaw's and Spyderco could slice paper on arrival. Not even close. Just my luck I suppose.
 
I dont think their has been a drop in QC, but a raise in the acceptable standard coming from regular joes...what would have been acceptable to my grand father isn't to me, especially with knives.
 
TheUSMC2017 said:
Sorry, I suck at these things. What does QC stand for?
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Little bit of trivia for you here. Once upon a time there was an organization that called itself the American Society for Quality Control. Not any longer. They now call themselves ASQ, the American Society for Quality. Apparently the word "control" had connotations of being too "aggressive" for American management. Another popular phrase in management is Quality Assurance. That's sort of similar to "trust me". ;)
 
i have had is the weak lock on my spyderco gayle bradly... for such a "heavy duty knife" with nary a spine tap the lock will disengage and the laser sharp m4 blade will bite to the bone....
 
czombie said:
Hmmmm...interesting to see where this thread goes.

I know everything in the general Industrial type industry, from appliances to ball joints to tools just aren't made to the high standards as once before.
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"industrial type industry"...I lol'd at that, sorry. It was an amusing type of amusement
 
shunsui said:
Little bit of trivia for you here. Once upon a time there was an organization that called itself the American Society for Quality Control. Not any longer. They now call themselves ASQ, the American Society for Quality. Apparently the word "control" had connotations of being too "aggressive" for American management. Another popular phrase in management is Quality Assurance. That's sort of similar to "trust me". ;)
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I think in general once the change form the Companies really caring about quality in the products they produced to the bean counters that maximize profits at any cost of today the whole standard has dropped down into the sewer and is one of the main reason why the USA has lost MOST of it's industry and will continue until that changes. The consumer and quality have taken a back seat to Huge Corp Bonuses and ridiculously high salaries and they wonder why they and the US are in such trouble.

There is no American Pride anymore, that has been replaced with GREED and Max Profits at any cost, we are all going to pay the price for it in the end.

Now there are Some in the Knife Industry that do put quality ahead of max profits and they really do care about their products and it shows, I take my hat off to them because they can hold their heads high knowing they are making high quality products.
 
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Well said, even though it is indeed a very sad and sorry state of affairs. I count Chris Reeve and Murray Carter as two of those who still not only care about quality, but also offer exemplary customer service, at a fair price.

A powerful option is refusing to buy from companies who offer little, if any, QC or CS.
 
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