My Experience with Gavko Knives

[PirateSeulb]

W_cole The way I understand he operates it is a lot to ask him for a new blade I believe he makes each whole knife leaving him with few to no spare blades and if the model is one he no longer makes even less likely one is lying around. I am not saying it isn't in his interest to fix this but it could be a large cost and it also would probably mean a long wait to get your knife back vs a more standard spa treatment. I also wonder if he fully understood the condition of the blade perhaps he views it from what information he was provided as something that can be fixed and an over reacting owner. Best of luck with getting the blade fixed and made serviceable.

 

[marcinek]

I fully understand this but my point was regarding not ability for blade replacement but willingness to.

He may not have extra blades or anything, but he should at least entertain the notion that some of his knives may end up in need of a new blade at some point.

So every time he makes a custom knife he should make sets of backup parts for it? That is not how the custom process works. That is how the "production knife " process works. That's why Buck can replace it and now this maker. Key concept thing.

And knives do not need new blades unless somebody ruins the blade.

 

[W_cole]

Yeah, when will they ever find and use the feedback forum?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/feedback-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly.699/

The mods certainly can move your thread if they see fit, or if you ask, but I don't have that ability.

Ok then. We will leave it up to the mods to make that decision, not you. Sorry I'm so stupid and can't put the correct post in the appropriate sub forum. I guess I'm the first person in BF history to post in the wrong place. Give me a break and get out of here with that garbage. Come back when you have some constructive criticism about the subject at hand.

 

[katanas]

I'm not sure I've grasped every nuance of this, but it appears that either the OP was demanding and/or a poor communicator or the knife maker was unwilling to even look to see what could be done, or some combination thereof (a lot of ors). Not hearing the makers side makes a conclusion difficult.

 

[Jisatsu]

Let's say I build a car, then I sell that car and offer a lifetime warranty on it. Let's say that customer brings back the car for warranty service. It's like me telling them "Sorry, even though I COULD fix your car for you, I'm not going to. Because all my time is spent building new cars. That warranty I promised you doesn't mean anything."

The car analogy is pretty horrible. A car warranty doesn't cover use and abuse. If I drive into a tree, I don't expect the car manufacturer to replace my front end under warranty service. Just like if I buy a knife and break it, or even better if I buy a used knife someone else broke, I really don't expect the manufacturer to custom order another blade and custom cut and fabricate it and replace it in the knife that was bought second hand to make one customer who didn't even purchase from me in the first place happy.

But, ymmv.

 

[W_cole]

People need things fixed. It's apart of the deal when making cutting tools and selling them to the public. Shit breaks and wears out. It's just an unfortunate thing of life. Yes I purchased a knife that had a wonky blade. Here's the thing though, everyone keeps saying that it's my fault for buying the knife knowing it was jacked up. If I wouldn't have bought the knife then someone else would have and tried the same thing I did.

Gavko knives said he will not replace blades on old knives. That means all of you too! You're all sitting here acting like he hung the moon or something. He is a Custom knife maker not willing to stand behind his products or customers. I never once said that it was cost effective for him to replace my blade. I get it, he makes more money by selling new knives vs refurbishing old ones. That doesn't make it right.

Custom vs production, replacement blades or not, cost effective or not it still doesn't make it right. You can all agree with that. The writing on the wall is clear, Gavko knives do not stand behind their products.

You can try and justify it all you want.

 

[W_cole]

I'm not sure I've grasped every nuance of this, but it appears that either the OP was demanding and/or a poor communicator or the knife maker was unwilling to even look to see what could be done, or some combination thereof (a lot of ors). Not hearing the makers side makes a conclusion difficult.

 

[marcinek]

Ok then. We will leave it up to the mods to make that decision, not you. Sorry I'm so stupid and can't put the correct post in the appropriate sub forum. I guess I'm the first person in BF history to post in the wrong place. Give me a break and get out of here with that garbage. Come back when you have some constructive criticism about the subject at hand.

I made you aware of the Feedback forum. Sorry. "The More You Know!" I always say.

As for constructive criticism about the subject, I believe I have given it. Again, the maker does not find it cost effective to replace peoples' trashed blades. So....you are out of luck unless you want to buy a new knife from him, or go elsewhere.

I mean, you were the one who asked

Would love to hear what y'all think of it.

Well, that's what I think.

Now that may not be what you want to hear, but that does not make it not constructive.

 

[W_cole]

The car analogy is pretty horrible. A car warranty doesn't cover use and abuse. If I drive into a tree, I don't expect the car manufacturer to replace my front end under warranty service. Just like if I buy a knife and break it, or even better if I buy a used knife someone else broke, I really don't expect the manufacturer to custom order another blade and custom cut and fabricate it and replace it in the knife that was bought second hand to make one customer who didn't even purchase from me in the first place happy.

But, ymmv.

The problem with your statement is that you forgot I was talking about a knife. A cutting Tool. The car was a bad analogy but it was just that, an analogy. The knife isn't beat to shit, it has not been run over or misused. It became dull and someone sharpened it. That's what you do. It's very simple really, blade replacement should be covered under basic warranty. In Gavko knives case, it isnt.

 

[marcinek]

Custom vs production, replacement blades or not, cost effective or not it still doesn't make it right. You can all agree with that. The writing on the wall is clear, Gavko knives do not stand behind their products.

You can try and justify it all you want.

We all can, but we all don't. I can fully understand a maker not finding it cost effective to make a whole new blade and replace it when someone has reamed it, and not offering that service. Hardly the craziest thing I ever heard.

And I hardly would accuse him of "not standing behind his product" for doing it.

 

[marcinek]

The problem with your statement is that you forgot I was talking about a knife. A cutting Tool. The car was a bad analogy but it was just that, an analogy. The knife isn't beat to shit, it has not been run over or misused. It became dull and someone sharpened it. That's what you do. It's very simple really, blade replacement should be covered under basic warranty. In Gavko knives case, it isnt.

The car is a perfectly apt analogy. If you do your own tuneup using a sledge hammer, then an engine replacement shouldn't be covered under basic warranty.

 

[W_cole]

I made you aware of the Feedback forum. Sorry. "The More You Know!" I always say.

As for constructive criticism about the subject, I believe I have given it. Again, the maker does not find it cost effective to replace peoples' trashed blades. So....you are out of luck unless you want to buy a new knife from him, or go elsewhere.

I mean, you were the one who asked



Well, that's what I think.

Now that may not be what you want to hear, but that does not make it not constructive.

There we go, keep to the subject at hand, bud. Don't start going off in left field about what should be posted where. Leave that to the people that matter.

 

[marcinek]

The problem with your statement is that you forgot I was talking about a knife. A cutting Tool. The car was a bad analogy but it was just that, an analogy. The knife isn't beat to shit, it has not been run over or misused. It became dull and someone sharpened it. That's what you do. It's very simple really, blade replacement should be covered under basic warranty. In Gavko knives case, it isnt.

Now you are contradicting yourself.

I finally found a couple for sale that were used and went ahead and picked them up. One in particular had been resharpened poorly giving it an uneven secondary bevel and a slight recurve in the belly of the blade. I went ahead and contacted Gavko knives via email to figure out what he could do for me.

Now, I knew that he offered a spa treatment for his knives including a sharpening of the blade. Now I'm no knife maker, but I personally thought the damage done to the blade was beyond repair and by resharpening the blade would remove too much material and leave me a toothpick for a blade.

Look, you rolled the dice on a messed up second hand blade that someone was trying to pawn off, and it didn't pay off. That ain't the sellers fault. And that ain't Gavko's fault.

 

[PirateSeulb]

Well it does seem the issue with it was communicated to him and I think while he may be refusing to do what you want he is very polite on the manner. This is an issue caused by improper use/maintenance which no warranty covers so this is the type of repair that would be out of pocket. Unfortunately this maker does not have the time and resources to spare and provide a new blade to give a like new level of repair. Your best bet is to find an individual who can potentially repair the existing blade back to a serviceable condition.

 

[newdebate]

The car is a perfectly apt analogy. If you do your own tuneup using a sledge hammer, then an engine replacement shouldn't be covered under basic warranty.

Sounds like someone ought to learn how to sharpen...

 

[W_cole]

Now you are contradicting yourself

Explain.

 

[marcinek]

There we go, keep to the subject at hand, bud. Don't start going off in left field about what should be posted where. Leave that to the people that matter.

OK, I'll be more direct. Gavko wont fix your knife and it's perfectly reasonable for him not to. Deal. Find someone who will.

 

[marcinek]

Explain.

Best of luck with your situation.

 

[W_cole]

Sounds like someone ought to learn how to sharpen...

I'm pretty much done with hearing what you have to say. You told me twice to return the knife to the seller when I told you he disclosed that info in the sale ad.

 

[The_Iron_Joe]

People need things fixed. It's apart of the deal when making cutting tools and selling them to the public. Shit breaks and wears out. It's just an unfortunate thing of life. Yes I purchased a knife that had a wonky blade. Here's the thing though, everyone keeps saying that it's my fault for buying the knife knowing it was jacked up. If I wouldn't have bought the knife then someone else would have and tried the same thing I did.

Gavko knives said he will not replace blades on old knives. That means all of you too! You're all sitting here acting like he hung the moon or something. He is a Custom knife maker not willing to stand behind his products or customers. I never once said that it was cost effective for him to replace my blade. I get it, he makes more money by selling new knives vs refurbishing old ones. That doesn't make it right.

Custom vs production, replacement blades or not, cost effective or not it still doesn't make it right. You can all agree with that. The writing on the wall is clear, Gavko knives do not stand behind their products.

You can try and justify it all you want.

Well... just playing devils' advocate here, as the man in question has yet to appear (no idea if he has a profile here or not), but the guy isn't production-level, and by all accounts is a one-man-shop. You asked him for a blade replacement, he says he doesn't provide those kinds of services. On principle, if he'd be willing to do it for one customer, he should be willing to do it for everyone. That isn't choosing to not stand behind his products, this is just following the warranty he provides which, by the way, is very similar to the warranties of many major companies out there; he warranties his work is free of material defects and that his craftsmanship is up to his set standards. If there has been any abuse done to the blade, then why should the maker be responsible for providing a replacement, even if you're willing to pay for it? Especially when it's not in the maker's best interest to do so?

The problem with your statement is that you forgot I was talking about a knife. A cutting Tool. The car was a bad analogy but it was just that, an analogy. The knife isn't beat to shit, it has not been run over or misused. It became dull and someone sharpened it. That's what you do. It's very simple really, blade replacement should be covered under basic warranty. In Gavko knives case, it isnt.

You just said above that the knife was 'jacked up'. In your emails, you say that the knife has a 'slight re-curve', and in your OP you say that,

I personally thought the damage done to the blade was beyond repair and by resharpening the blade would remove too much material and leave me a toothpick for a blade.

Which is it? If the blade was truly wrecked beyond normal repair and requires a replacement, then you should have been up front with that in the email.

If the knife isn't that badly sharpened, then why is this such a problem? Sharpen it yourself or send it out to a professional sharpener to get the job done right.