Need some help if possible.

Shmoop,
The question that you bring up is very valid. Overall, Buck did a great job with their customer service. That goes without question. They were always there to answer the phone and take my calls along with answering a rather vast array of questions to the best of their abilities.
Where I still have a question overall is "Why?" Why, when dealing with a company that defines quality most of the time, would I end up going through all of this with one of the most expensive and top end models that they produce? Here is a knife with the Strider name attached as well, (Another name of distinguished quality) and it is making it to the customers with the kind of problems that I listed above.
Doc
 
recon,

I don't know if maybe we are nitpicking. As a customer, I can always take my business elsewhere and one experience doesn't necessarily completely taint my view of a company's reputation. Less negative experiences are to be avoided more so than positive ones, though. We all have choices.

The Solution collaboration does bridge the economic gap to getting an authentic Strider. The price is still a premium, though, and even the most distinguished neophyte entering into purchasing tactical knives deserves to get the best value possible. This is especially true if it is a first time buy.

For the BG42 I got, I would expect the basics like attention to details of a cleaner grind and sturdy sheath. Those things should be a non issue and nary a thought should enter one's mind upon first examining the knife.

Buck is supposedly doing another collaboration with Strider. Hopefully our observations will be taken seriously and they will deploy the feedback in their next project.

Let's wait and see. ;)
 
Shmoop,
You're singin' to the choir as far as I'm conserned there. It wouldn't put as big a bug up my keester were it not for the fact that there are a BUNCH of really high QUALITY knives out there in that same price range and much less. Take Fallkniven, Spyderco, Becker Knife and Tool, Benchmade, SwampRat, Ontario Etc... Of all the knive that I would expect quality from, the Buck was on the higher end of the cost spectrum and at the bottom of the fit and finish. Now, it may have been a one time fluke, but I just don't get how. I figured that perhaps the grind was off because they were done by hand only to find that they are machine ground. That means that, however many knives went through, that day, week , month, year were all ground the same way.
Same thing with the sheaths. We find out the SOE had a period of time when they were shut down and that the sheaths were outsourced to a shop in Oregon that claimed to "make them to SOE's specs". None the less, they are not SOE sheaths, a selling point to the end buyer. Were the knives offered at a discounted price due to the lower end sheath? No. Did anyone from Buck actually look at one of those full production, non-SOE sheaths prior to tossing some knives in them and shipping them out to the end buyer? I have no idea, but everyone seemed not to know anything about it when I first asked. That makes me think no would be the appropriate answer.
Yes, without a doubt their customer service department hooked me up. They did a bang up job. I guess I'm still in a quandry as to why the buyer of a $200+ knife has to go through all of the hoops and drop another $27 in postage, in order to get the product he was supposed to be getting in the first place. I am actually a bit dissappointed that a reimbursment for my overnight mailing to remedy THEIR problem was not returned with my knife. Just for the QC oversight that I just did for the company and perhaps some stimulation that it brought about in the employees, maybe I should collect a consulting fee?
Doc
 
I don't know. You may indeed deserve to be recognized and even compensated more for your dilligance. Some of the things you point out are not necessarily unfair questions to ask as a consumer. From what I read in another thread with response to your's posts, it may be a ( more of a ) hit and ( less of a ) miss issue. Your Buck Strider folder sounds like it is bulletproof. Maybe with the anticipated release of the Strider Solution, the overzealousness to get it to market on time with a certain numbers produced, allowed some things to be overlooked. I was looking at your posts long before I ordered my BG42 knife. I was wondering why people were able to get the knife for about $150 when they first came out whereby I paid a premium for mine. Now I know why. Looks like the $220 price tag dropped as people only warmed up to the knife when the later versions came out. This may have been true as feedback came in or when people handled the actual product. That doesn't really offer any solace to some of the later end buyers. Especially those who may get knives to less than the expectations of the standards of Buck's company elite. I have more thoughts on this although I feel it is proper decorum and prudent for me to take this to private e-mail. Look forward to your feedback. :)
 
Shmoopie,
Instead of pontificating about whether or not you will get a good product if you decide to make a purchase, call and talk to Joe Houser or one of the guys that Recondoc1 has already spoken with and have them pick you one out with an SOE sheath. Problem solved with min whining on the net.

Recondoc1,
For what you paid, you could have bought a real Strider had you known that they offer a 25% discount to the military man.
 
KB,
Ouch! Now I find that out. Well, due to the fact that their designs feel like 100% no BS no Frills working tools, a true Strider will be in my future.
Thanks for the information.
Doc
 
There isn't a company I know of in the knifemaking business, firearms business, car business, computer business, etc. that doesn't churn out a lemon from time to time.

The worst thing is to be holding a new piece of gear and being bummed out because something isn't right and the company that makes it just blows you off.

The way the company handles the situation makes all the difference in the world. Buck scores big points for the way they handled this one in my opinion. I didn't know they were so CS oriented. Good stuff and thanks for the heads up.

Cheers
 
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