New BK2 knife, problem after problem with KaBar.

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FreeRunner

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I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out which survival knife to buy. I narrowed it down to the ESEE 5 or the Becker BK2. I have purchased other ESEE and KaBar knives in the past (ESEE 3 and KaBar fighter knife) and have had a great experience with both, yet the BK2 and ESEE 5 seemed so similar, I thought why not try the KaBar version. I also saw an interview with Ethan Becker on Equipped to Survive's YouTube channel, and I liked Ethan philosophy and personality so much I definitely had to buy one of his knives.
After receiving my newly purchased BK2 in the mail, I could not wait to open it up and test out the cutting performance. Upon taking the knife out of the box and taking a close look at the cutting edge, I could tell that the cutting edges grind was completely uneven (One side was deeper than the other). In fact, the edge of the blade near the handle on the left side was not even ground at all (it was about a half of inch long with no grind on that side of the knife). I grabbed a piece of paper and ran the edge of the knife across it, nothing happened. The knife was so dull, it could not cut the paper no matter what I did. I then pushed my index finger into the tip of the knife (putting a lot of pressure onto it), that was extremely dull as well.
I immediately called KaBar and told them the problem. I was told by the receptionist that they would exchange the knife for a new one if I paid the expense of sending it back to them, so I did, a whole $9.27 worth of shipping (why I would have to spend to ship the knife back if they were at fault is beyond me).
Two weeks later I received a new knife, the new knife was just as dull, and the grind looked just as bad. Again I called KaBar and told them the problem. This time they gave me a KaBar UPS account number and told me to use this so that I would not have to pay the shipping back (they would cover the shipping this time, thank goodness). The receptionist told me to attention the knife to Paul T., she said he would handle the knife this time and would make sue it was perfect. In the box with the knife I included a note explaining all the trouble I had gone through. I also told him that I would like to see a MOLLE attachment be made as a add on if desired.
This time it took three weeks to receive my knife. After two weeks I called and asked if my knife had been shipped back. I talked with Joe, he told me that Paul T. hadn't even looked at it yet, but that he would talk to him that day and get it sent out to me as soon as possible. A week later (today) I finally received my knife. Out of the three knives I have had in my possession, this one is the worst. This knife is supposed to have a flat saber grind, yet the sharpened edge resembles a single bevel grind. One whole side of the knife edge is straight up and down, and the other is curved. The plus side is that the knife is sharp this time. However, I will have to pay someone to fix this edge.
Also, the note that I sent in with the knife was sent back to me, and all Paul T. put on my note was (written in pen) "Yes it can have MOLLE attach to sheath." What kind of answer is that? His answer to my MOLLE attachment suggestion sounds like a third person cave man response. Ethan Becker, if you are reading this please help. So far I am very disappointed with my experience with KaBar and this knife.

Here is a photo showing that one side of the blade is at a 20 degree angle while the other is flat. This is the best photo I could do, sorry if it is a little fuzzy. Let me know what you think. If you can't see my complaint in this photo, sorry, it's the best I could do with my crappy Kodak camera. If you look towards the tip end of the blade, you will see that only the left side sharp and the other is not. In other words, you can only see the angle on one side of the blade, right?
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Here is a close up, so it can be seen better.
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In first here and hope that you have some pictures to show the problem(s), actual eveidence of these issues will stop the doubt.

tim
 
Welcome to the BKT forum, Freerunner.

I have to say, this is the first time I have ever heard of someone contacting Kabar with an issue and it not being resolved, to a customer's satisfaction. I have no reason to doubt you, but I would very much like to see some pictures, like tim was asking about, to clarify. Ethan will see this, I assure you. So will Toooj, better known as Paul Tsujimoto, the Paul T. in which you were refering to in your post.

Pics will let Ethan, and all of us know what issues youe are refering to.

Thanks again for posting with us, glad you're here.

Moose
 
Is this all because it came dull?
How much did it cost??, and... Don't you know how to sharpen your own knives?
 
That's a shame to hear. My Bk-2, although not "perfect" was pretty even, and sharp. I stropped mine, and it shaves hair.
Seems like Tooj, or Ethan should chime in on this one. You can't expect perfection at that price, but the gind should at least be sharp.
 
Sorry to hear about your dissapointing experience, I hope they get it fixed for you soon. The BK2 is one knife that wont fail you out there. Mine was uneven in the grind too but was sharp enough to slice paper out of the box. Nothing major to me as I normally reedged and sharpen my knives the way I like them. All the best!
 
Sorry to hear of your fiasco. I've never heard of such recurring problems with Becker/Kabar but theres a first time for everything. I know that Ethan hates to hear of any dis-satisfied customers.
The first thing I did with my brand new BK2 was to take it out and beat it into total submission. After wearing as much finish off as I could, I brought her in and convexed the edge. Now she can split atoms.
Cheers
Balding
 
My Bk2 arrived, not exactly dull, but with what I referred to in my review as an axe-like sharpness. Honestly, I didn't really care. Once you possess the ability to sharpen your own knives, factory edges are irrelevant.

In the past, I'd have been very disheartened if my knives arrived dull, or not very sharp, as I lacked the ability to sharpen well. So I can certainly understand the fuss.
 
This is no lie, I have had to sharpen EVERY knife i have ever bought, because NONE of them were up to my standards. If you want a perfect knife with a razors edge, be prepared to spend MUCH more money. I LOVE Becker knives & also KaBar & Ontario's. You simply can't beat thier bang for the buck. If you are new to knives, get yourself a sharpening system & a few other sharpening aids as well. It's not hard. It is therapy for me. LOL :D I hope you get this resolved. They make a great product.
 
well, factory knives from KaBar tend to come with a working field ready aggressive edge. i forget exactly, but something like 220-260 grit... not mirror polished. sorry, wrong line of knives for hand stropping by elves... they ARE hand ground and finished though.

also having a hard time picturing a hand selected knife from Toooj not being perfect, and even potentially touched up to make darn sure.

i'd also like to see some pictures on this, and and hopefully Toooj let's us know this is legit and not a troll action.

so, folx, don't get our panties in a bunch until we get more data, and feedback from everyone. remember: we've had a few one off posts before that resulted in no further OP commentary.

waiting in patience :)
 
my eskabar came screaming sharp, and its grinds were good. while i have never had to use kabars customer service all i have heard is good things, and Mr. Becker will most likely see and respond to this. (he even did to congratulate me on my first Becker purchase) so my bet is you'll be taken care of. P.S. photos would help.
 
I have 4 BKT's - while not light saber sharp, all would shave hair out of the box. Sorry you have had a bad time of it - does not seem the norm by any means.
 
paperairplane said:
I have 4 BKT's - while not light saber sharp, all would shave hair out of the box. Sorry you have had a bad time of it - does not seem the norm by any means.
Click to expand...

Ethan needs to produce a Becker line of Light Sabers, those things would sell faster than the 2s.
 
Every Kabar product I've gotten has had a shaving sharp edge. The edges may not have been even, but they did shave hair.

I too would like some pictures. I have to say that I find it very hard to believe the service issues you've had. In fact, I've NEVER heard of any problems like this with the service from Kabar.
 
My BK2 Came pretty sharp, But I did touch it up with the strop. Can shave hair now. My buddies was the same and he freaking loves his bk11, The BK2's are pretty straight knives for 78 bucks.
 
Like most of the other guys have said, my BK2 came with a nice grind. It was pretty sharp, but it took a great edge. Good luck with it!
 
I only wish the knive(s) could talk so we could hear how disappointed they are in you. Poor things. Just wanna go out and cut stuff and instead they get talked about behind their backs.
 
My BK2 came out of the box pretty damn sharp. If you're so unhappy with these knives, maybe try to post up in the exchange to trade for an ESEE-5? Or sell this defective BK2 to me and buy yourself a half dozen Moras? Or a Bear Grylls Gerber?

Also, the note that I sent in with the knife was sent back to me, and all Paul T. put on my note was (written in pen) "Yes it can have MOLLE attach to sheath." What kind of answer is that? His answer to my MOLLE attachment suggestion sounds like a third person cave man response.
Click to expand...

Perhaps your question was just misunderstood/poorly communicated. I'm not sure I see the "third person cave man response" in there. Then again, I also use pens :eek:

Sorry, everyone else. I, too, fed the troll. :o

63558d1275277426-true-drivers-who-drive-big-suvs-must_not_feed_the_troll.jpg


-Nadz
 
I am currently working on posting a good picture of the problem, please be patient. However, I am having a hard time taking a picture of the blades edge without it coming in fuzzy (any ideas on how to do this better?). As to the doubters out there, this is not a troll thread; I am having legitimate issues with this knife. I have purchased other KaBar knives and had no issues with there blades or the edges on there blades. I know how to sharpen blades, however, this blades edge grind is way screwed up, especially for being sent back to me for the second time. Perhaps my expectations are too high, but this knives edge and shape are worse than the original blade I purchased.
 
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