New knife on its way! [update - fit and finish issues, now with Buck response & pics]

SaintlyBrees

SaintlyBrees

Joined
May 7, 2013
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Just ordered a Paradigm Pro. Looking forward to seeing how well the Shift Mechanism/ASAP® opening technology works. S30V blade.

Anyone have any experience with it? (yeah, yeah, I know. I'm supposed to ask THEN buy. Pffft. :D )

Actual photos of the knife next week [Edit: hopefully]. Stock photo for now.


paradigmpro.jpg
 
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I have about four or five of them and had trouble with only one so far. It began to lock up when opening, at about 30 or 40 degrees out of the handle and would not go further. It was locked solid at that point as far as opening further but would close. I was strongly advised not to try to disassemble and reassemble it myself by Buck, so I sent it to them, it was fixed, and now works fine.

To say that it only happened with one of them means very little really, because I never carry them. That could happen to all of them with use as far as I know.
 
Plumberdv said:
I have about four or five of them and had trouble with only one so far. It began to lock up when opening, at about 30 or 40 degrees out of the handle and would not go further. It was locked solid at that point as far as opening further but would close. I was strongly advised not to try to disassemble and reassemble it myself by Buck, so I sent it to them, it was fixed, and now works fine.

To say that it only happened with one of them means very little really, because I never carry them. That could happen to all of them with use as far as I know.
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Binding? Or mechanism failure? On the ones that work properly, how is the assist?

I really like a good assist mechanism and am hoping that the Buck version is at least moderately impressive. All my Bucks are either manual folders or fixed blades, so this will be my first assisted opener by them, although I have several by other manufacturers. IMHO, the assist can make or break how enjoyable the knife is. In fact, one of my favorite EDCs is an el cheapo S&W (Taylor) with the M.A.G.I.C. system. I love how that thing "pops" when you open it. Cheap, but fun. :)

Anyhow, thanks for the feedback. Appreciated.
 
I used one exclusively on a 2 1/2 month backpacking trip last fall. It took a little getting used to it, then it became second nature. I had trouble using a Vantage when I got back home.

I prefer the Paradigm over the Vantage.
 
SaintlyBrees said:
Binding? Or mechanism failure? On the ones that work properly, how is the assist?

I really like a good assist mechanism and am hoping that the Buck version is at least moderately impressive. All my Bucks are either manual folders or fixed blades, so this will be my first assisted opener by them. IMHO, the assist can make or break how enjoyable the knife is. In fact, one of my favorite EDCs is an el cheapo S&W (Taylor) with the M.A.G.I.C. system. I love how that thing "pops" when you open it. Cheap, but fun. :)

Anyhow, thanks for the feedback. Appreciated.
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It was a mechanical failure inside the mechanism. They all open very well with a lot of "snap" or "pop", in fact it's a bit startling at first.
 
Plumberdv said:
It was a mechanical failure inside the mechanism. They all open very well with a lot of "snap" or "pop", in fact it's a bit startling at first.
Click to expand...

I understand. Thanks! :)

Stumps said:
I used one exclusively on a 2 1/2 month backpacking trip last fall. It took a little getting used to it, then it became second nature. I had trouble using a Vantage when I got back home.

I prefer the Paradigm over the Vantage.
Click to expand...

Good to know. [Edit: I have a Vantage Force Pro and like it a lot, so your comment is a real positive, IMHO.]
 
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The Paradigm is one of the most fun Bucks I own, got two. They snap open with a nice resounding snick! Smooth, a little practice, and the knife can be flicked open and the bolster rotated to the locked position in a nice fluid motion. They are a hoot to hand to the uninitiated and see the bewilderment on their face when they can't figure out how it opens.
 
sitflyer said:
The Paradigm is one of the most fun Bucks I own, got two. They snap open with a nice resounding snick! Smooth, a little practice, and the knife can be flicked open and the bolster rotated to the locked position in a nice fluid motion. They are a hoot to hand to the uninitiated and see the bewilderment on their face when they can't figure out how it opens.
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Cool. #2 son (who currently has my Vantage to use on a camping trip) will be my first guinea pig. :D
 
Well, phooey.

Got it in today late (last stop on UPS guy's route) and Buck is closed. I'll call them tomorrow, but it looks like I am going to have to rely on Buck's excellent reputation for making good on their product.

I'll post pics tomorrow along with what Buck says about the knife, but it has several problems right out of the box. The blade is far out of center, actually rubbing against the frame. The moving bolster will not close all the way, causing one corner to stick out 1/8" or so. The scale on the side of the moving bolster is not smooth around the edges. In fact, this rough finish may be why the bolster will not close properly. It is also rough in an area that the bolster does not contact.

Anyway, not real happy with the presentation of a fairly expensive knife (~$189). Fit and finish is far below Buck's usual fine standards but I'm sure that they'll make it right. My only concern is that they may ask me to pay return shipping and, as a matter of principal, that wouldn't be fair for a knife poorly finished out of the box and sent to me directly from Buck. I did not buy this from a reseller, I bought it from Buck themselves. 2013 date stamp. Box says 5/21/13, blade has the upside down semi-circle with a dot underneath.

I have faith, though. Buck has never let me down before. I bet they do the right thing here as well. :)

Edit:
Quick impression, aside from the fit and finish, is that this is a cool knife. The handle is gorgeous, pics don't do it justice. The deep carry clip is fantastic. I wish more companies would use a deeper carry clip like this. Sharp out of the box. Fits the hand nicely. I like the mechanism. It opens with a solid thunk and is much safer to close than a liner lock as your fingers are completely out of the way when closing the blade. Obviously, I haven't used it yet, but I feel confident that cutting/slicing performance will live up to the normal standards of the S30V blades that Buck produces.

I'm impressed. If they get the problems fixed on mine, I will be a very happy camper. :)
 
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They sure are sweet looking. I EDCed this on for about 3 months and it locked up just like Dave said. But, mine is locked up in the closed position. I need to send it in for repair.

jb4570
 
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Not good to hear of this failure issue...I , like Dave, have a few and don't EDC them, so in the future I could run into this failure.....
 
A short video of the target assisted folder in action for your amusement (no problems with this safe queen):

[video=youtube_share;CXtKP0WZzHY]http://youtu.be/CXtKP0WZzHY[/video]
 
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Nice vid, oregon. Thanks! :)

Update & pics:

Buck will take care of the issue, including shipping, I just have to send it back to CS, not warranty. Guy that I talked to told me to send it directly to his attention and was extremely helpful. Looks like Buck is living up to their rep. :thumbup:

So some pics (not a good photographer, sorry):

First 2 pics here show the moving bolster and how it will not fit in place properly.

P1010303.jpg


P1010304.jpg


Full picture of the knife. Trying to catch the handle color. Gorgeous.

P1010305.jpg


Off centered, rubbing, blade.

P1010306.jpg


I could not get the rough finish on the edge of the scales to come out. Sorry about that. :(
 
skyhorse said:
Sorry to hear you got a Paradigm with issues.Imho it's one the best A/O knives available...
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Well, you know things happen even to the best of companies. As long as Buck takes care of the problem, I really can't complain. And it seems that they will.

Nice pics. :)
 
I just ordered the smaller Vantage for my wife. It's now offered in blue paperstone handles. Hope she likes it, I need out of the dog house. DM
 
SaintlyBrees said:
Nice vid, oregon. Thanks! :)

Update & pics:

Buck will take care of the issue, including shipping, I just have to send it back to CS, not warranty. Guy that I talked to told me to send it directly to his attention and was extremely helpful. Looks like Buck is living up to their rep. :thumbup:

So some pics (not a good photographer, sorry):

First 2 pics here show the moving bolster and how it will not fit in place properly.

P1010303.jpg


P1010304.jpg


Full picture of the knife. Trying to catch the handle color. Gorgeous.

P1010305.jpg


Off centered, rubbing, blade.

P1010306.jpg


I could not get the rough finish on the edge of the scales to come out. Sorry about that. :(
Click to expand...

WOW!! That one should never have left the plant!! I would send it back right away just so they can see what left as a finished knife and correct the problem that let that thing slips through the cracks.
 
Happy to read you have a new one on the way!I think you're going to really like it.You'll get some good laughs when friends try to open it!:D:D:D
 
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