New ZT0550 Thread !!!

This is exactly how this should be handled.

flash900 said:
Here is what Kershaw's customer service department just told me:

-- ALL 195 of the ZT 0551s in the first batch are being recalled.

"This is the first time in five years we've recalled a product," Kershaw's rep said.

-- Only two dealers have the affected knives: Kershaw Guy and Blue Ridge. Kershaw says it has called both dealers to notify them of the recall.

-- The recall does NOT affect the remaining 805 of the 1,000 limited edition 0551s -- because they have yet to be built.

-- What happened? Kershaw says a batch of liners didn't go through the final finishing process -- a tumbling process that smoothes the steel to remove and prevent corroision.

Without the process, corroison is the inevitable result, the rep said. Thus the rust that clearly shows up in the photos posted earlier in this thread.

-- The company said it was unable to determine which serial numbers were affected so it recalled the entire batch of 195.

-- "The guy who did it got let go on Monday," the rep said. The ZT line is made at the company's plant in Oregon by six employees; now there are five.

A personal note: Thanks and a tip of the hat to those posters here who brought this to light and a special thanks to those who posted photos of the rust.

You enabled all of us -- and Kershaw, IMO -- to find out what the problem is, and hopefully to deal with it.

I hope this report helps.
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I have seen many mistakes made in prototype and production builds on cars, trucks and buses. All worth much more than a knife. I have headed multiple recalls that totaled more than $100 million in cost.

All bullshit aside, if this is the only reason for firing the guy, it's not enough. Hire him back.
 
Case is closed on the rust issue. Call them and send it back.

Guys can we f'ng get back to something else?

Post pics, do what Rick asked and use the f'ng thing, then post your pics and opinion of the knife in use.
 
What bearcut is alluding to is the fact that in any top notch manufacturing environment you have many steps and processes that are overseen and "signed off" on to assure things were done properly and to company standards. This is basic quality assurance people and somebody definitely dropped the ball! It's not fair/correct to hold the production worker to the same standard as a journeyman supervisor overseeing production.


Also, for all those crying for the re-hiring of the poor lad, do you doubt and question Thomas' leadership and managerial qualifications??? ..because that is surely what you are doing! It's obvious to me those commenting on this matter have never run a successful business nor been in a position of management/leadership.
 
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bearcut said:
Mistakes are quite different from cover-ups and lies.

If I had a boss that told me to ship a defective product I would refuse.

If I knowingly shipped a defective product to CMA, and got caught, then I should be fired. I trust thats what KAI was doing.

Pray tell, how does one equate knowingly shipping a rusty product to consumers with "Mistake"? One or two liners is a mistake, a binfull is willfull neglect and deceit. It affects hundreds of consumers and the companies bottom line.

I guess it all depends an what your definition of "is", is.

Do you honestly believe that someone didn't know that rusty liners were unacceptable? You call this a "Mistake"? If so, you are really out of touch with reality.

I guess you never complain about anything, since everything to you is a "Mistake".
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Just a guess, what happened might be... the bucket of liners that was shown in the pictures were clean off and ready for the finishing process, but somehow the workers thought they've already been through the process (from what they see, these liners are "clean") and start assembling process. They discovered the problem half way into assembling the batch and someone decide to finish the assembling anyway. And there we go, someone is fired and a total recall of the batch.

Cool story?:rolleyes:

And yes, lets get back to the pictures and usage.:D
 
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im gonna call them and see if i take some high grit sandpaper and polish it a little will that be enough to prevent future corrosion... mine is perfect but i dont want to send it back...
 
here some pics. enjoy.

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Sorry to hear that someone lost their job over this. It's never easy to let someone go, particularly around the holidays.

I received mine last night. It is a little beast and an excellent design. :thumbup:

The fit and finish appears excellent with the exception of the liner and the right thumbstud is marred up pretty good. I'd do the liner myself, but I'll leave it to the experts since the thumbstud will require me sending it in. Unfortunately it's boogered up a bit too much to overlook. I wonder if that can be fixed or if they'll have to replace the blade.

My number higher than 195 as well. How did that happen when only 195 have been released thus far? And, if I send this in for the recall, do i get a replacement or...?


As we all know; stuff happens. But what defines a good company is how they handle unexpected problems.
Thanks for the excellent warranty Thomas. :thumbup:
 
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Pvt.snoballz said:
...did it occur to you that maybe the photo was taken prior to the treatment and maybe the rust that was there was normal....since it hadnt been treated yet?
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Snoballz, you're being over-defensive, what you said is exactly what I had in mind.

Relax man, have a nice day:D
 
flash900 said:
Do you like rust?

Can't speak for Kershaw, but based upon what they told me (see post No. 761), EVERYTHING made to date is part of the recall.
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everything is part of the recall but not everyone was affected.

im with him though, if i dont need to send it in i dont really want to.

chances are if mine wasnt finished properly it would have rust, which it doesnt so i think im gonna take my chances
 
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