Non-flush handle... worth warranty claim?

[Cogwheel]

Here's my review on Amazon.com of the Alton's Angle 6" Utility:

My first Shun was a 10" Chef's Knife I got last year. I immediately fell in love. My second Shun was a Steel series 9" bread knife I got a couple weeks ago. Fell in love with it as well. Next up I got the 4" angled steel paring knife, and this 6" Alton's Angle utility. I've fallen in love with the paring knife, but the Alton's Angle had an annoying flaw: the metal on the bolster and butt isn't flush with the wood of the handle, creating uncomfortable, slightly sharp edges.

I figured it was just a fluke, so I returned it and ordered a new one (Amazon won't do direct exchanges for these knives, btw). Unfortunately it suffers from the same problem. I've e-mailed Kershaw and await their response. Hopefully this was just a bad batch, but I've read about other people having a similar problem.

Don't get me wrong; by every other measure, this is still an awesome knife (as long as you don't mind the line drawing of alton brown next to the Shun logo--I know he's sort of a love him or hate him character). For a smallish knife, the angled handle is really... handy... (sorry). Keeps your knuckles out of the way and gives a better overall feel. And you can't match Shun's blade as far as cost/quality/availability.

Anyway, I hope this is useful to someone.

Is this something worth sending in for warranty service?

 

[tommie]

Cogwheel,
sorry to see you are having issues with your shun's

At one time the pakka wood was flush with the bolster and endcap, the pakka wood although stabilized is still susceptible to humidity it will swell and contract constantly. we often see this issue during the dry winter months or in dryer climates. You can send the knives in for warranty however the next set you receive could have the same issue. Sometimes just letting the handles soak in water for a short time and bring them back to original shape. All this said we have had rare cases (and this could be your case) where the handles shrink so severally they will not return to the normal shape. Rest assured we will repair or replace knives whatever you decide to do.

 

[Cogwheel]

Thanks for the reply. I'll give it a soak tonight and see how it turns out.

Edit: considering it was shipped from a Nevada warehouse, I wouldn't be surprised if it'll plump up a bit.

 

[ryan9977]

wow...less than twenty minutes!....tommie -you are on the case today!:thumbup:.....ryan