Pikuni's and probelms

R

Rob Simonich

Big Bear
Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
2,294
Thought I would start another thread here, not that we need another thread!

I spoke with Bob and Christine the other day, for 3 hours or so! We discussed the problems with the Pikuni's and we all agree we learned something, NO MATTER HOW MUCH FOLKS COMPLAIN ABOUT DELAYED DELIVERY, DONT RELEASE UNTIL IT IS RIGHT! I have in fact adopted the policy of not saying a word about a new collaboration or model until production samples are in my hand. I had followed the project and approved every step up to but not including the handles. I spoke with the blade grinders, heat treaters, sheath maker (great sheaths) etc throughout the process. By the way, the heat treat is excellent on these, Bob and Christine sent me a bunch of blades to look over and all tested out at 59Rc, just right for this steel. Part of the production delays were in fact my fault. I was hunting and I rely on making meat to keep the family fed through the year. No one keeps me from hunting!
biggrin.gif


Anyway, I am totally confident that Bob and Christine will make right any Pikuni's that got shipped that arent up to our specs. In fact, I would be glad to help take care of any problems with things such as sharpening etc to help out. REKAT is commited to producing a good product at a reasonable price. We all learned a lesson here. (I have not talked with Bob or Christine about this)

I have had many positive comments on the REKAT Pikuni, and be assured that a very limited number of Pikuni's that arent up to our standards did get shipped due to rushing them to the dealers to try to keep our delivery promises. That wont happen again, no matter how impatient people get!

So folks, please do not judge the whole Pikuni project on a few bad knives that got shipped, but take the chance if you are interested in the Pikuni and try one out. If you dont like it, send it back to the dealer, REKAT or send it to me to bring it up to standard or get your money back! I am glad that REKAT wanted to do this project with me, and am convinced that they are commited to quality. So convinced that I will stand behind their version of my design. I cant do any more than that. Nuf for now.

And how about our new President?
biggrin.gif


------------------
www.simonichknives.com
 
Rob, you are very gracious. I want a Pikuni very badly, but will probably wait for the regular production run. Partly because of the QC issue, but mostly because I am spending all my spare money on Christmas for the kids. I know that REKAT stands behind their products. They have generally been more liberal than most in their warranty. I understand that they are begininng to get stricter with their repair policy. I also know that you stand behind anything that has your name attached to it and I appreciate it.

I am glad the Algore finally did the right thing and conceded. Although he obviously had to be all but forced into it. I don't agree with what he and his adament supporters tried to do, but I understand he was born and raised to be President and his whole life was wrapped up in the result.

------------------
Dennis Bible

mylogosmall.gif
 
I've been watching these discussions with great interest...not unlike other deliberations over the last 35 days.
smile.gif
I wanted to pick up a Pikuni, but because of the complaints I have not. How can I now resist with an invitation like this from Rob?

Jeff Jenness
 
IMO, one thing you can be certain of where Rob is involved: If it ISN'T right the first time
eek.gif
, he will make it right ASAP!

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Rob Simonich:
We discussed the problems with the Pikuni's and we all agree we learned something, NO MATTER HOW MUCH FOLKS COMPLAIN ABOUT DELAYED DELIVERY, DONT RELEASE UNTIL IT IS RIGHT! .....
........Part of the production delays were in fact my fault. I was hunting and I rely on making meat to keep the family fed through the year. No one keeps me from hunting!
biggrin.gif
</font>
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree there, for certain. I think I'm guilty of whining a bit myself, regarding the delays. But, I don't feel that I really whined until the knives had gone out from 1SKS and still took 2 weeks to get to me. But, that's no one's fault, I believe. Just timing.

One thing that would have alleviated some of the complaining would have been a little more communication from REKAT. I believe that has been mentioned before in one (or more
redface.gif
) of the other threads. Once we start from the original announcement of the collaboration and a delivery date is given, if the delivery date is then going to be delayed, there should be communication. I read in one of the threads here (a while back), or maybe over in General, that you had been hunting, and when you got back, a sample had been waiting. Well, that indicated to me that there was probably going to be a delay in the delivery. But, nothing official, that I can remember, ever came out from REKAT. Sooo.... the original delivery date came and went, and people started asking and pushing.

Your being willing to help fix the knives that you didn't even grind to start with is typical of the integrity that I have seen and come to expect from you, as well as other custom makers. You guys do the industry proud!

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Rob Simonich:
So folks, please do not judge the whole Pikuni project on a few bad knives that got shipped, but take the chance if you are interested in the Pikuni and try one out. If you dont like it, send it back to the dealer, REKAT or send it to me to bring it up to standard or get your money back! I am glad that REKAT wanted to do this project with me, and am convinced that they are commited to quality. So convinced that I will stand behind their version of my design. I cant do any more than that. Nuf for now.</font>
Click to expand...

Very true. I definitely would recommend that anyone interested in the Pikuni give it a shot, now that I hear your input. I think there was some miscommunication initially regarding the warranty on REKAT products, but Christina cleared that up, at least in my eyes. (I couldn't believe that it would void the warranty if I loosened a screw on my Pikuni
eek.gif
; fortunately, that quickly turned out to be a misunderstanding).

------------------
iktomi
 
Bob is a straight shooter and most certainly stands behind his work and products..
Great Guy a too..

Just give him a call with your questions and concerns and he is more than willing to help..

Take Care..

------------------
Murray Haday
ProEdge Knives
www.proedgeknives.com
Tel: 905 328 8212
 
I bought a Pikuni advertized as G-10 with stonewashed finish. The grinds were very poor for a $100+ knife and the stonewash finish was only on the thin side of the steel on the handle area. Strange finish, part satin and part stonewashed. The blade was rough satin with very uneven sharpened edge. The left hand and right hand bevels did not match. Sharp corners on the G-10 would require blending to be comfortable.

Shipped the knife back to 1SKS for refund. Very disapointed in the lack of quality for an introduction limited, numbered ? (paper certificate only) knife. At $100+ the workmanship should have been much better. Check out the BM Nimravus in M2 or Spyderco Moran for outstanding QC.

Regards,
FK
 
FK, obviously you had one that slipped through the cracks. There were about a dozen or so that did. Sorry that you got one and I am glad you returned it! On the other hand, I have gotten a lot of e-mail and read a lot of posts about the Pikunis that are up to specs, and everyone that has one is very happy with it. This wont be happening agian, and thanks for your comments!
 
Just a post to say that my Pikuni arrived from 1SKS today, and it's in great shape. I ordered it before I found this thread, so I was pretty worried I'd be disappointed. Quite the opposite, though, as this one is very nicely made. Nice, even finish, symmetrical grinds, very sharp, and the G-10 is contoured perfectly with the handle. (unlike the one pictured at 1SKS, where the slabs don't match up to the curvature of the handle)

One thing, though- the sheath is marring up the blade like nobody's business. I've asked about this before, and have been told that unfortunately, Kydex/Concealex will mar the blade. I've always disliked this fact! Darrel Ralph mentioned that a bit of Vaseline will help lube the interior of the sheath and curtail some of this, but it's still a shame on such a nice knife!

Overall, I'm very happy with it. It's a really solid little knife! The design is excellent (way to go Rob!) and the sheath looks killer.

Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know that there are some "good" Pikunis out there!


BTW- anyone got an idea who carries ball chain for retail sale? The sheath ships with paracord, but I'd rather get some chain.

Firebat

------------------
Name's Ash......Housewares.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top