QC in production knife making

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Where did you buy it from ?
I have seen fakes, some of them have also a small milling line, right there, just saying...

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Trying to get at the heart of what I think the OP is asking - my experience mirrors yours. I have a high tolerance for minor problems and that includes the full spectrum of production, midtech, and custom knives. I have been through enough knives to see it at all levels. The really nice knives, especially production versions, with perfect centering, lockup, grinds, the works are the exception, not the norm.

Once you break the $500 price range then you start seeing more examples that would pass a close examination without any marks against it. Double that price tag and it becomes more of an expectation.

Otherwise, if it does not affect the function of the knife I can live with it. For example, the only knives I have returned or requested partial refunds for here on the exchange had serious lock slip issues. As for your ZT, a grind mark like that warrants a return. Clearly a blemish so no reason you should have to swallow that. I do not think you are being nitpicky. Some people simply have a better eye for details than others. People returning knives for slightly off center blades or the tiniest bit of movement in the lockup - that is nitpicky.
 
I have two knives I purchased as blems.

One is a Buck Vantage which has a noticeable blem, If I show it to you. It does not affect the fit, form or function of the knife in any way shape or form.

The other is a Kershaw JYD II. I have one and a buddy of mine has one. We have compared them both and cant find anything that either one of us would consider a definitive blem on either one.

It depends on the knife, the company, and the price point. Some companies, even large ones a super super picky. Even then, you may get a Monday knife, or a Friday knife..............

Would I have ben happy with the fit and finish of either of these if they were customs? Nope, but they were multiple hundreds of dollars or a 2 year wait either.
 
OP, that groove is supposed to be there. If you look when it's closed the groove sits perfectly on the stop pin of the knife. It's a design feature intended to be there in manufacturing, relax
 
Well, you know...if it had a few more grooves in there, the maker would say that it's jimping and it would improve your grip.
Actually, I have several custom folders with jimping in that exact area...and I LIKE it.
 
What's all the fuss? They jimped the trigger on the wrong side too. So?

I'm too lazy to go look at my 561 to see if I have that mark....

Nope, smooth all the way.
 
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OP, that groove is supposed to be there. If you look when it's closed the groove sits perfectly on the stop pin of the knife. It's a design feature intended to be there in manufacturing, relax

How sure are you? I looked at many pictures before I concluded it was a defect and did not find any examples that have this. So if it is a feature, then it's something they only started doing in later runs of the knife...

Bought from LifeTools on Amazon. They want a 15% restock??? Last time I buy from them in any case.
 
The vendor may be under the impression it is a cosmetic issue and in no way effects the performance or safety of the knife. It may be in resalable condition. Also, they have no control over what pieces they get, much less have the ability to fix it. The restock fee covers the shipping and fondling charge associated with some cases of buyers remorse, and in some cases is in place to prevent people from test driving knives unhindered. If you really want to know, send the picture via email to KAI Customer service and see what they have to say about it. My guess is that it will be within normal spec.
 
My 0561 has a mark on the blade in that exact spot, because when closed, it hits the stop pin, OMG I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!

But seriously, as others have said, if it bothers you, it bothers you. I myself am much more neurotic about other collectibles, comic books as one example. So, I'd say sell it off (as I see that the seller won't be making it worth your while to return). Maybe KAI can do something for you.

Some people simply have a better eye for details than others.

And some folks assign less concern to minor tooling marks on a mass produced item that's designed and built to be used hard. My eye for detail is just fine, thanks. :thumbup:
 
Your responses have been very enlightening, thanks. I guess "Made with Pride in the USA" has lost its meaning these days. If people don't hold their feet to the fire on these issues, then I guess we get what we deserve.

Personally, I'm going to hold their feet to the fire. I took some good pics and sent them to Kai to ask for a replacement. Here are a couple for your viewing pleasure. I will refrain from further comment and just let them do the talking. Enjoy your knives, gents, whatever that means to you.

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Your responses have been very enlightening, thanks. I guess "Made with Pride in the USA" has lost its meaning these days. If people don't hold their feet to the fire on these issues, then I guess we get what we deserve.

Personally, I'm going to hold their feet to the fire. I took some good pics and sent them to Kai to ask for a replacement. Here are a couple for your viewing pleasure. I will refrain from further comment and just let them do the talking. Enjoy your knives, gents, whatever that means to you.


That's something you should have done way before now.... ;)
 
I'm surprised that blade even made it to qc.
Im a machinist and that would of never left my machine. It would of went to the rework bin, or separated from all the good parts.
 
How sure are you? I looked at many pictures before I concluded it was a defect and did not find any examples that have this. So if it is a feature, then it's something they only started doing in later runs of the knife...

Bought from LifeTools on Amazon. They want a 15% restock??? Last time I buy from them in any case.

Please do post a follow-up on ZT's reply to your request. If you had bought from Amazon themselves you could be certain that your knife isn't a knock-off. There's no certainty of receiving the genuine item when buying from Amazon's 3rd party sellers. The potential does exist that you received a fake.
 
Not sure why a thread was started in the 1st place if it's really as bad as you say.... The knife should have already been on it way back...

Well I didn't start this thread just to complain about this one ZT (though it did sort of morph into that), but rather to get feedback on other people's experiences in general. Because this ZT is just the latest example of a run of similar issues I've experienced. Some worse, some not as bad. So after the 6th-7th knife I started to wonder am I: a) especially unlucky, b) shopping at the wrong places, or c) are my expectations too high? Based on the responses I got from the forum and from my vendor, I think it's a healthy dose of both b) and c).

That's something you should have done way before now.... ;)

;)
 
Well I didn't start this thread just to complain about this one ZT (though it did sort of morph into that), but rather to get feedback on other people's experiences in general. Because this ZT is just the latest example of a run of similar issues I've experienced. Some worse, some not as bad. So after the 6th-7th knife I started to wonder am I: a) especially unlucky, b) shopping at the wrong places, or c) are my expectations too high? Based on the responses I got from the forum and from my vendor, I think it's a healthy dose of both b) and c).



;)


There are 3 major good knife shops to buy from and all 3 are members here on BF...

Knife Works
Knife Center
GP Knives
 
Please do post a follow-up on ZT's reply to your request. If you had bought from Amazon themselves you could be certain that your knife isn't a knock-off. There's no certainty of receiving the genuine item when buying from Amazon's 3rd party sellers. The potential does exist that you received a fake.

I will. I did think hard about the earlier suggestion that it was a fake. After inspecting it very closely in comparison to the macro shots in nutnfancy's review, I'll say that if it's a fake, it's a very good one. The liner on the G10 side of the handle, for example is skeletonized in exactly the right way, and the lock bar hinge has the exact same machining marks on it as the real deal. The weight is correct for Ti. High quality box, glossy papers, etc. So if it's fake, it's a scary fake.
 
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How sure are you?.........Bought from LifeTools on Amazon.

I am 100% sure, the two Ive had were exactly the same as yours. Also, there is some risk involved buying from amazon. Ive been burned a few times with knives from them. Always try to use BF sponsored dealers.
 
On your second set of pics-

The first groove is supposed to be there

The darkened part on the flipper jimping is from the heat treat. The stone washing media can't get in the small grooves to polish it up.

The third looks like it's been over greased and has some grit in there. I do see the uneven grinding on the tang but my 0560 had just about the same look to them.

You can call ZT if you want, I'm sure they will do what they can. You are being far too picky though. I know it's a $260 knife and that's a lot of money, but it's not a hand made knife so there will be little flaws here and there. That's just how it is.
 
The first groove is supposed to be there

Several youtube review videos disagree. I accept that this is there on some of them. I accept that it may not affect the function of the knife one bit. But I don't believe it's part of the design. I think it's a manufacturing defect, or something that was deliberately done to a batch of blades to make up for a different manufacturing defect that was causing the blade to hit the stop bar early, preventing closure. We'll see what ZT says about it.

Regardless, there is significant knife-to-knife variation in this area. Zero Tolerance my ass. :D
 
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My 0561 has a mark on the blade in that exact spot, because when closed, it hits the stop pin, OMG I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!

But seriously, as others have said, if it bothers you, it bothers you. I myself am much more neurotic about other collectibles, comic books as one example. So, I'd say sell it off (as I see that the seller won't be making it worth your while to return). Maybe KAI can do something for you.

And some folks assign less concern to minor tooling marks on a mass produced item that's designed and built to be used hard. My eye for detail is just fine, thanks. :thumbup:

I am with you. I can accept a decent margin of error when it comes to small blemishes on a knife, especially a production model. At the same time, I have to accept that not everyone purchases a knife for the same reasons. I have a strict "no safe queens" rule but there are plenty of straight up collectors here who have different requirements and higher standards.

The OP should understand that under close examination, the majority of knives are going to have issues. Some will be bad enough that anyone would request a refund. Others will depend on his tolerance for things like tooling marks, uneven grinds, slightly off center blades, etc. This 0560 would be fine with me. As for OP, shelling out $200 plus for a knife will create a certain level of expectation and rightfully so. This example does not meet said expectations and I can see why.

Comic books - that is a whole new level of inspecting items under a magnifying glass. That reminds me, I should look up values for some of my old series :p
 
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