Quality control and consistency

U

Uncle Bill

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
434
My general impression (very sorry to say) is that quality craftsmanship at factories is slowly slip sliding away. In a field I know well, trumpets, a factory-made Conn or Olds from before WWII was made with much more precision and care than is a Conn or Bach today. And this is not just opinion. I have, and have seen, the instruments to prove it. Many of them. Today's factory trumpets are increasingly inferior in workmanship and very inconsistent from one to the next.

How is it with production knives? Is it the same? I'm running across quite a few posts that suggest a serious problem with inconsistency at our modern knife factories.

Also, which factories seem to do a better job, knife to knife? These days this seems like a major issue for those of us who order things sight unseen rather than handling the merchandise before purchase.

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Bill

"You Americans are hard to understand. Ten years after the Berlin wall fell and socialist economic theory was discredited around the globe, you folks continue trying to prop up your 'public' schools. If private enterprise beats socialism in other arenas, why do you think it's any different with education?"


[This message has been edited by Uncle Bill (edited 07 October 1999).]
 
I hear you, my friend.

I think Benchmade is doing a very poor job at this.

Spyderco seems to be doing a good job.

Microtech seems to consistely produce nice quality knives.
 
I have only had a few Benchmades in and out of my hands, but I have noticed a reduction in QC in those models. My first 2 being by far the best(both Emersons: CQC7 and the 975)

Another company I noticed could use a booster in QC is Emerson(don't mean to step on toes, just making an honest observation)
I have handled 3 CQC7-B models at different times in different stores over the last 6 months and all 3 showed very poor QC when compared to my BM 975.

Never noticed any problems with Spyderco myself.



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"The bible is no mere book, but a living power that conquers all that oppose it"
*Napoleon Bonaparte

Gal 6:7
 
I would rate Spyderco tops in its class. You can buy these off the net without worry.

Not so for Benchmate which is in a similar class. However when you get a good one they are good knives.

Microtech's quality is good but several forum members report that theirs don't pass the liner test.

I was not impressed with the quality of the Camillus Cuda. Rather rough.

Early Kershaw Random Task were poor but later ones I have seen a very good.
 
Spyderco is at the top of their game lately.

Benchmade is slip sliding away, but there is still hope.

Cold Steel needs to tighten up with their customer service and their Ad campaign needs an enema, bad.
QC seems to be on vacation lately, but like BM there is still hope.

REKAT is doing it right. I love the products I've gotten from them and none has any real problem. Getting a Pioneer, soon. I know it will ROCK!



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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.


 
I think that, although any company can have a lemon here and there, the companies in my experience that are most consistently reliable with QC are:
Victorinox.
Spyderco.
Buck.
A company that seems to be approaching that level with their overall line is Kershaw.
Jim
 
Some of the BlackJack and Pacific Cutlery models that I handled a few years ago were definately lacking in the fit and finish department. I think companies need to be constantly vigilant: those that are, like Buck, survive and those who let it slip will ultimately disappear.
I hope the powers that be are reading this post!
 
MJ:
Unfortunately, the only Pacific Cutlery piece I've ever been able to lay my hands on is the Timba I own. And to put it mildly, the quality is outstanding. Never before or after have I seen fit, finish, and form come together so well on a "production" knife. I certainly do not mean to contest anything you've said, my only point is that if the Timba is any example of their QC at the time of its manufacture, they were at some point making incredible products. And the hunt for a PC Fer-de-Lance continues...

Regards -- Shades

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The deed is everything, the glory nothing.


 
I will say without reservation that Spyderco quality is top rate. My Benchmades have been uneven.
 
Spyderco, Outdoor Edge, and REKAT all seem intent on maintaining the high quality of their products.Beyond them,quality seems to be extremely variable.Most brand names don't automatically mean quality as they once did.

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"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional."


 
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