Repair & etiquette question

Chad Ward

Chad Ward

Joined
Nov 13, 2001
Messages
234
I have a nifty 8" camp knife that I recently bought (used) on the forums. Eight inch 1095, micarta handles and steel bolsters.

When I sharpened it I heard a "tink" sound whenever I swiped the blade down the right-hand Sharpmaker rod. I discovered that the knife makes this sound whenever the blade flexes even slightly to the left. The micarta handles seem pinned pretty firmly, so I'm wondering if it's a problem with the bolsters. They seem well fitted, but if you squeeze the bolsters tight, the "tink" doesn't happen.

So, first question for the experts, is it the bolsters? Or am I possibly dealing with a cracked blade somewhere under the bolsters or handles?

And second, I've e-mailed and called the original maker, but haven't gotten a response. He may be at a show. Do any of you folks repair other makers' work or is that a breach of professional courtesy?

Thanks!
Chad
 
Give the maker a chance to get back in touch with you.
He should be willing to make repairs.

It's hard to tell what is going on there without actually inspecting the knife firsthand.
 
Hmm, two weeks without a reply to e-mail and phone message. The maker might be on vacation.

So, are there any opinions (or wild speculative guesses) on what might be going on with the knife noise?

Thanks,
Chad
 
This does bring up an interesting question.
Does the lifetime guarentee most knife makers offer extend beyond the original owner of the knife and is the maker obligated to any future owners?
 
Good question.

I don't feel he's obligated to me in any way. In my e-mail and phone message I asked what he would charge to inspect the knife, regrind the bevels and fix whatever is making the "tink" noise. I fully expect to pay for it. It would just be nice to know that the maker has made any repairs or adjustments he thinks necessary. This is a nifty knife, but I'm almost afraid to use it for fear of causing further damage (if, in fact, there is any damage other than a loose bolster).

With that said, I have never received anything but exemplary service from any of the knife makers and manufacturers I've dealt with. Every single one -- from Trace Rinaldi on the custom end to the folks at Spyderco on the mundane end -- has gone out of his or her way to fix any problems I might have. Hell, Trace found some minor "flaws" I hadn't seen on my knife and fixed those while he had it in the shop.

Thanks,
Chad
 
Could be little more than a loose rivet, I have had that in the past when working with micarta. Removing the pin and roughing it up before epoxying it in place usually solves the problem.
 
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