Ritter Mini Takes a Pounding...

[sodak]

Jemelby,

I hope this knife works better for you. I've had lots of problems with S30V, but as suggested, I haven't yet had the time to reset the edge and microbevel them yet. It will probably be September before that happens. But I plan on doing it, this steel has been too heavily hyped and too disappointing for me to give up yet.

Interestingly enough, I tried cutting a zip tie with a SAK scissors, and it dented them significantly (Victorinox Midnight Manager II). Then I took a plain carbon steel folder (CS Trailguide) and cut the same tie fairly aggressively, and no damage at all. This folder was also beveled back to about 15 degrees total, very thin (for me). I didn't twist, but I did put the blade under the tie, turn it around, and pull *very* hard.

 

[agony]

I mentioned once before that I had a prob with my large MkI cutting through plastic clamshell packaging. It chipped and that was on the factory edge. I've reprofiled it on a sharpmaker and so far so good.

Also had a prob with a 630 while cutting green branches. A few chips surprisingly. Again, reprofiled, and no probs.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Agony, did you change the edge angle in either case?

-Cliff

 

[Brent Blue/Aeromedix]

I'd send it back, but I'm shipping out in a couple days, and would miss the return. Maybe once I am stablazed in country, and if the trouble presits, I'll persue it further.

Jemelby:

We have had a handful of knives out of several thousand where we have had a problem. Both Benchmade and Crucible are working to find out why at this time.

Please contact us at 888 362 7123 immediately and we will arrange to replace your blade by overnight delivery so you will have it before you ship out.

Sorry about this problem and the hassle.

Brent
Aeromedix.com

 

[knifetester]

Excellent. That is the kind of customer service that breeds loyalty and satidfaction. Kudos to you Aeromedix.

Will you please keep us updated on the information you get from Benchmade/ Crucible on this issue?

I, and many others, are very interested in hearing if this is a steel problem, Heat treat or quality control (overheating during sharpening).

 

[mathman]

I'm curious as to when the problem Ritter's were made...for example, I have two...the earlier one that I purchased had a problem, but the second one is fine. Maybe the earlier run of them had problems?

 

[jemelby]

Please contact us at 888 362 7123 immediately and we will arrange to replace your blade by overnight delivery so you will have it before you ship out....Aeromedix.com

That is a GREAT response, and I thank you. I'll give the number a call straight away.

I would like to mention here, though, that I will likely not be requesting a replacement. As I mentioned earlier, I reprofiled the bevel while I was grinding off the micro-cracks. I gave it a pretty good testing, and didn't have any trouble. I have since re-ground it again to restore a steeper angle, and still no trouble. I am confident that this knife will work just fine for me.

Benchmade has been very good to the military (and vise-versa, to be sure). Aeromedix has also proven to be very pleseant to do business with. Thanks to everyone for their input on the subject.

p.s. I boxed up all my knife sharpeners, tools, and spare knives yesterday, so I'm pretty much just a "user" now. In case anyone is interested, the three knives I've picked to carry over on my person are a Salish by Simonich LLC, a Kershaw Leek, and my BM5093SBT. I have a whole sock full of additional knives that have already gone out with my other gear (including the Mini Ritter), and I'll meet up with that stuff at the other end.

 

[jemelby]

I'd like to thank Aeromedix for the rapid response.

If you'd please have a gander at the date/time stamps on my message above, and the message from Brent a couple above that...

I got a replacement Ritter Mini from Aeromedix just 10 minutes ago. That's a hell-of-a good customer service response. Further, the replacement was sent gratis, with the understanding that I would send them back the once-faulty one when I get back from Iraq. This is really great customer service. I've come to recognize that knife dealers are really great folks. You can add a Ritter Mini to the list of knives above. Thanks Brent!

 

[maxster]

Always fun to see good customer service.