rust on knife

O

Omni44

Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
85
I purchased a folder three years ago and now find there is rust on the blade, liner and bolster. What if any is the maker's responsibility?
 
That depends. Was the knife's steel forged in the very heart of Mordor itself?
 
Omni44 said:
I purchased a folder three years ago and now find there is rust on the blade, liner and bolster. What if any is the maker's responsibility?
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The answer to your question is no...the maker has no responsibility. The responsibility is yours to care for your knife after you buy it.
 
I believe both knife owner/collector and knifemaker have responsibilities in every custom knife transaction. The maker's being to provide the owner/collector with a quality knife that will hold up over time and under the duress of tasks which such knife is reasonably expected to perform. And to rectify any shortcomings as to the above.

The owner/collector has a responsibility to perform regular maintenance to keep the knife in good condition and not to abuse the knife but rather use it for tasks for which it was design/constructed to perform.

From the information provided, it sounds like the knife was not properly maintained.

I feel knifemakers also have a certain responsibility to themselves and the custom knife community in general to do their best to help knife owners/collectors in situations like this for no other reason than keeping collectors enthused, interested and a viable part of the community. Many if not most collectors derive their enjoyment from not just the knives but the relationships with makers and other collectors as well.
Few things in my opinion will take the wind out of a collector's sails faster than not only finding one of their prize possessions damaged but also feeling as if they have been abandoned by the maker.

Though I feel the maker is under no obligation in a situation such as above, a little effort and understanding on a questionable warranty can go a long way towards helping to keep the collectible community healthy long term.
 
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Omni44 said:
I purchased a folder three years ago and now find there is rust on the blade, liner and bolster. What if any is the maker's responsibility?
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It depends on whether the rust was caused by a defect or not. If it was, then I'd expect the maker to take care of it, but rust is almost always NOT due to defect but due to negligence by the owner.

What do you think, Omni44?
 
I can tell you from personal experience I would very likely fix the knife for free, excepting shipping both ways, but I'd tease the collector about it for quite a while....

but I also like to create a friendly relationship with my collectors, so if one came to me with a issue like that I would be very interested in helping that relationship along
 
stephanfowler said:
I can tell you from personal experience I would very likely fix the knife for free, excepting shipping both ways, but I'd tease the collector about it for quite a while....

but I also like to create a friendly relationship with my collectors, so if one came to me with a issue like that I would be very interested in helping that relationship along
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That's a great response. Although I can't imagine the maker of that knife has any responsibility for the rust that has shown up, it can't hurt to be understanding and helpful to the knife owner. Repeat business is what it's all about, no matter what you sell or make.
 
Depends, if the rust is on a rust proof material such as titanium then it's the maker otherwise it is the collector.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I believe both knife owner/collector and knifemaker have responsibilities in every custom knife transaction. The maker's being to provide the owner/collector with a quality knife that will hold up over time and under the duress of tasks which such knife is reasonably expected to perform. And to rectify any shortcomings as to the above.

The owner/collector has a responsibility to perform regular maintenance to keep the knife in good condition and not to abuse the knife but rather use it for tasks for which it was design/constructed to perform.

From the information provided, it sounds like the knife was not properly maintained.

I feel knifemakers also have a certain responsibility to themselves and the custom knife community in general to do their best to help knife owners/collectors in situations like this for no other reason than keeping collectors enthused, interested and a viable part of the community. Many if not most collectors derive their enjoyment from not just the knives but the relationships with makers and other collectors as well.

Few things in my opinion will take the wind out of a collector's sails faster than not only finding one of their prize possessions damaged but also feeling as if they have been abandoned by the maker.

Though I feel the maker is under no obligation in a situation such as above, a little effort and understanding on a questionable warranty can go a long way towards helping to keep the collectible community healthy long term.
Click to expand...

Well said and soooo true!

Paul
 
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