Schatt & Morgan Mountain Man edge contact

[texbaz]

First I have to fess up that I know nothing about Slip-joints, lock-backs. I have had knives all my life but never traditional types. I recently needed something that had some "old timey" character and purchased a Schatt & Morgan Mountain Man single blade lock-back, I really like the size and the jigged bone handle, great blade shape. But, I ended up sending it in to Schatt & Morgan because every time I closed the blade the edge smacked the back-spring and I was pretty gentle closing.

I thought this was Odd, I also thought maybe it's because the blade is so large the extra inertia was causing it to bounce. Anyway, I just thought also, maybe these big lock-backs do this and instead of just closing it normally I will have to gently stow the blade. Or don't purchase a lock-back but a true slip-joint Mountain man, not a lock-back.

Seems the non-lock-backs cost more and they have larger blade "kicks"
any info greatly appreciated, anyone know the average turn time at Schatt & Morgan for repairs?

 

[moonwilson]

That's odd. The kick should keep the blade from hitting the backspring- the weight of the blade/ inertia shouldn't matter. I think sending the knife back was a good idea. It sounds like a fitting issue of some sort to me. No S&M should do that.

I haven't had any personal experience with Schatt & Morgan's customer service, so I have no idea how long it will take to turn your knife around. I suspect they will treat you right- most knife companies today will, especially the older, higher-end makers- word gets around fast if they don't do right by their customers. FWIW, I've never heard anything bad about Queen/ S&M's customer service. Please keep us posted, I'm interested to see how they handle your issue.

Don't let this one knife sour you on Schatt- they make great knives. Sometimes an "off" knife slips by even the best companies.

 

[WhitleyStu]

I've never had any knives that have springs as stiff as my S&Ms. When I close the blades I do try to do it as slow as possible, but they still snap closed pretty hard. Fit and finish are great...

 

[JD Mandrell]

maybe these big lock-backs do this and instead of just closing it normally I will have to gently stow the blade. Or don't purchase a lock-back but a true slip-joint Mountain man, not a lock-back.

As someone that has quite a few Queen/S&M Mountain Man lockbacks, I can tell you that no they should not be hitting the edge on the backspring, so it should have been sent back.

The one time I sent a knife back to Queen for repair, it took about a week and a half, but it wasn't a really involved repair, so yours will probably take longer.

 

[texbaz]

I haven't had any personal experience with Schatt & Morgan's customer service, so I have no idea how long it will take to turn your knife around. I suspect they will treat you right- most knife companies today will, especially the older, higher-end makers- word gets around fast if they don't do right by their customers.

Before Christmas, I decided to send it back to Schatt & Morgan. I went to their Web page and called the Customer service number. The operator actually transferred me to an extension on the factory floor. I believe, I spoke to a man by the name of Pat. He seemed kind of "oh not again" in his voice, but I think he used a term like "dry snap" after I described what was going on.

I sent the knife to Schatt c/o Pat's attn ( I'm sure he'll be surprised) USPS priority they received it 12/23. Yeah, that shield has lots of sentimental value and yes the fit and finish on the knife were great.

The grind was bad, and the edge was not real sharp, I guess Schatt & Morgan figures these knives are going to be looked at and not used I wish they would put more TLC when putting the edge on.
To me me it's one the main if not the #1 priority for a knife. Let the wait begin. I'm almost tempted to purchase another one while this one's being repaired I found a File and Wire series with ATS34 with an online vendor even though it doesn't have the keystone shield I might just do it.

I've never had any knives that have springs as stiff as my S&Ms. When I close the blades I do try to do it as slow as possible, but they still snap closed pretty hard. Fit and finish are great...

I had the knife for about a week, when I noticed the flats on the edge. The lock bar seemed to have sufficient tension but, it did seem easier to release than the first couple of times I opened and closed it. Actually the blade edge has quite bit of room in the handle before it comes near the back spring, so the only thing I could figure was the blade was ever so gently bouncing when I stowed it, and I was being more than conservative with my closing it.

 

[texbaz]

As someone that has quite a few Queen/S&M Mountain Man lockbacks, I can tell you that no they should not be hitting the edge on the backspring, so it should have been sent back.

The one time I sent a knife back to Queen for repair, it took about a week and a half, but it wasn't a really involved repair, so yours will probably take longer.

Bear Claw Chris Lappe, I do miss the knife after only having for a week before sending it in.
The size is great, lots of looks from my co-workers when I used it. I was talking to someone and what I thought were serrations/on the top of the blade for better grip is actually their as a match strike, I think that is what Mr Pat Rogers, at Schatt that referred to it as such, I kinda like that feature even though I don't need it for that reason. I was told that probably Schatt will just either, add some material to the "kick" or change the blade. Either way it just needs to be right.:thumbup:

 

[rifon2]

One of my Schatt & Morgans is an ATS-34 File & Wire Mountain Man.

It had a tiny bit of vertical blade play which used to drive me nuts(!)

So one day, recently, I sent it off to Queen for repair with a simple note.

About a week and a half later, the repaired knife arrived via UPS.

The lockup now is rock-solid and very, very smooth as well.

They did a great job.

 

[rifon2]

what I thought were serrations/on the top of the blade for better grip is actually their as a match strike

Those ridges at the top of the blade are actually called "jimping".

"Matchstrike" is a type of nail-pull you see on some traditional knives, particularly German ones like Bulldog and German Eye.


Here's a Bulldog toothpick with a "matchstrike" type nail-pull:

 

[texbaz]

Those ridges at the top of the blade are actually called "jimping".

"Matchstrike" is a type of nail-pull you see on some traditional knives, particularly German ones like Bulldog and German Eye.


Here's a Bulldog toothpick with a "matchstrike" type nail-pull:

Thanks rifon2, first, I have ever heard the term "jimping".:thumbup:

 

[texbaz]

FWIW, I've never heard anything bad about Queen/ S&M's customer service. Please keep us posted, I'm interested to see how they handle your issue.

Don't let this one knife sour you on Schatt- they make great knives. Sometimes an "off" knife slips by even the best companies.

moonwilson, just out of curiosity I called Queen, Monday. The Customer service person took my info placed me on hold for a few minuets while they called the factory. Told me that I should have my repaired knife at the end of next week. I thought the customer service guy was very good hope I see my knife next week. :thumbup: