Soft screws QC issues

2

224477

Joined
Aug 17, 2004
Messages
176
Hi TJT and Marketing,

I have experienced problems with soft screws for G4 (my 2nd actually) and the 2nd gen. of CLB karambit (a friend of mine), is there any chance to get new screws for these? We talk about clip screws being affected, but on the 1st G4 I had to return ALL screws were very soft.

Whats up with the manufacturing these days? Boker Plus especially!?

I mean, from a customers perspective, I would be willing to pay those 10 USD or EUR extra to get a proper product.
A lot of knives are designed with being used as self defense tools in mind, but your current suppliers level doesnt make this happen, while I dont want a knife to close up on my fingers.

Sorry to say that, I know its a certain level of critique, but WE ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS :) if we dont like the poor material quality level, then I think weactually help you with the feedback, so you can review where the problem is and improve.
Check other forums, check german forum messerforum, its been raised there as well.

I consider Mr. Chad Los Banos a friend of mine, I know his background, I know the stunning IDEAS behind his designs, but whatever he would design will not sell good if not PRODUCED properly, and its not just CLB, its Batman, its Burke, its Skellerns with soft screws, as well as Kubasek`s card folder.. Make you walk through the internet PLEASE :)

I am sorry you actually kill those designs by saving small bucks on the manufacturing quality and materials.


Finally, I would appreciate some feedback on this coming from Boker :)
 
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Now that's funny as I was thinking how much tougher the Boker screws seem to be. I have taken apart several of my Boker's, some more than once, and have yet to "bugger up" any of the screws. Of course you have to use the proper torx when doing so. I have found Benchmade screws to easily strip, and have the head of the screw round out easier than any other's.

You can always go to www.knifekits.com and get screws.:D
 
I have professional grade torx drivers and its not the first time this happened to me, and it happened to other B Plus line users around. I guess its slowly too much of us who cannot use screwdrivers.

The problem is not a damaged screw or two, the problem is that the customer who gets disappointed a couple of times STOPS buying products from this line.

I would be happy if this could boost up reviews with the China located OEM manufacturers, so in future, I can go again and buy a B Plus product and the good feeling of it lasts longer than just till I bring it home in the box.

Its not about me yelling for screws, its about sending food for thoughts, customer feedback to the producer, how to make things better in future.

If the quality remains same, I will stop buying and unfortunately will encourage others to do so as well, if the B Plus line will gain some precision, I am even willing to pay more for the product, as stated before. I guess the target is to have happy customers who will come back and recommend, not just ones who buy single time only.

I have seen the new collabs coming soon out in April `10, a LOTS OF exciting designs, but do you want a folder with 4 position clip which CANNOT be moved, as the screws are soft, and loctited? Do you want a torx which is something between 6 and 7 but neither of those? Me not, thank you, but thats why I am here and want to talk to Boker about it.
 
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224477,
Thank you for the feedback, as this is exactly the kind of thing we need to hear. We are aware of these issues, and are working to solve it, but the more
feedback I get about it, the better to show the manufacturers why we need to use the best parts.
Honestly though, I have never heard reports on the Burke, and I've taken apart quite a few.
I will bring this up with my boss, as I am sure that Tobias will in Germany as well.
In the end, this is what a forum is for, communicating, solving problems, and having things brought to our attention.
Thank you very much,
Terry
 
Thanks Terry, I emailed Boker via the contact session they have on the german site, too.
 
i have a Burke and it's a tank! :) :thumbup: i have a exskelibur II coming hopefully either today or tomorrow. so i can't say anything about it's yet,but i know i will be adjusting the clip because i like tip-up carry on my knives.
 
watch out with those clip screws... veeery soft, just changed my clip on the exskelibur II, sliped once and the screwhead already looks very warped... apart from that, nice knife :) had to tighten the pivot screw a little since it was too easy to opne (a slight flick of the wrist) and i didn't feel comfortable carrying it in my pocket...
cheers
 
Are the same screws used in the German made knives as the Boker Plus? It is the German knives I've taken apart so many times and have had no problems with any of the screws stripping threads, or rounding out heads. I have a BP G4 coming tomorrow and I know I will be stripping it down as this is what I always do when I get any folder. Always want to clean up the pivot area and do some finish polishing. The only other BP folder I currently have is the Batman, but I'm waiting on a tool to take it down. So I'll weigh back in after messing with it a little. Will also be taking down the Lightweight Titan Defender that will also be in the box, so I'll check it out also and comment.

I guess its slowly too much of us who cannot use screwdrivers.

I don't know, but maybe ya'll are.
 
Good luck on the G4 then, let us know. I think the problem is related only to the current China made stuff, before the subcoms and trances were pretty much ok and those were ex Taiwan. I think Boker knows exactly which maker is in question here.
 
I was happy to find following feedback from Carsten Felix Dalichow this morning in my mailbox :thumbup::cool::) which shows Boker really honours their customers.

from Boeker Manufaktur - Carsten Felix-Dalichow <**********@boker.de>
to jano@*****.***
date Mar 1, 2010 4:52 AM
subject AW: Kontaktformular

Dear Jan ********,
thank you for your mail.
Actually we defintely don't try to save money on screws of the Boker Plus
models.
And we think, that the knife market general is quite happy with the
price-quality ratio especially of the Boker Plus line.

But you are definitely correct, that there are certain specs that have to be
changed or modified to offer a perfect knife to the customer.
We are aware of the problems with the soft screws on some models and work
hard to solve them soon.

Thank you again for your open words and we hope that you realize in the
future, that we will improve the weak spots, that you pointed out.
We hope that you will be a happy Boker customer soon again.

Best Regards from Solingen.


Mit freundlichen Grüssen - Best Regards

Böker Manufaktur
Carsten Felix-Dalichow
Schützenstr. 30
42659 Solingen

Tel.: +49-*************
Fax: +49-*************

MESSER - Design
- Konstruktion
- Produktion

Outdoor & Collection: www.boker.de
Lifestyle: www.boeker-solingen.de

Heinr. Böker Baumwerk GmbH Solingen, Deutschland
Registernummer HRB16118, Amtsgericht Wuppertal
Vertretungsberechtigte Geschäftsführer:
Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Ernst-Wilhelm Felix-Dalichow
Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Carsten Felix-Dalichow
Dipl.-Ing. Kirsten Schulz-Dalichow
Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer gem. § 27a
Umsatzsteuergesetz: DE812468818
Click to expand...
 
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Just wanted to update on the two Bokers I just received, a Lightweight Titan Defender and the Boker Plus G4. Both were completely disassembled. The LTD had no problems removing and replacing the screws, everything tightened very well. The G4 had no problems with removing the screws, but upon reassembly, one (1) of the grip screws got started at an angle and before I realized it, I had rounded out the torx hole. So partly my fault, and partly soft screw. Of course it was a very easy fix, because I simply went with a #7 torx which now fits perfectly in the #6 torx hole!:D

Glad you gor things worked out 224477!:thumbup::D
 
... what my boss says... nothing to add!

And if there is anything else, please feel free to ask, suggest or critisize...
 
Just want to say after reading this thread that I am impressed at the how Boker has handled it, way to go Boker, on both US and German fronts. Too often manufacturers quickly dismiss customer complaints/suggestions for improvements and try to find a way to make the customer feel as though whatever happened with the product was their (the customer's) fault. I can't comment on the product as all of my Bokers have been German produced and I've never had a problem with any of them, but it's cool to see Spyderco is not the only company that actually listens to its customers.
 
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