Spa Service

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
19,797
Folks, I'm having trouble with the Spa Service. What I'm finding is that used knives are getting sent in to have end user customizations removed or undone. Examples range from patina's to re-grinds, or buffed blades that have to be re ground. There is only one way to get off a patina. I have to take the knife back to the grinder and re-grind the bevels. BUT, at least the ht isn't questionable just because of the patina. The buffing and re-grinding are a problem because I can't guarantee the edge of a knife where this is the case. If you are buying a patina'd knife, please make sure you like that patina. If the knife has been re-ground with a tool, I cannot and will not guarantee the edge of that knife. Neither of these instances are what the spa service was meant for. Specifically, it was meant to clean up a knife you have used hard. A Re-touching of the edge, a re-sanding of the handle, and a re-mark.

From here forward, the spa service will begin at $50. This covers the re-sanding, re-marking and re-edging of the knife. Other services will add additional costs.
 
Yep, thanks Andy. We all just appreciate you offering the service in the first place. Not all makers stand by their products the way you do!
 
Thanks for keeping the service in place rather than discontinuing it altogether. It definitely adds value to the Fiddleback brand !
 
People tend to overuse spa treatment and similar services for very minor things. Personally, I don't care if my knife gets used and looks like it does. Just adds character.
 
Thanks Andy. I'm glad you're putting value on the service based on the work required. For patina and buffing, a little Flitz of some stropping with 2 micron diamond paste does wonders. It is a shame to spend valuable spa resources on cosmetics that FF owners should be performing on a routine basis.
 
I don't blame anyone for sending their knife in at all. I can't see doing it though because I like a well used knife and mine will never be sold.

Gotta keep the lights on and the VFD's hummin. :)
 
Thank you for understanding folks.
 
Little bummed out as I never got to take advantage of it, but perfectly makes sense why it's no longer a viable service. I do take care of my Fiddie's relatively well, but had some nicks on some handles that I eventually wanted to ask to smooth out again, but no big deal :) Thanks for the heads up Andy :thumbup:
 
catalystman80 said:
Little bummed out as I never got to take advantage of it, but perfectly makes sense why it's no longer a viable service. I do take care of my Fiddie's relatively well, but had some nicks on some handles that I eventually wanted to ask to smooth out again, but no big deal :) Thanks for the heads up Andy :thumbup:
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Hey bro! He's didn't say he's stopping the service. Check it out:

Fiddleback said:
Folks, I'm having trouble with the Spa Service. . . Specifically it was meant to clean up a knife you have used hard. A Re-touching of the edge, a re-sanding of the handle, and a re-mark.

From here forward, the spa service will begin at $50. This covers the re-sanding, re-marking and re-edging of the knife. Other services will add additional costs.
Click to expand...
 
catalystman80 said:
Little bummed out as I never got to take advantage of it, but perfectly makes sense why it's no longer a viable service. I do take care of my Fiddie's relatively well, but had some nicks on some handles that I eventually wanted to ask to smooth out again, but no big deal :) Thanks for the heads up Andy :thumbup:
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It's still available buddy just read the post
 
Hey guys, yeah, I know I read that part. I was just saying bummer for not using it when the service was available without the charge (some of the newer folks may not realize this, you can search for earlier threads on the spa service). Like I said, it's not an issue, I can take care of them myself as needed :)
 
I feel a little like my PA brethren. This was a remarkable service that was a deciding factor in making the decision to purchase these knives in the first place. I understand that it was getting to be too much, and something had to be done.

I wish that there would have been a way to charge for services that exceeded the original intent of it, and to start charging for Spa service for knives bought after a certain date. I know that without serial numbers that it is impossible to implement in this manner, but I am just bummed.

I understand that in business difficult decisions must be made for the sake of the business. But as a customer, I can't help but be disappointed by this business decision.
 
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I can understand the charges for handle or blade work but I'm a bit surprised at the charge for the re-mark, perhaps it's because the new mark is so different.
 
McVeyMac said:
I feel a little like my PA brethren. This was a remarkable service that was a deciding factor in making the decision to purchase these knives in the first place. I understand that it was getting to be too much, and something had to be done.

I wish that there would have been a way to charge for services that exceeded the original intent of it, and to start charging for Spa service for knives bought after a certain date.I know that without serial numbers that it is impossible to implement in this manner, but I am just bummed.

I understand that in business difficult decisions must be made for the sake of the business. But as a customer, I can't help but be disappointed by this business decision.
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The Spa service was offered aside from the warranty and was never a promised service or a part of the warranty at all. It was always an added bonus in addition to the warranty. Today it is some kind of entitlement program, and we can't continue offering it for free.

I would hope the knives themselves, the people that make them here, and the very excellent warranty were the deciding factor. You're saying it was the 'Andy's going to fix my oppssses for free' that made you want to buy Fiddleback Forge Knives? I was worried folks would feel this way when I made the requests to limit the service before and tried the regulation route. You were here for that. Since then there has been no break in the pace, no break in the 5 knife boxes, no break in the requests for customization. Most knives we get for the spa service are user caused minor damage, and/or end user applied patina's that are regretted. There are knives in the tray this week with requests to blueback a knife and a bluebacked knife with a request to de-blueback a knife. I've had requests for handle thinning, and handle thickening. We're not Busse, and we don't have a custom shop. Handle dings, edges chopped into fencing wire, and end user caused knife damage are common and have been fixed for free. Up to now I have never charged anyone for any repair or warranty service ever. This has all just gotten rolled into the spa service. Its out of control and the company can't maintain the cost of it.

I'm very sorry you feel duped by my company. This is sincere, that hurts, and it isn't true. I've never tried to dupe anyone in the knife community. We make excellent quality knives and stand behind them as always. If we make one that fails due to our fault, its covered. If you aren't satisfied on arrival, its covered. The only change is that we are asking the end user to be responsible for end user issues. We fixed the ooopses for free until now, but we just can't anymore.



trestle said:
I can understand the charges for handle or blade work but I'm a bit surprised at the charge for the re-mark, perhaps it's because the new mark is so different.
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This is a good point. If you have an older mark that has worn off, we will re-mark that knife for free. The new marks are deeply etched into the steel and will not wear off, so this shouldn't be an issue.
 
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FBF will continue to have my support. I completely understand the need for this and couldn't agree more that FBF should not be responsible to repair at no charge an issue that is caused by user error.
I also do not doubt for a second that this was a tough decision. I would rather see a charge for the spa service than a drastic increase in the knife prices..
 
Sounds like a perfectly reasonable business decision and in no way affects my opinion of the company.
 
I didn't realize the service had been free. I'm actually surprised it lasted this long! With as many amazing knives are being pumped out of the Forge, it's impressive you guys have kept up with all the new work + Spa/repair/everything services and still have time left over for family and friends. I think this is actually a good sign. Just like Allen posted over in his sub-forum that he's got to stop taking custom orders. It shows that there is so much progress that something had to go. I'd rather see more new amazing knives leaving the shop then having them have to cut back on production for free services.
 
A reasonable change. I don't know how you offered spa services free of charge for so long to begin with. Hoping this transfers to more time to making new knives
 
I love my fiddlebacks. Although I have never used the service, I am thankful that it will continue for a fee. In the end, we all need to get paid for our time. As the business grows there has to be someway to charge for the time of so many knives coming in for service. Although it is a hard thing to announce, it is a wise business choice. If the business is not doing well, then ultimately everyone who loves fiddlebacks will suffer. I want you guys at the shop to be happy and to know how much I appreciate what you are doing.

Thanks for the great knives,

Tod
 
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