SR2-A quality control

Ravenbrook · Aug 12, 2016

I guess it's just my typical luck with ordering knives online. I typically get the worst example of any knife I order. Today I received a SR2-A in black with the black blade from a forum retailer. Great service on their end but my complaint lies with the quality control of the manufacturer. The knife was so stiff that I almost could not open it with one hand. I've tried to loosen up the pivot but don't you need a second tool to stop the other side of the pivot from turning? And I had heard from several YouTube videos that they come pre-dulled from the factory. They were right. I tried to cut a piece of notebook paper and it won't even cut, it tares the paper. So I received a knife that you can hardly open and when it is open, can really cut. Didn't think I would have to sharpen a brand new knife before I can use it. I love the look of the knife, that's what sold me, but I would think Lionsteel would want to impress people with quality control as well as that sexy Italian look.

So did I receive a typical example of the SR2-A, or was I just lucky to receive the one I did?

Is this something I should just contact the dealer about and send it back for another one?

To say I'm not happy about it is an understatement.

strategy9 · Aug 15, 2016

I recently bought an orange one/black blade, and it was perfect out of the box.

Ravenbrook · Aug 15, 2016

Talked to the seller and they are letting me send it back and issued a new one for me. Should be here later this week. Had them make sure the new ones (also ordered one for my brother in law) were easy to open and had a reasonable edge on them. Fingers crossed.

crom · Aug 17, 2016

FYI, they don't arrive dulled from the factory. I wouldn't say they are the sharpest out of box, but certainly acceptable. The SR series has the classic hydraulic opening feel to them, but it shouldn't be tight.

mtangent · Aug 19, 2016

Mine was fine.

Ravenbrook · Aug 19, 2016

I ordered a replacement and also ordered a third one for my brother in law as he really liked the model. Apparently the sales person and I have different opinions on what it means for a knife to open easily and to be sharp. All three sitting in front of me now won't flip open without being adjusted. They won't get past half way open. All three require adjustment just to get them to open smoothly without a lot of excessive effort. And all three barely can cut printer paper, never mind something like phonebook paper. I'm guessing they are freehand sharpened on a belt sander as the bevels aren't even but that's something the Wicked Edge will fix. I just don't get manufacturers these days. I've had one knife in the past year out of 8 that I've bought come in without an issue, the new Benchmade Mini-Griptilian with G10 and 20CV. It was laser sharp out of the box, dead center and flipped open easily. Every other one, including my large CRK Sebenza which came so stiff I had to open it with two hands at first, have come in either so dull they couldn't cut butter or so stiff they barely open. I have a ZT0562CF that my 16 year old nephew, who's a big kid, still can't open. It's a beast to open. Maybe I'm being unrealistic about my expectations. I would think that if any manufacturer wants customers to spend over $150 and in CRK's case over $500 for a knife, that it should leave their shop flawless! My CRK has broken in but to say I was disappointed with what I got out of the box was an understatement. And to see 3 examples of the same Lionsteel knife have this level of quality control out of the box is disheartening to say the least. I'm sure I can fix the grinds and with enough opening and closing and some gun oil get it to smooth out so that I don't have to have the pivot so loose. And I've noticed the lack of response from the usual posters that I believe work for Lionsteel.

I'm sure it will just take time to loosen up and with a good sharpening this thing will be a great knife. And the reason I didn't return for a refund, this thing is damn sexy! I think it's one of the best looking knives made! It just checks all the boxes I have about looks, size, blade shape etc.

mtangent · Aug 20, 2016

I don't think mine flips. It just opens smoothly.
Mine was sharp, but I sharpen all new knives anyway. They never are as sharp as they should be.
Don't be offended, but I think the whole "comes razor sharp" concept is an American & Japanese thing, & the rest of the world don't care much. I never heard of knives coming sharp until I came to Bladeforums.

mycough · Aug 29, 2016

mtangent said:
I don't think mine flips. It just opens smoothly.
Mine was sharp, but I sharpen all new knives anyway. They never are as sharp as they should be.
Don't be offended, but I think the whole "comes razor sharp" concept is an American & Japanese thing, & the rest of the world don't care much. I never heard of knives coming sharp until I came to Bladeforums.

I echo this thought and would add Taiwan to the list, some of the Taichung spydies are pretty zippy.
Russ