TNT Disappointment

MikeC · Feb 18, 2011

I've never had anything but praise for Buck and the TNT as I've owned and carried one for a while now. Go back and read some of post and threads concerning such, I love the knife and have sung the praises of Jeff H. with customer service who has personally helped me out more than once.

I love the tnt so much I went an ordered another one the other day as the knife has been discoed and I wanted one NIB to hand down to my son when he gets older. I ordered off the internet from a reputable long time established dealer. The knife I recv. was without question NIB, but was NOT AT ALL in terms of fit and finish as compared to the first one I got, NOT EVEN CLOSE.

On the one I bought years ago and have EDC'd for a while and used heavily the lock up is still about 30% and SOLID AS A ROCK. The lock up on the one I just ordered ranges from 75% to 90% depending, I opened it three times first about 65% to 70% percent, second nearly all the way over the other handle at about 90% to 95%, and third about 75% to 80%. The handles are even a different thickness and the lock is sprung so much harder on the new one as compared to the other one, even when it was new is ridicules. The worst thing is if you move the lock bar back to around 30% lock up there is noticeable vertical blade play.

Needless to say its already back in the box and headed back, I just couldn't believe the difference in overall quality in terms of fit and finish and it was literally night and day. That is why I opened with saying go back and look at my other post here and in the general and other sections of the forum, I've never had anything to say but praise for the TNT and Buck, that is why I'm just shocked by the F&F of the knife I recv. it was really disappointing. Thank goodness this was not the first one I ordered as I would have never known how EXCELLENT the knife can be as I have one that is without question EXCELLENT in terms of fit and finish.

MikeC · Feb 22, 2011

WOW, I just got a call from the online knife store where I purchased the Buck Mayo TNT I bitched about above, they have already sent the knife back to Buck and Buck is going to fix it and send it back to them and them to me. The lady at the store I deal with is very knowledgeable and saw the problem when I sent it back and talked to the people at Buck and they said NO PROBLEM send it in we can repair it.

If this knife comes back repaired/fixed, I'm buying another Buck Mayo TNT the instant I open it up and find out, on sheer principle and as a thank you to Buck. I'm amazed at this level of customer service and apparent commitment to make things right, right away.

I don't see any other way of repairing this thing other than making a new left side handle for the knife, as simple trying to re spring the lock will leave vertical blade play. A new lock side handle with a lock bar that is a little longer and not sprung so hard will have to be made in my opinion, but we shall see.

Either way it will be interesting to see how it turns out, I'll keep everyone here posted, but I"m sure ya'll know how this is going to go already, huh?

ohen cepel · Feb 22, 2011

Buck makes some mistakes from time to time and things slip by them.

However, they are great about making it right in the end which means a lot to me!

Hope you're happy with your herd of TNT's in the end

I love the knife but it's just bit too small for my mitt.

ZippoThisKnifeThat · Feb 22, 2011

Happy to hear they are going to take care of it!

I read the title and had to beleive something was out of wack, because I too have a TNT and LOVE it!

Glad to hear a horror story is headed for a positive ending!
Keep us posted!

Manchu · Mar 3, 2011

Any updates to this? Pretty curious to see how this turns out as I'm looking to buy a TNT here within the week.

Also, let me echo what's already been said about Buck's customer service. I've seen them replace obviously abused knives with brand new ones, and covered return shipping.

RAZORBLADES · Mar 3, 2011

I can understand ,since the move to Idaho,I have had more bad knives from there than good ones,seems their quality isn't nearly the same as it once was.The good side of it is they do stand behind their products,and for the money ,their is no better value in a knife for me than a Buck .I will never turn my back on Buck as a company,years ago i bought a 110 and the cheap nylon sheath came unsewn,the knife was lost,i sent a letter to them telling them to stick with good sheaths,They sent me a new 110 to replace my lost one,along with a nice new sheath,I still have that letter from all those years ago,no knife company compares to Buck ,wether or not they are having some quality issues,this company is the best out there.They do care about their customers.best of luck with your knife

Stainz · Mar 3, 2011

Wow. I thought their QC was always as good as it is now, which is pretty darn good. My only 'return' thus far - ever - has been a defective new 850 Bravo-turkey - and the vendor sent me another one - which was marginally better. I think it was a design fault. My Mayo TNT, from 12/09, is perfect. I have a CRK to compare it with - a 'StarTac' Umnumzaan - and the build quality of my TNT is as good - and that's no mean feat! Of course, everyone can have a bad day...

Stainz

mbjannusch · Mar 3, 2011

MikeC said:
I've never had anything but praise for Buck and the TNT as I've owned and carried one for a while now. Go back and read some of post and threads concerning such, I love the knife and have sung the praises of Jeff H. with customer service who has personally helped me out more than once.

I love the tnt so much I went an ordered another one the other day as the knife has been discoed and I wanted one NIB to hand down to my son when he gets older. I ordered off the internet from a reputable long time established dealer. The knife I recv. was without question NIB, but was NOT AT ALL in terms of fit and finish as compared to the first one I got, NOT EVEN CLOSE.

On the one I bought years ago and have EDC'd for a while and used heavily the lock up is still about 30% and SOLID AS A ROCK. The lock up on the one I just ordered ranges from 75% to 90% depending, I opened it three times first about 65% to 70% percent, second nearly all the way over the other handle at about 90% to 95%, and third about 75% to 80%. The handles are even a different thickness and the lock is sprung so much harder on the new one as compared to the other one, even when it was new is ridicules. The worst thing is if you move the lock bar back to around 30% lock up there is noticeable vertical blade play.

Needless to say its already back in the box and headed back, I just couldn't believe the difference in overall quality in terms of fit and finish and it was literally night and day. That is why I opened with saying go back and look at my other post here and in the general and other sections of the forum, I've never had anything to say but praise for the TNT and Buck, that is why I'm just shocked by the F&F of the knife I recv. it was really disappointing. Thank goodness this was not the first one I ordered as I would have never known how EXCELLENT the knife can be as I have one that is without question EXCELLENT in terms of fit and finish.

Is the Person you are refering to JOE HOUSER(Jeff H?) Chief of Consumer Affiars???

STDK · Mar 4, 2011

mbjannusch said:
Is the Person you are refering to JOE HOUSER(Jeff H?) Chief of Consumer Affiars???

MB,
He is probably talking about Jeff Hubbard who oversees QA for Buck. Jeff personally called me about a QA problem I had with a 301 and replaced it after I had e-mailed the company. He seems to be a straight shooter and and and a good man to deal with.