Walmart and Grade 'B' Products?

I thought it was pretty much a fact the Walmart 119's had the blade groove left rough? Like this one.

2ho8kf7.jpg
 
jill jackson said:
I thought it was pretty much a fact the Walmart 119's had the blade groove left rough? Like this one.

2ho8kf7.jpg
Click to expand...

Seems like hearsay to me, here is a 1989 119 that has a fuller like yours....
I don't remember wallyworld being a world superpower yet, back in 1989. In fact, in 1989 I had never even heard of them yet.....

 
Someone could post a picture of a 119 that isn't from Kmart or Walmart and we would perhaps be able to tell.
 
The one I posted came from the big auction site, so where it was originally purchased is a mystery....
 
Here's my leather stack 119 that was a dealer exclusive for the Cutlery Shoppe

119leather_zps278f578b.jpg


Not sure where you got the idea that anything was "pretty much a fact"? I've never seen it discussed here or on the BCCI website. Internet rumor I guess.
 
My theory is that the blood groove is rough or smooth depending on the time from the knife was made because Buck changed the process. I'm thinking that at one time the blood groove was inlet when the blade was blanked and when the blade was ground and polished the groove, being below the surface was unpolished. Later Buck stopped placing the blood groove during blanking and started milling it into the blade which leaves the smooth finish. Just a theory but it could explain the difference. More so IMHO than that Buck leaves out a processing step for a particular vendor to save a couple pennies in the manufacturing process.

Then again I'm not 100% sure that Buck blanks the blades for the 100 series fixed blades like they do the 110 hunters.

If you look at Joe Houser's post in this thread, (last post #26) he states that the differences in the blood grooves might be due to a change in the way the were made before and after the move to Idaho. Unfortunately it doesn't appear that Joe posted after further investigation as he stated he would and the photos of the blood grooves that started the thread are no longer active.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-for-Joe-Houser/page2?highlight=blood+groove
 
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I used run a small chain of sporting goods stores and because Walmart and others were able to undersell the smaller retailers, the rumor started going around that they sold inferior products. However, it was only an Urban Legend. 1] In fact, often Walmart would sell products cheaper than the dealers could buy them from the wholesalers. Walmart is notorious for requiring special pricing from manufacturers, which manufacturers often found themselves suffering from as a result. 2] It is not in the best interest of ANY manufacturer to cut corners on their products as more people become familiar with them through the venue of stores like Walmart. 3] Often, people would buy from WM and come into our stores to trade for something else. Unless it was special made from WM, we could not tell the difference. Walmart does get products made to different specifications, such as wooden stocks, etc. but they also get the normal products.

As for Buck, a number of years ago Buck started having quality control problems and also having knives made in China. Even the American products were defective. They, then, sold these products to not only Walmart, where more people experienced them, but also to the small mom and pop shops. This was not unique to Buck. Many companies went through this during those years. I remember seeing Colt Single Actions without the cylinders being bored through, or bored at an angle, for instance. Today, Buck makes great products, are moving their products home to American, and I would not hesitate to buy from Walmart or my favorite knife online store.
 
Buck stands behind their warranty no matter where the knife was sold. I don't think they would make a sub standard knife for any retailer. I don't believe they would knowingly let a sub standard knife leave their factory unmarked.
 
The first Leatherman Supertool 300 I purchased from WalMart definitely had a QC issue. One of the copper bearings wasn't in alignment with the rest of the tool. In other words, it was pinched in between and offered zero quality. It was, however, very promptly replaced with another of perfect functionability.
 
If a store like WM places an order for a knife from Buck it is most likely to be a large quantity. So it will likely make a long knife run at the factory and most likely over time. So could explain some quality control issues. Buck tries to run a zero inventory on knives so any large order would have a impact on production. This is my OPINION but to me it makes sense.
 
The ONLY difference between a Walmart 110 and a 110 at any other retailer (some retailers do buy it with the Cordura sheath also) is the Walmart ones gets a cordura sheath instead of leather. Same production line, same process etc...

Jeff
Jeff Hubbard
Quality Manager
Buck Knives
 
CAD said:
That's an interesting question!

Chris D.:D
Click to expand...

Mechanics that charges $4 for spark plugs told you that Sears or Kmart were selling 2nd rate ones,,, never true as my honest mechanic told me...aLL BS so you would let the mechanics make a fortune replacing them when leaded gas burned them up!
 
I know that I'm resurrecting a relatively older thread, but I feel the need to share with you all. Believe me if you want, if you don't I understand, but as of September I buy the knives for all Walmart stores in the US. That being said, I have some insights into all of this. First of all, please do not take this as a sales pitch. Sure, I have some good knives and good prices, but most of you I'm sure have fantastic places to buy knives I hope you continue to patronize them. I have been lurking on the forums for quite a while to educate myself. I hope to contribute while also continuing to learn.

- Walmart does not buy graded products in knives. Holiday televisions? Yes. Produce? Sometimes. Knives? No. I expect the same products my competition would receive.
- I do not demand lower and lower pricing from my suppliers. These guys are all very intelligent and have done business with Walmart for years. They know what I'm willing to pay. I know that I'm paying less than everyone else anyway because I'm buying more. As long as I undercut Academy, Dick's, Cabela's, BPS, and Amazon (sometimes) I'm happy.
- In one instance, I have worked with a supplier to spec down a sheath from leather to nylon. The majority of my customers aren't concerned with sheaths. I'm not the one who did it to the 110, though.
-Please, please, save yourselves some money and buy online to pickup in store if you want to buy a knife from Walmart. Same knives online are usually at Amazon's prices.

In what I've seen briefly on this forum, I appreciate the support for Buck Knives and the understanding of quality at a price point. I sincerely appreciate enthusiasts like you all helping me learn the ropes. Plans this year are for the majority of Buck Knives to be made in the USA. Hopefully if we move enough back to Idaho, costs will go down allowing us to move the entire line back. I can dream!
 
I had a expensive Samsung Bluray home theater that had a different sams club specific model # as I found when I had problems so I know on electronics its possible.
 
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