Warranty Question, Re: Self-Defense

J

JNieporte

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Nov 1, 2004
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I posted this in other forums because there's no way to get it to every manufacturer in just one post. Here's my question...

Let's say Ichabod (my hypothetical guy) bought a knife that was designed for self-defense. Spyderco Civilian, Kershaw Steven Segall, Benchmade 710, Boker CLB line, whatever. It was designed for self-defense, whatever the model is.

Now let's say Ichabod uses the knife for self-defense and the blade tip snaps. He gets away from the bad guy and police arrive.

What will the knife manufacturer do if Ichabod sends the knife in for warranty work with a copy of the police report and a statement to the effect of "...had to use it for self-defense and the tip snapped..." ?

If the knife was made for self-defense and was used in that manner, then it's not considered abuse. Therefore, it should be covered by warranty, right?

For now, I'd like to focus on the warranty issue and not worry about the other variables of the case. Yes, the police will have shown up and confiscated Ichabod's knife. Yes, there will be a trial. Yes, he'll get it back if he's found not guilty. Yes, he has bigger things to worry about than getting a knife repaired. But can we look at the issue at hand for now?

Please discuss.
 
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Here is the warranty statement from Kershaw's web site.

Limited Lifetime Warranty
Kershaw products are guaranteed for the lifetime of the original owner to be free of defects when received from the factory. Any product we find to be defective in its original material, construction, or workmanship will be repaired or replaced with the same item or one of equal value at no charge. (Of course, normal wear, abuse such as prying with the knife, or neglect are excluded from this non-transferable warranty.) For warranty service, please return product via UPS or insured mail. Include your name, address, telephone number, and a short explanation of the warranty service requested to the address below. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Click to expand...

and the one from ZT.

Limited Lifetime Warranty
Zero Tolerance products are guaranteed for the lifetime of the original owner to be free of defects when received from the factory. Any product we find to be defective in its original material, construction, or workmanship will be repaired or replaced with the same item or one of equal value at no charge. (Of course, normal wear, abuse such as prying with the knife, or neglect are excluded from this non-transferable warranty.) For warranty service, please return product via UPS or insured mail. Include your name, address, telephone number, and a short explanation of the warranty service requested to the address below. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Click to expand...


I do think you will be hard pressed to find any official description on Kershaw's site that describes any of their knives as being designed and meant specifically for self defense. (I couldn't find any, not even in the ZT press releases.)

Most warranties are written to allow generously for the manufacturers discretion in warranty replacement.

Having said that Kershaw seems to take most warranty issues on a case by case basis. From what I've seen decisions are usually made in the customer's favor unless there are very clear signs of abuse (occasionally even then). If you read through the posts in this forum, I think you'll find that Kershaw takes customer satisfaction quite seriously.
 
Kneedeep; I know how great Kershaw's customer service is :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
It probably depends on the maker.

Let's say you're using a Busse, Swamprat, or Scrapyard blade, and you stick it in somebody in self defense, and somehow the tip breaks off on a rib. First, I'd be shocked if that actually happened, and I actually laughed at the thought of it, but that aside, I am quite sure it would be replaced, no questions asked.


But to address Kershaw, I would bet it would be replaced or repaired, from what I've seen of Kershaw's Cust. Svc.
 
The video someone posted about the ZT line says that if they fail for any reason they will be replaced...Steve even mentions using the 0100 as a climbing tool.
 
I see a self defense knife sort of like an emergency life raft. If in an emergency, you pull the ring and nothing happens, it is a warranty issue. For a specialized defensive knife, if you need it and it fails to open, or the blade drops off before you can use it, it is a warranty issue. If the knife is destroyed during a self defense scenario and you live, it is not a warranty issue because the knife performed it's function and was 'used up' during it's advertised purpose.
 
I'm not being sarcastic, but if my "Self Defense" knife broke as I warded off a life-threatening attack, I'd thank God that I'm alive, and not hurt, then I'd write the knife maufacturer a nice thank you note. I'd personally be happier than a drunk monkey! The tool did it's job...

order a new one, and hang the old one on the wall as a keepsake along with the attack date, then celebrate your new birthday every year. :thumbup:
 
Al and Elarski pretty much summed up how I feel about the scenario. The life raft might be a better analogy, I was thinking airbag.
 
I'd buy a replacement knife and be happy about it.

I like the idea of mounting the old one on the wall, though... :thumbup:
 
That broken tip might actually lead to your assailant's apprehension, assuming he fled after being stabbed, and eventually has to seek medical treatment to have it removed. In that case, I call the 'breakage' a rather desirable feature!
 
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