Warranty work time frame question

[dkblade]

Maybe somebody on the Reeve forum can answer this question for me. My awesome wife gave me my grail knife for our wedding anniversary in mid May (May 8 to be exact). I was amazed as all are with the build quality of the 21 Insingo w/dual thumb lugs, and really happy to finally have it in my hands after a solid 8 month wait! However I noticed right away that the blade wasn't centered, so I sent it back to BladeHQ for warranty after enjoying it for a couple days, then they sent it back to Reeve pronto. I think it arrived in Boise on 5/15.

Normally I wouldn't care about something as small as 1-2 mm off-centering, but in a knife this awesome I wanted that perfect CRK tolerance that 99.99% get! Anyways I had hoped since it was like this from the factory and it was warranty work from BHQ that I would be towards the top of the list, but now it's July 7 and I haven't heard anything. I called a couple times and was told next week it should be ready, but that was a few weeks ago. I don't want to call again and bother the nice people at CRK, but is it normal for warranty work on a knife that came from the factory with a minor defect to take 7-8 weeks to come back? I still haven't received a call or any updates and I've read stories of people waiting 4-6 months to get their knife back. This is my first one and all I want is to be able to use it!

To clarify, this isn't a jeer thread, I just want to know if I should be getting ready to wait a few more months for my Sebbie, or am I still within the normal timeframe?

 

[Corytr]

I just had a blade replacement/spa done and it took 6 1/2 weeks or so. When they sent it back, they didn't let me know it shipped, it just showed up.

Is CRK sending it to you or to BHQ? If there is ever a next time, I would highly recommend sending it direct to CRK yourself.

 

[Ptman2000]

I just sent a knife direct to CRK and they emailed saying it would be 6 to 8 weeks.

 

[alwayscarryaknife]

I wouldn't worry about annoying them by calling again. That's why they have phone lines. I think they are going to be a little more busy than usual right now since they are launching a new knife. I've heard the turn around times have improved but right now they might be a bit slower. Just call and get an update.

 

[flyingjon]

I feel your pain, man. I sent a small in for a spa and double lugs and it took right at 5 months. Talk about anxious! I called about 3 times in the 3rd and 4th month and was told. That it would be shipping out next week.... When it did finally ship out a month later I didn't get a call or anything. It came back on UPS 2 day shipping though. I understand there'll be a few situations that can cause delays but, total repair time couldn't have been more than an hour. I imagine they just had a tremendous backlog of orders then. They'll get it back to you though, don't worry. It'll be even better than you remembered after this wait!

 

[DallasSTB]

A lot of time it depends on what the CRK shop is involved with at the time. During certain event periods (such as Blade Show in June and SHOT show in January), the turn around time can extend significantly. Normally, I've gotten knives back in less than two months unless something special is being done. As mentioned above, give them a call. They are really helpful, but will probably give you a general answer that involves "send us your knife first and we'll try to give you a better estimate of the repair turnaround time".

 

[gull wing]

Don't you hate waiting.:barf:
I'm sure CRK will get your knife back to you in good working order. They are very responsible people.
I've never had issue with a any CRK knife, but some "other" knife co's I've sent knives too have returned knives back to me with no correction whatsoever.

 

[dkblade]

Thank you for the replies. I was hoping to be a "special case" since my knife came from the factory with a minor imperfection...but I am a rational business owner myself and realize that things have to be processed in an order that protects the bottom line. I'll wait another week and then give them a call for an update. Feel kind of silly caring about the off center blade so much..but even my wife told me I should send it back and she thinks I'm crazy for having this hobby in the first place!!

 

[Corytr]

I really don't want to say this, but I sent another one in for a sticky lock last week and got a call today saying it is on its way back. I think that the person who does heat treat stuff; is different than the person who does blade fitting stuff; is different than the person who does the blasting, etc... It may just be that the one who is taking care of yours has a high work load.

I would have sent it back too... FWIW, I think you should call them tomorrow. Your next chance won't be until Monday and that could make for a long weekend wondering.

 

[dkblade]

Didn't call today because I had a gnarley work load. I can make it through the weekend but I'm calling Monday morning for another update. I'm guessing I'll be told they will email me before it ships back. Is it possible that the nice lady on the phone says the same thing to everyone who calls and really has no idea when the knife is going to be ready, be it tomorrow or a month from now?

 

[dkblade]

I decided to send it in for the off center blade because I figured it could cause problems down the line...especially with the tolerances a CRK knife has. Has anyone noticed blade centering issues more common with double lug blades? Don't see very many standard insingo large 21s with double blue lugs as standard equipment on bladeHQ.

 

[Vaporstang]

I decided to send it in for the off center blade because I figured it could cause problems down the line...especially with the tolerances a CRK knife has. Has anyone noticed blade centering issues more common with double lug blades? Don't see very many standard insingo large 21s with double blue lugs as standard equipment on bladeHQ.

I wouldn't think the double lugs would have anything to do with off centering.

 

[ice_man]

I would have suggested to call and talk directly to Angela for warranty issues. I had a warranty issue on my newly purchased 2 Sebenza 21s about a few weeks back. I explained to her what was wrong with it, and she even sent me a prepaid label to mail it to them.

Got the 2 Sebenzas back in about one week. I believe they are prioritizing the warranty issues over the ones in for spa treatment.

 

[dkblade]

I got home from work yesterday and looked outside and didn't see anything. My wife said she hadn't seen anything yet. Then she followed me upstairs and when I opened the shower curtain a sexy white box that read "think twice, cut once" was sitting on the shower knob! She just wanted to see my surprise cause she's awesome. It came yesterday--less than 8 weeks after sent in, and it looks brand new and the blade is absolutely perfectly centered. They even adjusted the detent which I'm happy about because it was really hard to open before. It's like a new knife! Thanks CRK!

 

[flyingjon]

I got home from work yesterday and looked outside and didn't see anything. My wife said she hadn't seen anything yet. Then she followed me upstairs and when I opened the shower curtain a sexy white box that read "think twice, cut once" was sitting on the shower knob! She just wanted to see my surprise cause she's awesome. It came yesterday--less than 8 weeks after sent in, and it looks brand new and the blade is absolutely perfectly centered. They even adjusted the detent which I'm happy about because it was really hard to open before. It's like a new knife! Thanks CRK!

Awesome lady and a great feeling to have your knife back! Use it hard now!

 

[dkblade]

Can't help but handle it with kid gloves. I'm afraid I'll drop it on concrete and put a dent in the titanium. I guess It's gonna happen and everyone says you need to use your Sebenza like it was built to use...it's just so pretty without a single imperfection!