What are you willing to put up with?

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ShaiHulud

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Jul 21, 2022
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New knife has a imperfection, stain, discoloration, flaw, or issue?

I've been curious about the opinions of others regarding this topic for a while.
What is everyone willing to put up with from a newly delivered knife, and not feel like they need to return it
 
It really depends on the specifics.

I’m not going to send back a $20 machete for a bad grind, but I’m likely to send back a very expensive folder that has a small cosmetic flaw that bothers me - even if it won’t affect performance.

Only thing I can’t tolerate at all is a bent blade (and it’s shocking how often I see them).
 
scdub said:
It really depends on the specifics.

I’m not going to send back a $20 machete for a bad grind, but I’m likely to send back a very expensive folder that has a small cosmetic flaw that bothers me - even if it won’t affect performance.

Only thing I can’t tolerate at all is a bent blade (and it’s shocking how often I see them).
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While bad grinds work themselves out with use I can understand your reasoning, good entry
 
I've returned two knives.
One was for a bad lock and another for a uncentered blade (concerning closeness to scales/liner).

A scratch on the blade or slight discoloration of the scales I doubt would bother me. I don't really inspect the grind, if it's sharp that works for me.
 
I expect reasonably good from high end production (centering can be a couple degrees off on a Benchmade or a Spyderco), flawless on a mid tech (CRK being the benchmark), and perfect on a custom fixed knife.
 
The only knife I've ever returned was recently, a Kershaw Launch, because often the blade release button would hang about halfway down forcing me to shift my grip and try again. I had bought the knife to use for personal protection in places where guns are banned. Can't have a "maybe" knife in that situation. I would also return a knife if the tempering is off so much that either it's almost impossible to get sharp, or that it dulls doing very easy tasks. I'm not a collector and all my knives get used (but not abused), so a small cosmetic blemish wouldn't cause me to return the knife.

I guess I went the long way around the barn to agree with those who said that functionality is the most important. I'd add reliability to that.
 
I return knives that bother me for whatever reason. I know if it bothers me on first look it’ll only get worse until I hate it.

That said, discoloration doesn’t bother me, nor if it’s not “drop-shutty” (cringe), and neither does a scratch or ding. If a blade is far off center or if it has blade play that can’t be adjusted out, back it goes.
 
My usual Internet dealer is very good about returns. But for me to return a knife takes about an hour of my time, so if I am reasonably confident I can fix it in not much more than an hour, I probably won't return it, unless it's expensive or maybe if trying to fix it will void the warranty. For example, the Demko AD20.5 I got recently had sharp edges on the handle and shark fin, but about half an hour of filing and sanding took care of that. The action still is not smooth, but that will probably improve over time or if I decide to do a CLA, which looks easy enough. I like the blade.

There was a CRKT Graphite flipper that I could not flip, but I could see a bit of fuzz in the pivot, and the knife was fine after I took it apart and removed the fuzz. And a CRKT M21-14SF had a stupid little red safety thingy that I removed.

Sometimes I'm wrong. There was a Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara that I could not close with my bare hands. I figured I could adjust the spring, but that did not help at all. After that experience, most of the knives that I have actually returned have been Spydercos that were hard to open or close.

I can't recall ever getting a knife with a stain, discoloration, scratch, etc.
 
As the price goes up, the less I'm willing yo put up with. If it's something I can fix, and I otherwise like the knife enough, I'll keep it.

Example, I love the look, blade shape, and ergonomics of my A Purvis Progeny v2. However, it came with an overly strong detent, mediocre action, and gor some reason, a steel backspacer on a knife with near linerless carbon fiber handles.

I took it apart, lightly adjusted the lockbar tension, removed the backspacer, and cleaned out the increasingly more common black viscous gunk in the pivot. Put some nano oil in it, and it's great. Definitely worth the time and effort.

I don't like uneven grinds. If a $50 Civivi can get it right, a $200 knife should also be able to get it right.

I also don't like noticeably off center blades. While often correctable, this is a sign of poor quality control snd makes me wonder what else might have been missed and/or done incorrectly.

TL;DR There are limits on what I'll put up with, but I don't care how great the customer service is, I shouldn't have to send the knife in when new.
 
Small things you can correct easily yourself should not be an issue (on a "budget" knife... insert your budget range here : mine is under 100 $). Example : a poor cutting edge. Resharpen, even reprofile it. If you like the knife, you will be delighted for life. Let's say it's a way to get acquainted. A botched grind (I mean the main grind of the blade) is impossible to correct (without the proper tools, but if you have them, then you may as well grind your own blanks, right ?) would be a fundamental defect that warrants return for a knife whatever the price you paid. Fundamental defects : for a folder, lots of lateral play (on a riveted assembly. A bolted assembly allows for some tuning but it actually shouldn't be needed), unreliable lock (open and closed). For a fixed blade : main grind off center, badly mounted guard or handle. For all : bad heat treat evidenced by a chipping or rolling edge (without abusing the knife, eh !) Can't fix that. Send it back.
 
ShaiHulud said:
New knife has a imperfection, stain, discoloration, flaw, or issue?

I've been curious about the opinions of others regarding this topic for a while.
What is everyone willing to put up with from a newly delivered knife, and not feel like they need to return it
Click to expand...
It depends on how much I paid for the knife. If it is an inexpensive knife, I'm not losing too much sleep over any imperfections that don't affect its cutting ability. I only have a couple of cheap knives that I bought because of the style.

Browning Stockman, Swiss Army , Kabar, 7-14-22 (6).JPG
 
I think about This a lot lately....
I'm deciding how I want to proceed, but I'm toying with the idea of being a Maker here.....

The knives I like, are usually handmade.
I freehand grind, and sharpen my knives by eye. as of now I'm not using fixtures.

I Can't make perfect knives. There are going to be subtle variances. Wonky angles, scratches, and little imperfections. I like that.
I don't usually like the clean, sterile looks of a CNC made knife.

This is a good discussion, I'm curious as the direction it takes.
 
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For me it comes down to anticipated use and cost. Something that I might accept on an inexpensive knife is not the same as what I would expect on something more expensive. The other consideration is anticipated use; if the knife is going to be a garage or toolbox knife then it is going to get beat up, maybe even abused. I won’t care too much about flaws that don’t impact function.
 
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ShaiHulud said:
New knife has a imperfection, stain, discoloration, flaw, or issue?

I've been curious about the opinions of others regarding this topic for a while.
What is everyone willing to put up with from a newly delivered knife, and not feel like they need to return it
Click to expand...
Sorry, thought this was a Amber Heard thread.
 
First off, I don’t buy to collect. All my knives are users. If it’s something I can fairly easily make right, I’ll do that. I may send a note or email to let the manufacturer know of the failure of their quality control. Only if it’s something I can’t take care of and can’t live with do I return it.
 
I dunno, I can't put up with less than perfect. My money is perfect. I would send it back. I guess it depends on the person. Interesting thread
 
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