What are your thoughts on limited or no warranty?

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

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Just one example, American Blade Works has always caught my eye, but never got one as the warranty is only for one year.

Simply put, does warranty factor into your decision to buy a knife, say over 100 dollars?

They are fairly priced to me, where without the lifetime warranty I believe they can control cost. But if something happens I'm sol.
 
If you use your knife regularly, any defects will show up well within the one year limited warranty period.

And if you keep your knife in a safe and don't use it, then you don't need a warranty.

To answer your question, I don't typically base my purchases on a warranty being offered. I've been around this game long enough to know who makes a good knife, and have little need for any warranty.
 
No. If I discover an issue with a knife and they won't correct it, I simply put them on blast here and then move on. That said, I can't recall a significant issue with a knife where the maker/manufacturer told me to pound sand.

That said, there IS a limit. It's why I won't ever purchase a used/preowned Rockstead. Those dudes are known to lurk on the Exchange seeing what knives have been sold, so they can deny any warranty requests because they won't cover anyone after the first owner by their own admission.
 
I don’t put too much into warranty. Think about this many custom knives are still working even though the maker is either passed away or out of the business so no chance to fix or replace it. Also you pay for a warranty in the price of the knife. For example ESEE while I do like the knives they make, part of the price is you paying for other peoples stupidity because a company isn’t going to lose money even if they offer to replace anything no matter why it happened.
 
I appreciate Buck's lifetime warranty, although I've rarely had occasion to use it. Around 25 years ago I sent back a broken paring knife that Chuck Buck had sent me (along with a Kraton-handled 119, for a review I was writing for BC Outdoors magazine), for their information, not because I wanted a replacement. Buck sent a new one anyway. I've never had any issue with any knife serious enough to return it.
 
I think I’ve probably utilized warranty work twice in my life. I’d rather retailers just accept returns.. because if there is an issue with a knife “warranty related”, I’ll likely identify it 95% of the time just on an inspection when I get it.
 
Reputation means more to me, but I definitely prefer knowing I can always get a new pocket clip, screw, or spring replacement. A lifetime warranty is a great way for a company to show it stands behind its work and trusts their product, but I can see why some smaller companies or makers offer a more limited warranty.

Although if it's an automatic knife, it definitely needs a good warranty.
 
I am not so sure how much a warranty with knives means these days. And with so much exculpatory language written into the warranties covering every aspect of goods purchased these days, I am not sure what too many of them are worth. I go through this when I have to call for warranty or parts on the many hand tools I have as a general contractor. This is how my normal warranty calls go: (manfacturer's name used interchangeably since they have the same level of service.)

Me: I was using myself, it was my personal tool in the truck, and when I took it out on the job to use it, the tool operated for a few minutes then stopped.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: Hmmmm.... what do you think happened?

Me: Don't know it just quit working.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: So you were using it?

Me: Yes, I was using it. It is a saw, and I took it out of the truck to use it as a saw.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: It looks like you bought the tool from an authorized DW/MKE dealer. Most Amazon sellers and most hardware and feed/tack stores are not. I see you are eligible for warranty work if that is what the problem turns out to be.. You can take it to the nearest authorized tool repair center near you, it is at XXXX XXXX.

Me: I know that shop. They have a $75 bench fee to check out the tool.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: That sounds cheap. If it is a warranty issue, we will cover the bench fee. If it is an issue caused by normal wear, normal use, abuse, age, accidental damage, incorrect usage or lack of maintenance, then you will pay the bench fees and the repair fees.

Me: Holy crap!! Your warranty really doesn't cover anything but maybe spontaneous combustion, does it?

DeWalt/Milwaukee: I don't know what that is sir, but the technician at the tool repair store will tell us what he finds. He/she will determine if it is covered under warranty. So I am paying $82 ($75 plus tax ) to see if my $120 saw is covered under your warranty? With all the conditions it has to meet to be considered a warranty issue along with my dollar investment, why wouldn't I just buy a new one?

DeWalt/Milwaukee: That's totally up to you sir. Is there anything else I can help you with? *silence* Wait... sir... did you say you were using this tool professionally? If you did, you voided the warranty on the product as it is not rated for professional use. (yeah.... you read that right.)

So, for me a warranty is a pretty subjective thing on anything I buy. As mentioned above, I agree with the idea that you will find out (in most cases) if something is not right with a knife pretty quick. Hopefully the knife you bought is from someone that will stay behind their product for a year or so till you can get the knife through its paces. But there is always a lot of grumbling here about companies big and small with good reputations that don't stand behind their product. Sure, fanboys jump in and claim how great their knife manufacturer of choice is, but still, lots of complaining, too. My biggest fear is that as all of us employers that are trying to keep staffed up go on down the road, our challenges of finding and training employees to do that kind of work (CS) will get worse. I am having problems on all fronts with all manufacturers these days, including with my own company.

Buy the best product you can that meets your requirements from a reputable dealer (ask me about my Queen knives that "were under warranty" as well as a couple of other traditionals when they shut their doors) and check out the product thoroughly before putting it in rotation. I think all the warranty issues will get tougher for all of us on all products as we get further into employment issues.
 
midnight flyer said:
I am not so sure how much a warranty with knives means these days. And with so much exculpatory language written into the warranties covering every aspect of goods purchased these days, I am not sure what too many of them are worth. I go through this when I have to call for warranty or parts on the many hand tools I have as a general contractor. This is how my normal warranty calls go: (manfacturer's name used interchangeably since they have the same level of service.)

Me: I was using myself, it was my personal tool in the truck, and when I took it out on the job to use it, the tool operated for a few minutes then stopped.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: Hmmmm.... what do you think happened?

Me: Don't know it just quit working.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: So you were using it?

Me: Yes, I was using it. It is a saw, and I took it out of the truck to use it as a saw.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: It looks like you bought the tool from an authorized DW/MKE dealer. Most Amazon sellers and most hardware and feed/tack stores are not. I see you are eligible for warranty work if that is what the problem turns out to be.. You can take it to the nearest authorized tool repair center near you, it is at XXXX XXXX.

Me: I know that shop. They have a $75 bench fee to check out the tool.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: That sounds cheap. If it is a warranty issue, we will cover the bench fee. If it is an issue caused by normal wear, normal use, abuse, age, accidental damage, incorrect usage or lack of maintenance, then you will pay the bench fees and the repair fees.

Me: Holy crap!! Your warranty really doesn't cover anything but maybe spontaneous combustion, does it?

DeWalt/Milwaukee: I don't know what that is sir, but the technician at the tool repair store will tell us what he finds. He/she will determine if it is covered under warranty. So I am paying $82 ($75 plus tax ) to see if my $120 saw is covered under your warranty? With all the conditions it has to meet to be considered a warranty issue along with my dollar investment, why wouldn't I just buy a new one?

DeWalt/Milwaukee: That's totally up to you sir. Is there anything else I can help you with? *silence* Wait... sir... did you say you were using this tool professionally? If you did, you voided the warranty on the product as it is not rated for professional use. (yeah.... you read that right.)

So, for me a warranty is a pretty subjective thing on anything I buy. As mentioned above, I agree with the idea that you will find out (in most cases) if something is not right with a knife pretty quick. Hopefully the knife you bought is from someone that will stay behind their product for a year or so till you can get the knife through its paces. But there is always a lot of grumbling here about companies big and small with good reputations that don't stand behind their product. Sure, fanboys jump in and claim how great their knife manufacturer of choice is, but still, lots of complaining, too. My biggest fear is that as all of us employers that are trying to keep staffed up go on down the road, our challenges of finding and training employees to do that kind of work (CS) will get worse. I am having problems on all fronts with all manufacturers these days, including with my own company.

Buy the best product you can that meets your requirements from a reputable dealer (ask me about my Queen knives that "were under warranty" as well as a couple of other traditionals when they shut their doors) and check out the product thoroughly before putting it in rotation. I think all the warranty issues will get tougher for all of us on all products as we get further into employment issues.
Click to expand...
This was not my experience with dewalt warranty. They told me to drop it off at their service center. Then called me to pick up a new one.
 
“Lifetime” warranty would also need the company to still be in business. There’s so many small makers which I’m happy to support but fully aware that their “lifetime” warranty might apply to their lifetime and not mine.

End of day, it’s nice to have peace of mind but doesn’t have a huge impact on my decision
 
midnight flyer said:
I am not so sure how much a warranty with knives means these days. And with so much exculpatory language written into the warranties covering every aspect of goods purchased these days, I am not sure what too many of them are worth. I go through this when I have to call for warranty or parts on the many hand tools I have as a general contractor. This is how my normal warranty calls go: (manfacturer's name used interchangeably since they have the same level of service.)

Me: I was using myself, it was my personal tool in the truck, and when I took it out on the job to use it, the tool operated for a few minutes then stopped.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: Hmmmm.... what do you think happened?

Me: Don't know it just quit working.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: So you were using it?

Me: Yes, I was using it. It is a saw, and I took it out of the truck to use it as a saw.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: It looks like you bought the tool from an authorized DW/MKE dealer. Most Amazon sellers and most hardware and feed/tack stores are not. I see you are eligible for warranty work if that is what the problem turns out to be.. You can take it to the nearest authorized tool repair center near you, it is at XXXX XXXX.

Me: I know that shop. They have a $75 bench fee to check out the tool.

DeWalt/Milwaukee: That sounds cheap. If it is a warranty issue, we will cover the bench fee. If it is an issue caused by normal wear, normal use, abuse, age, accidental damage, incorrect usage or lack of maintenance, then you will pay the bench fees and the repair fees.

Me: Holy crap!! Your warranty really doesn't cover anything but maybe spontaneous combustion, does it?

DeWalt/Milwaukee: I don't know what that is sir, but the technician at the tool repair store will tell us what he finds. He/she will determine if it is covered under warranty. So I am paying $82 ($75 plus tax ) to see if my $120 saw is covered under your warranty? With all the conditions it has to meet to be considered a warranty issue along with my dollar investment, why wouldn't I just buy a new one?

DeWalt/Milwaukee: That's totally up to you sir. Is there anything else I can help you with? *silence* Wait... sir... did you say you were using this tool professionally? If you did, you voided the warranty on the product as it is not rated for professional use. (yeah.... you read that right.)

So, for me a warranty is a pretty subjective thing on anything I buy. As mentioned above, I agree with the idea that you will find out (in most cases) if something is not right with a knife pretty quick. Hopefully the knife you bought is from someone that will stay behind their product for a year or so till you can get the knife through its paces. But there is always a lot of grumbling here about companies big and small with good reputations that don't stand behind their product. Sure, fanboys jump in and claim how great their knife manufacturer of choice is, but still, lots of complaining, too. My biggest fear is that as all of us employers that are trying to keep staffed up go on down the road, our challenges of finding and training employees to do that kind of work (CS) will get worse. I am having problems on all fronts with all manufacturers these days, including with my own company.

Buy the best product you can that meets your requirements from a reputable dealer (ask me about my Queen knives that "were under warranty" as well as a couple of other traditionals when they shut their doors) and check out the product thoroughly before putting it in rotation. I think all the warranty issues will get tougher for all of us on all products as we get further into employment issues.
Click to expand...

This is why I have switched from mostly Milwaukee and a few Dewalt to mostly Matikita and some Rigid.
 
Yo Mama said:
Just one example, American Blade Works has always caught my eye, but never got one as the warranty is only for one year.

Simply put, does warranty factor into your decision to buy a knife, say over 100 dollars?

They are fairly priced to me, where without the lifetime warranty I believe they can control cost. But if something happens I'm sol.
Click to expand...
Yes. No more Cold Steel since they changed their warranty. Never Fallkniven due to their many restrictions and refusal to even honor their dealers opinion. Rockstead…no way.

I’ve used warranty repair for Spyderco, CRK, Benchmade, William Henry, Buck, Microtech, Sog, Cold Steel (original warranty) and two custom makes for a total of ~15 repairs. I’ve had several knives over 5 years old that were repaired. Warranties are important if you use your knives.
 
Reputation is way higher on the list. I think the only knife related warranty claim I have made was a Leatherman that I broke and just wanted a quote on for fixing my bone-headed move They sent me a new tool, and that's almost all that I carry short of a few beater tools in the truck/luggage.

I also look at warranties costing money. For me, I would rather buy a well made knife that I like from a company I respect and just let the chips fall where they may. If I break my knife and I feel that it's a defect, I'd shoot them an email and ask what my options are for getting a quote to get it fixed (always a respectful way to open the door for them to offer warranty work, IMHO). If the quote is reasonable, I'll ship it back. If they do me a solid and go above and beyond, I'll sing their praises here.

I do like the option of a spa treatment for my CRK like D DMG mentioned, but I don't really consider that warranty.

At the end of the day, a knife should hold up to knife stuff. If it doesn't, it was probably being used wrong or shouldn't have made it out the door in the first place and hopefully shows itself within a reasonable time when it is fresh out of the box.
 
I live in Canada, I like and mostly have made in USA knife, and taking advantage of a warranty when you are not living in USA is just headaches (shipping, customs etc).
So I don't really care about warranties. If the manufacturer/maker is serious and if you don't tamper/use it like an a$$, you don't need a warranty.
 
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