I don't know if companies react differently to consumers than they do to dealers but I'll give you my dealer votes. I think, to some degree, the way these companies interface with dealers depends on their attitudes about things like the internet.
I've never had occasion to use Chris Reeve service because I've never had a problem with a Chris Reeve knife. If the service is the equal of the quality then it must be spectacular. Spyderco has had a few minor issues with me. Benchmade? Well, that's a story for another time. Buck has been fine.
My vote goes to Camillus who has been willing to go well beyond the call of duty on several occasions. Lone Wolf has gone well beyond as well. Another winner in my book is Leatherman who is as fast as they are sincere about good service. SOG gets a nod for extra effort too. Case is another that has gone the distance for me. Fallkniven has even gone the distance across an ocean. In the kitchen knife area two outstanding companies would be Wusthof and Kikuichi (something special about how the Japanese deal with customer service.)
I could get us talking about the worst customer service but, since REKAT departed the scene, there aren't really any terrible ones any longer. I suppose all of them have fouled a few up but REKAT had the distinction of fouling them all up.
