Would this bother you?

[mill428]

A few weeks ago, I used a Cabela's gift card on an African Alaskan Guide 110 they had in stock. It's the first I've seen it in stock - ever - and thought it would make a great companion to my 119 AG I got some months ago. The guy behind the counter pulled one out of the cabinet and had me inspect it to make sure it was the one I wanted. Fit and finish was smooth and the scales were finished nicely. The blade was centered right where it should be. So I bought it a took it home. A couple days later, I had it out to take a closer look and I noticed one side of the blade had a different look to it. This is what I saw.

The main hollow grind follows the "sway" on the point instead of being straight across - like every other 110 I have. Below is an example of a normal grind.

The other side of the AG 110 is normal. So the two grinds are different (I hope that makes sense). I emailed Buck with the first picture and they said I needed to return it to the store for exchange or I could send it back to them and they would "resharpen" it. I'm not sure the person at Buck actually saw what I was talking about because I wouldn't think it would be feasible to actually regrind and re-coat a Cerakoted blade. Although I may be wrong.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I was excited to get the AG 110 because I've never seen one for sale before, but I'm also kind of disappointed to have to go through the motions of fixing something that shouldn't have been "broken" in the first place. OR should I just chalk it up to the cost of education and look closer next time? Honestly, if it was a 420HC user I wouldn't be as disappointed. It doesn't look terrible... But I paid a small premium to have something a little more special.

Would this bother you? Would you send it back or just suck it up and just use it?

 

[TheJon]

I understand being upset because it's not what you wanted. I personally actually like it and would keep it if everything else on the knife is good.
But if you have even a small doubt about it I would probably return it.

Unless Buck Knives Inc. thinks they have a spare blade laying around for those.

 

[Railsplitter]

I would be bothered by the grind being different on each side.

 

[GPyro]

I'd exchange it at Cabela's for another.
It would be your quickest solution.

If they don't have another, return it for refund.
Another will come along.

If you return it to Buck it will take months, assuming they can re-blade it.

 

[SoDak81]

That would bother me to the point where I would return it for a different one. Unless there is some extra value to collectors for having the mismatched grinds like that.

 

[jb4570]

Buy another one and send that one to me! I like the look of that grind, but would want the other side to match. Go exchange it for another one or you will not be satisfied with your knife.

 

[mill428]

I understand being upset because it's not what you wanted. I personally actually like it and would keep it if everything else on the knife is good.
But if you have even a small doubt about it I would probably return it.

Unless Buck Knives Inc. thinks they have a spare blade laying around for those.

I went back and reread my first post an thought it maybe sounded a bit whiny. I promise I had no whine in my voice as I was typing it. But I was curious of the consensus of the good folks here. And I'm with you on the looks. If both sides looked like that, I wouldn't think twice about keeping it.

I can't see Buck having extras though (I could easily be wrong about this). Buck has a great warranty program that I have taken advantage of in the past. But as GPyro mentioned, it would most likely be months for anything to happen with it since even warranty work on basic knives takes months now.

I'd exchange it at Cabela's for another.
It would be your quickest solution.

The guy behind the counter left me with the impression it was his only AG 110. When I get back to Wichita, I may indeed check again and see if an exchange is possible. They are often hit or miss with what they have in stock. As I said, I've never seen them at this Cabela's before. Maybe that's changed.

Unless there is some extra value to collectors for having the mismatched grinds like that.

Excellent question! Although I doubt it this kind of mistake adds much value unless both sides were done this way. Again, I could be wrong.

 

[mill428]

Buy another one and send that one to me! I like the look of that grind, but would want the other side to match. Go exchange it for another one or you will not be satisfied with your knife.

I totally agree! great grind... if it was on both sides! I just need to sideline my (ever-so-slight) OCD and everything would be fine.

Maybe

 

[jbmonkey]

if both sides were like that, I'd like it. as is, nope return and exchange at cabelas.

 

[ferider]

Going back and forth ... it’s pretty and functional. And a bit like a coin with a mint error. I would probably keep it and buy another one for actual use.

 

[jbmonkey]

Going back and forth ... it’s pretty and functional. And a bit like a coin with a mint error. I would probably keep it and buy another one for actual use.

couple of y'all have mentioned that point....now that I'm thinking more about it.....yep. keeping it makes sense from a collector standpoint.

if I could only have one and wanted to use it then I think I'd exchange it.

 

[Boattale]

It would bother me.

 

[GPyro]

They have them in stock online.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Even if both sides were the same it would bother me.
This just looks ugly, and it seems like the blade would be a bit thicker behind the edge leading up to the tip.
I've never seen a Buck 110 or really any Buck with the primary grind messed up, and never imagined it occurring.

 

[DavidABQ]

I'd exchange it at Cabela's for another.
It would be your quickest solution.

If they don't have another, return it for refund.
Another will come along.

If you return it to Buck it will take months, assuming they can re-blade it.

I agree that returning the knife is probably the best course of action.

 

[Lesknife]

Yes that would bother me. If both sides were the same I wouldn’t be so concerned about it but unequally ground is not only unsightly but I don’t know, it might be a strength problem and that’s at the thinner part of the blade. I would certainly try to get it replaced. I hope you can get it taken care of without to much hassle.

Edit; I just want to say I agree with some of the other guys that it might be a keeper for the oddball it is and get a second one for a user. I have a couple oddball knives other brands that I keep just for the humor and novelty. But it’s what you want that matters.

 

[mill428]

Going back and forth ... it’s pretty and functional. And a bit like a coin with a mint error. I would probably keep it and buy another one for actual use.

I know. I've been back and forth with that same argument for the few couple weeks I've had it. And I have had toyed with the idea of buying another one that's right and keep this one as a conversation piece. But I'm not sure I have that many conversations about stuff like this. Now if I was independently wealthy...

I cleaned the polishing gunk out of it - which is when I saw the weird grind - and immediately put it away. Been trying to decide which direction to go with it since then so I decided to get some more input. And I'm glad for the input I have been getting.

 

[mill428]

couple of y'all have mentioned that point....now that I'm thinking more about it.....yep. keeping it makes sense from a collector standpoint.

if I could only have one and wanted to use it then I think I'd exchange it.

So I guess I'm going to need to decide if I am a collector or a user.

I really would like to be both.

 

[mill428]

I would be bothered by the grind being different on each side.

That would bother me to the point where I would return it for a different one.

It would bother me.

Even if both sides were the same it would bother me.

Yes that would bother me.

It sounds like I'm in good company.

I've never seen a Buck 110 or really any Buck with the primary grind messed up, and never imagined it occurring.

I never imagined it happening either. I think that's why I didn't see it during my inspection at the store. It didn't even occur to me to look for it.

 

[mill428]

I just want to say I agree with some of the other guys that it might be a keeper for the oddball it is and get a second one for a user. I have a couple oddball knives other brands that I keep just for the humor and novelty. But it’s what you want that matters.

I guess Father's Day is in a couple of weeks. I could start hinting