Just ordered a Cutco/Ka-Bar Explorer

[B1gGr33n]

Anyone have any experience with these knives?

My 17 year old cousin recently signed up as a sales rep for Cutco, so I figured I'd help him out by signing up for an appointment so he can make a few bucks. Didn't plan on buying anything, but then I saw their hunting knives. They had some really interesting looking products, and we blew the better part of an hour just looking at those

Now before I could just throw down my hard earned cash on something I couldn't hold in my hand prior, got on the net and searched for some reviews. While I could find plenty on the company, there wasn't much on these specific knives. I was torn between the classic looking hunting knife and the Ka-Bar Explorer. After considering the handle material on the hunting is the same as the kitchen knives, which gets a little hard to hold on to when wet, and considering the fact I have quite a few similar style knives and very few military/tactical style, I went with the Ka-Bar. I was also intrigued that Cutco owns the Ka-Bar company, and while they admit the Ka-Bar is American made steel, it's assembled overseas, whereas the Explorer is 100% American.

I'll post a full review when I finally get it in, hopefully in the next week or two, along with pictures. In the meantime, here's the company photo to tide you over.

 

[dayhiker]

I was also intrigued that Cutco owns the Ka-Bar company, and while they admit the Ka-Bar is American made steel, it's assembled overseas, whereas the Explorer is 100% American.

Sorry this is wrong info.

Ka-Bar is owned by Alcas Corp. Who also owns Cutco. Ka-Bar is separate from Cutco. They only share a common parent company.

Not all Ka-Bar products are made overseas. Most are made here in Olean,NY.

The USMC Fighting Utility Knife ,which I believe you are referring ,as a Ka-Bar, to is 100% American made.

 

[hso]

dayhiker has the relationships correct. Alcas owns both. https://www.kabar.com/history.jsp

 

[xjsnake]

I haven't had experience with their hunting knives but their kitchen knives and a small pocket knife that I've had for years have been fantastic.

 

[B1gGr33n]

dayhiker: Thank you for that perspective, however further research will show that Alcas Co. became CUTCO Co. in 2009. So CUTCO is currently the parent corporation. http://www.cutco.com/company/history.jsp

So how does that differ from the relationship of companies such as Chevrolet and GMC? Or IBM and HP? This is a serious point, I'm not mocking anybody. Typically in relationships like this, many products are mildy altered and rebranded, so I'm curious if anyone knows any details. I'm already aware that some of the similar Ka-Bar style knives use different steel, but this is a "New" product that's co-branded. A Ka-Bar knife in a CUTCO catalogue.

 

[Tim Currie]

I work for the company but haven't gotten the new Explorer yet or had a chance to play with one. Mostly because I'm just not interested in something that size, and I already have a full size and 5" original style Ka-Bar.

If I remember the Explorer does not use the same steel as the Ka-Bar only version. A co-worker said it was because of the DD edge being applied but I don't know that for sure (or why it would matter).

It should be sharp as hell whenever you get it, and the awesome part is the Cutco warranty. Basically, use it however you wish and do not worry about it what-so-ever. If it breaks for any reason send it back and they'll replace it for you. They will also sharpen it whenever needed.

I agree about the deluxe hunting knife with the slippy handle. I prefer the drop point with the grippy handle, it's my favorite for camping/hiking/outdoors.

And finally, yeah Cutco owns Ka-Bar but the two lines are totally separate. The Ka-Bar building/factory is across the street from the Cutco factory and they do their own thing.

 

[Tim Currie]

p.s. I assume that basically for this co-branded knife it is simply the new generation Ka-Bar with a different steel, built in the Ka-Bar factory, and taken across the street to have the DD edge applied (which is awesome) and then co-branded so it can have the Cutco warranty and we can sell it for a crazy price

 

[The Highlander]

Where did you order it? I've only found it online at the cutco gift registry for $170! Tell me this is a sub $75 knife.

 

[19-3Ben]

^^^ one would hope so, considering that you can get the D2 version for under $100.

I used to work for Cutco. I like their products. Not as much as my KAI or Henkles 4 star kitchen knives, but I do like Cutco. My two favorite products of theirs are the shears, and the "spatula spreader."

Those shears are truly amazing and people used to love that trick where you cut the penny with them!

 

[B1gGr33n]

Tim: You could be right about the next generation thing. Thank you for your input!

Highlander: Ordered from my cousin, as mention in OP. $169, plus $20 shipping and taxes for a grand total of $199 and change.

19-3Ben: This will be my first Cutco product.

I did consider the price difference in my decision, and decided that the difference in warranties could merit the extra cost. Plus the fact I have 2 weeks upon receiving it to decide if I like it or not.

 

[The Highlander]

I too like cutco knives, but I can't possibly justify dropping close to $200 on a rebadged kabar when I could get customs for a similar price. I hope they bring that price down, I really want one.

 

[B1gGr33n]

But therein lies my question: Is it simply a rebranded Ka-Bar, or is it a unique piece?

The style is very similar to the Ka-Bar Next Generation. The only differences I see are the serrations are different, and the CUTCO doesn't have the "blood groove". And at $121.58 +$8.50 shipping for the Ka-Bar, it's not a huge price difference, though it was enough to give me pause. My main deciding factor was, again, the warranty. Ka-Bar doesn't warrant against abuse, CUTCO will replace at half price in that occurrence.

 

[Yo Mama]

My main deciding factor was, again, the warranty.

That's a deciding factor in some of my purchases also. I'm still torn Ontario vs. ESEE, with warranty differences reflected in asking price.

I had a kydex holster for a 1911 that broke a one piece belt clip. Lifetime warranty, no problem right? Well, the guy did so much warranty work, he went out of business. Out 65 bucks.

As a side note, I tried to track this guy down for a while and his old associate at a new company took care of me and made me a customer for life. He was at least honest that with the new company it's a 90 warranty, and that it's expected to not last forever. It's great quality, but everything breaks.

Back to the knife question...... I'd never heard of Cutco, OP thanks for bringing this one out for us to throw around.

 

[hso]

Different since the design teams are different, but it is inevitable that there will be similar ideas that move back and forth somewhat in a corporation even with completely different subsidiaries.

Don't think GM/Buick, more like VW/Audi/Porshe

 

[19-3Ben]

This will be my first Cutco product.

They make a very good product. And I based on my experience, I do buy into some of their marketing hype about the DD edge. It really does cut much more nicely than a regular serrated.

 

[B1gGr33n]

So... it's like a Porshe body with a VW engine, or vice versa?

I really hope that, for the money, it's the latter in this case.

 

[hso]

Sadly, no. More the other way around.

Just look at the steels used in the KaBar line and then compare it to your CutCo Explorer's 440A.

 

[dldbrandon]

Disclosure: I am a rep for cutco.

The thing is, you don't pay for the knife. You pay for the fact that you will never have to buy one again. Is it more than triple the price? Yeah it is. But If something happens to that knife they will fix or replace it for free. Unless you are deliberately negligent. If I told you a tank of gas was 3,000 dollars you would think I'm nuts. If I told you the tank would never empty, if you got in a wreck we would fix the car for free, and if you got a new car we would siphon the gas into it for free. How does that sound?

As a side note I do know a guy who got the fishing knife. His dog chewed up the handle and the company replaced for free.

 

[Sam Cade]

$200?

For a 440A knife?


No thank you, that is just crazy.

Disclosure: I am a rep for cutco.

Clearing the air.

The thing is, you don't pay for the knife. You pay for the fact that you will never have to buy one again. Is it more than triple the price? Yeah it is. But If something happens to that knife they will fix or replace it for free. Unless you are deliberately negligent.
If I told you a tank of gas was 3,000 dollars you would think I'm nuts. If I told you the tank would never empty, if you got in a wreck we would fix the car for free, and if you got a new car we would siphon the gas into it for free. How does that sound?

It sounds like a terrible deal if the car is a junker.


Good spiel though. Nice use of perceived value and agreement/affirmation thereof.

Isn't marketing psychology fun?

As a side note I do know a guy who got the fishing knife. His dog chewed up the handle and the company replaced for free.

Always have an anecdote. Make it personal.

 

[Yo Mama]

Unless you are deliberately negligent.

If I pay 3 times the going rate for a warranty, I'm darn sure going to deliberately be negligent with it. It's the reason you have a warranty.

 

[dayhiker]

dayhiker: Thank you for that perspective, however further research will show that Alcas Co. became CUTCO Co. in 2009. So CUTCO is currently the parent corporation. http://www.cutco.com/company/history.jsp

Thank you for your further research. I was mistaken. It happens.


I hope when you receive your knife you will let us know how it performs doing the tasks you feel are appropriate for this style of knife.

Disclosure: I am a rep for cutco.

The thing is, you don't pay for the knife. You pay for the fact that you will never have to buy one again. Is it more than triple the price? Yeah it is. But If something happens to that knife they will fix or replace it for free.

As a company rep would you mind expanding this part of the Forever Guarantee?

FOREVER REPLACEMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR MISUSE OR ABUSE

Should you damage your CUTCO through misuse or abuse, we will replace the item for one half of the current retail price plus shipping/handling and tax.
Send the product with an explanatory note to the CUTCO address below.

Just what is misuse or abuse for a knife marketed to be used as....

Choose It To:
Chop down brush, cut rope, pound tent stakes, cut birch bark for the campfire and more. Also, the Kraton handle gives you a sure grip in wet conditions.

If the 440A blade chips or has a catastrophic failure during chopping or processing firewood will it be replaced free,as you stated above?

Or will it require a payment of half retail plus shipping/handling and tax? As the guarantee is vague with the "and more" description for this knife's intended uses.

 

[JTW Jr.]

For not much more you could have got a custom with a real warranty.

440a for $200 ?

No way... 440C perhaps.

 

[WardenWolf]

I have a Cutco hunting knife with the Double-D edge. I was a Cutco representative many years ago and I can personally attest to the quality of their products. The knives with that edge are not simply "rebadged K-Bars". That edge makes them cut better and last longer.

As for Cutco's replacement policy, generally speaking, they don't care HOW you damaged it. They'll just replace it and not charge you. I've heard a number of stories of people buying abused Cutco at yard sales and sending it back and receiving new in exchange.

 

[JTW Jr.]

amazingly they dont specify what steel , other than High-Carbon, Stain Resistant Steel, I still can't believe people pay $200 for one.

A much better bargain is something by either Bark River , one of the fixed blades from Great Eastern , Boker PLus Johnson Fixed Blade ( Boker has many bargains in their plus series ).

 

[Sam Cade]

amazingly they dont specify what steel , other than High-Carbon, Stain Resistant Steel, I still can't believe people pay $200 for one.

They do specify. Its 440A, a good choice for something like a dive knife or a kitchen knife that gets used very little and tossed in the dishwasher but a terrible choice for a camp knife.

http://www.cutco.com/company/pressDetail.jsp?pressId=1360