Kershaw Just Earned A Lifelong Customer

[OregonJohnny]

So I've bought many Kershaw knives over the last couple of years. A few were full MSRP from retailers, but most are from their "Warehouse Sale" where they sell factory-seconds at deep discounts once a year. The only downside is that these factory seconds don't come with any warranty. Well, my EDC spring-assisted Kershaw Blur Tanto Serrated (factory second) broke yesterday. I took the knife apart and was surprised to end up with a whole pile of tiny parts, screws, washers, etc. The little torsion bar spring had snapped (the first time any Kershaw has broken on me). I put all the parts in a tupperware container and brought it to work today (I work up the street from their factory and showroom). I figured I'd just ask for a replacement torsion bar and try and put the whole thing back together myself.

So I'm standing in their gorgeous new showroom with a tupperware container full of knife parts, and a nice guy came down from warranty service and took the whole thing from me. He noticed the 4 x's on the blade (indicating a factory second) but said they'd work on it anyway, and to come back in 15 minutes.

I went to lunch and came back 15 minutes later to find my knife fixed, fully-assembled and sharpened to a razor-sharp edge waiting in the tupperware container on the front counter in the lobby. No warranty, no problem, no charge.

What great customer service! Kershaw makes a fine everyday-use knife at a good price. I will continue to buy knives from them, and I'm happy to spread the word about their fine customer service.

 

[7X57chilmau]

That's great to hear! I purchased my first Kershaw (A Leek CB) a couple months ago and have been quite happy with it. So long as US Customs will allow it to go back on warranty, it sounds like they'll work hard to make it right. It's all a guy can ask for.

J

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have one that I love.

 

[Erich]

Man, what a great story. Thanks for sharing it; I'm glad to have the info about the company's attitude.

 

[frisbee2421]

i had a similar problem with an assisted opener. they sent me a replacement but it was the wrong model, i sent it back and they sent me another. then lo and behold, the initial wrong replacement came back. i was sold. their knives are first class and their service is the same.

 

[Lucky Strike]

The knives from the factory sale (with the XXXX mark) are in fact warranted for function. No warranty for cosmetic issues obviously but i've been to the factory sale as well and have always been told by their employees that the knives are still warrantied for stuff like broken opening mechanism, lock, chipped blade, etc. I've called their warranty dept. to double check and this was confirmed.

Great company.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Well, if their factory seconds have a warranty also, that's even better. I just assumed since they give them away so cheap, they wouldn't come with a warranty. Also, the gentleman said if you bring any Kershaw knife in, they'll sharpen it for free as you wait. I might have to pay them a visit soon with a box full o' Kershaws. (I hate sharpening myself).

P.S. - Their first-ever "summer" warehouse sale is next Friday and Saturday, the 12th and 13th. It's usually in December. I know I'd be ticked if I missed it this go-round.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Another Good-Guy Company

I'll add this to my list of "good guy" companies.

Also on this list is Buck Knives.

In much the same way that the OP lives near Kershaw, I live near Buck.

I've seen the same kind of conduct from them. Walked in with an old, beat-up Buck 112 Ranger (next size down from the 110), asked what it would cost to clean, polish, and sharpen. They swapped it for brand new unit for free.

They, too, warrant their factory seconds (called "factory blems" and marked "FB") for function.

I have a number of Kershaw knives, and this is good to know.

Thanks.

 

[kingpin008]

Very cool indeed. I've got a Cyclone that I EDC and love to death, but it's developed a wierd, rust-like discoloration on the blade, and I've been too afraid to try to buff it out myself. I always knew they warrantied their products, but I hate to send things off - too many companies these days just don't care what happens once they get ahold of your gear.

 

[JCisHe]

I second the Kershaw thing.

They are really a great company with great knives.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Needs Work

So, in recognition of this thread, I went out to Black Sheep Sporting Goods in Coeur d'Alene this last week and picked up a Needs Work for $30.00 -- at my wife's request.

Something about "early Father's Day" thing.

Well, after all, when your wife tells you to go buy a knife, whatcha gonna do?

 

[OregonJohnny]

ArfinGreebly,

$30 is a great price for a new Needs Work. I too recently bought a Needs Work, but haven't quite figured out what I'll use it for. I picked it up at a local sporting goods chain's "going out of business" sale (Joe's) for about the same price, and that was marked down about 25%, if I remember correctly.

What do you think about that fat plastic grip and Warncliff blade? I suppose it would make a great utility/box cutting knife. It's a bit chunky for EDC clipped on my pocket. I prefer a slimmer Leek or Blur. Cool knife, though.

I haven't been into the other local knife companies' showrooms (Benchmade, Gerber, CRKT, Leatherman, etc.) but I could have spent a good hour or so in Kershaw's. After all, the display cases were decked out with fancy Zero Tolerance and Shun Cutlery stuff, as well as the dozens and dozens of Kershaw models. Candy store!

 

[MrCleanOK]

I am currently on my 3rd Kershaw Blur. Not because I break them. I just lose them, and love them enough to buy another. The AO spring on my first Blur bit the dust after who knows how many thousands of cycles (I used to open/close it as a nervous habit, lesson learned). A quick email to Kershaw, and they had a replacement in the mail for me right away.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Fashion Statement

Well, OJ, the Needs Work is a bit large for a "gentleman's" EDC, but just fine for the working man.

It's certainly never gonna be a fashion statement.

I have a bias toward the Wharncliffe pattern. The only knife ever given to me by my grandparents was a Holley Wharncliffe Whittler. Though I lost that knife somewhere between England and home, I've never forgotten how useful that blade shape is, and how well it holds an edge and presents itself to the work at hand.

The Needs Work is a no-nonsense working knife. Heavy, solid, grippy, sharp, and all business.

(I have it on good authority that a [post=4978251]certain famous firearms authority[/post], [post=3806575]trainer, and author[/post] has one of these. He received it in late 2007 [post=3806588]while giving a course in Idaho[/post]. Just in case you wanna brag about how you have that same knife.)

 

[Lucky Strike]

Wow...thanks for the heads up on the summer factory sale....totally would have missed it had you not mentioned it here.

Got some money saved up and I'm going to get myself 2 or 3 Shun Elite series knives for the kitchen. Got one for my dad for christmas last year and the thing is amazing.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

I have met more than few Case Dealer, that carry Kershaw as their EDC. BTW Kershaw scallion is my EDC.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Just a head's up - I just checked Kershaw's website and the sale is actually Saturday and Sunday, the 13th and 14th. Not Friday.

 

[Grizfire]

So, in recognition of this thread, I went out to Black Sheep Sporting Goods in Coeur d'Alene this last week and picked up a Needs Work for $30.00 -- at my wife's request.]

I love the Black Sheep, I have bought many a toy from them, although I usually go to the one in Lewiston.

Anywho, I stripped the hex screws on my leek and called up Kershaw, and they sent me new ones, and threw in a free pocket clip to boot.

+1 for Kershaw customer service.