So just curious. Im looking for people who have experience with ferrum forge knives. I'm just getting into customs recently, I have a Curtiss f3 and two Jeremy Robertsons (mod 4 and lg el patron flipper), and I think my next knife is gonna be a fortis or a spinner. But I just saw a review recently bashing their QC. Guy got one knife with a really terrible grind and one with lock rock due to the lockbar not engaging because of poor lockbar geometry. For the most part everything else I've read about them has been positive, especially their customer service, but that put a little bit of doubt in my mind. I'd appreciate some guidance.
I just finished a warranty issue with FF, so feel somewhat qualified to chime in here. I can say that if you watch Mike Emler's YT channel, he'll tell you that FF uses foreign parts, but that's neither here nor there unless a maker lies about it.
I purchased a FF Gavko Spinner last spring, a left handed model. I'd always wanted a left handed knife, and was delighted to purchase one directly from Mike Gavak, who was working his magic on the finishes of some select Spinners. Well, as it turned out I was fighting years of muscle memory. I loved the knife but was bummed I didn't get a right-handed model. So, I barely carried it and then put it away for several weeks. One day I pulled it out and found it didn't lock up at all. It was like the Ti relaxed completely, and was straight. I shot a vid, posted on IG asking if anybody had seen this, and most replied to get a hold of FF.
So, I fire off an email to FF, October 5:
Hello,
I purchased a FF Gavko Spinner from Michal on June 10. Last night I pulled it out, and found the lockbar has lost all tension, lockup is maybe about 1% if at all. The knife has been in my knife drawer for about a month, and was considerably different the last time I used it! I posted a video on my IG account (tony.meador).
Please let me know how to proceed having it repaired.
Regards,
I immediately got a response October 5:
Hello Tony,
We are happy to take a look at the knife, the minium cost will be $25 plus shipping for this. This will include a spa treatment and sharpen. If there is damage to the knife that requires additional parts we will contact you and let you know the cost to repair. Average turn around time is 4-6 weeks currently.
Please include your contact info and what issues you see with the knife in the package.
Me 10/5:
Okay, great! I'll send it along.
FF 10/5:
Tony - to be clear, if this was purchased second hand the warranty is expired. We'll review and try to make the knife right but there may be costs associated with it.
We'll know more once we look at it.
Me 10/5:
Hi,
No it was purchased new from Michal Gavak, think you know him!
If I should send it to him instead, let me know but I figure you’re the builder.
FF 10/5:
If you bought it from him you need to return it to him please. Thanks
FF shortly after 10/5:
Mike built half the knives and he sold those himself we machine the parts and sent them to him for him to build them out. It's a collaboration. Sorry for any confusion and please let me know if you have any question.
Okay, now I know! So, I send a message to Mike Gavak 10/6:
Hi Michal,
I purchased a FF Spinner from you in June, pulled it out a couple of nights ago and found the lockbar wasn’t! It’s like the Ti went totally limp, lockup isn’t even 1%.
I contacted FF first, but they said to talk to you – even though they fabricated the bad part. You can see it on my IG page if you’d like: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ4Yv2yAzbo/?taken-by=tony.meador
Let me know how to proceed!
Gavak minutes later 10/6:
Hi Tony!
Sorry to hear about the problem You have.
Send it to me anytime and i'll take care of it for You right away.
Im sorry that you have to go through this.
My shipping address is:
...
Gavak again minutes later 10/6:
Oh shit, i just noticed that its the leftie. Let me talk to Elliot what can we do because i dont have any lefties parts here. I'll email you back asap.
Best regards,
Mike
Then:
Just talked with Elliot.
He said the whoever handled your email probably wasnt too familiar with the collab (he did mention some new guy for handling emails lol)
And that he will be happy to take care of it for you so You can ship it to Elliot.
His address is on their website if you dont have it already.
Again, im really sorry that you have to deal with this Tony.
Have a great weekend,
Best regards,
Mike
Me:
Ok!
Don’t worry about it Mike – shit happens!
Thanks for navigating the waters for me, I’ll get it shipped off shortly.
Cheers,
-Tony
I ship the knife off.
I send a followup email on 10/23 just to check - I knew they'd been at the CA blade show as I watched a video of them getting hammered in a bar:
Hi,
Regarding the blue/green Spinner you got last week…
I’m sending this contact info again just to make sure you’ve got it after the back and forth between us and Mike with Elliot.
I know you guys were busy with the show for a few days, had fun watching Michael Emler’s video.
Anyway,
(address)
Thanks!
Then, nothing. Lots of nothing. Did they
not get the knife?
Me, a bit perturbed 11/20:
Hi,
I sent a lefty Spinner for warranty work which (according to USPS) you received at front desk on the 19th of October. I sent a follow up email the next week, but have yet to get so much as a grunt in my general direction. Would you care to update me at this point, or should I assume the worst post a picture of it on a milk carton on IG?
Looking forward to hearing signs of life,
- Tony
During this time I'd had exemplary experiences with Bill Koenig, Vlad of VDK, (for basically nothing) and even Massdrop/WE for a faulty Falcon knife. They all went above and beyond typical customer service (especially for a cheap $125 knife) and followed up. So I was
also getting concerned they might not have gotten it, and the window to file insurance with USPS could close.
Then, signs of life! 11/20:
Hello Tony,
I'll verify that the knife is in the queue. Typically is 6-8 weeks turn around time on repairs.
Thanks,
Joe
Me 11/20
Thanks Joe,
May I suggest some sort of auto-mail that acknowledges receipt of a knife? Really easy to set up a template, just push a button.
Just because USPS says something was delivered doesn’t make it so. There’s a 15-60 day time frame a claim must be filed (depending overseas or domestic), and I imagine a lot of people would have the sadz losing out $500-800. I send out a lot of knives to youtube reviewers, and all I ever expect is for them to let me know they’ve got the knives before I don’t see them for 60 days!
Best Regards,
Tony
FF 11/20:
Checked with the shop. It's on Chris's bench now and should be shipped this week.
Regards,
Joe
Days turned into weeks. I had sent some knives off to Mike Emler for sharpening, and talked to him during a livestream while he was doing my knives. According to him (you can view this video on youtube, sharpening a Reate and a Curtiss) everybody knew about this problem with Spinners, they got a bad batch of Ti. So most Spinners, including his are in the shop. (so, what about the ones in stock at BHQ and KC?!?). Apparently, everybody knew about this problem but me and Mike Gavak. He also said to NOT send email to info@, so pay no attention to the website. Joe was part-time, don't talk to him, email Chris. Okay. Um, suggestion? Kill the info@ or tell people who to contact.
So, what happened? Friday I received an automated message from USPS that the knife had shipped. It arrived yesterday. They did a fantastic job. No, they couldn't exactly match Mike's custom anodizing, but redid the whole thing since they had to replace the lock-side scale, it looks great. I'm also selling it immediately. Not because of the above, but because I didn't like the lefty knife, and I need the funds to help cover my mother's recent hospital and medical expenses.
Take from this what you will. There's a lot to customer service, and the ensuing "experience". I've dealt with a lot of knife makers over the years, and this one was special. The knife world has changed a LOT in 2 years. Today, you can buy a custom built knife to order for as little as $490-600. Koenig, Brown, Holt, Effenberk - all treat you like royalty and their knives are of unparalleled quality, 100% built in the USA. I have no doubt Elliot and Chris are great guys, and know what they're doing. I've learned a lot from them. But judging from my interactions with these other makers, and having been in the service industry myself for over 40 years, FF's model could use a bit of tweaking. YMMV.
Cheers,
Tony
