New Case/Bose Cattle Knife Issues-should I send it in for warranty?

[benbpatrick]

I just bought a new Case Bose Collaboration Cattle Knife from an online authorized dealer. I’m newer to the traditional knife world and this is my first “higher end” traditional knife.

Upon unpacking the knife I noticed several “flaws” which was very disappointing. I wanted to ask you guys if you think its worth sending this knife to Case for warranty repair or is this just par for the course?

1) First the most obvious issue was when opening the main blade it did not snap into the half stop positions when opening or closing. I found this very odd. It did rest in the half stop position when you put it there but it never snapped into position. The pen and wharncliffe blades did not have this issue. After inspecting this I added a drop of oil in the tang of the main blade and after working the oil in it began to snap into position and is now working fine. I’m assuming since this knife is a few years old it has just been sitting in a warehouse and just needed some lubrication. So this issue seems to be resolved for now, although I’m not sure if I should be concerned by this.

2) The second issue is the main blade has a lot of blade play in the closed position and will hit the sides of the knife with hardly any pressure. In the open position the main blade is fairly sturdy and does not have the same amount of play. So functionally this does not effect the usability of the knife at all, I was just surprised because my $30 Case knives don’t have any play in the closed position.

3) The main blade had a huge bur. Not a huge deal, I was able to use an ultra fine stone and strop to remove the bur. But still I can’t believe they let it leave the shop that way! I tried to show this in one of this pictures below although it didn't really photograph that well, in person it was way worse then the pictures show.

The next few issues are purely cosmetic but I still feel they are off for a knife of this price.

4) The antique bone is slightly chipped on the presentation scale just above the main pin. I’m assuming this chip occurred during the peening process and they did not refinish the bone after it was chipped.

5) The bottom bolster and the end of the main blade's spring is not flush, its like they forgot to grind that end of the knife to even everything out.

6) Lastly the knife was just filthy when I received it. The was gunk in each of the nail nicks and the whole knife needed to be thoroughly wiped down. Again, not a huge deal easily fixed but not what I was expecting when unboxing the knife.

So my question to you guys- am I being too picky and expecting too much? After all, I do plan on using this knife in my daily rotation and most of these issues won’t effect the actual use. I just feel for such an expensive knife there should have been better QC coming from the factory. Would you send this off to Case for warranty work?


Thanks in advanced!
Ben

 

[The Shatz]

I'd send it back Iv had good luck with cases warranty department. I sent back a couple of case bose knives and they fixed the issues. Normally it takes 6 to 8 weeks

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

My own opinion, most of those things wouldn't bother me a great deal if I planned on making it a user. Dings and scratches are going happen, even when careful. But honestly I just drop a knife or 2 in my pocket and go. Honest use and wear actually holds appeal for me. The biggest issue I would have would be with the blade play,the Bose knives are supposed to be more to the high end for Case. But having said all that its not my knife,its your knife and if any of those things bothers you,have it fixed. If they bother you now, it'll probably be the first thing you notice every time you go to drop it in your pocket. Long post to say I think you've answered your own questions, its not right in your eyes,you most likely won't be satisfied until it is.

 

[Railsplitter]

I agree. You're not satisfied and I recommend letting Case make sure you are.

I also recommend checking to see if that burr was caused by blade rap if you haven't already investigated that. It doesn't really look like blade rap in your picture but I would check anyway considering it looked worse in person.

 

[kamagong]

Other than the #5 I think you're being overly picky. Burrs, blade play in the closed position, factory gunk? Two of those are so minor as to be insignificant, a few moments of your attention and they no longer need bother you.

However, I'd send the knife back to Case to remedy the spring. That is unacceptable; it is an uncompleted knife and shouldn't have left the factory. Since it's already there, have the folks at Case look into removing that blade play. I wouldn't send it in just for that issue, but you might as well have them make everything right.

 

[JohnDF]

For what they charge for those knives, I'd send it in for sure.

 

[benbpatrick]

Thanks all for the replies! I agree that a lot of these "issues" really aren't a big deal at all and are easily remedied. I was just surprised how "unfinished" the knife felt when I received it, not a big deal but I would expect more for a knife in this price range. My main concern is around the spring tension and blade play on the main spring. I think I'll probably just send it off to have the main blade looked at.

 

[TheChunk91]

For the price it should not have blade play, a small chip in the bone, or a proud surface that's meant to be flush.

 

[Dadpool]

I've only owned one Case/Bose knife, the Coffin Jack, but it had zero issues and was one of the most perfect traditional knives I've had the pleasure of handling. IMO that's how your knife should feel; I'd send it in.

 

[Ironbut]

I could tolerate some of that on a regular Case stockman, but for the price of a Case/Bose cattle knife that's unacceptable. I have one & the qc is exceptional. Granted, if the knife is going to be a user, it's going to get beat up some; but they shouldn't come that way new.

 

[SVTFreak]

I wouldn’t sweat the chip if mine, or the burr. I’ve gotten expensive customs with burrs from the maker! The chip, I wouldn’t worry about if it’s a user. If a show or collector, that wouldn’t be acceptable but I don’t just collect knives. The proud backsprung filler and the blade play when closed are completely unacceptable. I wouldn’t hesitate to send it back for repair, and have them fix the chip since it’s there anyway. As far as the dirt, that’s cleanable and makes me think that may not have been a brand new knife.

 

[benbpatrick]

I've only owned one Case/Bose knife, the Coffin Jack, but it had zero issues and was one of the most perfect traditional knives I've had the pleasure of handling. IMO that's how your knife should feel; I'd send it in.

Yeah my dad has the Coffin Jack and the Tribal Spear, both are perfect and didn't have any QC issues. Thats why I was surprised with some of the issues on mine.

makes me think that may not have been a brand new knife.

I was wondering the same thing. The dealer said it is new and I don't want to assume otherwise, however I may reach out to them just for confirmation and see what options I have.

 

[ccsavage]

Send it in with a detailed letter and pictures. You'll be taken care of and get better service from them than from some top custom makers out there.

 

[W.M.B.]

The chip and the proud spring end would bother me, but I would talk to the dealer first. If they wont handle it then Id go to case. as others have said, if I was just going to put it in my pocket with keys and stuff like I do with most of my knives i wouldnt mind any of those issues, but I wouldnt put a knife that cost that much in my pocket like that so for me thats irrelevant. at first I thought you were being ridiculously picky to be honest, but the chip and spring would bother me a lot.

 

[navaja]

I'd certainly send it back and have them make it all right. Mostly for the major issues, but they'll address everything you mention while they have it.

I actually need to send one Premium Stockman in for the same proud main spring issue as yours, another Premium Stockman for a main blade tip that is blunt and looks like it was burnt during grinding or sharpening as well as handle scales that aren't even close to matching one another in color, and a Tribal Spear with ebony scales that have shrunken down, causing proud pins all around and are separating from the liners now. Every one of them have significant burrs on each blade. These are all new and unused.

That being said, I know Case will make them right and they are still a tremendous value (especially at secondary market prices) considering what a 3 blade knife from any custom maker will cost you these days. The Case warranty will (hopefully) still be there when I pass them on to my kids too.

Send it in and I think you'll be very happy with the knife you get back for years to come.

 

[afishhunter]

"For the price" it should have better Fit/Finish and Walk and Talk than a sub $20 Rough Rider.

From what you're saying and what the pictures show, that particular knife doesn't.

I'd send it back at the very least for the blade, walk 'n talk, and bolster issues.

For what Case gets for that knife, I'd probably ask they replace the chipped cover, too.
At that price point I would expect and demand perfection out of the box.