Poor lock-back in Ka-Bar Dozier folders & Pika Combo question

Simply put: I wouldn't blame that lock up on Bob, nor would I waste his time writing him to tell him about something Ka-Bar did and is responsible for. Write Ka-Bar and tell them about it. Show Carol Pnat at the Customer Service desk at Ka-Bar the pic and explain it to her you will probably get a new one unless they deem it too late because it was taken apart.

Don't get me wrong. The lock up is not as it should be but in truth it has as much meat connecting as any of the old lock backs had in my youth. I have Case and Buck knives from 30 and 40 years ago that have served me well with less steel connecting on their locks than that one has.

As many of you that watch my work know, I have personally taken apart many knives to rebuild them or upgrade them in titanium or stainless bodies and I can tell you that that Ka-Bar knife is not unique.

Some of you with trusted knives in your pockets probably have some just like that that you've been carrying for years and just don't know it. The only way to know is to tear into it and see the insides.

I guess if you really just need to know what you are getting and don't want to trust that it is a trustworthy lock that you need to buy knives that come apart rather than ones that are pinned. Not to change the subject but this is one of the reasons I like liner and frame locks just fine. You can see and know what you are getting with them compared to some of the other locks out there. Even still lockbacks have always been a personal favorite of mine.

I wouldn't judge all lock backs because of this one, and certainly not all the Ka-Bar models. I'm sure most have a bit better mating up of the lock bar and blade than that one.

STR

CaseBlacktrhornpicture1-copy.jpg
 
I own both the Pike and a Ka-bar Dozier and I would say without any hesitation to go with the Dozier!!! Much better in my mind for quality- the edge grind is superior, action is much better, and is more confortable in my pocket. If you are worried about the lock just ask to see a number of the same model when buying and do some preliminary checks with them. Open and close them a few times each to sense lockup quality(sound helps tell this), do some spine wacks on your finger to see how well they hold up as well- my experience is that if it will not fail when hitting your finger then it will be OK for tasks that it was designed for. But if you have no confidense in the Dozier then there is probably little that we can say to change your mind.
 
STR,

Comparing your picture with that linked by mathu, it seems that his dozier is in worse condition, due to one thing: the surface that the blade and lock contacting has a slant/ramp that enough pressure will slip the connection, i.e. the lock is held down by spring tension only.

On your picture, although not very clear, it seems that the lock and the tang contacting in 90 degree, resulting any spine pressure will push the mating surface against each other, no slippage.

mathu, I'm not sure, but it seems filing the lock surface a bit to let it fit into the tang will allow a more secure lockup
 
STR said:
Simply put: I wouldn't blame that lock up on Bob, nor would I waste his time writing him to tell him about something Ka-Bar did and is responsible for.
Click to expand...

His name is on it, I would assume that he was involved in the R&D and should at least know how it is expected to perform. You are a custom maker, if some production company was making one of your designs would you actually feel it was a waste of your time for people to let you know there were problems with their execution?

The problem with manufacturers is that often you get no responce other than a replacement and thus even though you get another knife you still don't have the answer of was it supposed to be like that or not. If you ask a maker directly there is a much better chance they will tell you directly, plus it can often lead to a conversation about their knives which has benefits of its own.

I dropped a maker an email a couple of weeks ago about a steel as I noticed they were using it and it lead to an hour long phone conversation about steels, edges, sharpening, geometry, etc. .

-Cliff
 
Finally got my KA-BAR yesterday. Looks great, cuts great, I love it.

P2092498.jpg


Lock holds the blade tight but I'm not going to perform any hardcore tests.
 
There is nothing Bob can do about it Cliff. Its Ka-Bars knife. Ka-Bar will cover it and there is no reason to even bother Bob with it. So, in answer to your question if it were me: I'd probably politely thank them for the call and refer them to the company Cust. Service number to contact them. They don't need Bob to find that number. If the knife came from Bob well sure, then they need to contact him directly. Same with Ken Onion or any of the other makers with their names on the knives. It may lead to a nice conversation but is it really important enough to take them away from their work? Bob can barely get to the phone for legit stuff let alone stuff he can't do much about. That is all I was saying.

EDIT: Also, I don' think there is any question that it is a faulty knife. You know? It happens in all makes. Occasionally one or more gets out there that isn't quite right. I've got a Spyderco in my shop right now with a similar problem. We all know its not supposed to be that way. All Bob can do is apologize for Ka-Bar dropping the ball on that one knife and refer them to the proper place they need to go to get it replaced or repaired. But in this case since the knife was taken apart that may be an option that is no longer available to the owner.

STR
 
Bob has worked extensively with KaBar for many years now. And he was involved with the developement of these FRN series lockbacks- all the way to the completed product. Bob will guarantee the products that comes out of his shop without doubt. But in a mass produced environment at KaBar, what sort of control has he??? Any maker that has a mass produced product with his name on it should indeed keep a good line of communication with the company team responsible. And with Bob and KaBar, this is a continuing relationship.

BTW- I have several of these lockbacks for personal use and have given away as much for "non- knife" friends who are always asking me to borrow a knife. All are happy with their performance.

Mathu, congrats on a no nonsense fine using knife. :D

N.
 
Nakano 2 said:
But in a mass produced environment at KaBar, what sort of control has he??
Click to expand...

He has enough control to not have a product made with his name on it that doesn't represent an acceptable standard of performance from his point of view. If there was a product made that had my name on it, or I had even recommended and people were having problems with it, I would want to be made aware of it for several obvious reasons. That isn't to say it it your only action, but it certainly is one of the paths I would take.

-Cliff
 
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