K-Bars Montana knife company

[jbuck88]

Well just figured I'd share my experience.
Ordered a new knife for my kid and was pretty disappointed with MKC. The blade almost had a chisel grind to it making the tip pretty far off centered, and lots of tooling marks on the spine.

Sent the knife back asking for a refund and now to start looking elsewhere.

Any suggestions? Looking for hunting knife in the 3" range. Would prefer a drop point.

 

[Holliday]

Did you give them a chance to make good. I know it’s frustrating, but QC issues sneak by the best of companies.

 

[jbuck88]

Yes, i did give them a chance and MKC said the tooling marks are normal and their finger print. They said they would look at it and resharpen it if it needs it. I asked for a refund at that point. Being a gift for my kid, I'd rather have a blank slate for him to put his own marks on, not something that's full of other people's fingerprints.

Mine past QC and was initialed by 2 people, so including the person who sharpened it, that's at least 3 people who would have to see it and say "Good Enough".

For something like this I'd rather not have to be the 3rd QC guy, and the only one who isn't on the MKC payroll.

 

[Holliday]

Yes, i did give them a chance and MKC said the tooling marks are normal and their finger print. They said they would look at it and resharpen it if it needs it. I asked for a refund at that point. Being a gift for my kid, I'd rather have a blank slate for him to put his own marks on, not something that's full of other people's fingerprints.

Mine past QC and was initialed by 2 people, so including the person who sharpened it, that's at least 3 people who would have to see it and say "Good Enough".

For something like this I'd rather not have to be the 3rd QC guy, and the only one who isn't on the MKC payroll.

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Sounds like you gave them more than a fair shake. Disappointing that their QC is that bad. Folks like you not standing for it, will encourage them to change.

 

[cas6969]

Did you give them a chance to make good.

Yup, when he ordered it the first time. That was their chance.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Randall makes nice knives. Find a dealer that has them in stock and start shopping

 

[bobke]

I have two of their fix blade knives. Yes, they’re either Magnacut/highly polished or 52100/coated. Either laser cut or water jet cut blanks, shaped, treated and finished/sharpened. No idea about blade hardness. Yes, mine are small, capable, though will say quite overpriced, relative to their competition. One I bought, one a gift-and I’ll use them, but not buy any more.

They seem to have taken a potentially good knife company and replaced it with a marketing company who also produces knives. Seen that before, a time or three.

 

[Holliday]

Yup, when he ordered it the first time. That was their chance.

Ok “capt dickhead”. I run a small business daily. QC problems happen no matter how good you are. Now if they happen repeatedly or all the time that’s a different story but if it’s a one off and the company takes care of it, what’s the problem?

I sent a defective knife back to Esee and they replaced it no questions asked.

Some of my best, most long-term customers have been the result of dealing with some sort of consumer problem on my end. That’s my opportunity to solidify my commitment to my customer. That’s where the rubber hits the pavement.

Some of my best consumer purchasing relationships have been with companies that I have had an issue with. It’s how they take care of that issue that solidifies me as a customer.

Anyone who’s followed me on this forum has seen that I’ve been the first to call out bad behavior on behalf of a company. Giving a company a chance to fix a QC issue is a reasonable expectation. I’ve never dealt with this company. I’ve considered buying knives from them in the past, and now I won’t based on their response here and their pattern of behavior.

Had they simply fix this knife and there was evidence that was a one off, I would’ve had a different take on it.

 

[Schw15]

Well just figured I'd share my experience.
Ordered a new knife for my kid and was pretty disappointed with MKC. The blade almost had a chisel grind to it making the tip pretty far off centered, and lots of tooling marks on the spine.

Sent the knife back asking for a refund and now to start looking elsewhere.

Any suggestions? Looking for hunting knife in the 3" range. Would prefer a drop point.

View attachment 8633991View attachment 8633992View attachment 8633993View attachment 8633994

I have a custom knives which I love but honestly one of maybe favorite knives is a buck 113 and I think they offer it in magnacut now or at least s35n steel. Ma y options I always thought mkc would be the best and almost grabbed a knife. There is also white river which I think is top notch but never had one but very close to getting one. I stopped hunting those are the main reasons.

 

[Crany06]

I've got the blackfoot and the stonewall skinner. Both are excellent and I use them as hunting knives.

 

[jbuck88]

I really liked the shape of the blackfoot. Felt nice in the hand, only thing I'd like to add would be some jimping on the spine like the benchmade altitude. The 3" is about perfect to hold with your index finger on the back of the tip of the blade.

 

[hlee]

Hunting knives are “guy jewelry.” But they’re tools too. We want them to look good. But we want to be able to use a rock to pound them through the pelvis bone of a bull elk. Nobody ever had a second thought about abusing a framing hammer. But, nobody ever sat around a camp fire and said “Duuuuuuude, check out my new hammer.”

I’m kinda of two minds about all of this. The edge bevels are easily corrected. And, you’re going to sharpen the thing at some point anyway. Was it sharp when delivered? And the marks on the blade? Eh. It IS a tool. But, I want it to look perfect when delivered. If you’re not happy. Send it back. I looked at MKC and my first thought was “wow they’re proud of these things.” They should be perfect.

 

[jbuck88]

So these are my normal hunting knives. The Randall and Puukko are hand me downs. They rotate out depending on what's sharp. If I'm busy and can't get to sharpening a knife I'll just grab another until I have to sharpen. I always keep 2 knives with me.

But that's neither here nor there. Wanted to get my kid a real knife to carry with him. If I could find a nice smaller randall I'd probably buy one. Mine is the stainless and seems to not hold an edge as well as some of my other knives though.

 

[cas6969]

Hackman Tapio Wirkkala, I remember looking at them in the AG Russel catalog in the 80's. Been stuck in my mind since then.

 

[jbuck88]

That one is by far one of my favorite knives. Holds a great edge and gets razor sharp.

 

[cas6969]

Every time I see one I think... It's been 40+ years, maybe you should finally buy one?
On the other hand the "never meet your heroes" thought prevails.

 

[jbuck88]

It holds up against everything I've compared it too. I use it to keep my electrical tape in my bag. I wrap the tape around sheath and handle to keep it from slipping out while in my bag.

 

[corsairpilot62]

Dean Bruce with Gemini Bespoke knives. Been amazing to work with. Damn nice knives! but a bit of a wait. But well worth it.

Charlies Jones. I haven’t worked with him. But he has a video on youtube showing him make a damascus Katana. Wanting to buy at some point.

 

[Redleg84]

MKC is good with marketing. Only one I would like is the one they did with kifaru, but that's about it.

No way I would've kept that knife with that grind and tooling marks for the cost they charge.

 

[jbell]

MKC is good with marketing. Only one I would like is the one they did with kifaru, but that's about it.

No way I would've kept that knife with that grind and tooling marks for the cost they charge.

Agreed, that is a good looking design.

 

[jbell]

OP, I recommend Winkler.

https://winklerknives.com/

 

[jbuck88]

OP, I recommend Winkler.

https://winklerknives.com/

I think the sd2 is a nice looking knife. I'll have to order one. Thanks.



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[jbell]

I think the sd2 is a nice looking knife. I'll have to order one. Thanks.



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If you are not familiar with Daniel Winkler take a few minutes to look him up, he & his knives are legit. Not to take anything from Josh Smith of MKC, I am sure Josh is equally as accomplished (he has to be to become a master blade smith at 19). I haven’t owned any MKC knives, I never liked the tip design until they came out with the Jackstone & Stoned Goat. I love the Winkler Huntsman, it is an excellent all around design and feels great in hand.

 

[jzerfoss]

If I could make a suggestion. I'm sure the Winkler knives are nice but 80crv2 steel is a low cost steel for a knife at that price point. It's basically a slightly tougher lower carbon 1095.

I think a great choice would be a White River Ursus Cub. Made in the US, Magnacut steel(A very good tough stainless with great edge retention) burlap micarta scales, kydex sheath with a ferro rod, 3.5" drop point blade, great warranty, and $200. Not technically a hunting knife but would work great for that. They have other great options if that design isn't your cup of tea.

https://whiteriverknives.com/ursus-cub/

https://www.knifecenter.com/series/white-river-knives/white-river-ursus-cub-fixed-blades?srsltid=AfmBOoqeOZCcHTJ95miFGQTnsXA2tV8J6IBWdSpRI0CISAwozIZiCsa0

https://www.bladehq.com/item--White-River-Knives-Ursus-Cub-Black-Micarta-SW--195350?srsltid=AfmBOoq3bTRoxsq3me5Gc8h6Y_WNZAjvmUZSAw3rtq00sXNEq4jhcwvL