Disappointed by MKC or did I get a bad one?

[Jbuck]

Just recieved my first MKC knife and I'm pretty disappointed.

Tip is not straight. Was ground on one side more then other, which caused the bevels to be uneven, not even close. Tried to take a couple of pics, but might not show verywell with the mirror finish.

And there are lots of sander marks left on the spine.

Is this typical of MKC? I can reprofile the bevels which should straighted the tip out, but don't really think I should have to. I have several other custom or similar quality knifes to judge this one against.

 

[Trogon]

Thats a downright ugly grind. I wouldn't mess around with it. Send it back and place an order with one of the makers that are active on this forum.

 

[feanor]

I believe there is a thread on this going already. So, no , not an outlier.

 

[Jbuck]

I guess I didn't see that thread.
I emailed Montana Knife Company some pictures and asking some questions.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Woof…. I have several but none purchased in the past year or so. I haven’t had issues, fit and finish clean. I know they are expanding and building a new large facility. Maybe growing pains? Would definitely give them a call.

 

[PathFinder]

Look at their processes. They freehand those bevels on a belt sander. It's not one bit surprising that the bevels aren't even.
Between sub-par steels, heat treat, and grinding the only thing special about MKC is their social media presence.

 

[Jbuck]

I don't think the method is the reason. I own a similar belt sander and can keep pretty even bevels. I just don't have the skill or tools to heat treat good steels.

Based on MCK email they said they usually do better, so I'm going with lack of skill and/or QC.

 

[Jbuck]

Well my time with MKC was short. Knife is being returned and I'll look elsewhere for its replacement.

 

[flyfisher117]

The marks on the spine is normal and MKC and it's fan boys all defend it as being "unique" and "looks cool"

The poor grind is not normal. They have been having issues with QC specifically in sharpening. Send them and email and they should make it right. They even made a post about it in their Facebook group.

 

[Jbuck]

Mine past QC. Lol. It's too bad I did really like the shape of the handle and blade.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

happy i havent fallen for their coolness yet. Will continue to keep cutting up critters with my OG steep country.

 

[gman82001]

lol always seems like when these companies start showing up on all the influencer YouTube videos shit goes downhill

 

[doverpack12]

They are growing fast and hiring/training new employees. Things get through or someone doesn’t know what to look for to say it doesn’t pass. They will make it right.
All companies that grow experience it and I don’t think that defines any of them. I care more about the actions they take to correct the issues and that they take care of the customer.

 

[Jbuck]

So if I have to get into the why's. I chose this knife as I thought it was a good piece that my son could carry. He just recently passed his hunters ed and was going to go on his first real hunts this year. I wanted something to be proud of and always remember.

The unfinished appearance of the knife was a major turn off. I want my kid to add his own scars and stories to it.

So between the unfinished which MKC calls fingerprints now and the messed up grind I'd just rather move on.

So I feel that there are already 2 signatures on the QC card, plus the guy who sharpened it. So that's 3 people who are on the payroll who approved this knife to ship.

I don't feel it's my job to be in charge of QC, as I am the customer who doesn't get paid. If it does fall on me why even have QC at all?

 

[SDHNTR]

Look at their processes. They freehand those bevels on a belt sander. It's not one bit surprising that the bevels aren't even.
Between sub-par steels, heat treat, and grinding the only thing special about MKC is their social media presence.

This. They market well.

 

[Honyock]

Seems like the difference between a $150 knife and a $350 knife is marketing. It's more expensive, it has to be better.

 

[Chickenhawk]

I have a couple of buddies that bought the cool aid and weren’t happy with the fit and finish either for a 150 dollar knife maybe I could live with it if the heat treat was spot on but $300 plus dollars the knives should be perfection in my mind

 

[rtkbowhunter]

They are growing fast and hiring/training new employees. Things get through or someone doesn’t know what to look for to say it doesn’t pass. They will make it right.
All companies that grow experience it and I don’t think that defines any of them. I care more about the actions they take to correct the issues and that they take care of the customer.

Some things get through?

1. The person that did the grind, let it trhough.

2. QC inspection let it through.

3. Packaging let it through.

Perhaps, just perhaps, instead of spending time & money on the coolness factor of social media and "drops", they should actually have a defined process and follow it. Sh!t like above doesn't "get through". It was a willful desicion to ship garbage.

 

[doc holiday13]

the residual grind marks of the spine are normal on MKC knives. Looks like whomever ground the edge turned the blade out. You could actually correct the "crooked" tip with 3 or 4 sharpenings. Its not the end of the world and if it cuts, run it. Its a production laser cut knife thats getting churned out several hundred at a shot per day. MKC is riding on their name at this point and charging semi to custom prices for their knives. They aren't bad knives but the market for them is a little artificial. I think they're due for a small price cut

 

[6mm Remington]

Well my time with MKC was short. Knife is being returned and I'll look elsewhere for its replacement.

Ruana Steelhead has a 3 1/2" blade that is a nice shape and size for most tasks. I have one of these and one of the 5AD's. Both are fantastic knives. Made in Bonner Montana since 1938!

Catalog Knives — Ruana Knives

www.ruanaknives.com

Steelhead below.

5AD below. 4" blade