Original Knife Display Repairs?

[Grizzly_Dog]

Hello everybody, I seem to have a hard time getting displays shipped without the fine men and women at ups or the post office smashing the glass or busting the cabinets. In an effort to keep as close to the originals as I can, I have used the glass from things built around the date of the cabinets to fix broken glass, but the latest ups "air-drop" has smashed the laminate face of a 1970 schrade standing cabinet. The written display backer is not damaged but the laminate frame is demolished and there is a break in the left side by the piano hinge used to mount the door. The laminate is cracked with partical board pushing out on the side panel but it is still connected at bottom of break. They also dropped so hard they cracked two casters in half! Has anybody had any luck fixing something like this? I would like to keep as original as I can, even though it will be repaired. I've listed a picture of the cabinet prior to ups smashing. I suck so bad at formating pics I wont try to post one of the damage. Thanks for any help on this.

[Grizzly_Dog]

This is a side view of the face that is smashed, the other side has the break by the hinge, sorry no pics. Hope this helps explain a little more.
_
Jim

[Gr8Scout]

That really stinks. I value these old display cases, and it hurts to see this.

I have won these things on ebay, and I usually add about 10 dollars to the shipping price and ask that the thing be packaged very well. I actually had one seller return the money, very insulted, promising me that he would pack it well regardless. And it did arrive safe and sound. What I am saying, is that the fault may be more the sender than the shipper.

I just made a trade with CCBill for a great old Schrade Walden display case with very fragile glass. My friend spent $17 on the shipping. And the packaging was EXCELLENT! A good example of something being packaged in a way that no shipper could damage it. It was sent via USPS parcel post as well, proving that price of shipping does not equal quality.

Phil

[Grizzly_Dog]

Gr8Scout, I also agree. Most people assume the seller has the skill and money built in to correctly package. I gave this man thirty dollars extra(he didnt want it, but I insisted) for packing materials and the correct size box. He spent every bit of it and then some on materials and he must have spent a fair bit of time to take things apart and wrapping each item.

I have however sent extra money and specific instructions on how to package, only to have the shipper just throw in a box with a little wadded up newspaper on the bottom. Hard to get these items in one piece unless you just jump in the truck and roll on down to get it yourself. I guess it depends on just how rare the cases are and what your willing to accept as a loss. I dont think this is to rare of a display, but I had every knife to fill and it allowed me the extra space to put boxes from my knives for this case and my other displays.

[Gr8Scout]

Sounds like you did everything you could, as did the sender. Too bad. But wow, you have it filled with the correct knives??! Please post a pic of it so filled in the KNIFE LORE FORUM, if you have not already. We love that kinda stuff there.
Phil

[Grizzly_Dog]

Gr8Scout, When I fix this case or build a new case for the backer, I'll send in a photo to share with everybody. I should have figured out how to format pics by then .

[Grizzly_Dog]

Looks like ups wants to go on the fight with the insurance claim on this. While money for insurance is not even close to replacing cabinet with an original. Theres enough to fix glass and build a new cabinet if I do it myself. I'm torked!! They didnt even talk to me, they went back to seller. Their reason for trying to avoid claim was insuficent packing. When I found out I called the claims girl . I asked if that was the case , besides the layers of padded packing material and four layers of 51# per square inch cardboard just what could you do to protect a 130# wood box marked ,this side up, do not stack, fragile and handle with care from being dropped on its top!! I dont think she likes me. . Filed dispute with UPS, buyers beware!! Heres a few pics (I think???). Anybody have any repair or replacement hints?

[orvet]

What a bummer!

I notice that most of the damaged "wood" you show in the picture isn't real wood, but chipboard, i.e.; sawdust & glue. It just struck me that most "modern" cases are made that way.

I wonder why a company who went to all the trouble to make good knives made such cheap displays? I am sure the answer is price. Chipboard is cheaper than plywood. Ironically if it had been plywood, it might have survived with much less damage.

I hope your repair goes well.
Dale

[Grizzly_Dog]

ORVET
That fine quality "wood" that this is made of is why I'm not sure if I can repair. I'm tempted to build a quality display with the same dimentions as the original, using the hardware and face plates from this case. Build it the way it should have been done. It will take a little historical value from the case, but I will have a much nicer piece as far as quality and construction. Hard call to make. I do like all original pieces.