Christmas Knife Schatt & Morgan Bah Humbug!

[Colonel26]

I told y'all about the Schatt & Morgan Kentucky Shiner that my wife ordered me for Christmas. I was so excited. It arrived today, and since there was a 7 day return policy my wife went ahead and gave it to me!

It was beautiful, great half stop, no blade wobble, just beautiful! Then I turned it over and looked at the back. Hmmmmm. First I noticed what looks like cracks right around the rocker pin. Then I ran my hand over the back edge and sure enough on both sides you could feel the sharp edges. The more I examined it the more it was apparent that the rocker pins were too close to the edge, bone was chipped out during assembly, and it was filled with epoxy! To top it off it wasn't even polished down smooth! What the heck? This isn't a chicom el cheapo, it's a Schatt & Morgan/Daniels family knife.

So,the wife called the distributor she ordered it from, explained the situation, and they pulled,the only other one they had in stock off the shelf. Guess what, same issue! What?! This is the fit and finish that a primere knife company puts on a knife? This is my LAST Queen, nope no more. I ain't happy!

Here are the pics, see what you think.

[jerryd6818]

I am sorry to hear that Cuz. And that Shiner was on my "someday" list. Do these folks think we're blind or so blind in love with them we'll ignore stuff like that?

[Colonel26]

I'm a telling ya, I'm just about ready to ignore any knife made after 1979 or so. This is pathetic.

First your Case, then is S&M. Neither were cheap knives. Buyers of cheap knives aren't looking at these brands. Who do they think they're marketing them to? Do they think we won't notice epoxy filled, cracked bone or shields held on by air? Ridiculous!

[Cutty]

Man that sucks! Rediculous, shoddy work. At the prices they are asking for those knives that is unacceptable. I had my eye on one as well but not now

I was hoping the new ownership would right the ship. Not saying that it hasn't but if they continue to send out knives like that in hopes of less than keen eyed buyers then same on them!

[jerryd6818]

I have several knives from the Keystone series and none of them have had a single flaw. Makes me wonder what's going on with Queen. I get that this is only two knives out of how many? But Jesus Pete.

[IMBand]

Isn't that knife supposed to have a blade etch, do I see the remnants of the 'M' on the blade....?
What distributor sold you that knife, almost seems like a factory second. The last 2 Daniels Family Queen / Tuna Valley knives I had were horrible, and there are several members here who have been BS'd by the new owners.....they won't be around long at this rate imo.

IM

[Colonel26]

I have a Railsplitter with the keystone shield. Nothing wrong with it at all.

[IMBand]

Isn't that an 'M'...?

IM

[Colonel26]

IM, it does have a blade etch. It doesn't show up in the pics because of the angle I had to hold the knife at to manipulate my iPad. The cover kept flopping over, and I guess I just ain't smart enough in hindsight to have taken it off, lol.

The distributor was GP Knives. If they follow through on their promises all will be made right. They said they're sending a return label and that they are reimbursing the price and the shipping.

I don't know about the seconds thing. It ought to be labeled a second, but it wasn't. I sure hope this isn't indicative of their new quality. The distributor said they had one more of these in stock and that they're going to send them both back to Queen, they weren't happy either.

I'll let you know of they follow through.

I know knives in this price range are common for some folks, but this is a lot of money for a knife in my family. For this kind money it ought to be right in my mind.

[IMBand]

GP will undoubtedly take care of you, they are a top shelf distributor imo. You are right, for the price that knife should be exactly right, zero defects as compared to any other top end factory knife. Good luck on getting it settled the way you want.

IM

[wazu013]

You have nothing to worry about. In fact I think you should e-maile Elainne (elytle@queencutlery.com) at Queen and let her know. I did about a knife made before Ryan bought the company and they still bent over baclwards to make it right. I assume you still want the knife and she will make sure a good one makes it out to GP for sale to you. The knife they sent me was so fresh or the hafters bench that the dye for the mahogany stag was still wet. Give it a shot you have nothing to loose.

[Miller Bro's]

That is unacceptable, if knives like this are seconds they should be permanently marked as such.

You have to wonder who is looking at these knives before they are boxed and sent out the door?

Never mind that, how about the cutler that pinned the knife, they obviously knew the handle was chipped because it was filled in and then sent down the line

[Colonel26]

Wazu, I sent an email and pictures. I'm not sure it'll do any good, but I sent it anyway. They need to hear from us that this is unacceptable.

I had much rather have three or four good old users off eBay than an over priced pig!

[philco]

I talked to a gentleman at the Parker Show who has a lot of info about things going on at Queen and he tells me that the quality is definately on the upswing. I'd encourage you to give them a chance to make things right for you. I think they are really trying to improve their products and do right by their customers.

[Jody744]

I have gone back to traditional buying.
pre-internet style.
i have stopped ordering online, and save my
money for knife shows, to purchase what i can hold
in my hand before buying. just like our dads and granddads
did when they bought a knife. after last weeks win on ebay, in
which i am losing money to return knife, i am probably done there
also. so i tell my wife if she wants to get me a knife, just gimme
cash at bday and Christmas.

edit: except for knives ship free. Derrick runs a top notch deal there.
I was reminded of that while wrapping some gifts for the kids we ordered
from him, had almost forgotten about them........

[Colonel26]

I talked to a gentleman at the Parker Show who has a lot of info about things going on at Queen and he tells me that the quality is definately on the upswing. I'd encourage you to give them a chance to make things right for you. I think they are really trying to improve their products and do right by their customers.

I truly hope they are improving. I really do. But when two knives with the same issue are sent to the same distributor, it seems to me that this is more than isolated mistakes. The fact that they both made it through final inspection is telling too.

Which is better business, sending out fewer better knives or several rough knives hoping buyers don't notice? As a customer I sure don't feel very valued right now. After all, this wasn't a $50 hardware store Case (it wouldn't be acceptable then either), this is a $200+ retail knife with chipped scales and a bad epoxy job.

[singin46]

That's a shame Colonel and I am sorry it had the flaws with the pin crack but I'm sure they will make it right.

[wazu013]

Wazu, I sent an email and pictures. I'm not sure it'll do any good, but I sent it anyway. They need to hear from us that this is unacceptable.

I had much rather have three or four good old users off eBay than an over priced pig!

Send a copy of this thread to elytle@queencutlery.com and CC's to kdaniels@queencutlery.com and rdaniels@queencutlery.com It's what I did early on and the doors opened for me. They are very interested in AAPK and what the members here are chattering about. Please try it and be patient don't give up!! They took care of me allbeit slowly but it was taken care of. Keep us posted. Maybe a few of us can send them a heads up as well
Ryan's phone #is 740-418-0142

[ricky]

I hope queen makes it right for u Colonel it is not right .

[Colonel26]

Thanks wazu. I emailed them early on, and haven't heard a thing yet.,the knife has been sent back to GP knives and they true to their word gave us a full refund, even sent us a return shipping label. I highly recommend them.

As to Queen, no email response and two knives (mine and the other one GP had in stock) that should never have left the factory. I'm not feeling the love! Lol.

I seriously don't think I'm gonna take it any farther. I'll focus my attention elsewhere.

[Colonel26]

Alright, I thought about it. I sent an email to all the addresses you put out there. I told them I'd didn't want anything from them, I just wanted to let them know how disappointed we were in them. I hope it helps them improve their product for those of you who are Queen fans.

[IMBand]

.....I told them I'd didn't want anything from them..........

You should hear from them now..... .....

IM

[coffeecup]

My experience this year with Queen has been such that I look forward to my next purchase of a Queen knife. I plan to buy another right after Taylor buys the name at auction, and has the knives made in China.

I figure it can't lower their quality, and the factories in China are more likely to respond to a letter than Ryan is.

[wazu013]

This is the knife they sent me once they deceided they couldn't fix the Baby Sunfish I sent in.

[morrisindp44]

Not looking to good for the home team. I have a "few" SXM's Hope they get there chit together.. Like yesterday... I would be hoppin mad myself. Please keep us updated as to there resolution to this issue. Thanks for posting this..