What causes this?

[lespaulpal]

Frank B bayo, fires & locks up fine but its always been like this since I received it. Just wondering if anyone else has had one like it & what caused it?

[Mumbleypeg]

Are you asking about the uneven bolsters, the poor hafting fit, or the warping of the covers?

Ken

[lespaulpal]

the space in between the brass liners is what I'm referring to here. Is it bad, & can (should) it be fixed?

[ea42]

The horn is trying to curl back to its original shape and since the liners are pinned to it it's taking them with it. Kind of a common thing with thick horn handles. They stop at a certain point, probably where they are now. Short of putting on new handles or taking those off and re-sanding them flat (and hoping they stay) there's not much that can be done. Just something that's known to happen. I do sometimes wonder if these guys actually use some horn that's already curling and just bend the liners to it. On many knives the liners stay straight and the horn pulls the pins loose and curls from the liners, but possibly the liners are so thin and the pins so well attached that the liners are easily bent. I really can't say.

Eric

[lespaulpal]

Ok I see,that makes sense! I won't sweat it. I just wondered, because out of 3 it's the only one I have that looks like this.
Thanks for your replies, much appreciated!

[rea1eye]

What Eric said is something to think about when buying horn handles.

I have always wanted a horn handled knife. Maybe not so now.

Bob

[lespaulpal]

I don't know if I'd consider this a determining factor of a knife you want to have and not get it. As it stands I'm perfectly fine with it, still happy I got it & as I always thought, it"ll be a keeper.

[Bill DeShivs]

It's not just the horn.
Off-spec parts and poor assembly cause most of this.

[lespaulpal]

Bill, its not like my leverletto for sure. would you think this is able to be fixed? what would you suggest?

[jw517]

It's not just the horn.
Off-spec parts and poor assembly cause most of this.

If the pin holes don’t align perfectly in the liners and scales,this will happen when the pins are peened tight. Just not put together right. Bill knows.

[lespaulpal]

[Killgar]

I'd say send it back to the vendor for a refund. The condition of that knife is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I can't comprehend how anyone could be "perfectly fine with it". Particularly considering how much they cost.

[Bill DeShivs]

The loose construction allows the horn to warp.
There is no economically viable repair. A return is in order.

[lespaulpal]

This is my first switchblade. it was a gift from my girl & was held for a bit before giving it to me so I cant return it. Pretty sure the vendor was well aware of this and didn't care. she didn't know any better when she bought it. my/switchblade/com. This was before I found you guys here. a year or so. oh well, cant win em all

Thanks for all your replies & help!

[Madmarco]

I've heard bad things about "My Switchblade", I guess they're true.

[Killgar]

I've purchased several Frank Beltrame switchblades from myswitchblade.com, and although I'd describe most of them as "flawed" (based on my standards), I don't blame myswitchblade.com, because they didn't make the knives.

On one occasion I ordered two FB switchblades from myswitchblade, and the next day I received an email from them telling me they wouldn't ship one of the knives I ordered because they noticed that it was defective. I'd say that speaks to their integrity. But clearly they don't catch every defect. I don't know of any retail vendor, nor have I ever heard of any, who inspect every knife they stock or sell before shipping.

As far as the flawed FB knives I purchased from myswitchblade, I didn't return any of them because I bought them for parts to make other knives, so I didn't care about the flaws.

I've purchased Frank Beltrame switchblades from four different vendors, and I received flawed knives from all four. The problem isn't the vendors, the problem is the knives, and whomever is doing the final assembly, whether it's someone in Italy, or someone in the US assembling the knives from imported parts.

I wouldn't criticize a vendor for shipping a flawed/defective knife, I would judge them by how they handle a request for a refund.

Heck, I've seen several people over the past few years send Latama knives back because of serious flaws, and Latamas are supposed to be the best. And from what I read, the owner of Latama Walt Halucha made it right for the buyers. It just goes to show that any vendor can let a few lemons get out.

[Madmarco]

You're right, Killgar, I shouldn't berate any company unless it has affected me first hand and not from what I've heard.
Thanks for the reminder to mind my own business!

[Killgar]

You're right, Killgar, I shouldn't berate any company unless it has affected me first hand and not from what I've heard.
Thanks for the reminder to mind my own business!

It's all good MM.

It's possible that others have had bad experiences with myswitchblade, I've just never read any. I've heard the guy that runs it (a one-man operation I believe) is a good guy. All of my experiences were good (good communication, fast shipping, always got what I paid for, no funny business with my credit card, etc). Like I said, I don't blame a vendor for the issues I've experienced with Italian knives.

But of course experiences will vary.

[lespaulpal]

"I would judge them by how they handle a request for a refund." Is exactly right!
even if I would have caught this within the 2 days, (that's what they give) I could've possibly been nabbed with "Items must be returned in the condition that they were shipped" and they put the blame on me, like i did something to it etc. after losing more in shipping back /forth.
This has to be a way for venders to collect a profit and pass on any bad products.
On another note, I know from what I've read Frank B is getting pretty old, so if he built this particular knife and passed it through QC, again, I'd be ok with it, & bless em for continuing to do what he loves & so forth.

Below is a copy of their return policy (at my discretion) I figured I'd share

All Sales are Final !
We do allow returns in case of Defect only…. but we Must be notified within 48 hours of delivery .NO EXCEPTIONS.As Such..Return Authorization Numbers Must be requested within the 48 Hours of Delivery.2 days is ample time to inspect the item & request a replacement or refund (at our discretion). ALL Items must be returned in the condition that they were shipped.Items being returned in “Conditions Less than Shipped” Will be Returned.Furthermore returns …. will be replaced or refunded (*at our Discretion)at a rate to Include a re-shipping or Re-stocking fee no less than 20% of purchase price.If deemed unsatisfactory & not re-sellable, items will be shipped back to purchaser & sale will be Final. NO EXCEPTIONS. If this is unacceptable…then shop Elsewhere.

[Madmarco]

On yet another further note, LPP, I once had a seller who I was discussing a faulty knife I'd bought from him tell me, "With Italian knives it all depends on how much wine the 80+ year old maker drank prior to working on the knife as to how it comes out", so if there's any truth to that it would make sense that some arrive in less than ideal condition.

[lespaulpal]

I'd refrain to pass judgement there bud! but yeah I suppose that is quite possible.

[jw517]

"I would judge them by how they handle a request for a refund." Is exactly right!
even if I would have caught this within the 2 days, (that's what they give) I could've possibly been nabbed with "Items must be returned in the condition that they were shipped" and they put the blame on me, like i did something to it etc. after losing more in shipping back /forth.
This has to be a way for venders to collect a profit and pass on any bad products.
On another note, I know from what I've read Frank B is getting pretty old, so if he built this particular knife and passed it through QC, again, I'd be ok with it, & bless em for continuing to do what he loves & so forth.

Below is a copy of their return policy (at my discretion) I figured I'd share

All Sales are Final !
We do allow returns in case of Defect only…. but we Must be notified within 48 hours of delivery .NO EXCEPTIONS.As Such..Return Authorization Numbers Must be requested within the 48 Hours of Delivery.2 days is ample time to inspect the item & request a replacement or refund (at our discretion). ALL Items must be returned in the condition that they were shipped.Items being returned in “Conditions Less than Shipped” Will be Returned.Furthermore returns …. will be replaced or refunded (*at our Discretion)at a rate to Include a re-shipping or Re-stocking fee no less than 20% of purchase price.If deemed unsatisfactory & not re-sellable, items will be shipped back to purchaser & sale will be Final. NO EXCEPTIONS. If this is unacceptable…then shop Elsewhere.

I don’t think I like the sound of this return policy.

[Killgar]

It's not unusual for vendors to have strict written return policies. This is to protect them from total flakes. Like someone who buys a knife, then sits around firing it over and over until the spring breaks, then demands a refund. Or the guy who buys a knife, thinks he's going to make it better by modifying it, buggers it up, and wants a refund. Or the guy who buys a knife, and weeks later, after firing it countless times, changes his mind and wants his money back. And so on. I'm sure people who work in the retail knife business encounter a lot of flakes seeking refunds on used/damaged/broken items, just like people who work in every other retail business.

But if you actually contact a vendor, and explain the situation, you might find that they are a lot more agreeable than their written policy would suggest.

I don't know how the guy at myswitchblade would respond to a reasonable person requesting a refund for a defective knife, but I have ordered things off the internet from vendors who said up front "NO RETURNS-NO REFUNDS", but when I was unhappy with my purchase and asked them for a refund, they gave me one. Of course, since it's been a year, I wouldn't expect myswitchblade to give the OP (or his girlfriend) a refund.

To use Latama as an example again, they have very strict written return/refund policies (like a 50% restocking fee for items removed from their plastic wrap), but from what I've read from people who actually contacted them and explained the issues with their knives, Latama (Walt Halucha) made the buyers happy, even giving one guy a free knife.

You don't know how a vendor will respond to a request for a refund until you actually ask them for one. Like I said- "I would judge them by how they respond to a request for a refund." Of course, this is assuming the person seeking the refund is reasonable, with a valid reason for seeking a refund, and not a flake.

[jw517]

I think if you (a cutler) took it apart and started over it would be nice and tight. The scales can be straightened.the liners can be hammered flat again. The cost of doing that might be prohibitive. If it works,it’s not broke.

[Madmarco]

It's not unusual for vendors to have strict written return policies. This is to protect them from total flakes. Like someone who buys a knife, then sits around firing it over and over until the spring breaks, then demands a refund. Or the guy who buys a knife, thinks he's going to make it better by modifying it, buggers it up, and wants a refund. Or the guy who buys a knife, and weeks later, after firing it countless times, changes his mind and wants his money back. And so on. I'm sure people who work in the retail knife business encounter a lot of flakes seeking refunds on used/damaged/broken items, just like people who work in every other retail business.

But if you actually contact a vendor, and explain the situation, you might find that they are a lot more agreeable than their written policy would suggest.

I don't know how the guy at myswitchblade would respond to a reasonable person requesting a refund for a defective knife, but I have ordered things off the internet from vendors who said up front "NO RETURNS-NO REFUNDS", but when I was unhappy with my purchase and asked them for a refund, they gave me one. Of course, since it's been a year, I wouldn't expect myswitchblade to give the OP (or his girlfriend) a refund.

To use Latama as an example again, they have very strict written return/refund policies (like a 50% restocking fee for items removed from their plastic wrap), but from what I've read from people who actually contacted them and explained the issues with their knives, Latama (Walt Halucha) made the buyers happy, even giving one guy a free knife.

You don't know how a vendor will respond to a request for a refund until you actually ask them for one. Like I said- "I would judge them by how they respond to a request for a refund." Of course, this is assuming the person seeking the refund is reasonable, with a valid reason for seeking a refund, and not a flake.

Well spoken, Killgar.
I can reiterate what you said about Walt at Latama. We were discussing their Quick Release oil and some guys claimed that the container would crack if pressure was applied to it to get the oil out, and I mentioned that it's likely a gravity thing where there's no need to apply the pressure, simply turn it upside down when you want oil and gravity causes it to drip out.
I contacted Walt to see if he knew what was the correct way to apply the oil, and he immediately told me to submit the names and addresses of whomever was not satisfied with their oil, and once I did he sent out a tube of Q.R. oil to each guy, no charge.
Now that's a man who understands the concept of Customer Service!

BTW, it's a gravity thing according to Walt!