IMPORTANT NEWS IF YOU OWN A WS MAPLE WOODLORE...
As many of you know, especially those who have been following the Wilkinson Sword woodlore knife threads both on BritishBlades and here on Bushcraft UK, the maple handled knife has met with a fair bit of criticism. The main point really being that the handle slabs were not sealed properly. On the knife I bought, I rinsed it under the tap and almost immediately it let in moisture and the handle slabs *lifted* away from the tang. Given the nature of the knife, this is a very serious shortcomming.
As the knife was intended as a subject for review and realising the review was going to highlight some significant problems, I contacted Woodlore and invited their response. Rachel replied promtly with a note of concern and an offer of either a replacement blade or a refund. Good stuff. Rachel also told me she was aware of the comments both here and on BritishBlades.
While I was pondering what to do about my knife (I was contemplating putting a new handle on myself), Rachel sent me a further email. I have her permission to repost it here, so I'll let it speak for itself...
Well, what can I say, except well done Rachel and Woodlore, and well done Wilkinson Sword. This is exactly the kind of superb customer service that can restore a mans faith in British commerce. This is exactly the best possible outcome. Wilkinson Sword have ventured into a new area with the woodlore knife, being something of a departure from what they normally do, but have responded promptly and with the best possible faith to early criticisms. A problem was highlighted, they conducted their own testing, substansiated the issue and acted promptly to rectify the situation. Well done Wilkinson Sword and again, well done woodlore.
When asking Rachel for clarity and permission to make this public, this was the response...
:biggthump :biggthump :biggthump
This does NOT apply to the micarta knives, as there is absolutely nothing functionally wrong with that knife - it does what it says on the tin. The issue is confined to the improper sealing of the maple handled versions, which could mean a warping of the handle and a failure of the handle to tang seal.
Regards,
Martyn.
As many of you know, especially those who have been following the Wilkinson Sword woodlore knife threads both on BritishBlades and here on Bushcraft UK, the maple handled knife has met with a fair bit of criticism. The main point really being that the handle slabs were not sealed properly. On the knife I bought, I rinsed it under the tap and almost immediately it let in moisture and the handle slabs *lifted* away from the tang. Given the nature of the knife, this is a very serious shortcomming.
As the knife was intended as a subject for review and realising the review was going to highlight some significant problems, I contacted Woodlore and invited their response. Rachel replied promtly with a note of concern and an offer of either a replacement blade or a refund. Good stuff. Rachel also told me she was aware of the comments both here and on BritishBlades.
While I was pondering what to do about my knife (I was contemplating putting a new handle on myself), Rachel sent me a further email. I have her permission to repost it here, so I'll let it speak for itself...
Well, what can I say, except well done Rachel and Woodlore, and well done Wilkinson Sword. This is exactly the kind of superb customer service that can restore a mans faith in British commerce. This is exactly the best possible outcome. Wilkinson Sword have ventured into a new area with the woodlore knife, being something of a departure from what they normally do, but have responded promptly and with the best possible faith to early criticisms. A problem was highlighted, they conducted their own testing, substansiated the issue and acted promptly to rectify the situation. Well done Wilkinson Sword and again, well done woodlore.
When asking Rachel for clarity and permission to make this public, this was the response...
:biggthump :biggthump :biggthump
This does NOT apply to the micarta knives, as there is absolutely nothing functionally wrong with that knife - it does what it says on the tin. The issue is confined to the improper sealing of the maple handled versions, which could mean a warping of the handle and a failure of the handle to tang seal.
Regards,
Martyn.
