Kramer rivets

Good afternoon. New to the forum, but not too new to knives. My wife gave me a Kramer 8" Chef for Father's Day. Beautiful knife overall. One minor nitpick is the rivets are ever so slightly protruding. Is there an easy way to rectify this? I like it when you cannot feel them at all. Am I being too picky?

 

Chances are the wood handle shrink, leaving the rivets protruding slightly.

The 'being too picky' is up to you. If it bothers you when you are holding the knife (you use a pinch grip I assume), then it would be best to do something about it.

If the knife was purchased new, and it is a Z-Kramer, then see if the store will swap it for another.

If the knife was purchased new, and it is a 'real' Kramer, call or email him and ask if he will fix the issue.

If the knife was purchased used, consider filing it down yourself and refinishing the handle.

 

Thanks David. It's a Z-Kramer that was purchased new. The problem is that this knife is not available anywhere here locally. It was purchased through Sur La Table's website as they don't carry the carbon line in the store. They have the Demascus, but not Carbon. If I order another copy, who know what I would get. Also, not sure I want tackle this myself. I'm in Arizona - wonder if there is a good knifesmith here locally. I would like the handle to feel smooth, but not sure it would bother me enough return it.

 

There's nothing a duct tape couldn't fix

Though personally I'd just pick a 240 grit sandpaper and spend a minute to make rivets flush. It would definitely make handle look nicer and feel smoother if you continue with grit progression (up to 600, 1200 or whatever you feel right).
If it's natural wood, you might try to saturate it with mineral oil. It should stop further scales contraction.

 

Thanks Anton. I think I will give it a try.

 

Even though you ordered it off Sur La Table's website you should still be able to return it to any of their stores. I'd return it and then order or have them order you another one. It might not be any better, but then again, it might...

 

Thanks Jeff. I can definitely return to my local store. Not sure I want to order another. There is a local knife shop that specializes in knives from Japan and they have a huge inventory. I may try my luck there. It won't be a Z-Kramer, but that's ok.

 

Now that sounds like a plan!

 

I went to The Knife House in Phoenix (great shop!), and ended up walking out with this:





It's Mazaki Shirogami Hairline 210mm. The Z-Kramer is going back.

 

Excellent knife, one of my favorites! Would take it over a ZKramer anyday!

 

Thanks. I love the balance and overall feel in my hand. Much prefer it to the ZKramer and it was $75 cheaper!

 

Yeah. No one is going to argue with you over that statement. The mazaki is a great knife.

 

I ran into the same problem with a 240 Gyuto I bought. All 4 rivet heads stood proud from the handle. VERY annoying. Returned the knife for a replacement. This time only 1 rivet stood proud. Still annoying but not worth the effort of returning it again. The problem to me seems to be manufacturing process or quality control. I have a Wustoff that’s 40 years old. Wood handle ... flush rivets after 40 years. These knives are not cheap. Seems to me that Kramer does himself no favours by attaching his name to substandard products.

 

It is NOT a sub standard product at all...its a natural product. Big difference. Wood moves at different rates than metal, its just that simple. It is prone to changes in temperature and humidity. I have many blades from JS and MS smiths with subtle changes in wood, it does not make it inferior.

Having held both a real and Z Kramer side by side I can say the Z Kramer is about as close to a real Kramer as a production knife can get.

 

As do I ... well north of a hundred knives. I only have only one knife with a proud rivet problem. I paid my money and received a product that, based on my experience, is substandard. That’s my opinion and I’m entitled to express it.

 

You are absolutely right, you are entitled to express it. An opinion without an opposing point of view is often construed as fact. I will stand by mine relative to calling a knife substandard due to a natural material expanding or shrinking-flawed.

The great thing about Sur la Table is they will honor the warranty.

 

I think you made a great move. I like working with the Portland knife house very much. Great staff. Hope Phoenix is as good! I have a friend there so may visit.