Lifetime warranty

[Benner]

As time goes on, I find that I am buying less and less without a lifetime or at least a very long (like LM for example) warranty as I like the idea of my tools or knives being a long investment.  It has got to the point where I will, to some extent, ignore some brands that don't offer this warranty as I don't like the idea of a tool of mine breaking a few years down the line and the tool then being unrepairable.  I guess being a collector of sorts may make a difference to this as I not only see my tools and knives as "tools" but as part of a collection as well.

So how important is a lifetime warranty to you guys? 

[Sea Monster]

A "Lifetime" warranty refers to the life of the tool.


In my hands, that's about two weeks 


I tend to buy good stuff that lasts a long time, and, if I've chosen wisely, I'm usually happy for it to retire when the time comes, I don't expect to get My lifetime out of anything*.

The funny thing is, a lot of cheap stuff has a pretty decent warranty - but if something fails me so soon or easily, I don't really bother to get it replaced (and I say replaced, because it's the sort of crap they never repair, it's cheaper just to pull another one off the shelf), I'll just put it down to experience and try not to buy the same junk again.


*That said, I've got a zippo lighter from my birth year. I'd be proper chuffed if I still have it on my deathbed (which, if I keep using it, might be sooner rather than later!  )

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Fairly important, but then somethings like Falkies and Cold Steel have fairly pathetic warranties, but due to there innate quality, I'm happy to take a chance on them

[Benner]

Fallkniven's is very disappointing. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Fallkniven's is very disappointing. 

It is, I wonder if it's linked to there nearly going bankrupt a while ago

[Poncho65]

I do like buying things that have warranties especially long warranties or lifetime warranties

Some tools I buy have a few years warranty and that is much longer than any of there competitors but I have rarely ever had to use the warranty because there QC and overall quality is so high

[DaveK]

I'm trying to remember the last time I returned anything, nevermind tools, under a warranty, but I can't.

I tend to buy the best quality brand of whatever I'm buying, and tools are no exception I guess, but I rarely look at warranties, I just pay enough to hope that I won't need it.

[Gadget Guy]

I don't care at all. I go by the companies reputation. I never have anything long enough to need it anyway! 

[Benner]

I don't care at all. I go by the companies reputation. I never have anything long enough to need it anyway! 

 

Reputation means a lot to me too.  I guess if I see a company that only offers a short warranty I instantly ask myself why?  IMO if you are confident that your product is good and is made to last you should feel confident enough to back it with a lifetime warranty.  A short warranty just makes me doubt the product to some extent.

[Leatherman123]

I don't Cold Steel's warranty. And they have videos of employees beating the snot out of them in every single way! 

[Gadget Guy]

I don't Cold Steel's warranty. And they have videos of employees beating the snot out of them in every single way! 

Do you guys want to hear my rant about Lynn Thompson? Nah.... I better keep my thoughts to myself! 

[Leatherman123]

I'd like to! 

[Benner]

I'd like to! 

I'm sure you wouldn't. 

[jzmtl]

I think lifetime is more of a gimmick. Like nomad says it's actually defined as lifetime of tool by a lot of manufacturers not lifetime of owner, I know klein tool does.

[Rob]

I'm trying to remember the last time I returned anything, nevermind tools, under a warranty, but I can't.

I tend to buy the best quality brand of whatever I'm buying, and tools are no exception I guess, but I rarely look at warranties, I just pay enough to hope that I won't need it.

Get out of my head...  I could have typed that exact post word for word.  I'm in the process of trying to teach this same philosophy to my son.  You buy quality the first time around and hopefully you only have to buy it once.  Too many times you cheap out and have to buy something again which costs you more than just buying the quality item the first time.

[DaveK]

I'm trying to remember the last time I returned anything, nevermind tools, under a warranty, but I can't.

I tend to buy the best quality brand of whatever I'm buying, and tools are no exception I guess, but I rarely look at warranties, I just pay enough to hope that I won't need it.

Get out of my head...  I could have typed that exact post word for word.  I'm in the process of trying to teach this same philosophy to my son.  You buy quality the first time around and hopefully you only have to buy it once.  Too many times you cheap out and have to buy something again which costs you more than just buying the quality item the first time.

Exactly, it's simple really isn't it? I apply that philosophy to clothes, tools, etc etc. My missus doesn't get it at all though. So to keep her happy, I get her cheap stuff, and I buy Leatherman

[Grant Lamontagne]

I don't Cold Steel's warranty. And they have videos of employees beating the snot out of them in every single way! 

Do you guys want to hear my rant about Lynn Thompson? Nah.... I better keep my thoughts to myself! 

I doubt it's any worse than my rants on several other "names" in the industry... go for it!    I'll even get you started...

Lynn maybe an over the top loud mouthed showman, but at least he can back up the claims.  I have had many Cold Steel knives that I've put through the ringer and they stood up beautifully.  That's unfortunately not something I can say about other knives I've had.  Still, Lynn goes way too far with the advertising (I have every edition of PROOF out there!) but at least the claims are legit.

For the record, some companies have taken his over the top ideas and gone completely insane with them.  While it's unlikely you will ever need to smash a cinder block with a pocket knife, it's nice to know that it won't be damaged if it gets dropped on concrete.  I saw an ad in Tactical Knives years ago for a knife that was pounded through 1/4" tread plate with a steam hammer.  That's not really anything even close to anything I am ever likely to encounter...

Def

[Benner]

I think lifetime is more of a gimmick. Like nomad says it's actually defined as lifetime of tool by a lot of manufacturers not lifetime of owner, I know klein tool does.

I can't see how it would be a gimmick?    The company either gives the warranty or they don't, and most are not for the life of the tool but cover any defects in workmanship for the life of the original owner.  I'm just lucky I suppose as the companies I am most fond of (Spyderco, Victorinox, Benchmade, CRK and Leatherman) all have great warranties and have great customer support as well.

[MultiMat]

I am happy to give cheap tools a go. For instance I snapped the  bolts in threaded vise carrier on my large vice when using it as a press that is "tool abuse" .I got the cheapest set of stud removers, even though all my research said not too.They worked a charm , the biggest help was my Dad's quality drill press to drill holes in the bolts.
Having said that I did give my Suspension away because it did not feel at all solid.
Now when it comes to the Warranty on my digital TV receiver/DVD burner/hard drive . I get the mad dog look  .

[DaveK]

Having said that I did give my Suspension away because it did not feel at all solid.

Unbeliever. You wait till the revolution mate 

[zepla]

I don't care for warranty on paper. If I have a problem with anything which is used in a "normal" way (like just press play on the DVD player and do not trow it throug a window or something like that) I expect the company to fix it for at least some years. If they don't, it is my mistake and like to see it as a learning moment and never buy from that company again. And recommend everybody who like to hear about it to ignore that company as well as I do.

I guess I'm more of a reputation guy as well... 

[jzmtl]

I think lifetime is more of a gimmick. Like nomad says it's actually defined as lifetime of tool by a lot of manufacturers not lifetime of owner, I know klein tool does.

I can't see how it would be a gimmick?    The company either gives the warranty or they don't, and most are not for the life of the tool but cover any defects in workmanship for the life of the original owner.  I'm just lucky I suppose as the companies I am most fond of (Spyderco, Victorinox, Benchmade, CRK and Leatherman) all have great warranties and have great customer support as well.

How long do you think you'll use a knife without switching to something new and better?

Having said that I did give my Suspension away because it did not feel at all solid.

Unbeliever. You wait till the revolution mate 

Heh, I was actually thinking about get a suspension and see just how bad is it with all the flack it gets. If any of you want to throw yours away, throw it this way.

[DaveK]

I should think that with the expectation you've got from te reviews on here - you might even be pleasantly surprised! Or maybe not 

[Benner]

I think lifetime is more of a gimmick. Like nomad says it's actually defined as lifetime of tool by a lot of manufacturers not lifetime of owner, I know klein tool does.

I can't see how it would be a gimmick?    The company either gives the warranty or they don't, and most are not for the life of the tool but cover any defects in workmanship for the life of the original owner.  I'm just lucky I suppose as the companies I am most fond of (Spyderco, Victorinox, Benchmade, CRK and Leatherman) all have great warranties and have great customer support as well.

How long do you think you'll use a knife without switching to something new and better?

Having said that I did give my Suspension away because it did not feel at all solid.

Unbeliever. You wait till the revolution mate 

Heh, I was actually thinking about get a suspension and see just how bad is it with all the flack it gets. If any of you want to throw yours away, throw it this way.

So when you switch to something new, do you never go back to one you have used before?  Like I said, I do regard myself as a collector so maybe I feel differently, but I like to swap my EDC about from time to time and don't just replace with new. 

[jzmtl]

Yes but as your collection grow, you'll go back to them less and less, and I bet it won't take a lifetime, or even 25 years to phase one out from user selection.

[Benner]

Yes but as your collection grow, you'll go back to them less and less, and I bet it won't take a lifetime, or even 25 years to phase one out from user selection.

I like to use everything so none of them get jealous. 

[jzmtl]

You reminds me of a guy who edc three watches. 

[Benner]

You reminds me of a guy who edc three watches. 

You mean you don't? 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think lifetime is more of a gimmick. Like nomad says it's actually defined as lifetime of tool by a lot of manufacturers not lifetime of owner, I know klein tool does.

I can't see how it would be a gimmick?    The company either gives the warranty or they don't, and most are not for the life of the tool but cover any defects in workmanship for the life of the original owner.  I'm just lucky I suppose as the companies I am most fond of (Spyderco, Victorinox, Benchmade, CRK and Leatherman) all have great warranties and have great customer support as well.

It easily can (and is!) a gimmick with a lot of companies.  Some companies, such as many of the cheap imports, charge $10-15 for a tool that cost less then a dollar, so they offer a lifetime warranty so people will think they are getting something higher quality than they are.  When they get their tool home, use it and it breaks they either send it in and have it replaced, or they decide it's not worth the effort.  If they think the fault was with themselves, then they buy another one, making Wal Mart even more money.  If they do send it in, well if they send it in for replacement less than 14 times, the company still makes money on them.

Def

[jzmtl]

That reminds me, I have a cooking pan with lifetime warranty, to obtain it I just need to send it back to Italy, and the postage will cost only 2x what the pan sells for. Of course you only see LIFETIME WARRANTY on the packaging, and these little details is on the instruction leaflet that most people don't even read.