Match Cases by K & M Match Case
Write-up: A match case piece regarding the match cases finish
NOTICE: NEW SUBJECT PAGE | <?match-cases-finish-article/Paper/Write-up?> Went with article
“ABOUT FINISH: MATCH CASES --Keith Lunders”
ABOUT K & M MATCH CASE FINISH
Since the first production runs of K & M match cases in 1991 it’s been our goal to obtain the best possible finish on all of our match cases, an objective that had to be balanced between practical manufacturing techniques and limited experience in mass production methods. Our frustration with finish quality has continued in spite of the volume of positive feedback and good press we’ve received about the match case’s superior finish as about any of its features. We believe most people recognize that we build a tool, not jewelry! But it seems that tiny tool marks that pass unnoticed to the average user look like railroad tracks to some discriminating eyes. The impracticality of hand polishing, tumbling, sanding, and all the other experimental operations that have been tried with varying degrees of satisfaction have always left a feeling of frustration that we could somehow do it better.
Owners have learned that carrying their match cases in a pants pocket imparts
a polish and a patina that can’t be duplicated any other way. Most longtime
owners of K & M match cases commit their heartaches to their letters when
corresponding with us about lost or injured match cases or failed compasses
and we usually console them with the assurance that we will do all we can
to restore their original case to pristine condition, pristine meaning fully
functional. Under no circumstances do we ever mess with the finish, since
like a favorite rifle, while every nick and scratch causes its owner pain
upon its infliction, each mark becomes part of a repository of memories that
will only enhance an heir’s appreciation of the places and experiences
enjoyed by previous owners. But until now a truly great “factory”
finish has been an elusive quest.
We say “until now” because after so many mediocre and impractical
attempts at improving the finish we have finally stumbled on a way to upgrade
it to the standards of the most discriminating buyer, like the one (and only
one) customer ever to return a match case because of his dissatisfaction with
the finish. The experience of having one returned for that reason was really
quite humbling, simply because the purchaser could never really know the amount
of time, effort, and thought that have been expended attempting to produce
a finish free of any trace of tool marks, something on the order of Mag Lights.
Because of that one returned case a decision was made to discontinue all production
until a way could be found to produce a uniform and high-quality finish. That
goal has been accomplished, and other than a few leftovers of the older runs
in aluminum, all future match case production runs in either brass or aluminum
will wear a consistent quality finish that will have the appearance of having
been ground with a fine stone.
Satisfied that they're better now than ever. So try one on us, if you don't like it after any amount of time simply send it back for a replacement or refund. The only thing to lose is your fear of a cold camp.
Keith and Marge LundersElk River, Idaho
www.kmmatchcase.com
www.kmmatchcase.com