Refund & Returns Policy

The Apex Promise: All the Risk Is on Us

When you buy an Apex Titanium EDC Knife, you take on zero risk. Every order is backed two separate ways: a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, and a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. If we ever fall short, we make it right.

This page explains exactly how each promise works, what is and isn't covered, and how to make a claim. It's written in plain English, with no fine print designed to wriggle out of a refund. This policy covers orders placed directly through Apex, and it is in addition to — never instead of — the rights you already have under law.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee (Any Reason)

Carry your Apex for 30 days. If it's not the best tool you own, send it back and we'll refund every penny you paid for the knife. This is a satisfaction guarantee, not a defects-only policy — you do not need a reason, and you do not need anything to be wrong with the knife. Changed your mind, didn't bond with it, decided it's not for you? You're still covered.

  • The 30-day window runs from the day your order is delivered.
  • We refund the full price you paid for the knife.
  • If you added the leather sheath ($19) or the 10-blade pack ($15), those add-ons are covered by the same 30-day guarantee — return them with the knife for a full refund, or keep them and we'll refund the knife on its own. Your call.
  • As long as you start your return before day 30 ends (see "How to Start a Return or Warranty Claim"), you're covered — even if the knife is still on its way back to us after that date.

Lifetime Warranty Against Defects

Your Apex is covered for life against defects in materials and workmanship. If your Apex ever fails you because of a manufacturing fault, we replace it — no receipts, no runaround. There is no expiry date on this coverage.

  • Covers genuine defects such as a failed blade-locking mechanism, structural failure of the Grade-5 titanium frame, or a manufacturing fault in the body, finish, or hardware.
  • You don't need your original receipt or order number to make a claim, though sharing them helps us move faster.
  • We replace your knife with the same finish (Titanium or Brass). If that finish is unavailable, we'll offer the nearest equivalent Apex product.
  • For an approved warranty claim, we send you a prepaid return label and ship your replacement at no cost to you.
  • The warranty covers the knife itself, not the replaceable utility blades, which are consumables (see "What's Not Covered").

This warranty covers genuine defects, not normal wear, accidental damage, or misuse. See "What's Not Covered" below for the specifics.

How to Start a Return or Warranty Claim

Both start the same way — through our Contact page. We handle claims in writing so nothing gets lost and every claim stays documented. We don't operate a guaranteed phone line; the Contact page is the fastest way to reach us.

  • Go to /pages/contact and send us a message.
  • Include your order number or the email address you used at checkout.
  • Tell us whether this is a 30-day satisfaction return (change of mind / not satisfied) or a lifetime warranty claim (a defect).
  • For a warranty claim, add a short description of the fault and a photo if you can — a photo usually lets us approve a replacement on the spot.

We typically reply within one business day with your return authorization, the return address, and — for approved warranty claims — a prepaid return label. Please wait for that authorization before shipping anything back, so your return can be matched to your order and processed without delay.

Item Condition Requirements

We keep this reasonable — we expect a knife that's been carried, not one that's been destroyed.

  • 30-day satisfaction returns: carry it, test it, get a feel for it — light, normal handling is completely fine and expected. Please return the knife itself in honest, resellable condition, undamaged beyond ordinary handling. If you bought the sheath or blade-pack add-ons, you can send those back for a refund too, or keep them — your choice.
  • We may reduce a refund to reflect a clear loss in the knife's value caused by handling beyond what's needed to inspect and try it — for example deliberate damage or heavy wear. We'll always contact you before processing if this applies.
  • Lifetime warranty claims: condition isn't a barrier — a defect is the whole point. We expect a used knife. We just need the actual item so we can confirm the fault and replace it.

Who Pays Return Shipping

Outbound shipping is always free and tracked, and orders ship within 24–48 hours. Return shipping depends on why the item is coming back:

  • Defective or warranty items: Apex pays. We send you a prepaid return label, and we cover shipping on the replacement too, so an approved warranty return costs you nothing.
  • 30-day change-of-mind returns: you cover the return postage, and we refund the full price you paid for the knife. We keep this simple and honest rather than hiding costs in restocking fees — there are no restocking fees at Apex.

We recommend a tracked service for any return. Until a returned item reaches us it remains your responsibility, and we can only process refunds or replacements for items we actually receive.

Refund Method & Timing

  • Refunds go back to your original payment method. We can't refund to a different card or account.
  • Once your return arrives and passes a quick inspection, we issue your refund within 2 business days.
  • After we issue it, your bank or card provider typically takes another 5–10 business days to post the funds to your statement. That last step is on their side, not ours.
  • For warranty claims, we ship your replacement once the claim is approved — you don't need to wait on a refund.
  • We'll email you to confirm the moment your refund or replacement is on its way.

What's Not Covered

So we can keep these promises generous for genuine customers, a few things sit outside this policy:

  • Replaceable utility blades. Your Apex uses standard replaceable trapezoid utility blades. These are consumables — they dull and get swapped out with normal use, like ink in a pen. A dull or used blade is not a defect and isn't covered by either guarantee. The optional 10-blade starter pack is a one-time purchase, not a recurring supply, and replacement blades are widely available at any hardware store.
  • Normal wear and tear. Scratches, patina, edge wear, and the cosmetic marks of everyday carry are signs of a tool doing its job, not defects.
  • Misuse, accident, or alteration. Damage from prying, dropping, modification, improper sharpening, neglect, or use outside the knife's intended purpose isn't covered.
  • Loss or theft. We can't refund or replace a knife that has been lost or stolen.
  • Where prohibited by law. We only sell and ship where it is legal to do so, and we can't accept returns of, or claims on, items held or used unlawfully.

Exchanges (Titanium & Brass)

Changed your mind on the finish? Within the 30-day window you can swap your Titanium for a Brass, or your Brass for a Titanium.

  • Start the exchange through the Contact page at /pages/contact and tell us which finish you'd like instead, subject to the condition requirements above.
  • You cover return postage on the knife you're sending back, as with any change-of-mind return, and we cover shipping on the replacement.
  • The two finishes are priced differently (Titanium $89.99, Brass — a limited edition — $129.99 USD). If you switch finishes during an exchange, we'll settle the $40.00 difference either way — a quick payment link if you're moving to the pricier finish, or a refund of the difference if you're moving to the cheaper one. Limited-edition stock permitting.

Your Statutory Rights

Nothing in this policy limits or replaces the legal rights you already have. If you're a consumer, your statutory rights under the consumer-protection laws of your country or region — including the United Kingdom and the European Union, where you may have additional rights such as a statutory cooling-off period and remedies for faulty goods — remain fully intact. Our guarantees are designed to sit on top of those rights, not replace them. Where any term here conflicts with a right you cannot waive by law, that law applies.

Questions?

If anything here is unclear, or you're not sure which promise fits your situation, reach out through /pages/contact before you buy or before you return. We'd rather answer a question up front than leave you guessing. The whole point of this policy is simple: all the risk is on us.