All Terms + Conditions

Thank you so much for your purchase, we really appreciate it! Below we are including all terms and conditions related to our return policy, knife care, shipping policies, and terms of service (sharpening). Please review these terms and conditions carefully before placing your order. If you need help or have any questions at all, give us a call at (207) 517-0034 or send us a note at info@strataportland.com

Knife + Product Care

YAY!

Thank you so much for purchasing a knife from us, we really appreciate it! In order to best enjoy your exciting new product(s) for as long as possible, we’ve put together these care instructions for best use and maintenance practices. These and other mindful practices apply to all of our products, not just culinary knives. Please contact us if you have any questions anytime!

General Use

All knives can chip, especially Japanese knives, if not used within their intended purposes nor without proper knife techniques. Do not use non-butcher knives on bones, hard shells, seeds, woody stems, frozen foods, etc. Never twist, hit, or pry anything with any type of knife. Do not scrape, scoop, or drag anything with the edge of a knife. We inspect all our products before use; broken knives are a sign of misuse, not poor quality manufacturing.

Cutting Boards

Use knives only on appropriate cutting boards like end-grain or soft to firm long-grain boards, and avoid hardwoods, bamboo, and hard plastics. Do not soak wood boards in anything. Condition wood boards as needed with food safe oil, and a high-grit sanding to remove discoloration and damage.

Cleaning

Do not wash any knife in the dishwasher, or soak in anything. Wash with warm soapy water using the soft side of the sponge immediately after use. Dry with a clean fabric or paper towel, and store safely away from other items, as well as heat and water/wet sources. Condition with a stable, food-safe oil as needed.

Rust

All steel can discolor and rust, even stainless steel (it’s stainless, not stainproof), if not properly maintained. Wipe your knives clean of any material, and keep dry after use. Discoloration, called a patina, on carbon steel knives is natural. Patina formation may occur rapidly when using acidic, basic, or salty products. A patina can form in a variety of colors, but remove any reds or oranges with a gentle metal polish with a cotton ball or rag. Check your knives regularly to prevent rust formation.

Have fun!

We do not sell products with manufacturing defects. Damage that may occur with use, storage, care, etc. is not a sign of poor quality, but of misuse. All bladed tools, especially most Japanese blades, can chip, bend, crack, etc, with improper care, regardless of price point. The vast majority of our products do NOT come with manufacturer warranties. In all instances where there is a manufacturer warranty, Strata does not assist in the return per the manufacturers’ policies. Strata can assist in establishing initial communication for warranty inquiries with the manufacturer, but is not responsible for any further assistance.

Please note that the majority of our products are primarily handmade and naturally sourced. Please allow for imperfections and variations in fit and finish that come into play with such craft goods for each individual product and sample pictures. All products are inspected before they become available for sale, and only become available for sale if such imperfections are deemed acceptable within a range of passable quality and safety given industry norms and our demanding level of such. We do not give discounts or allow refunds or exchanges for such imperfections.

We do NOT allow refunds, returns, or exchanges for any product(s) paid via Shop Pay Installments. We incur a non-refundable fee to offer this payment method to you, thus our ability to offer refunds, returns, or exchanges to you is non-negotiable.

PRODUCTS:

KNIVES

ALL knives are returnable ONLY for store credit of the original amount of the product, minus any costs incurred by Strata during the original transaction and return process, in the form of a gift card. A claim must be submitted within 7 days of delivery/pick up. Knives must be in unused, unsharpened, un-honed, show no signs of use or handling, with original packaging and proof of purchase to eligible for exchange. If any signs of use, damage, wear, servicing, etc. are visible upon return, your return will not be accepted, and you will be charged any shipping, customs, insurance, or any other fees and charges for return shipping back to you.

Sharpening Stones

We do NOT accept returns or exchanges for any natural or synthetic stones regardless if they have been used or not.

Wooden Products

Strata makes no guarantees that handmade wooden products such as cutting boards, magnetic knife strips, utensils, etc. will not discolor and or change shape with use. Such changes are natural and we do not give discounts, refunds or exchanges for such issues.

Custom and Special Orders

All custom orders of products, services, and special-ordered products, are NOT eligible for refunds, exchanges, or store credit. Any agreement(s), be it verbal, written, or recorded, that are made prior to payment, which are then submitted, ordered, or rendered, are binding. Refusal to follow through on such orders or agreements will be submitted to claims collection services. By submitting or agreeing to any such custom orders or services, you agree to this binding clause. Please think carefully before submitting such orders.

Other Products

Gift cards, sale items, second-hand products, products on consignment, saya or guards, goods with any signs of use, damage or servicing, consumables, products without proof of purchase or items in damaged packaging, or any other products determined to not be returnable, and any goods regardless of condition after 7 days of delivery/pickup, are not returnable or eligible for store credit.

Delays or Issues in Shipping

We cannot control the shipping costs, nor the paces of package pickups and delivery by third-party shipping companies. We do not offer cancellations, refunds, or exchanges for delays in pickup or delivery times. We often have issues with shipping companies not picking up scheduled pick ups on time from our store, and our place and pace of business does not enable us to deliver packages at pick-up/drop-off centers. Sometimes shipping companies do not update the tracking information in a timely manner, of which we have no control over, which means that once your package has been picked up, you may not receive any updates on tracking until your package is delivered to you. We are a small team doing our best to get your items to you as fast as possible, but please understand that we cannot offer the same high-paced order fulfillment and shipping speeds as larger companies like Amazon et al.

We try to prepare packages for pickup within 24-48 business hours of purchase, but it may take longer to prepare for shipment given the pace of business. Please note that since most shipping companies are closed on Sundays and often have limited pickup options on Saturdays, and the fact that Strata is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, orders placed Friday-Sunday may not be shipped out until Wednesday depending on the pace of business. If you requested service on any products in your order (such as sharpening, re-handling, etc.), shipping will be delayed until the service is rendered. Depending on the complexity of the service, it may take up to 2-3+ weeks to ship out but we will do our best to keep you updated on progress. We do not ship Sunday, Monday, nor possibly Saturday and Tuesday given the pace of business. Please take this into account when placing your shipping order. We do NOT offer any cancellations, exchanges, or refunds for any of these issues.

How to Place a Return

For all other products that are able to be refunded, a claim must be submitted within 7 days of delivery/pickup for items that are eligible for a return by contacting info@strataportland.com or calling 207-517-0034. Refundable items will be issued a refund of the original item amount, minus any fees or costs incurred by Strata during the original transaction and return process. Items must be in an unused and undamaged condition, with original packaging and proof of purchase. If any signs of use, damage, wear, servicing, etc. are visible upon return, your return will not be accepted, and you will be charged any shipping, customs, insurance, or any other fees and charges for return shipping back to you. The customer is responsible for all shipping, insurance, customs, and any other fees and costs incurred when returning the package to Strata.

Once your return is received and inspected we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item, and notify you of the approval or rejection of your claim. If the product is approved for store credit you will be mailed or emailed a gift card of the value of the original amount, minus any fees or costs incurred by Strata during the original transaction and return process, within 7-10 business. If the product is eligible and approved for return of funds you will be refunded that cost of the original amount, minus any fees or costs incurred by Strata during the original transaction and return process, within 7-10 business. If your return is denied, you will be notified of such and issued any fees or costs required to send the package back to you.

If you haven’t received the tangible gift card after 7-10 business days, please check your tracking information and contact the shipping provider. If you have not received a digital gift card for store credit after 7-10 business days, please contact us at info@strataportland.com. If you have not received the return funds for applicable return items after 7-10 business days from notification of Strata having refunded your money, first check your bank account and contact your credit card company, as it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted, of which Strata has no control of once we have processed the return on our end. If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at info@strataportland.com.

In the chance that Strata has made a typographical error leading to issues in shipping, or sent the incorrect or incomplete order, Strata will work with the customer to present options to resolve. We do not give refunds or discounts for such situations.

Strata reserves the right to change and diverge from these policies at any time without notification. It is the customer's responsibility to review all our policies before agreeing to them in order to complete the purchase.

Gifts

If you bought an item as a gift for someone else, please include a receipt with the gift, as a receipt is required if they attempt to return or exchange the item. The holder of the receipt is the one who will receive store credit or returns. Please keep in mind our return/exchange time of 7 days when purchasing a gift

Shipping

To return your product, please mail your product to:

Strata
Attn: return/exchange
67 Washington Ave
Portland, ME 04101
United States

All expenses for shipping are incurred by the customer. We are not responsible for any damage, loss, delays, etc. during return shipping. If a return is accepted, you will be refunded the amount of the item minus any shipping related fees. It is highly advised that you fully insure the value of the item and elect signature confirmation for each shipment you send back. If the package is returned damaged, the item will not be accepted for a return or exchange.

Do not send your product(s) back to the manufacturer unless notified to do so upon purchase, or after contacting us for assistance. Any products returned to the original manufacturer without notification, will not be eligible for Strata's return/exchange policies.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $50, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item(s).

SERVICES:

Strata guarantees all serviced work with a money back guarantee or free re-service of equal value before use and within 7 days of receiving your items back from service. Any issues you have with the results of your goods after service must be declared upon receiving your serviced goods and BEFORE they are used so fair inspection can be made. Upon use of your serviced goods Strata’s service guarantee becomes void, as by using your goods you agree that you have inspected your serviced goods and are satisfied with the results. Any shipping needs for re-service to and from Strata will be paid by the customer. All return shipments must be fully insured with signature confirmation, or they will not be accepted.

General Disclaimer of Warranty and Use

Strata is not responsible for typographical, printing, drawing, or otherwise marked errors. Strata does not imply warranties unless expressly noted, nor does it make representations to use of an item for specific purposes or in specific manners, or non-infringement. All prices, fees, other costs, pictures, descriptions, measurements, or any written or expressed information is subject to change without notice.

Terms of Service (Sharpening)

By submitting your goods to be sharpened, repaired, refinished, or any other related service, you allow Catalyst Cutlery, LLC (hereby called, “Strata”) to perform such work on your goods. You understand that such services will alter the condition of your goods which could include, but not limited to: aesthetic and cosmetic changes such as scratches to metal, wood, plastic or other materials; changes in overall geometry or shape, thickness, weight, length or other dimensional aspects; replacement of materials such as wood, metal, plastic or any other materials; and any other applicable reasonable alterations that can arise from such services provided by Strata.

The "sharpening service" entails only the sharpening of the very edge of your bladed goods. Any damage to the edge, such as chips, that would be required to be repaired for proper edge sharpening, will incur additional costs unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise noted, all other service options provided by Strata are also charged as an additional service in addition to the edge sharpening service. Any questions or concerns regarding any of the service options must be presented before service is rendered. If Strata receives your goods that require services beyond basic edge sharpening with no or unclear instructions, or the servicing form was not submitted or filled out properly, Strata will perform all applicable services needed to get your goods in optimal condition, and charge accordingly. Estimates for services are not to be considered final costs, and total costs for services may be less or greater than the amount estimated. You agree to pay the amount according to the services rendered upon receiving your serviced goods, unless otherwise noted.

Shipping costs for both sending, receiving, and insuring any goods or goods sent in for service, will be covered by the customer. Strata will return ship your goods via USPS or other shipping service, or a particular service if requested, with the customer covering any additional costs if necessary. Unless you request, and cover the costs of expedited shipping, all packages will be shipped back using standard shipping speeds. It is recommended that you insure your goods both ways. You must declare if you want your goods insured for return shipping, with the cost being added to the final invoice. If no insurance is declared, no insurance will be given. Strata is not responsible for delayed, lost, stolen, or damaged goods by the shipping company, or any damages that could have occurred by poor packaging by the customer. If the Service Options form for mail-in services is not included or filled out properly, Strata will perform all necessary services needed to get your goods in optimal condition, and charge accordingly. If Strata inspects your goods and deems them unserviceable, Strata will notify you of such, and refund you any monies if initially charged, and charge for return shipping. If you have questions about regarding if your goods can be serviced, please contact Strata before shipping. Strata only accepts digital payment for mail-in services, unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise noted, all mail-in goods are subject to the same pricing and terms as drop-off services. See the Mail-In Instructions page for proper packaging instructions and shipping address.

You must declare prior to service if any of the tools you are submitting for service are structurally damaged in order to prevent injury to the service provider, or which may negatively affect the service process (eg. loose handles, cracked blades, etc). Strata is not responsible for any further potential damage to your tools that may arise from the service process if they were initially submitted in damaged condition. Any injury to the service provider that may have been caused from initially damaged goods not declared may result in reparations to Strata and/or the service provider. By submitting your goods for service, you declare that you have inspected your tools for such potential structural or other unsafe conditions. Strata will notify you of any issues that arise during services that may negatively affect the performance of your goods so that reasonable options can be considered for both parties.

Strata cannot and will not be held accountable for misuse, poor maintenance, or any other irresponsible issues that may arise from your use that negatively affects the integrity and performance or your goods, or injury to you. Tools are serviced on a first-come first-serve basis. Strata reserves the right to refuse any service to any good for any reason. Strata is not responsible for items left unclaimed after 90 days. By providing your contact information required for service, you allow Strata to contact you regarding our services, your goods, and payment. Upon receiving and inspecting your goods, you agree to pay the invoiced amount via the listed payment options.

SHIPPING POLICIES

USA DOMESTIC

Strata ships domestically within the USA via USPS or UPS for a rate determined by the shipping company, plus the cost of insurance and signature confirmation. Odd-sized or large items may cost more than average sized products, of which we will do our best to notify you of. You are responsible for covering any additional costs for such sized items. Shipping typically takes 2-3 business days once received by the shipping company. Strata cannot be held responsible if shipping takes longer then stated by the shipping company once it is received by them. If you would like to elect a faster or more robust shipping method, please email us at info@strataportland.com. You will need to cover any additional costs and fees incurred by using an elective service, and all standard shipping policies apply.

You will receive a tracking number from us when we process the order for shipment, but that does not mean the shipment was packed up or picked up. Once the package is received by the shipping company, you will be able to track progress of the shipment, and Strata can no longer responsible for the processing, tracking, loss/damage claims, redirecting, updating information, delays in delivery or customs, etc. If an issue does arise, claims must be filed by you. Strata will provide any information needed for claims, but will not open a claim for you. You can reach USPS customer service at 1-800-275-8777, and claims at https://www.usps.com/help/claims.html. You can reach UPS customer service at 1-800-742-5877, and claims at https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/claims-support.page.

We try to prepare packages for pickup within 24-48 business hours of purchase, but it may take longer to prepare for shipment given the pace of business. Please note that since most shipping companies are closed on Sundays and often have limited pickup options on Saturdays, and the fact that Strata is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, orders placed Friday-Sunday may not be shipped out until Wednesday depending on the pace of business. If you requested service on any products in your order (such as sharpening, re-handling, etc.), shipping will be delayed until the service is rendered. Depending on the complexity of the service, it may take up to 2-3+ weeks to ship out but we will do our best to keep you updated on progress. We do our best to ship out packages Wednesday-Saturday, but our ability to do so depends on the pace of business and the shipping company picking up scheduled pick ups on time. Please take this into account when placing your shipping order. We do NOT offer any cancellations, exchanges, or refunds for any of these issues.

For questions related to these policies, or to receive a tracking number if you did not receive one, please email info@strataportland.com. All questions and concerns must be addressed before purchase. Any deviations from these policies must be expressly agreed upon by Strata.

INTERNATIONAL

Strata ships internationally via DHL or UPS for a rate determined by the shipping company, plus the cost of insurance and signature confirmation. Odd-sized or large items may cost more than average sized products, of which we will do our best to notify you of. You are responsible for covering any additional costs for such sized items. Shipping typically takes 2-10 business days once received by the shipping company. Strata cannot be held responsible if shipping takes longer then stated by the shipping company once it is received by them. If you would like to elect a faster or more robust shipping method, please email us at info@strataportland.com. You will need to cover any additional costs and fees incurred by using an elective service, and all standard shipping policies apply.

Strata requires that all packages include insurance and signature confirmation. If you request to not have insurance or signature confirmation, Strata cannot be held responsible for any issues that may arise from lack of insurance coverage or proof of delivery. All customs, tariff, and other fees are paid by you. Strata is not responsible for any issues or delays that may arise with import inspections and the like.

You will receive a tracking number from us when we process the order for shipment, but that does not mean the shipment was packed up or picked up. Once the package is received by the shipping company, you will be able to track progress of the shipment, and Strata can no longer responsible for the processing, tracking, loss/damage claims, redirecting, updating information, delays in delivery or customs, etc. If an issue does arise, claims must be filed by you. Strata will provide any information needed for claims, but will not open a claim for you. You can reach DHL customer service at 1-800-225-5345, and claims at https://mydhl.express.dhl/us/en/help-and-support/contact-us/claims/shipment-receivers.html. You can reach UPS customer service at 1-800-742-5877, and claims at https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/claims-support.page.

We try to prepare packages for pickup within 24-48 business hours of purchase, but it may take longer to prepare for shipment given the pace of business. Please note that since most shipping companies are closed on Sundays, and often have limited pickup options on Saturdays, and the fact that Strata is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, orders placed Friday-Sunday may not be shipped out until Wednesday depending on the pace of business. If you requested service on any products in your order (such as sharpening, re-handling, etc.), shipping will be delayed until the service is rendered. Depending on the complexity of the service, it may take up to 2-3+ weeks to ship out but we will do our best to keep you updated on progress. We do our best to ship out packages Wednesday-Saturday, but our ability to do so depends on the pace of business and the shipping company picking up scheduled pick ups on time. Please take this into account when placing your shipping order. We do NOT offer any cancellations, exchanges, or refunds for any of these issues.

We cannot control the shipping costs, nor the paces of package pickups and delivery by third-party shipping companies. We do not offer cancellations, refunds, or exchanges for delays in pickup or delivery times. We often have issues with shipping companies not picking up scheduled pick ups on time from our store, and our place and pace of business does not enable us to deliver packages at pick-up/drop-off centers. Sometimes shipping companies do not update the tracking information in a timely manner, of which we have no control over, which means that once your package has been picked up you may not receive any updates on tracking until your package is delivered to you.

We are a small team doing our best to get your items to you as fast as possible, but please understand that we cannot offer the same high-paced order fulfillment and shipping speeds as larger companies like Amazon et al.