Returns And Refund Policy

Table of Contents

1. New Merchandise (Returnable Items)

Eligibility

Returns are accepted within 14 days of purchase for in-store purchases, pickup for pickup orders, or delivery for shipped orders.

Items must be unused, unwashed, unscratched, unsharpened, and in their original, undamaged retail packaging with all included inserts, manuals, accessories, and components.

Proof of purchase, such as a receipt or order number, is required.

Refund Method

Qualifying refunds are issued to the original form of payment:

  • Cash payments are refunded in cash.

  • Card payments are refunded to the original card.

  • Amounts paid with a gift card or store credit are reissued as store credit.

  • Purchases paid using more than one payment method are refunded according to the original payment allocation.

Refunds reflect the amount actually paid after applicable discounts and include applicable sales tax attributable to the refunded purchase.

Operational Fee Refunds

If an operational fee was charged on the original purchase, the portion attributable to merchandise qualifying for a refund will also be refunded.

For a partial return, the fee refund is calculated using the returned item's discounted purchase value and the operational-fee rate charged on the original transaction. The fee associated with merchandise you keep is not refunded.

Shipping Charges

Original shipping charges are non-refundable unless the return results from an error by Element Knife Company or a refund is otherwise required by law.

Return shipping is the customer's responsibility unless we arrange otherwise.

2. Knife Buyback Program 

 

Buyback Program Eligibility

Our Buyback Program applies to knives only. Cutting boards, accessories, knife rolls, tools, utensils, and other merchandise are not eligible.

Knives originally purchased from Element Knife Company are eligible for consideration. Select knives purchased elsewhere may also be considered, including well-known Japanese brands and vintage carbon steel German cutlery.

Acceptance and buyback value are determined individually based on the knife's brand, condition, age, and resale potential. Knives purchased elsewhere may receive a lower value than knives originally purchased from us.

Please refer to our Knife Buyback Program page for complete program details.

Using Buyback Program Store Credit

Buyback Program store credit may be used toward merchandise available from Element Knife Company.

New merchandise purchased using that credit may be returned within 14 days if it meets our standard return requirements.

Refunds on Purchases Made with Buyback Credit

For a qualifying return:

  • Amounts paid with buyback credit are reissued as store credit.

  • Amounts paid with cash or card are refunded to the original payment method.

  • Any operational fee attributable to the qualifying returned merchandise is refunded according to Section 1.

  • Reissued buyback credit does not expire and cannot be redeemed for cash except where required by law.

Purchases of Refurbished or Pre-Owned Knives

Refurbished or pre-owned knives sold through the Buyback Program are final sale and are not eligible for ordinary returns or exchanges.

These knives are inspected, serviced, sharpened, and offered at special pricing. Please ask any questions about a knife's condition before purchasing.

3. Classes & Events: Cancellations and Refunds

Because seating is limited and classes require advance preparation, cancellation eligibility is based on the time remaining before the scheduled class or event:

  • 72 hours or more: A full refund to the original payment method.

  • At least 24 hours but less than 72 hours: Store credit issued as an Element Knife Company gift card.

  • Less than 24 hours: No refund or store credit.

  • No-shows: No refund or store credit.

Send cancellation requests to contact@elementknife.com.

Eligibility is determined by the timestamp of the cancellation email received.

For an eligible cancellation of a registration purchased in-store, the related operational fee is included in the refund or store credit. No operational fee is refunded for cancellations that do not qualify for a refund or store credit.

4. Sharpening & Repair Services

Sharpening and repair services are non-refundable once completed.

If you have a concern about the quality or result of a service, contact us within 7 days of pickup, or delivery for mailed-back items, so we can evaluate the work.

When appropriate, we will make a reasonable effort to correct an issue related to the service performed at no additional charge.

This does not cover damage, wear, misuse, or changes occurring after the item has been returned to you.

Condition & Care of Customer Property

Items are visually inspected at intake. Visible pre-existing damage or condition concerns, including chips, cracks, damaged handles, loose components, or corrosion, may be noted and discussed before work begins.

We take reasonable care of customer property. If Element Knife Company damages an item while it is in our care, we will take responsibility and work with you to make you whole through an appropriate resolution.

We are not responsible for damage or conditions present when an item is received.

5. Online Orders — Lost, Stolen or Damaged Shipments

Customers may purchase optional Redo Package Protection at checkout.

If protection was purchased, submit qualifying shipping claims through Redo's claims portal. Claims are subject to Redo's eligibility requirements, terms, and review process.

If protection was not purchased and your package arrives damaged or appears lost in transit, contact us at contact@elementknife.com within 5 days of delivery or the expected delivery date.

Retain the product and all original shipping materials and packaging. Photographs or other documentation may be required.

Please refer to our Shipping Policy for complete information about carrier inquiries, delivery issues, package protection, and incorrect addresses.

6. Final Sale Items

The following are final sale and are not eligible for ordinary returns or exchanges:

  • Refurbished or pre-owned knives sold through the Buyback Program.

  • Gift cards and store credits.

  • Food, pantry goods, candy, and other consumable products.

  • Merchandise specifically marked Final Sale at the time of purchase, including select clearance, discontinued, promotional, or specially priced items.

Final Sale status will be identified at the time of purchase when applicable.

Gift cards and store credits cannot be refunded or redeemed for cash except where required by law.

If a final-sale item is incorrect or defective, please contact us so we can determine the appropriate resolution.

7. Discretionary Store Credit — Online & In-Store

Items that do not qualify for a standard return may be considered for partial store credit at our discretion.

This may include:

  • Items returned outside the standard 14-day return period.

  • Items showing signs of use, wear, or damage.

  • Items with missing or damaged packaging, accessories, inserts, or components.

Acceptance is not guaranteed. Eligibility and credit value depend on the item's condition, completeness, age, and resale value.

Used knives may instead be considered under our Knife Buyback Program.

Discretionary credit is not a standard refund and does not automatically include the original operational fee. Any credit offered will be explained before acceptance.

Store credit cannot be refunded to the original payment method or redeemed for cash except where required by law.

8. Exchanges & Replacement Items

Changing or Exchanging an Item

If you would like a different item, color, size, or model, merchandise meeting our standard return requirements may be returned within the 14-day period.

We generally process exchanges as a return followed by a separate new purchase.

The original item is refunded according to this policy, including its eligible operational fee. The replacement is purchased at its current price, with any current applicable discounts, taxes, and operational fee.

Returned merchandise must meet the same condition and packaging requirements as a standard return.

For preference-based exchanges by mail, return shipping is the customer's responsibility.

Defective, Incorrect or Damaged Items

If an item is incorrect or defective, contact us before returning it.

When the issue results from an error by Element Knife Company or a merchandise defect, we may provide a prepaid return label and arrange a replacement, refund, or other appropriate resolution.

Shipping damage is addressed under our Shipping Policy, including Redo Package Protection when purchased.

Before Mailing a Return

Please complete the return-request process described in Section 10 before mailing merchandise back.

9. Gift Returns & Exchanges

Gift merchandise must meet our standard return requirements, including being unused, unwashed, unscratched, unsharpened, and in its original, undamaged retail packaging with all included materials.

An original receipt, gift receipt, order number, or other proof of purchase is required.

Returns by the Original Purchaser

Qualifying returns are refunded to the original payment method according to our standard return policy.

Returns by the Gift Recipient

Qualifying returns are issued as Element Knife Company store credit, including the operational fee attributable to the returned merchandise if it was charged on the original purchase.

The recipient may use that credit toward a different item or a future purchase.

If a replacement costs more than the available credit, the recipient pays the difference. Any unused credit remains available for a future purchase.

Timing & Return Shipping

Gift recipients may return qualifying merchandise in-store or contact us for assistance returning it by mail.

Return shipping is the customer's responsibility unless the item qualifies for prepaid return shipping.

The standard return period is 14 days. We understand gifts may be purchased in advance of holidays or special occasions. Requests outside that period may be considered individually but are not guaranteed.

Gift cards and store credits are final sale and cannot be refunded or redeemed for cash except where required by law.

10. Return Instructions

To Initiate a Return

Use the Start a Return or Exchange link in our website footer before returning or mailing merchandise.

Provide:

  • Your order number or other proof of purchase.

  • The item you would like to return.

  • The reason for the return.

If you need help with an in-store purchase or gift, contact contact@elementknife.com.

We will provide applicable instructions after reviewing the request. Refund or store-credit eligibility is determined after receipt and inspection.

Returning Merchandise by Mail

Approved mailed returns should be sent to:

Element Knife Company
1701 Platte St., Ste 171
Denver, CO 80202

Package merchandise securely to prevent damage.

For customer-paid return shipping, use a trackable service and appropriate shipping protection. Redo Package Protection purchased for the original outbound order does not automatically cover a customer-paid return shipment.

Customers are responsible for customer-paid return shipments until received by Element Knife Company. We are not responsible for those return shipments being lost, stolen, misdelivered, or damaged in transit.

If we provide a prepaid return label, follow the instructions supplied with it.

Nothing in this policy limits rights or remedies required by applicable law.