Cold steel mini AK lock issues

S

steelhead seeker

Joined
Aug 1, 2014
Messages
519
Just got a mini AK from another member on here and sitting at home opening the knife it only locks open some of the time. The lock bar seems to get snagged or something and doesn't fall into place. I have to push it down with my finger to get it to lock. Likewise when closing it the bar also gets stuck so the blade isnt held closed by the detent, when it happens and I have to manually push the bar in to keep the blade closed. Anyone else experience these issues or know what may be causing this? The person who sold it to me said he never used it, just carried it twice. So it's fairly new. Never had such a crappy lock on a new knife.

I left good feedback for the seller because when the knife came I opened it up once and it locked in place and I closed it and left feedback because I thought thatd be the curtious thing to do. This was my first transaction on here. But now this evening when I picked it up again it only locks open about 30% of the time. I suspect that's why I got it at a "priced to sell!" price.
 
Oh this gets way better. I just went and dropped a bit of oil in it to see if that helped and gave it a little shake and one of the washers came half out!!!! So either it left the factory like that or the seller took it apart and didnt get one of the washers back in right....what to do what to do....
 
Wow, this is really strange! It looks like there is broken or half of the washer, and it can be reason of the lock failure. I never seen this before.
P.C. I have experience with the same symptoms that you describe, but there was another reason - the end of the spring which contacts with lock bar was roughly treated and catch the painted surface. Polishing of the surface helps with this problem. It was Recon-1
 
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Ok here's what I suspect. I took the knife apart ( first knife I've ever taken apart but I had to see if this helped or not). I put the washer back in place but it didnt fix the lock bar issue. I suspect and it's pure speculation of course, but I'd venture a guess the seller took it apart as well to try to diagnose the issue, couldnt figure it out, put it back together, not realized he didnt line up the washer and just sold the knife. I'm a little po'd. Mostly because I actually like the knife more than I thought I would. This is my first cold steel folder. But this leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If I send it in to cold steel from what I've researched it will probably come back in the same condition and I'll be out shipping cost which just adds to the price of this knife making it not so much of a good deal that I thought I got.

Can any mod help me delete the positive review I have the seller?
 
Dude, just take it apart and put it back together correctly making sure all the pins and washers are in. If its still got an issue send it in or get a refund from the seller who didn’t disclose the issue. All manufacturers have lemons even chris reeve. I’ve owned over 30 cold steel folders and they’ve been flawless workhorses and never had a single issue. It happens man, best of luck.
 
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OP, I think your theory is probably correct. I've experienced the lockbar issue you've described a couple of times and I've read about others with the same problem.
On one knife I sent it in to warranty and it came back fixed. The second time I sold the knife "as-is."
By the way, there is a Cold Steel sub forum.
 
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