I Opened Another Italian 4Max

The only Italian-made CS that I own is the Lucky One. It's flawless. And a bargain.
 
hermit dave said:
I've lost all faith in the 4 Max. From experience and research I have found the following problems with both versions; Scales not parallel, liner bowed, gap between liner and lockbar, Lockbar hangs up and blade flops open in the closed position, BAD lock-stick, horrible edge grinds, pivot pin not keyed (steel pin that creates a "D" hole mislocated on Italian version and no flat on the USA version) Paper thin pocket clip that bends easily and doesn't return to shape, blade is very hard to move with the pivot screw backed all the way out.

and BAD centering!
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The pictured knife went back to Cold Steel. I had two others that I returned to the seller (and even for $200 each, it wasn't worth it)

There is nothing wrong with Andrew Demko's design. It's the vendors CS is using. If any dimension is off, you kick it back to the factory and demand it be fixed or rebuilt. I mean, come on. Would anyone here really want a shittier knife sooner?

Don't get me wrong, I only own Cold Steel folders and have a nice collection of VG-1 San Mai III fixed blades and have defended Cold Steel on many occasions, but a $250-$300 folding knife shouldn't be a crap shoot.
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Ok, I got the knife back. It was missing all of the assembly screws (not a big issue in itself, as CS could just mail them to me).
The problem is the method they used to fix the centering problem. A paper thin washer on one side and a super-thick one on the other side. As you can see, a huge gap on one side and almost touching on the other. I know there's people getting good one's. I think a higher power doesn't want me to have a 4 Max. While I only own Cold Steel folders and have had no problems with their Taiwan offerings, I am giving up on the 4 Max.

I don't think I'm being overly picky......see below
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yep. not impressed by cold steels repair attempt. send it back and ask for a new one that is right. these suckers cost a pretty penny and one should be able to expect better than that. that said...mines good. wonder if I got lucky?
 
Thats some bull stuff right there. I've got a USA made version and its got no issues and i have used it a lot. Did i understand that they actually sent it back without the damn screws? Thats just unreal i'd be calling and doing some yelling.
 
cricketdave said:
Thats some bull stuff right there. I've got a USA made version and its got no issues and i have used it a lot. Did i understand that they actually sent it back without the damn screws? Thats just unreal i'd be calling and doing some yelling.
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Yep, no screws. Not a pleasant unboxing at all.
 
In Cold Steel's defense, I sent them a Mini Ak-47 with a missing back spacer anchoring pin (which I lost). It was in a disassembled state, as I couldn't assemble without said pin. It came back properly assembled with a more centered blade and much sharper. No charge!
 
Jimislash said:
On this one I found a plastic spacer for under the pivot screw, plus the weird pin insert. The knife is still locked up like a beast, but this is off.

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Yikes! My American Made 4Max was one of the ones that had the proud lockbars. I sent it in to Cold Steel, and was told by the CS rep that it was being sent to Demko’s shop for a new lock bar, to be installed by Andrew himself. I had taken it apart before sending it in, and everything was spot on, save the lock bar.

That being said, it’s perfect now-except the lock bar does not have the little notch ground in it. But it is seated dead on. No lock stick, and no blade play. Knife is centered as well. Zero complaints from me.

Considering that Demko had to disassemble the knife, to install the new lock bar, and the reassemble it, and tune it, while not a custom, I do consider my knife, to be by definition, a mid tech (I sent it in as a production knife, but once Demko added the lockbar and put it back together, it was transformed into a mid-tech. To me, that made it more than worth the return postage, and 3 week wait). I will not ever be selling this one.

I was considering getting an Italian one, to be a beater, but it looks like I’ll be having to wait a bit, and just keep using my SR1 as the beater in the meantime.
 
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I wonder who's making these for cold steel. I've got some maserin police knives and they are very high quality and fit and finish. so not sure its them. maybe fox or extrema ratio, or lionsteel......but lion steel is usually very high quality. who else am I missing that is an Italian maker?
 
jbmonkey said:
I wonder who's making these for cold steel. I've got some maserin police knives and they are very high quality and fit and finish. so not sure its them. maybe fox or extrema ratio, or lionsteel......but lion steel is usually very high quality. who else am I missing that is an Italian maker?
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Chef Boyardee?
 
I'm not saying it's Viper though. I have no idea.
I also remembered that in addition to a Lucky One I have a Night Force and the quality is nothing to write home about. It's ok though. Had really bad lock stick until I cycled it about 1000 times. I wasn't impressed by the Storm Cloud and I returned it.
 
AF said:
I'm not saying it's Viper though. I have no idea.
I also remembered that in addition to a Lucky One I have a Night Force and the quality is nothing to write home about. It's ok though. Had really bad lock stick until I cycled it about 1000 times. I wasn't impressed by the Storm Cloud and I returned it.
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ahhh gotcha. I misread that. you were saying viper is another quality italian maker I didnt list. thanks for clarifying.
 
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With all the most modern manufacturing and cnc machines,i am puzzled as to why this is happening. ive seen 20 and 30.00 knives that were made better.its much easier to made this style knife than a framelock,too which makes it more puzzling....
 
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