Lone Wolf Defender

JOELSM

JOELSM

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Aug 30, 2007
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I never have actually posted a thread - so forgive me if I'm not doing it right...

I recently purchased a Lone Wolf Defender. It's a beautiful knife, but I'm experiencing some problems with it. The first day I received it the lockup was solid when in the open position. As I played with it through the day I noticed the lock up get sloppy. After 2 or 3 days the knife would rattle if shaken when in the locked open position. There wasn't a gross amount of play, but definitely more than my other high quality production knives.

I contacted Lone Wolf and they told me to send it in. A few days later I received a new knife. (Great customer service BTW). I opened it up and it was solid as a rock. However now I'm on day three and the knife has loosened up and rattles just like the first one.

Does anyone have experience with the Paul Lock? Should I just expect more play with this type of lock? I'm 0-2 now and I'm starting to think it's more the design than the knife. I’m a little disappointed and would expect a more solid lock up for a knife at this price…
 
Unfortunately this seems to be a fairly common occurence with the Lone Wolf version of the Paul lock.
 
I had the same problem with Lone Wolf Prankster and a Panther model. Panther is discontinued. Tight at first and then loosens up very quickly. The older Paul knives by Gerber both runs one in late seventies and then another run in early to middle nineties did not develope blade play.

RKH
 
Thanks for the input RKH. I just contacted the dealer who I purchased the knife from. They have told me that I can return it. I'm definitely going to do that. It's a shame because the knife really is a nice looking piece. I wish it was made with a different locking mechanism. The cocobolo handles matched the grips of my Springfield Champion perfectly.
 
Glad I could help JOELSM. My 2 Paul Lone Wolf folders were real nice EDC size but the play in the lock really bothered me. I hate side play and especially up and down when the blade is locked open. I not sure if they have to be made that way to work but like a said earlier my Gerbers did not have any play but I like the Lone Wolf size better.

RKH
 
I handled one a few days ago and wasn't impressed. It was already sloppy, though the salesman said they had just got them in. I really like the look of the knife and if it was a reliable liner instead IMO they'd sell like hotcakes.
 
Splat said:
I handled one a few days ago and wasn't impressed. It was already sloppy, though the salesman said they had just got them in. I really like the look of the knife and if it was a reliable liner instead IMO they'd sell like hotcakes.
Click to expand...

I'm inclined to agree with you Splat.

I purchased Paul Pranksters for each of my groomsmen. They haven't reported any problems, but I personally found the Paul lock to be rather ill-designed.

Great look knife...just didn't care for the lock design. Now that I read here that the Paul lock isn't very sturdy I may call the groomsmen and have them return their knives to Lone Wolf and exchange them for the harsey model.


FWIW, I've got a Double Duty and it's been great. The above isn't an indictment of Lone Wolf Knives.
 
I'm not saying one should have to fix a brand new knife but in case anyone is interested here's how:

The trick to eliminating vertical blade play on the Defender is in the stop pin - the screw hole is not centered so the pin changes position as it rotates. Adjust it right for both open and closed lock (a delicate balancing act) and then loctite and tighten well.

Horizontal play is dealt with in the normal manner - adjust the pivot, which in this case is also the lock. The crown on the button side can be turned with a suitable tool.
 
Thanks for the info Dutch1e. However, I'm a little nervous about taking a new knife apart and voiding the warranty.

I put the knife back in its box and have sent it back to the dealer. I don't think a brand new knife should have to be fixed either.
 
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