Real Steel Megalodon Eclipse 2018 (9618) possible frame lock issue?

fliptwister

fliptwister

Joined
Apr 4, 2018
Messages
10
I recently bought this knife and I'm very happy with it. It is a very well thought out knife with excellent materials and relatively inexpensive for what you get. It is also very light for a larger knife at 3.6 oz.

When I was examining it more closely I noticed that the frame lock is a bit early for what I'm used to. I have a concern about how effective the frame lock will be over time. I have compared how much the frame engages the bottom of blade and it looks like it engages less than video reviews I have watched about this knife and also other frame locks I own. On the other frame lock knifes I have I would estimate frame engages roughly 30 - 40% of the bottom of the blade. With the Megalodon Ecipse 2018 it looks like it is covering only about 10% - 15% of the bottom of blade. Here is a closer look at that area of the knife:

40664182524_22cab3c31a_c.jpg


It locks very well and the blade does not move at all when locked. The action is also super smooth. I'm just concerned that over time it might become an issue.

Thoughts?
 
Looks unsafe to me. I'd ask the vendor for a replacement or if it's too late use the warranty.

The one inconsistent thing I've seen with the Megalodon series is the lockup % variation from knife to knife. I only have a 2017 and a 2018 but lockup while different between them is far better/safer than the one you have.
 
I have noticed when lock up is too early to begin with. It can throw things off down the line. Due to the height of the lock bar or stop pin diameter the angle is thrown off a bit.
 
fliptwister said:
I recently bought this knife and I'm very happy with it. It is a very well thought out knife with excellent materials and relatively inexpensive for what you get. It is also very light for a larger knife at 3.6 oz.

When I was examining it more closely I noticed that the frame lock is a bit early for what I'm used to. I have a concern about how effective the frame lock will be over time. I have compared how much the frame engages the bottom of blade and it looks like it engages less than video reviews I have watched about this knife and also other frame locks I own. On the other frame lock knifes I have I would estimate frame engages roughly 30 - 40% of the bottom of the blade. With the Megalodon Ecipse 2018 it looks like it is covering only about 10% - 15% of the bottom of blade. Here is a closer look at that area of the knife:

40664182524_22cab3c31a_c.jpg


It locks very well and the blade does not move at all when locked. The action is also super smooth. I'm just concerned that over time it might become an issue.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Looks unsafely early to me too. It looks like the lockbar is slightly too long or something.
 
Yup, I agree with what others have said. If possible, return to dealer for replacement or to Realsteel for service. I wouldn't feel good using it as is.

Have you made sure the lock bar insert is seated properly in the frame?

I really liked some Realsteel knives early on but I've noticed some QC related variability on some recently. They might be suffering from the same growing pains that hit Kizer.
 
The lock bar insert is shaped like puzzle piece so I don't think it could be seated improperly. The lock bar insert sits in a milled in area (same shape but a little bigger) in the titanium frame. There are also 2 screws holding the insert in place so it is hard for me to imagine it has moved. When I look in with flashlight it looks like it is flush to titanium frame. I guess I could take apart to confirm though not sure if i want to do that before returning/service if that is route I go. I'm not clear on how far the lock bar insert extends beyond titanium frame but I think it is very close. Can I link here to youtube review? I could point out times in review which are pertinent to this issue. Thanks for all replies.
 
Don't take it apart. It's been red locktite'd. Big pita and it may not fix the problem or worse stripping the screws.

Just paste the link and the forum will embed the video.
 
This is the video review I'm referring to:
The details about the lock bar insert and lockup are between 9:11 - 9:55 in the video. It includes some stills.
 
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