What can I do about a very stiff back lock?

BenLong1018

BenLong1018

Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
1,668
Just got a new Cold Steel Talwar and the lock is ridiculously stiff and it's been killing my thumb. Is there anything I can do to smooth it out?

I already tried oil by the way.
 
they are very stiff at first they need a break in of about 200 cycles that is why they are so rock solid and have no play at all you can also leave the blade open at a 90 degree angle for a day.
 
If you feel comfortable taking it apart, You can polish the lock bar where the spring contacts it. Polishing the end of the spring also helps.
 
I like to grind down the spring (that is, make it thinner. Shortening the spring makes it stiffer), but you basically have to forget that there ever was a warranty and be willing to toss the knife if you get it wrong.
 
That's got their top-rated lock, which just about wrecked my thumb when I got the Rajah II. Patience and playing with it got it loosened up a bit.
 
blame it on god said:
If you feel comfortable taking it apart, You can polish the lock bar where the spring contacts it. Polishing the end of the spring also helps.
Click to expand...

I don't have any experience with lock back knives so taking it apart wouldn't be the best idea for me.

Joshua J. said:
I like to grind down the spring (that is, make it thinner. Shortening the spring makes it stiffer), but you basically have to forget that there ever was a warranty and be willing to toss the knife if you get it wrong.
Click to expand...

I paid $80 for this knife I don't think I'll be grinding anything.

Esav Benyamin said:
That's got their top-rated lock, which just about wrecked my thumb when I got the Rajah II. Patience and playing with it got it loosened up a bit.
Click to expand...

I hope so this is a thumb killer.

RevDevil said:
Because it has not been mentioned yet, thumb push ups. ;)
Click to expand...

Haha!
 
couple drops of lube and then get to crankin' for awhile.

if it remains stiff after 3 hours consult your physician.
 
I have a couple of new Cold Steels with too stiff locks even after lube and playing so I will try the leaving half open trick. IMO this is a major disadvantage of current Cold Steel knives. With a really good blade lock design there should be no reason for needing a ridiculously stiff spring IMO. Overkill that also is a thumb killer. One reason I really like the BM Axis Lock design. My easiest opening spine lock design is an older Beretta with a skeleton blade.
 
I love the triad on the tuff. It's too strong, but uses a coil spring. I'm considering cutting off a loop or two then stretching it back to length. That should fix it on these types.
 
On my Cold Steel Tuff Lite and Voyager knives I found that depressing the blade release well beyond the normal blade release point considerably reduces the depression force after the treatment. Use a brass punch, aluminum rod with handle or something which will not mar the knife steel and set the half open knife on the edge of a table or bench with the blade pointing down over the edge of the support. Use the tool to further depress the blade release lever down. Proceed with caution.

I suspect that this overstresses the spring some so I do not guarantee that if done too enthusiastically that spring breakage or too much operating force reduction might not occur. It can though quickly reduce the unlocking pressure required without causing the lockup to feel less secure, at least on my knives.
 
I have a Cold Steel Spartan that has a triad lock that is insanely stiff still after lubing and leaving open. On the other hand I just picked up a CS 4" tanto Recon that works smooth as silk right out of the box. It also has triad lock. Is it possible that the spring would be interchangeable? Can you order replacement springs? Has anyone had experience sending a too stiff lock back to Cold Steel? Will they fix under warranty or is it considered normal operation.
 
My Spartan was Very stiff. What worked for me was to both apply lube and leave it open. I left mine open for several days, and checkd it twice a day. When I say left open I mean I left open where the blade was about at a 45 degree angle.
 
Leaving my Spartan open at a 90 degree angle for three days and relubing everthing has left me with a whole new knife! Thanks for the tips. I can even flip it open with the thumb plate now which was impossible before
 
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