Two Mikovs both have same problem

[todlerboyd]

Hey Guys, I have just completed my 2nd Mikov and both knives turned out great but neither will not lock open. When they open they will lock if I just barley push the blade then they lock up fine. I have peined the blade pin fairly tight so I have no play in the blade but I'm wondering if this cause's the non locking problem? Thanks in advance

[Bill DeShivs]

Could be. Or, you may need to take the blades out and open the locking slot a little.

[Razor_54]

What Bill said. Always a good idea to dry fit before final assembly.

[todlerboyd]

I just checked the knives and if I push down on the button ( on top of the lock pin) they will lock open? I'm hate to take them aort but looks like I'm going to have to.

[Vagrant]

Use them [pushing to lock] for a couple weeks and they MAY "wear in"

[big_ski]

Did you try oiling the pivot area?

[todlerboyd]

Alright blades lock fine with the springs out. I'm thinking about either shortening the back spring or making the notches deeper in the springs to lesson the pressure on the back spring. Think that will work? Thanks guys

[Bill DeShivs]

Relieve the springs where they contact the blade (in the closed position.)

[javacupper]

As Razor said, I always do a dry run with both the leverletto and Mikov kits. I check the lockup in open and closed positions, and the straightness of the blade. Every Mikov I have put together has required a little adjustment either to the blade hole or lever pin, or to the blade or back spine to get the blade straight. It is much easier to file the lever pin or blade hole slightly before the knife is assembled than to fix it as you are doing now. Sometimes we have to learn from our mistakes like my first effort with reconstituted stone. The first piece while adjusting the thickness I fired off my belt sander to shatter against the wall and floor. The second piece I tried to drill a pin hole too quickly and broke it in half. At least I was able to salvage the pieces for use between the hilts of a sub-hilt fighter. One caution, if you are dry assembling a Leverletto kit, the liners are fairly soft and can be bent easily before scales are attached. The Mikov liners are stiffer. Here I was checking the fit of a Leverletto kit.

[todlerboyd]

You guys rock! Thanks for the help and tips on building the mikov. I got both knives working now I removed all oil residue,filed the back spring just a tad and then loosened the pivot pin just a hair and wala...they work. I'm starting knife #3 tonight. And I will dry assemble and test fire and adjust BEFORE I put it together. I'm sure you will here from me again and its good to know you all are there to help. Also does anyone know where to get the Leverletto kits. I would really like a 9" kit if they make them.
Frank

[todlerboyd]

Here are some photos

[dp68]

Nice looking Knives

[lars]

Great pair! They both looks very nice! Very well done!

[Razor_54]

Very nice, indeed. Really like the dark horn.
Glad to hear everything worked out.

[whippersnapper]

Very nice!