I do not really want this to be made into a Cold Steel bashing thread. With that said, I think it may be helpful to them to know of issues that are going on that may sour their customers. Let me just add, that I never expected them to give me free parts for things I screwed up. I just wanted to able to order parts that I was in need of. If this thread, or others like it, serve to help them improve communication and customer service in general, I believe it can be a positive experience for all concerned. CS Moderator, thank you again for stepping up here and trying to make a bad situation good.