Anyone else addicted to the axis lock?

southernknives

southernknives

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I find most of my folders are axis locking Benchmade knives.

I prefer them over ALL frame locking, or liner locking folders.

If I want something stronger than an axis lock I will pick up a fixed blade.
Who else is axis lock addicted?
 
Just got my first axis lock a few days ago, a Ritter Mini-Grip. Based on all of the love that the axis lock seems to get, I was expecting otherworld functioning, but I've got to say, I'm a little let down. It's true that your thumb doesn't have to cross the blade path ala liner or frame lock, but I've never had a problem with either one of those in 10+ years of ownership (an early CRKT linerlock amongst others, 0350, 0550, etc.). The spring on the axis makes sort of a crunching sound when activated, whether opening or closing, and the blade doesn't seem to sweep as freely as i might like. That being said, I fully expect the movement to "wear-in" so to speak and I'm sure that soon I will not even notice the crunching sound of the axis lock spring.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am so used to liner locks or frame locks that I was expecting the axis to be the holy grail, and after getting one, I feel that it is just another lock. That is only my opinion, and I mean no disrespect to the OP's assesment of the lock. For what it's worth, I love the Ritter Mini-Grip, but it absolutely needs a new pair of scales!
 
Here is my experience:
I have had knives with the axis lock and the tri-ad lock malfunction. Because dirt got in the mechanism I could not close the blade (had to dissassemble them).
I now stick with the frame lock.
 
southernknives said:
I find most of my folders are axis locking Benchmade knives.
Who else is axis lock addicted?
Click to expand...

I am. I have frame locks and liner locks that I like, but for overall ease and pleasure of use I much prefer my Benchmades with the axis lock.

In particular, I love the 707, 710, 940 and 950 knives.

Different strokes for different folks, though. I've bought a lot of Spydercos and never managed to love any of them, so when I hear folks who only like Spydercos or whatever say that Benchmades are bad I figure it's just the same thing in reverse.

I do love me that axis lock though. I'm carrying my 940 Osborne at the moment, and it makes me happy when I use it.
 
I would love to try an Axis lock out, but I'm afraid of the Omega springs breaking at an inopportune time.
 
The-Stig said:
I would love to try an Axis lock out, but I'm afraid of the Omega springs breaking at an inopportune time.
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Why do people on the forum seem to think this happens all the time? I use axis lock knives a lot, and have for years, and still haven't managed to have one break yet. In the same time span, I had a frame lock develop wicked lock rock bad enough to happily close on its own--I don't somehow believe as a result that frame locks will all be unreliable, though.

Incidentally, the frame lock knife with lock rock needed major work to be safe. If I somehow lose both omega springs on an axis lock I could still put it in the locked position and then wedge something behind the lock pin if I needed to use the knife.
 
Since I have gotten my Griptilian, I will sit at my desk while I am working and just open and close it just to play with the lock. I think I have started to become a Benchmade fanboy.
 
Maybe I will give one a shot. I wonder how those people broke their springs? Is it a quality control issue or is it dependent on how you use the knife?
 
The axis is my favorite lock. I don't have the habit of just sitting around flipping my knives though. I open and close them when needed. The axis is the strongest lock in my opinion and it's very easy to open and close one handed. I've had one or another for close to 15 years. Never had a spring break.
 
The-Stig said:
I would love to try an Axis lock out, but I'm afraid of the Omega springs breaking at an inopportune time.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a report of both sides breaking near the same time. Actually I don't think I've seen anyone say they've broken two in the same knife. With only one, it still functions. This is not something to worry about :)
 
kreole said:
I've never seen a report of both sides breaking near the same time. Actually I don't think I've seen anyone say they've broken two in the same knife. With only one, it still functions. This is not something to worry about :)
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Good to know. I know I'll buy one someday, but so far I've been scared off by people knocking the springs. There's too many knives, not enough time or money. I didn't want to get something that might break on me.
 
I have had great luck with the axis lock.It is my #1 pick for a work knife for the ease of one handed opening and closeing.I don't know if I would say I am addicted but I definitely like the design.
The-Stig, The axis lock has two omega springs and can operate with one so you wouldn't be SOL if one spring snapped. I have never had a omega spring break on me.
 
Add me to the list. My M4 Grip with Cuscodi CF scales feels like a million bucks and my 1st mini grip just showed up today and I can't put it down.
 
The-Stig said:
Good to know. I know I'll buy one someday, but so far I've been scared off by people knocking the springs. There's too many knives, not enough time or money. I didn't want to get something that might break on me.
Click to expand...

I've had one break on me, and I definitely find it frustrating BM won't send out or sell the springs so that I could keep on hand spares, but it truly isn't a big deal when one breaks. I think if the axis lock was just mediocre I wouldn't bother buying them , but it is a very nice lock.
 
That's another thing that confused me, why won't they send out replacement springs? I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I could just keep extra springs around. It wouldn't take me long to fix it if one did break.
 
I have so many knives laying around that even if one did break, which has never happened, it's not like I'd be out of knives to carry.
 
Brasso3 said:
I don't have the habit of just sitting around flipping my knives though.
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I do, I get bored easily. I probably flipped the 940 I was carrying fifty times today just watching football. Of course, my wife wasn't around so I was free to behave like a nitwit at the time. ;)

I wouldn't even want to guess at how many times my trusty 707 has been flipped open, and both springs are still going strong as far as I can tell.
 
I like the Axis lock, but I've had springs on both my 710 and Griptilian break, making me send the knives back into Benchmade for replacements. It's so annoying to me that they won't just mail you a replacement. The lock was still able to function with one spring, but lock-up wasn't near as secure. I have a preference for the Caged Ball Lock from Spyderco.
 
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