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Arc Lock vs. Axis Lock
- Thread starter TRX
- Start date
E-mail sent. I hope I did a good job of explaining things.
An honest question deserves an honest answer. And I don't sugar-coat $#^%.
Sometimes when you post an unpopular response to a thread, rather than having folks post an intelligent rebuttal.... you get a bunch of pissed off users just spewing crap at you. It's not every user or even most BFers. But there is a significant percentage of Users on BF who have the maturity level of a 2 year-old. Now, I can have a debate or discuss with anyone. But I don't waste my time with flame wars. And the last thing I need is to get my inbox spammed with thousands of instant-generated useless messages that may or may not contain a virus; and for what? Because I posted an honest response? No thank you.
Overall Benchmade is using better steel in their Axis Lock knives than SOG is using in their Arc Lock knives;
and I think the difference in blade steel quality is more important than the difference between the two lock types.
I'm really looking forward to SOG switching away fully from AUS8 in all of their Arc Lock knives to VG-10 and other high grade steels.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2007
- Messages
- 761
Agreed.
I find the the arc-lock is smooth and easy in just about every knife that uses it, while the axis is hit-and-miss in this respect. However, the axis-lock knives are consistently strong and tough, while the arc-lock knives - or the earlier ones at least - are not nearly so tenacious. (I haven't handled the Vulcan or the Visionary, so I don't want to speak out of turn, but the liners in the Pentagon/Spec Elites and X-Rays are alarmingly thin and soft.)
If I had to choose between the two, I'd find an axis knife that works as smoothly as an arc-lock, instead of the arc-lock itself. The griptillians and the ruckus knives come to mind, and to a lesser extend that ultra-slim one (the 3550?) shaped like a coffin. Just play around until you find one that works.
I find the the arc-lock is smooth and easy in just about every knife that uses it, while the axis is hit-and-miss in this respect. However, the axis-lock knives are consistently strong and tough, while the arc-lock knives - or the earlier ones at least - are not nearly so tenacious. (I haven't handled the Vulcan or the Visionary, so I don't want to speak out of turn, but the liners in the Pentagon/Spec Elites and X-Rays are alarmingly thin and soft.)
If I had to choose between the two, I'd find an axis knife that works as smoothly as an arc-lock, instead of the arc-lock itself. The griptillians and the ruckus knives come to mind, and to a lesser extend that ultra-slim one (the 3550?) shaped like a coffin. Just play around until you find one that works.
- Joined
- May 1, 2000
- Messages
- 2,259
I remember the REKATs. The Sifu was one of my favorite folders ever, except for that unreliable lock. I still wish someone would make a Sifu with an Axis, Arc, or even framelock.
The Arc lock's interface is very similar to the Axis lock's, but the mechanism is different; it's not a knock-off.
The Arc lock's mechanism is pretty different than the old rolling lock in how it works and, more importantly, how reliably it works. The Arc lock seems to be on par with the Axis lock for strength and reliability. I wouldn't let lock type sway me between these two, but would look at other factors of the knife.
My SOG Night Vision is as good of quality as any of my Axis locks (806D2, 710HS, 941D2CF, 730CFHS).
The Arc lock's interface is very similar to the Axis lock's, but the mechanism is different; it's not a knock-off.
The Arc lock's mechanism is pretty different than the old rolling lock in how it works and, more importantly, how reliably it works. The Arc lock seems to be on par with the Axis lock for strength and reliability. I wouldn't let lock type sway me between these two, but would look at other factors of the knife.
My SOG Night Vision is as good of quality as any of my Axis locks (806D2, 710HS, 941D2CF, 730CFHS).
I own a bunch of Axis locks and a couple of Arc locks. I feel in general that the Axis feels a bit more secure. Maybe it's my imagination. It seems that on my Pentagon Elite II, it takes very, very little pull-back to completely disengage the lock, compared to most of my Axis lock knives. It could be said the same for some Axis locks, but maybe it's tha mammoth size of the PE II that gives me that impression.
Jim
Jim
I'll jump back in here. For the sake of not simply repeating something that I heard, I am going to post a link to Benchmade's website. They appear to have a patent on both Rolling and Axis locks, here is an explanation.
http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/locking_mechanisms.asp
I still contend that for the normal user the two locks, Arc and Axis are probably fine.
http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/locking_mechanisms.asp
I still contend that for the normal user the two locks, Arc and Axis are probably fine.