AXIS break in

M

MotoDave

Joined
Sep 22, 2004
Messages
18
Hi everyone, just want to say that I'm enjoying this forum a lot since I've joined. I recently purchased a Benchmade 806SD2 AFCK, and I love this knife. My only gripe is with the lock up on the AXIS lock. I've only ever heard good things about it, so I thought I'd check to make sure its not a defect in the one I got.

When I open the knife normally with the thumb hole, the lock works great. But if I flip it open, or swing the blade all the way out with a hard snap, the lock can be really hard to release. Is this normal for the AXIS lock, or should I try to adjust the lock or send the knife back for service?
 
Damn, you got a 806, that was the one I wanted...

This is normal, and is also presant in the 722 I bought on monday.
You may also want to read that flick/flip thread on the BM forums (probably wont help, but never hurts to be more knowledgable, unless it's some sort of conspiacy and you know too much).
 
I've owned a few axis locks and I never had one jam when I flicked it open. In fact, that's how I normally open them: hold the lock back and flick my wrist. I close them the same way in reverse.

I think you should call Benchmade and speak to someone about that. They will fix any defect for you, but they consider it voiding the warrantee if you disassemble the knife yourself.
 
it depends.

A.) if you are holding back the lock and then flicking the blade out and releasing the lock it should be no harder to close than normal. B.) however, if you are holding the blade and flicking out the handle, or are holding the handle and flicking out the blade without holding back the axis lock then it will be harder to close than normal.

if i hold the blade of my mini-grip and flick it open with my wrist the lock is a little harder to release than normal. this goes away after a time and you won't notice it eventually, as long as your problem is from B above i don't think you should waste the time sending it it unless it really bothers you.
 
the problem I am having does not occur when I hold back the lock and flip it open, only if say the blade is already a little bit open, and I give it a hard flip out. It also happens when I used the "zip-tie wave" trick, when I'd wave the knife out of my pocket it would be really hard to close.

underaged! I really recommend the 806, I live the feel and shape of the knife, and despite its size it doesn't feel large to carry
 
The angle on the ramp of the 'Axis' lock controls everything.
If the ramp is made at too small an angle, then the axis roll pin can jamb and require extra pressure to release.

Make the ramp angle too great, and it will never jamb, but could release on a spine whack ( not good ) . So its a very precision lock and only works if the overall quality and tolerances are very high.

Benchmade, like most companies today, is in a continuing struggle to make a profit as well as a high quality product. From my experience, I believe that their quality has slipped in the last year and they are seriously looking at ways of saving money. That I can guarantee.

That said......if the sticking continues, return it for a replacement or repair.
There is a very good chance that it might wear in.
Any type of 'flicking' will in effect force the axis roll pin deeper up the ramp and accentuates the problem.

Hope this has helped a little.
 
Every axis I have started like that. The inertia caused by flicking it open just allows the lock to slide further up the tang. It will break in after a while. Nothing to worry about. Besides, isn't it better that it's a little harder to close, as opposed to being hard to open :D !
 
true, I'd rather have it be stiff than cut my hand...

how long are we talking about for the break in period, I have had mine for about a month, and it gets used/opened/played with regularly
 
It will take a while. To be honest, I've had my TSEK for over a year and it will still stick sometimes if I flick it open hard enough. I don't even know if they really break in as much as we start to get used to the amount of force needed to open a certain knife (without using too much force).
 
It does take a while to break in. My 556 took a while, probably a month or two to get real smooth with the thumb stud, with me flipping it open a couple times a day (its so fun :) ).

sorry to hijack, but is there any problems with flicking the knife open with your wrist (not holding back the AXIS lock)? It seems to me that this isn't a good idea because whats the thumb stud for. Also, I'd think that you want it to be slightly stiff to open so you can not have it slip open on its own.
 
I would rather have a knife "stick" open, less chance of it closing:) But if it bothers you, rub the lock ramp with a pencil point. The graphite will smooth it right out.
 
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