Axis lock and 'flicking' open

K

Kn00b

Joined
Mar 13, 2006
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Hopefully I'll be able to convey this coherently. I'm curious about the lock-up with an Axis lock when 'flicking' it open.

The closest thing I have experience with is Spyderco's 'compression lock'. I have no problem depressing the lock and flicking into the open and locked position. But I do notice a distinctly different sound at lock-up than when just using the hole. The satifying 'thwack' as it snaps into place vs. a bit of a 'thunk' when using the compression lock and flicking.

Both lock open correctly and work fine, just not that satisfing bank vault 'thwack' that lets you know it's really locked open when flicking the spyderhole with a thumb tip.

Does the Axis lock perform identically to this? Or when using the axis lock and a wrist flick is it more like flicking the thumbstud?

Hopefully I don't sound like a soccer mom at the mechanic trying to descibe her engine noise trying to convey this.

Thinking about picking up a Benchmade 710 with D2 but not sure I'll like it so looking for input.
 
I find that by flicking my griptilian open with alot of force via thumbstud or wrist flick akeks the axis lock stick a tiny bit...Locks fine, but when you need to depress the lock its a bit harder to do , but not hard enough to not be able to depress it with my thumb still...So even when flicked open very hard the lock works fine...No worries here...
 
I have a RSK Doug Ritter that is made by Benchmade and is very simular to the griptilian. I almost always flick mine open. The bolt that holds the blade is place is just loose enough that when the axis lock is pulled back the blade will fall out of the knife to about 1/3 open. All you have to do after this is flick your wrist and the knife will fly open and lock into place. When I retract the blade, all I do is pull back the axis lock and the blade will fall part way closed and with a wrist flick it will close. I very rarely touch the thumb stud for opening of the knife. Using the method I described all that is needed is one hand to deploy and then to close the knife. The axis lock has become a favorite of mine. I have both the large and small RSK and like them both, I use the large RSK for my EDC.
 
I'm not to sure what your talking about, but I think your asking how the lock up is depending on how much force you use to open the knife weather you just flick it open or use the stud. So, to answer that, If you just push it open with the stud, the lock up is just as solid as when you do a wrist flick.
I hope that helps, if not tell me what I'm missing and I'll try agin.
 
I have an older Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto folder , ( Im no fanboy of CS but this knife is built like a tank ) that I EDC'd for about two years , I flicked it and abused the heck out of it and it's still going strong but I did have to adjust the axis and decided all my flicking it may have slightly damaged the action.
Now I am pretty wary of forcefully flicking open any of my knives regardless of lock style.
 
That almost sounds like the CS Recon folder has an Axis lock, but that's not right, so what axis did you adjust?

BTW, I use the thumb stud and don't flick mine at all, the lock-up is tight.
 
Hmmm, I don't think I explained at all well in my initial post. Sorry about that.

The Spyderco compression locks I've used have functioned appropriately as I read the Axis lock does. I'm not so much worried about it failing, etc. I guess I'm curious more about the 'feel' of it if that explains it better.

With a wrist flick or thumb flick there's that satisfying 'thwack' of a lock-up on opening. When pressing the compression lock and flicking, everything certainly functions normally but it doesn't have that 'smack' open click.

Again, not a real use issue. Just a feeling in hand difference. Similair to thumbflicking say a delica vs. a larger bladed knife with a lighter detent. Both lock open but feeling in hand is a bit different.

Did this explain better or just muddy the waters more thoroughly?

(I have a feeling I'm going to just have to buy an Axis lock, play with it and answer my own inane question here.) I do appreciate the input so far though.
 
Kn00b said:
Hmmm, I don't think I explained at all well in my initial post. Sorry about that.

The Spyderco compression locks I've used have functioned appropriately as I read the Axis lock does. I'm not so much worried about it failing, etc. I guess I'm curious more about the 'feel' of it if that explains it better.

With a wrist flick or thumb flick there's that satisfying 'thwack' of a lock-up on opening. When pressing the compression lock and flicking, everything certainly functions normally but it doesn't have that 'smack' open click.

Again, not a real use issue. Just a feeling in hand difference. Similair to thumbflicking say a delica vs. a larger bladed knife with a lighter detent. Both lock open but feeling in hand is a bit different.

Did this explain better or just muddy the waters more thoroughly?

(I have a feeling I'm going to just have to buy an Axis lock, play with it and answer my own inane question here.) I do appreciate the input so far though.
Click to expand...

Axis locks are just a little more quiet than my Para's compression lock. The sound you hear when opening your compression lock knife with your thumb can still be created by flicking it. If you flick the compression lock knife without depressing the liner, it'll give the same sound. If you hold the liner down throughout the flick, you'll hear the sound of the tang of the knife hitting the stop pin and the liner won't make the same satisfying sound. In this way the Axis works in the same manner.

This axis is actually pretty quiet. I've had 2 Griptilians, I've played with a lot of the models and I currently own a 615. Most of the sound comes from the tang hitting the stop pin.

I'm heavily biased towards Spyderco in general, but I think everyone should have at least one Axis lock. Hope this answers your question.
 
BTW, I suggest not flicking knives with compression locks. Over time they're known to develop blade play like liner/frame locks and frankly I don't think it's a design flaw. I think it constitutes as abuse.
 
Well put Ignoramus! Makes good sense when you explained it with the anatomy of the knife (stop pin). Thank you.

As to flicking and abuse, I can see an inertial wrist flick creating a large impact against the stop pin but are you also considering 'thumb flicking' via the Spyderhole the same 'abuse'?

In all honesty I'll probably toy with them within reason and if I wear them out with excessive play over time, so be it. Tools have a lifespan and I suppose you have to pay to play just like anything else. It does help to have the knowledge of the possible damage in advance though.
 
ras said:
That almost sounds like the CS Recon folder has an Axis lock, but that's not right, so what axis did you adjust?

BTW, I use the thumb stud and don't flick mine at all, the lock-up is tight.
Click to expand...


Mine is an older version of this , with tanto style blade , non serrated.
recon104.jpg


The screw on the bolt itself is adjustable , perhaps I'm using the wrong terminology though.
 
Knoob,

If you have the screw loose enough where you can flick the knife open just with the thumb, then I don't think that's abuse. Like you said, I was referring to inertial openings via wrist flick.

ras,

Cold Steel's Ultra lock IS the Axis lock. My understanding is that CS pays BM royalties to use it.
 
i always flick my 550 every day for god knows how long its been and it still holds up like a good tank:)
 
inertia opening an axis lock wont hurt it a bit FWIW.

as far as cold steal paying royalties to anyone for anything i find that hard to believe.
 
BMs locks are much more quite than Spyderco. If your looking for that solid lock up sound then Spyderco is better for you. BMs Axis Lock is strong as hell and work great but because the axis lock is so smooth you dont get that lock noise your looking for. As for Flicking Knives open im not a real believer of doing that because it puts a lot of stress on the blade tang when it hits the stopper pin and it will ruin your knife over time. But if you can flick with the right momentume and not slam the blade agianst the stopper pin then theres no problem.
 
SIFU1A said:
as far as cold steal paying royalties to anyone for anything i find that hard to believe.
Click to expand...

I read that they do more than a few times. I've also read that they pay Spyderco for using the mid-lock.
 
Am not a fan of "flicking", never have been, never will be, but feel free to do what you want to your own knives for whatever reason. It just seems like abuse to me, no less than slamming a car door closed. Seems like a variation of the hammer and punch method of loosening parts.

I can open and close knives one handed, just like car doors, without having to have them crash into stops that are built in. The sound it makes matters hardly to myself, reasonable secure open and lock is enough, but then again I don't subscribe to spine whacking and such either. Perhaps I'm just more of a fan of finesse and thought.

Hoping this doesn't come off as too harsh, just my point of view, YMMV.
 
ignoramus said:
I read that they do more than a few times. I've also read that they pay Spyderco for using the mid-lock.
Click to expand...

well, i have read more than a few posts that they do not pay or dont pay the agreed upon amount, just depends on who ya wanna believe i suppose, imho the CS management does not inspire confidence in thier integrity.
 
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